In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha talks to Tom Platts, the Singapore-based M&A lawyer who turned a spur-of-the-moment walk around MacRitchie Reservoir into a global movement raising money and awareness for dementia.

Tom shares how swapping a beer with a client for a walk in the jungle spiralled into Walk to Talk, a foundation now active across five countries that has raised more than half a million US dollars — and why two phone-free hours in nature each morning completely changed his outlook on life.

Featured Voices

Hosts: Manisha Tank & Andrew

Guest: Tom Platts, Founder, Walk to Talk

Key takeaways

• Tom explains how a chance decision in January 2023 (swapping a client beer for a charity walk around MacRitchie Reservoir) grew into a movement called Walk to Talk.

• He says the daily loops have spread far beyond Singapore, with regular walks now running in London, Melbourne, Dubai and New York.

• Tom reveals the initiative has raised more than half a million US dollars for dementia charities across Singapore, the UK and Australia.

• He argues that walking and talking away from screens is powerfully good for connection, wellbeing and brain health.

• Tom urges anyone touched by dementia not to suffer in silence, noting that roughly 55 million people worldwide live with the disease.

Chapter heads

02:45

The Expat Who Never Left

Tom explains how an 18-month posting to Singapore in 2011 quietly turned into 13 years and counting.

03:26

A Beer That Turned Into A Big Idea

He recalls a difficult year and the January morning he persuaded a client to swap a pint for a walk and a donation.

07:50

What Exactly Is MacRitchie?

He gives a tour of the 12.1-kilometre loop, its wartime history and the wildlife he logs for Singapore's National Parks.

09:50

The Challenge Goes Global

Tom shares how Walk to Talk spread from Singapore's jungle to London's streets, Melbourne, Dubai and New York.

12:26

The Numbers Behind The Steps

Tom talks through the steps he took and the funds he raised for dementia charities across three continents, plus one-off causes close to his heart.

16:04

Getting Dementia Outdoors

He explains why bringing people living with dementia into nature matters so much for memory and the senses.

18:46

Don't Suffer In Silence

Tom offers advice to families facing dementia and puts the sheer scale of the disease into perspective.

20:10

Why Walking And Talking Is Beneficial For You

He looks ahead to brain health, a growing team and how the whole thing reshaped the way he sees life.

23:35

How Can People Get In Touch

Tom shares how people can get involved with Walk to Talk.

Watch a mini-documentary about Tom & The MacRitchie Challenge

https://youtu.be/YJ9mz4vXi_g

Useful links

https://www.walk-to-talk.com/

https://dementia.org.sg/

https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/

https://www.dementia.org.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/walktotalk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-platts-18924475

Don't miss out

We're on a mission to bring the real Asia — its thinkers, builders, dreamers, and disruptors — to global ears. So if you know someone who would be a great guest or want to contact the team, please email: [email protected].

And don't forget to follow, subscribe, and share so you don't miss the next episode of Tank Talks Asia.

Tank Talks Asia is an AsiaWorks production.