Ms Valerie Lim, 27, Miss Universe Singapore 2011

Current job titles: Blogger and digital brand ambassador for brands such as Olay and Celebrity Fitness Singapore.

What have you been focusing on since the pageant?

Before joining the pageant, I worked as a behaviour therapist from 2008 to 2011. I left the profession the same year I won the pageant.

Since then, I have been working on my blog, www.dweam.com, which focuses on beauty and fitness.

On it, I share what I do to keep fit and look good.

I draw inspiration from my personal experiences, and the tips I share are what works for me.

I am also the online ambassador for several beauty, fitness and fashion brands, including Celebrity Fitness Singapore, online shopping sites Jipaban and Klarra, as well as skincare line Olay.

From these various gigs, I am able to lead a comfortable lifestyle that suits me. I measure my success by much more than the money I make in a month.

I also travelled a lot last year.

During my trip to New York in March last year, I met up with Ms Leila Lopes from Angola, who was Miss Universe 2011. She gave me a tour of the Miss Universe Organisation office and the apartment she was living in.

How has winning the pageant helped you?

It has given me networking contacts that are invaluable to the projects I am working on.

I have met the vice-presidents of large companies who shared their insights on leadership, business and success with me.

I learnt about their trials and tribulations, and what it has taken them to be where they are today.

They've given me different perspectives on hard work, dedication and perseverance.

Competing internationally also taught me to conduct myself well under pressure.

To be successful at a pageant, you have to understand and read the other contestants, the judges and the crowd.

A beauty pageant is also a mind game. It isn't just about the girl who looks the prettiest, but the girl who can conduct herself best under pressure.

On top of that, the pageant also taught me to be more discerning of people.

I would say my skills in reading people have been honed because, as a contestant, you are constantly being scrutinised, not merely by your peers, but also the media, the organisers and your fans.

Being able to assess people and situations helps one adjust one's behaviour and style of interaction.

What is one common misconception people have of beauty queens?

People think we were born good-looking and have no other attributes.

While we may be genetically blessed, we also have to work hard to look the way we do.

We put time and effort into our beauty regimens and outfits and take extra care of what we eat.

There will always be critics, regardless of which field you are in, but I have confidence in myself.

I hold a degree in psychology from the National University of Singapore and worked as a behaviour therapist for three solid years, so I will always have those skills regardless of where I go.

What would you like to be remembered for?

I would like to be remembered for being a positive, genuine, strong and independent role model.

What do you fear most about ageing?

The body may age, but the mind does not.

Keeping my mental faculties sharp and constantly learning new things are critical to always feeling young.

I fear letting my mind go to waste.

As a beauty queen, what is the best beauty tip you have to offer?

Health is definitely something money cannot buy and your health translates to physical beauty too.

Before the pageant, I kept fit with a personal trainer.

When I came back from the pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, I decided to continue with personal training.

It has been almost six months since I made the commitment to be fit and I couldn't be happier.

My body is at its best - fitter and toner than it was while I was competing - and it can only get better.

You should also complement your health with diligent personal grooming.

I abide by a strict six-step skincare regimen every night: I use a make-up remover, scrub, cleanser to remove excess dirt, toner, moisturiser and eye cream.

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