#TRYEVERYTHING Lauren Ong

for testing purposes

Hello! Welcome back to #TRYEVERYTHING! In today’s episode we try something a little different. Basically, my nails were pretty bad so I went for a manicure (and podcast interview!) with my long time friend Sarah from The Shaky Hands! She has a long history working various jobs in retail, F&B and corporate, and here she shares her journey and experience of launching her own home-based mani/pedi business.


Highlights of the episode include:


·       Sarah shares about how her career started in the hospitality industry [3:00]


·       Sarah’s biggest takeaway from the retail industry [4:30]


·       Why Sarah decided to venture into a traditional office job, and why it didn’t suit her [6:53]


·       How a diagnosis forced her away from her corporate role and into launching her home-based business [9:45]


·       The origins of the name “Shaky Hands” [11:00]


·       Sarah talks more about adapting during the Circuit-Breaker period [13:50]


·       How she started a trend, and what she thinks about “copycats” [15:08]


·       Sarah opens up about her biggest regrets during her journey, and the difficult start to her business [25:40]


·       Sarah reflects on her greatest lessons throughout her career [32:15]


Connect with us!


Host: Lauren Ong


Website: https://tfr.coach/tryeverythingpodcast/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tfr.tryeverything/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tryeverything.podcast/


Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohylauren/


Guest: Sarah


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshakyhands/?hl=en


If you would like to share your story on this show do reach out and send an e-mail to hello@tfr.coach!

Hello! Welcome back to #TRYEVERYTHING! Sorry for the brief absence lately, it has been a hectic couple of months trying to adapt and adjust to life under the new conditions brought on by COVID-19 and the Circuit Breaker in Singapore. In this episode, I invite our producer, Danny, for a mid-season update regarding the podcast, what life has been like under these uncertain times, and what to expect post circuit breaker.


Highlights of the episode include:


·       Lauren and Danny share what life has been like during the Circuit Breaker [1:47]


·       How the Circuit Breaker situation changes the meaning of #TRYEVERYTHING, and some of the new things that Lauren and Danny have tried in this period [9:07]


·       What’s different in a Work From Home environment [12:57]


·       Lauren shares her experience “singing from the balcony” [16:24]


·       How the COVID-19 situation shows the unpredictability of life, and why it is important to adapt [19:33]


·       Lauren and Danny share and compare their experience during the SARS epidemic versus COVID-19 [21:43]


·       Lauren and Danny talk about their plans post Circuit-Breaker [27:56]


·       Updates about the podcast and the remainder of the season [32:00]


Connect with us!


Host: Lauren Ong


Website: https://tfr.coach/tryeverythingpodcast/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tfr.tryeverything/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tryeverything.podcast/


Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohylauren/


Guest: Danny Koordi


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fablproductions


Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-chrisnanto-koordi/


If you would like to share your story on this show do reach out and send an e-mail to hello@tfr.coach

Hello! Welcome to the sixth episode #TRYEVERYTHING! In this episode we talk to a dear friend of mine, Cliff Neo, a Senior Customer Success Manager at LinkedIn who also happens to be deeply passionate about Chinese astrology and metaphysics, a.k.a 八字. He will share more about the how the craft has been misinterpreted in mainstream media, what values and principles we can apply from it, and also his winding life and career that has spanned from a background in engineering to starting a fashion business, and even a wild stint abroad in Hong Kong!


Highlights of the episode include:


·       Cliff shares about his background in engineering, and how he was initially lost with regards to his career before ending up in the recruitment industry [1:05]


·       Cliff talks about his growing disconnect with recruitment and sales, and how an astrology consult led him to a different role in Hong Kong [3:00]


·       How working abroad allowed Cliff the freedom to develop a new identity [6:34]


·       What the other side of freedom looks like, and how it took a toll on Cliff’s health and career [7:51]


·       Why being in control of your time and energy matters [9:44]


·       Cliff describes his experience with setting up a men’s fashion accessory business, and what he learned about the stark difference between business school theory and actual practice [11:59]


·       Why it is important to adopt an entrepreneurial-focused mindset towards yourself and your family [13:39]


·       Cliff shares about his current role in LinkedIn, and it opened his perspective on talent acquisition [17:26]


·       How family matters led Cliff back to Singapore despite having the opportunity to further his career in Shanghai [18:40]


·       What Chinese metaphysics and astrology is, and how it is misinterpreted in the mainstream media [20:07]


·       The importance of understanding your priorities, and building your vision of success [26:11]


·       How Chinese metaphysics and astrology has personally helped Cliff and developed his passion in it [29:49]


·       What Cliff would have done differently if he was given the chance [32:13]


·       Cliff shares more about his daily routine, and his current pursuits within the Chinese astrology field [34:05]


This episode’s guest:


Cliff Neo is a Senior Customer Success Manager at LinkedIn and an aspiring practitioner of Chinese Astrology and Metaphysics.


Although Cliff holds a diploma in engineering, he never continued down that path and instead pursued other ventures including stints within the recruitment industry, entrepreneurial ventures, and an overseas role in Hong Kong. He would eventually return to Singapore to work with LinkedIn, and is currently also pursuing his interest and passion with Chinese Metaphysics and Astrology (八字).


