Me and My Money: Going from Lee Kuan Yew’s protection detail to teaching kids to swim

SINGAPORE – After serving in the police force for 20 years, including 11 years as part of the protection detail for Mr Lee Kuan Yew when he was senior minister, Mr Athanasius Pang is now teaching swimming to children as young as three months old.

These career choices seem to be worlds apart, but Mr Pang, 50, says he finds similarities in how both give him a sense of purpose.

“It’s the same foundation: building credibility, creating systems, and crafting impact. Now, instead of protecting lives with force, I’m shaping them with water,” he said.

In 2021, inspired by his own experiences teaching his youngest child to swim, Mr Pang founded Dip Swim to teach children confidence, resilience and how to protect themselves by helping them find their footing in water.

“Water offers the perfect environment to build not just physical coordination, but also qualities like calm under pressure to survive water incidents, emotional management, confidence to execute solutions and resilience to overcome challenges. These are all foundational traits of leadership,” he said.

Before starting Dip Swim, Mr Pang launched his own security company in 2011, and explored tech-based solutions such as new security technologies and developed training simulators. The business shuttered in 2021 during the pandemic.

“The early years were tough. Credibility had to be re-earned in the private sector. I quickly learnt that reputation alone doesn’t convert to revenue. I had to relearn humility, resilience, and business fundamentals,” he said.

Mr Pang is married with one daughter. He also has two children from a previous marriage.

Q: How do you grow your money?

A: I’m all about being driven by values and growth. In my previous career in the police force and in running my security business, I saw how the super rich lived and experienced highs and lows. I learnt that I do not need to fit myself into the mould of traditional investors. I grow my money by investing in what I know, believe in and can directly influence. I don’t invest in stocks or gold.

Dip Swim is where my energy and capital go into. Reinvesting into the programme – from curriculum development to coach training – gives me the highest returns in both impact and growth. Every dollar I put into it helps build the brand, a community and a legacy.

I invest heavily in the people I work with – Dip Swim has six coaches and one administrative staff member now – whether it’s upskilling them, mentoring them, or giving them leadership roles. When my coaches level up, the brand levels up.

Q: What’s your approach to growing your money?

A: Rather than chase returns in businesses or markets I don’t control, I focus on scaling what I do understand – my business, my people, and my values.

Q: Do you invest in any tangible assets?

A: I value meaningful experiences over material things, so if I ever do invest in tangible items, it’ll likely be something that tells a powerful story or preserves legacy. I do enjoy biking and own a Harley-Davidson.

Q: Did you collect anything when you were younger?

A: Yes, I collected action figures, especially superheroes. My favourite was Batman. He’s a person with gadgets but not magic powers. I think even then, I was drawn to stories of strength, courage and transformation. It’s funny how that childhood fascination mirrors what I do now – helping kids grow into their own version of heroes.

Q: What has been your biggest business mistake?

A: Early on, I under-invested in brand-building. I focused on operations and ignored the fact that perception shapes reality. Not investing in how we told our story slowed down momentum. It was a costly delay – but it taught me that clarity, consistency and visibility matter as much as quality service.

Q: What has been your best business decision?

A: Working, hiring and developing the right people, not the best people. I had my fair share of mistakes having freeloaders and high-calibre people during my entrepreneurial process.

As Dip Swim is a training organisation, our coaches are assets, and they are the face of the company. But still, there is a need to have a support team to work behind the curtains. The right people coming together will complement one another and better the brand.

Q: Where’s home for you?

A: I live in a four-room HDB flat in Yishun, where I’m close to both nature and community.

Q: What do you drive?

A: I ride a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.

Q: Money-wise, what were your growing-up years like?

A: I grew up in a harsh era – born in 1975. I learnt to adapt and to work with what I have – sort of a sink-or-swim style.

My parents were civil servants. Those days, civil servants had stable but low wages. My daily allowance was 50 cents in Primary 3 and this increased to 70 cents when I was in Primary 6. I often envied classmates who were able to buy soft drinks after their meals or go to the bookshop to buy fancy stationery. But at that age, I didn’t think of it much or wonder why I could not afford the same things.

But perhaps that way of life enabled me to develop the drive to evolve, innovate and create.

I learnt early on that wealth isn’t guaranteed – it’s earned, managed and respected. That mindset led me to value purpose over profit, and sustainability over shortcuts.

Q: What was your childhood dream?

A: It was actually to protect others. It’s why I joined the police force. Becoming a bodyguard was a great bonus to me. Now, in a different way, it’s what I continue doing through Dip Swim – helping children and families build confidence, strength and resilience, so the children can protect themselves and others.

Q: Did you do any part-time jobs?

A: My first part-time job was as a kitchen staff member at a pizza restaurant when I was 13 years old. I was there for six months. It was tough for a young man, not knowing how to cook, not understanding the strict protocols at the workplace and the true meaning of accountability and responsibility.

I learnt quite a lot in those six months. I went on to learn how to do clowning and tricks for children.

Q: What was your most memorable encounter with money?

A: It hit me when my previous wife and I divorced. I was at my lowest and the whole process was about money.

That period of a broken marriage and business failure taught me the ugly truth of reality.

Q: What would your perfect day look like?

A: I would like to sleep in till late and wake up to a hot cup of coffee. That would be followed by a swim session, mentoring coaches, interacting with families, and seeing my learners thrive.

The day definitely ends with a family dinner and entertaining my youngest child. Being purposeful and being around people who value me – that’s my perfect day.

Money Matters

Q: What would you do if you suddenly had a windfall of $1 million?

A: I’d build the foundation for our leadership academy – a space where babies, parents and grandparents come together for transformation through water, wellness and community. It may not be enough, but it definitely could be a good start.

Q: If you suddenly had only $100 to your name, what would you do with it?

A: I’d register a company for the next opportunity. Then I’d start developing the business again with ideas, innovation and impact. You don’t need a lot to restart. Just purpose and pure grit.