Thats never stopped her, though.
SELF: Tell me about your experience with eczema.
How do you deal with flare-ups on race day?
Racecar driver Samantha Tan.
Samantha Tan:Ive had eczema ever since I can remember.
My entire body was coveredyou could even see it on my face.
People used to think I had strawberry jam on my lip, but it was actually eczema.
My cousins used to call me Vaseline baby because my parents would coat me in petroleum jelly.
I remember my parents used to gauze my fingertips to have a go at get me to stop scratching.
Now its definitely much less severe, but I still struggle with flare-ups here and there.
Scratching my head and seeing snow is the worst thing.
Luckily when I do get in the race car Im so focused that it doesnt really affect me.
How do you take care of your mental health with such an intense sport?
Right before I get in the car I have really badanxiety.
Most race car drivers have this thing called a race ritual.
For me its just finding a quiet spot in my trailer and listening to music.
It just gets me in this really calm state.
So thats what helps me the most.
I also had to come back mentally and emotionally from the biggest crash of my career in 2017.
I was at this race called Road America in Wisconsin, which has a notorious corner called the kink.
It was pretty terrifying.
Other than that I walked out of the car unscathed.
Thats how safe race cars are nowadays, but it definitely destroyed my self-confidence as a driver.
I basically lost faith in myself in that moment.
I got back in the car a week later and pushed through it.
I podiumed and it was a very emotional moment for me because I really reclaimed that experience for myself.
I showed that I put in so much work, so much time, and it finally paid off.
I dont really think about that crash anymoreIve moved past it.
But now I use it as part of my race ritual.
One of the reasons I love racing is because everyone can compete on an equal footing.
Its 85% mental and, in general, physical strength isnt a factor.
But I did get myperiodthe past two race weekends and it was terrible.
I was so tired, and literally sitting on the grid with cramps.
I remember talking to one of my guy friends afterward and being like, Can you imagine having cramps?
And he was like, No, I literally cannot imagine.
So Ive always had this little voice asking if this is something I can even achieve because of that.
One of my motivations for racing is to really redefine that stereotype.
I want people to see Asian women as powerful, independent, and valued.
Thats why I think Asian representation is so important.
I want to show that Asian women have a place in this sport.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