Connect with us!


Host: Lauren Ong


Website: https://tfr.coach/tryeverythingpodcast/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tfr.tryeverything/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tryeverything.podcast/


Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohylauren/


Guest: Cliff Neo


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spiffmeister


Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliffneocl/


If you would like to share your story on this show do reach out and send an e-mail to hello@tfr.coach

Hello! Welcome to the fifth episode #TRYEVERYTHING! In this episode we talk to Brenda Tan, a speaker, author, and self-empowerment coach. In many ways, Brenda is the epitome of the #TRYEVERYTHING spirit. While she did poorly in her studies, she explored different paths and most importantly, showed up when it mattered. This helped her beat the odds to eventually reach where she is today, and her story has even been mentioned by Prime Minister Lee during the National Day Rally speech in 2008!


Highlights of the episode include:


·        Brenda shares what she currently does as a self-empowerment coach, numerology expert, and more [1:04]


·        How she got into numerology in the first place, and what exactly it entails [2:40]


·        Brenda talks about her background in ITE, working in the supreme court, and how she started a corporate career in a bank as a telemarketer [5:00]


·        The crucial tipping point that led her to leave the corporate world, and the importance of “working to live” [6:39]


·        Brenda shares the importance of “showing up” and taking opportunities [8:18]


·        The difference between “hardship” and “heartship” [13:27]


·        Brenda opens up about her experience studying at ITE, taking advantage of learning programs, and how she found a niche while trying to “survive” in the school. [15:13]


·        Brenda shares how she currently “pays it forward” by volunteering at the ITE, even becoming an adjunct lecturer. [21:24]


·        How she discovered a love of learning and how it differs from learning for grades [22:27]


·        Brenda talks about her experience volunteering at a women’s prison, and how it opened her perspective on their condition [26:10]


·        How she uses numerology as an icebreaker to form connections with some of the female prisoners [29:44]


·        Brenda talks about the importance of exploring and trying but not ending up as a “jack of all trades, master of none” [32:12]


This episode’s guest:


Brenda Tan is a speaker, author, and self-empowerment coach.


Despite doing poorly at her O levels and ending up at ITE, Brenda rose through her challenges and by age 26 was already managing over 80 staff at a Multi-National Corporation. Since then she has moved on to become a speaker and a trainer, and volunteers her free time as a mentor and adjunct lecturer at ITE, as well as for the Singapore Women’s Prison.


Connect with us!


Host: Lauren Ong


Website: https://tfr.coach/tryeverythingpodcast/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tfr.tryeverything/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tryeverything.podcast/


Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohylauren/


Guest: Brenda Tan


Website: https://www.brendatan.com/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brendatansh


Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendatansh/


If you would like to share your story on this show do reach out and send an e-mail to hello@tfr.coach

Hello! Welcome to the fourth episode #TRYEVERYTHING! In this episode we talk to Vincent Ng, a Junior Curator and Community Coordinator for A Good Space, who shares his background with mental health, entrepreneurship, and the value of community. It was a truly wonderful conversation packed with so much insight and advice and so I hope you guys enjoy!


Highlights of the episode include:


·        Vincent explains his role as a community creator at A Good Space and how it affects the social impact space in Singapore [1:49]


·        Vincent shares how his journey started with a mental illness diagnosis in 2009, and his discovery of the self-help industry [3:29]


·        How local education and the intense results-driven culture impacted his mental health and led him to find his purpose [5:03]


·        What Vincent thinks of his past as being a “seminar junkie”, and why he dislikes the culture of dependence it creates [7:21]


·        Lauren relates with her own struggles of mental wellness and being scared of silence [10:49]


·        How Vincent manages with his mental health these days through journaling and processing his emotions [14:48]


·        Why Vincent thinks you need to be aware of your “internal scripts” [16:24]


·        How Vincent learned to appreciate strengths instead of weaknesses [19:23]


·        Vincent explains the importance of community and interdependence [23:39]


·        Vincent talks about his entrepreneurial ventures from selling sweets to network marketing to a stint at an education technology startup [27:55]


·        What Vincent learned from his various entrepreneurial experiences [31:45]


·        Why Vincent decided to self-publish a book called “Why You Should Fail” [33:17]


·        Why Vincent doesn’t regret his life-decisions, and why he thinks it’s important to make your own life choices [37:48]


·        Vincent shares advice about the importance of understanding your priorities and identity, and the value of rest [41:06]


This episode’s guest:


Vincent Ng is a Junior Curator and Community Coordinator for A Good Space at the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre.


Before he joined A Good Space, he has also been involved in various other ventures, such as starting a snacks and sweets business while still in school, to being involved with a education technology startup. Later during the final year at university, Vincent would compile these experiences, along with the experiences of many Singapore entrepreneurs before him, into a self-published book titled “Why You Should Fail” 


Connect with us!


Host: Lauren Ong


Website: https://tfr.coach/tryeverythingpodcast/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tfr.tryeverything/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tryeverything.podcast/


Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohylauren/


Guest: Vincent Ng


Website: https://www.agoodspace.org/author/vincentngcb/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vincentk.ng


Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentngcb/?originalSubdomain=sg


If you would like to share your story on this show do reach out and send an e-mail to hello@tfr.coach