As I sit down to write, a soft warmth fills my chest. It’s the kind of warmth that comes from slowing down, checking in with yourself, and knowing that you are right where you need to be. This week has been busy—end-of-quarter wrap-ups, brainstorming sessions, volunteer work—but today, I gave myself permission to be fully present, to rest, and to reflect.
I’m currently on my period, and as with every cycle, I remind myself that this is not the time to push hard in training. Instead, I listen to my body. Over the past few days, I’ve been doing gentle yoga and going for slow walks—just enough movement to stay connected without overexertion. This approach, which I’ve learned through years of endurance training and mindfulness practice, helps me honor my body’s rhythms.
Rest Is Not Laziness—It’s Listening
Saturday mornings usually begin with long training sessions. Whether it’s hours of cycling or a brick workout, weekends are when I usually test my endurance. But today, I allowed myself something rare and beautiful: rest. I slept in until 6 a.m.—a luxury for someone who typically rises at 4:30 a.m.
Instead of diving into a three-hour workout, I did a sweaty yet satisfying upper-body strength session. I used to love weight training, but ever since I began my Ironman journey, it’s taken a back seat to hours of cardio. So this shorter session felt like coming home—reminding me how strong and grounded I can feel when I lift weights, without pushing myself to the edge.
After training, I entered a beautiful state of flow. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., I worked nonstop on Sunny Valley, the platform dedicated to mindfulness, growth, and positivity. I didn’t even feel hungry—just sipped water, lost in the excitement of ideas. Together with my teammates, we started a Pinterest board filled with inspiration. Each pin represents a seed we hope will blossom into meaningful, uplifting content.
Our vision for Sunny Valley is clear: we want it to be a positive digital space where especially young people can feel seen, inspired, and gently nudged to live a life that aligns with their hearts.
Giving Back: Full Circle Moments
In the afternoon, I had the joy of meeting Cam Van, a young student heading to the UWC Mahindra campus in India. She’s one of the scholars we’ve been supporting this year. It was such a special moment—almost like looking into a mirror of my younger self.
She reminded me so much of the girl I was all those years ago, getting my visa in Hanoi before flying off to Pearson College in Canada. Like me, she’s full of questions, dreams, and nervous excitement. What touched me the most was hearing about her plan to attend a two-week meditation retreat in a forest before starting school. India, the birthplace of so many spiritual traditions, is the perfect backdrop for the next phase of her journey.
She told me she’s planning to take yoga as one of her extracurriculars. Her joy and openness to exploration reminded me why I do this—why I mentor, why I stay connected to these incredible young people. These are full-circle moments. I see my past in their present, and I try to be the guide I once wished I had.
Paying It Forward
I always say this: I’ve been so lucky in life. From scholarships to global adventures, from mentors who believed in me to strangers who gave me chances—I have received so much. And because of that, I feel an unshakable responsibility to pay it forward.
Volunteering with UWC is a lifelong commitment for me. Later tonight, I’ll be on a call with another student and their parents. The student is heading to Li Po Chun UWC in Hong Kong, and the parents understandably have a lot of questions. Khoa, a doctor and a fellow volunteer, will join the call too—even though he often has to step out from the hospital in between shifts. He’s not a UWC alum, but his belief in our mission moves me deeply. He gives his time, energy, and even financial support with such grace.
This is the kind of community I’m proud to be part of—a community where people show up for each other, not for recognition, but because it feels right.
Creating from a Place of Stillness
The creative process often feels mysterious, like catching sunlight in your hands. But today reminded me that inspiration doesn’t always come from effort. Sometimes, it comes when you slow down, stretch your body, and just breathe.
Ideas flowed because I wasn’t rushing. Because I allowed myself to be still.
Our vision for Sunny Valley is becoming clearer every day. We want to create content that lights people up inside. Posts that feel like a warm hug. Stories that give someone hope just when they need it. Affirmations, meditations, book recommendations, stories of transformation—everything rooted in love and authenticity.
And the best part? I’m not building this alone. Working with teammates like Dex and Kien fills me with joy. We share a group chat where we bounce ideas around like kids on a playground. It’s refreshing. It’s fun. And it reminds me that work can be play when you’re aligned with your purpose.
The Power of Showing Up
If I could distill today into one lesson, it would be this: showing up matters. Whether it’s showing up for your body with gentle movement, for your dreams with creative focus, or for others with empathy—each act of presence is a form of love.
Even when life feels full, you can still make space for what matters. You don’t need to do everything. You just need to do the things that nourish your soul.
Meeting with Cam Van today didn’t take much time, but the impact was lasting. She left feeling more grounded, and I left feeling more inspired. These exchanges are sacred.
Exciting Things Ahead
And now, I look forward to tomorrow with bright eyes. I’ll be recording the first episode of our new podcast—a project I’ve dreamed about for months. Our guest is someone I deeply respect, and I can’t wait to dive into a meaningful conversation about life, growth, and the journey inward.
Of course, the day will start with a long training session. While I’m still taking it a bit easier due to my period, I do hope to gradually ease back into my endurance routine. As always, I’ll listen to my body and adjust accordingly.
The weekend still holds so much potential. But even if nothing else happens, today alone has been enough to fill my cup.
Let It Be Enough
If you’re reading this, I want to remind you: you don’t have to do it all today.
Let rest be enough. Let your presence be enough. Let your breath be enough.
Sometimes, slowing down is the most powerful thing you can do. It reconnects you to yourself. It brings clarity. It opens the door to joy, gratitude, and unexpected beauty.
This Saturday was not packed with achievements in the traditional sense. But it was filled with heart. And to me, that matters more than anything.
So here’s to a life where we honor our cycles, follow our hearts, show up with love, and keep walking—gently but firmly—toward the light.