Exclusive: Interview with Kimbeley Yap on her new book, But By Grace.

Kimbeley grew up in Miri, Sarawak, and since young, she had an interest in sports and fitness At a young age, she took up competitive swimming and trained with Coach Shazali Salleh, and later on by Coach Foo of China. She was recruited into the elite National Squad at Bukit Jalil. She has been representing the country as swimmer, triathlete (2005-2008), and cyclist (2009-2011).

She won 2 gold medals at the SEA games and is currently the defending champion for triathlon. Ever since her back injury, she joined the National cycling team. Then later on she decided to retire from competitive high level sports and pursued a degree in Sports Science. Besides that, she is the sister to national swimming icon Daniel Bego.



But By Grace is an easy-to-read 100-page full colour journey of Kimbeley's life, the lessons she has learned as a swimmer, runner, cyclist and triathlete, with photographs and interviews with the people who journeyed with her since she was a child up to her adult life today.

Kimbeley's hope is that this book will inspire and empower people from all walks of life, especially younger athletes and kids trying to overcome difficult situations in their life.

This book was made possible through the support of her friends and family through a crowdfunding exercise done in December 2015, where Kimbeley managed to raise RM17,500 in 60 days from contributors from all over the world, to help fund the costs of self-publishing.



Here's an exclusive interview we had with Kimbeley for the launch of her new book.

1) What inspires you to write a book?
Every time I tell someone about my life journey they would tell me that it needs to be in a book. So on my birthday last year I decided to make it my birthday present to everyone! I'd love this book to inspire and empower women in all walks of life.

2) How do you spend most of your time nowadays?
My husband (Noel) and I runs a fitness company. With hands-on expertise in various forms of movement and exercise, I specalize in working with ladies and people with injuries. With my experience and physiology and exercise science.

3) Who inspires you most in life?
My mother, Amy Wong

4) What lessons have you learned as a runner/ triathlete?
I think the most valuable lesson I've learned was to persevere when the situation gets tough.

5) Favourite running/ racing tip you’d pass along?
Lay everything you've trained for on the course.

6) The best advice you have ever received
Never take anything for granted!

7) Do you have any specific beauty ritual to keep looking the best in or out of the arena?
Wet wipes, I have them all the time!

8) Do you plan to make a comeback in racing?
No, priorities change. I would like to channel my time and experience to helping others.

9) What next after this?
Maybe build a family.

10) Message to your fans
If you change the way you see things, the things you see will change.



But By Grace can be purchased online at RM60 www.kimbeley.com with free shipping throughout Malaysia

For every copy sold, Kimbeley will be donating RM5 to Orphancare Foundation. OrphanCARE is a non-profit non-governmental organisation established in 2008, under the patronage of HRH Sultanah Pahang, Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom. It aims to give every orphan and abandoned baby a chance to feel love and care in the security of a family in accordance to their tagline 'Every Child Needs A Family'. Their baby hatch, the first such facility in Malaysia, was set up to discourage women from abandoning their babies by providing the assurance that the babies would be placed in good homes.