Since relocating in July 2023, actor and model Edwin Goh has made major lifestyle shifts while pursuing his craft over in Sydney, Australia. The talented performer, known for his breakthrough role in Channel 5’s drama “Fighting Spiders” at the age of 15, relocated with his girlfriend Rachel Wan and has successfully overcome his long-standing addiction to nicotine and binge-drinking.
Goh had fought a nicotine dependence for more than 15 years. These days, he attributes his short-lived passion for crocheting as one of the most important factors that helped him give up cigarettes for good. He talked about how crocheting helps keep his hands occupied. This allows him to avoid temptation and pick up a cigarette.
“Rather than chill me out, nicotine became my main source of stress,” Goh said, looking back on his path to quitting.
The shift in atmosphere provided Goh with the space and time he needed to become more intentional about his health. He acknowledges that before he left Singapore, he felt deep internalized homophobia and often turned to alcohol as a form of self-medication. During my time in Singapore, I found it hard to stay on good terms with myself. To escape, I discovered drinking alcohol.
In January 2024, Goh suffered a personal tragedy as he lost his father to a heart attack. While it hit him hard, this loss became a huge motivator for change. Goh, whose father passed away from a sudden heart attack in January 2024. I’m glad we’ve returned for the Qingming (tomb-sweeping) season in April.
Now in Sydney, Goh and Wan have parlayed their mutual passion for crafting into a lucrative business endeavor. In addition to their work pushing for policy change, they opened an online store called Unravel this April 2023. In May they are hoping to relaunch it as The Club. In addition to teaching people crafting skills, Goh is hoping to foster a community where crafters can come together and help one another outside their hobbies.
“Creating a community of crafters—and a space for them to connect—is their dream for the business,” he said.
Goh’s determination to change comes from the consequences of his decisions. In 2022 he met with much more severe legal repercussions after being found guilty of drink driving. He was subsequently given a S$6,500 fine and three-year driving disqualification. It was this experience that propelled him to make lifestyle decisions that set him on the path to better health.
His final on-screen appearance was in the 2023 blockbuster local series “All That Glitters.” In the crime drama “On The Fringe,” he begins as a juvenile delinquent. His story of facing personal demons is a testament to his strength and drive to succeed.
Their relationship has flourished since they started dating about ten months before relocating to Sydney. On April 4, 2023, Goh asked Wan to marry her, and they celebrated the joyful news with their Instagram fans.
We’re in the lovey-dovey engagement phase right now. To be honest, we’re still basking in the glow of this unexpected moment and haven’t made any plans yet for what we might do next.
As they navigate their new life in Australia, both Goh and Wan have discovered that the local crafting community differs significantly from what they experienced in Singapore. Wan noted the challenges they face in sourcing materials: “Most yarn shops in Singapore carry thicker yarns meant for winter climates. It is difficult to spin thinner yarns, like lace-weight yarn, appropriate for our warm climate.
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