How Aulia Redefined Success: 'You Can Achieve Everything Without Sacrificing Yourself'

Transformational Journey

From her base in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aulia Rahil Asy Syaidah embarked on a mentorship journey that transformed how she approaches her dreams, her well-being, and her future in motorsport. As a technical engineer with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aulia joined the FIA Women In Motorsport mentorship program seeking guidance—and found something far more profound.

The Path to Connection

Aulia's motivation to join the mentorship program came from a place many ambitious women recognise: the isolation of pursuing a dream that few around you understand. "I have been actively preparing myself to enter the motorsport industry. However, as time went by, I realised that I needed someone who could offer me guidance and was willing to walk alongside me on this journey. It has been a lonely path, as I have struggled to find someone who truly understands what I am striving for."

This honest admission reveals the courage it takes to acknowledge when we need support—and the wisdom to seek it out.

Opening Up Possibilities

What makes Aulia's mentorship relationship truly special goes beyond traditional career guidance. Her mentors, she explains, come from impressive backgrounds that opened her eyes to what's possible. "Whenever I look at them, I am often in awe of how someone can be so highly educated and still be able to enjoy their passion at the same time. It feels very special, as they allow me to see the world through their eyes and experiences, as if I were living those moments myself."

This connection provided something invaluable: "They have been willing to walk beside me throughout my journey and share their insights, which has been invaluable. As a young woman, there are many factors that influence the outcome of my success, and their guidance has been instrumental in shaping the person I am today."

The Life-Changing Shift

Perhaps the most transformational aspect of Aulia's mentorship experience was learning a fundamental life lesson that challenged what she believed about success and sacrifice. Her mentor shared wisdom that would reshape her entire approach: "You can still achieve everything you want without needing to sacrifice yourself."

"That struck me deeply, because for most of my life I believed I had to give myself away in order to gain something. She has taught me to fill my own cup first, and only then let my kindness overflow to others."

The mentorship provided her with what she describes as "a shortcut to life's lessons, learning them through someone else's experiences." Her mentors taught her to see the bigger picture and develop the self-control and resilient mindset essential for pursuing ambitious dreams.

Learning Beyond Technical Skills

While Aulia's engineering background equipped her with technical tools—she recommends SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD, Catia, Inventor, and MATLAB as essentials for motorsport engineers—her mentorship journey revealed the equally important human elements of success.

The quality that impacted her most? "Mindset and Mental Health." She admits, "I was never someone who paid much attention to mental health. I simply pushed myself towards my goals and, in the process, neglected my own well-being."

One of her mentors, who comes from a medical background and is also a rally co-driver, provided the perfect model: "She embodies the perfect combination of mental stability and resilience, and learning from her has been invaluable."

A Bond Beyond Traditional Mentorship

Aulia's experience revealed that the program offers something deeper than a typical mentor-mentee relationship. "The more I learn, the more I realise that this programme offers far more than just a mentor–mentee relationship. It is a bond between women who share their stories and experiences while lifting each other's goals and dreams higher."

The practical impact has been significant: "Through this programme, I have seen so many doors open for me, with my mentor helping me access countless opportunities. If the motorsport industry is said to be rewarding, then my mentor has been the very person who has built me up and prepared me for that world."

When reminiscing about her experience, Aulia wants the names and contributions to all of her mentors to be shared and celebrated as they've each played a meaningful role in shaping her journey:

"My other mentor, Amanda Chew, has extensive experience in motorsport events, rally, and Formula One Singapore. She has been pulling me into her world, which has also allowed me to share in the experiences she has gained and linked me to her connection during Formula E."

"The person with a rally co-driver background is Betsy Nguyen, who has been an inspiring example of resilience and balance in life."

"Another mentor, Ciska van Huyssteen, has been the one reminding me to keep walking and to trust myself in pursuing what I really want. She encourages me to remember that in the end, it will always be about me and my goals. She also helps me visualise those wishes through our mentoring sessions."

Wisdom for Future Participants

For women considering joining the program, Aulia's message is unequivocal: "I would say you won't regret it. This programme is globally connected, and you will find someone out there who is willing to share your dreams and who will always believe that you can achieve them."

She emphasises the program's inclusivity: "You don't need to come from a STEM background, this is a worldwide opportunity for anyone who is passionate about the motorsport industry."

Recommended Resources

Aulia recommends "Thinking in Systems" by Donella Meadows, describing it as essential reading about "how complex systems (whether they're ecological, economic, social, political, or organisational) behave, why they often surprise us, and how we can work with them more effectively rather than against them."

The Transformation Continues

Aulia's story demonstrates that transformational mentorship goes beyond career advancement—it reshapes how we see ourselves, our potential, and our approach to achieving our dreams. Through her mentors' guidance, she learned that success doesn't require self-sacrifice, that mental health is as crucial as technical skills, and that the right support system can turn a lonely journey into a shared adventure toward extraordinary goals.

From Jakarta to the global motorsport community, Aulia's transformation continues—not just as an engineer building her career, but as a woman who now understands that filling her own cup first enables her to overflow with kindness and support for others.