Irene Kwan, CEO Of TMC Fertility
Immense joy. Fulfillment.
Admiration. Desire. Love. Conviction.
Everyone has that one thing that ignites these compelling emotions in them. An activity, a topic or purpose that fully engages them and takes them through an immersive journey throughout their lifetimes. That one thing that they are most passionate about in life.
Passion inspires the common man and woman to go above and beyond and in many instances, fuels them to live better lives and become the best versions of themselves.
In People & Their Passions, International Business Review features elite personalities like you’ve never seen them before as they share their hobbies, interests and biggest passions in life. Join us as we celebrate living life to the hilt with them.
“Scuba diving is an absolute passion of mine. Just imagine a world where weightlessness embraces you, time
seems to stand still, and the worries of everyday life fade into the abyss. This is the world I discovered when I first dipped beneath the waves, a world that now defines a significant part of who I am – a passionate scuba diver seeking peace and serenity.
My passion for scuba diving began at the age of 11, inspired by my father’s love for the underwater world. During our island getaways, I watched him explore and capture vibrant marine life, sparking my curiosity. However, it wasn’t until adulthood, during a leadership programme, that I had the chance to fulfil my long-held dream of scuba diving. Of course, I had some initial nervousness during training for the basic diving licence, but I realised that it’s best to overcome my fears rather than letting it control me. Each dive is so memorable, the wildlife and sights we see is truly a different world to ours.
Not long after my first few open water dives, I went ahead to earn my advanced scuba diving licence because it allows me the chance to encounter a different facet of the underwater world. At depths of up to 30 meters, a mystical realm unveils itself. It’s quite different than diving during daylight. The temperature shifts, the kind of marine life changes, and some even display different behaviours. It is such enchanting spectacle, from bioluminescent squids to prawns glowing in the darkness, the night reveals secrets that daylight conceals. Larger creatures such as crabs emerge from the shadows.
Scuba diving is more than just exploration; it’s a dance of attentiveness. Safety after all, is key to any activity. It helps me to pay more attention to my surroundings, and of course my equipment. When divers don’t take care and don’t pay attention to their equipment, such as the oxygen level, accidents can happen. So, for safety reasons, we tend to keep dives under an hour or less. In fact, to ascend, safety stops are one of these, because we need to allow our bodies to adjust to the changing pressures and release accumulated nitrogen.

“For me, scuba diving is a voyage into tranquillity, a pursuit of the purest form of “me time.” Irene Kwan CEO of TMC Fertility
Beyond the physical marvels, what draws me to the depths is the tranquillity it imparts. Diving had a unique ability to calm my mind. Submerging beneath the surface transports me to a sanctuary of stillness and calm, it’s my Zen zone. It’s sort of like a meditation in motion, a state of pure relaxation that helps me to escape and transcends the hustle and bustle of life above. Sometimes when stress tightens
its grip and life’s demands weigh heavy, my cheeky husband would turn to me and suggest a scuba diving escape.
And without fail, a visit to the underwater world renews my spirit. It helps me to become the calmest version of myself after each trip. I feel refreshed and ready to take on new challenges that lie ahead. It’s as if the ocean’s embrace washes away the clutter, leaving
only clarity and peace in its wake.”