Growing up, Gene had a short fuse. Quick to anger, he would often get into physical fights. “I used to get in a lot of trouble,” Gene recalls. “Sometimes I don’t really mean to be violent. But when I get very mad, I just lose it.” Then, consequences followed, and at 16, he was sentenced to probation at the Singapore Boys’ Hostel—a rehabilitation institution managed by Trybe.

Gene spent 12 months in the hostel. An otherwise clever and funny young man, his aggressive and impulsive behaviour still put him at risk of re-offending. “If I don’t control my anger, I will never get anywhere in life,” Gene says. “I didn’t want my anger to always control me.”

With the hostel staff’s recommendation, Gene sought guidance from Trybe’s Growing Resilient Youth in Transition (GRYT)—an aftercare service that helps youths from institutions to reintegrate back into society.

In his last few weeks in the hostel, Gene was introduced to his GRYT Social Worker, Joseph. “With the way he speaks and acts, Gene can come across as difficult, a tough nut to crack,” Joseph recalls. “But once you get to know him, you’d find out that he has no intention of hurting anyone.”

Through several counselling sessions and therapy, Gene started to open up with Joseph. Soon after, he expressed his interest in joining a
fitness programme. “I’ve always wanted to go boxing,” Gene says. “But our family never had the money to pay for it.”

Soon after, Trybe helped him sign up with Refuel Gym Academy—a local gym that offers boxing and Muay Thai training for youths and adults. “We are fortunate enough to have met partners like Refuel Gym Academy, that are eager to help our youths to succeed,” Joseph shares.

Gene’s coach, Shoba, recalls their first training session. “He seemed shy and had little confidence that he’d be able to do the exercises properly.”

With much encouragement, Gene became more focused and in just a few sessions, he has
improved his form and stamina.

“I’m very proud of how much he has changed,” says Shoba. “When he’s not in the gym, Gene trains at home. I would ask him to practice boxing drills then he’d send me his training videos to update me from time to time. That’s how determined he is.”

Gene also built resilience in other aspects of his life. “He has become more disciplined in his eating habits now,” shares Shoba. “I noticed that there’s a shift in his mindset as well. He pushes himself more in training.”

Apart from gaining self-discipline and perseverance, Gene found boxing as an outlet for his emotions. “Training is really tough and tiring but boxing makes me happy,” Gene shares with a big smile. “Someday I want to be able to fight in the ring.”

While he has a long way to go, Shoba believes it is not impossible for Gene to join a competition one day. “At Refuel Gym, we see him as a family member,” says Shoba. “As long as he continues to persevere and stay focused, we’ll be here to help him reach his goal.”

Six months into the GRYT programme, Gene’s mother witnessed how he strived to change. In the past, he has always maintained a level of openness with her but he always refused to take his mother’s advice. “I would always tell him that if all the fighting continues, he might hurt himself or get arrested,” Madam Dy* recalls. “But he didn’t care much about that before. In response, he would explode in anger instead. Now, he thinks about his future.”

“I didn’t want to lose two years of my life,” Gene adds. “I would rather change now than regret it later.”

Although his parents stood by him and supported his transformation journey, they thought he would not be able to finish his probation. “I remember the first time we went to court, my husband and I were very worried that he would get into trouble again and end up in prison,” Madam Dy says.

Should he re-offend and get arrested during his probation, Gene would have to serve an additional 2 years in prison. Much to their relief, Gene showed tremendous improvement and completed his sentence.

“My parents never praise me for anything I do,” Gene says. “So when they told me they are proud of me for changing, wah I didn’t expect that it would feel so good sia.”

As Gene continues to work on himself, he is also pleased about how his relationship with his father has improved. “Last time, I felt like when he talks to me, it’s just to scold me,” Gene recalls. “I didn’t see that he gets angry when he’s worried about me.”

“Both of them used to have a bad temper so they clash a lot,” Madam Dy adds. “My son wouldn’t share much with my husband because of this.” While still a work in progress, with both father and son eager to change, their situation at home is
getting better.

Aside from his family’s encouragement, Gene credits his achievement to his Social Worker, Joseph. “Joseph was consistent in checking up on me but also respected my space and maintained a good distance. I felt that he genuinely cared about me without pressurizing me,” Gene says.

“I don’t expect him to become a completely different person in 18 months so this is just the first step,” Joseph clarifies. “But the changes that he willingly made—though they may seem small to him, they are worth celebrating and I couldn’t be more proud of Gene.”

“Anger management, attitude, and maturity,” says Gene, when asked about the three things he learned and changed in the past 18 months. He believes that if he is able to control his anger better and foster a positive attitude towards others and his future, he can progress in life.