Hi, nice to meet you!
I’m Van.
Over the past decade, I’ve embarked on an exciting journey—relocating to a new country, building an international career, and navigating two significant career transitions. All the while, I’ve consistently pursued my freedom and nurtured my well-being.
Change and transformation have been the cornerstones of my personal and professional life. I have discovered the exact formula for a successful transformation, and I want to share it with you through my Transformation Coaching. Together, we can overcome your barriers, unlock your unique potential, and help you achieve both personal and professional growth.
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Quick glance at me
8+ years of experience
I have built a successful career in driving innovation, technology development, and transformations at one of the world’s largest energy companies. Throughout the last 8 years of career, I have led and contributed to numerous large-scale transformational projects and initiatives that have accelerated business excellence, growth, and expansion. My efforts have earned me several internal and international awards. These professional experiences have equipped me to venture into Transformation Coaching.
100+ hours coaching & mentoring
I’ve been fortunate to meet many amazing mentors and coaches who have empowered me to pursue my dreams and goals. Their support has inspired me to “pay it forward”, leveraging my deep listening and powerful questioning skills to mentor and coach other professionals. in the past two years, I’ve mentored technology enthusiasts on Adplist.org, helping them navigate their careers. For Coaching, I trained with the International Coaching Federation and have since worked with clients worldwide, championing both professional and personal transformations.
My favorite quote is:
The best way to predict the future is to create it.
Abraham Lincoln
My Story
1 – Growing up, I never felt good enough. As a child, I was bullied and looked down upon by wealthier classmates. My reserved nature meant I had few friends. First semester into high school, I barely passed my classes. I was suffocated with self-criticism and constant judgement based on social standards…
2 – Fast forward to December 2019, I traveled to Japan, hoping my favorite country could help me recover from work burnout. For a significant period of time, I worked 60 hours a week, believing it would prove my competence. But one morning, I couldn’t get out of bed, and just seeing work emails made me physically ill. As I sipped my first matcha in Kyoto, I tasted the bitterness of my tears, wondering how I ended up in such a situation…
3 – Two years later in 2021, I was reject from the MBA program I had spent 5 years preparing for. My world and ambition instantly collapsed. I then fell into a depression and a vicious cycle of intrusive thoughts. I was directionless, hopeless and completely demotivated….
At various points, I used to:
- Resent those who looked down on me and judged me, criticize myself, conform to social standards, and live according to others’ expectations.
- Seek validation through overworking, external recognition, and material possessions.
- Dwell on failure, blame myself, and blame others for not giving me what I wanted.
However, none of these improved my situation or lifted my spirits. So, I decided to focus inward and work on changing my mindset, beliefs, lifestyle, and habits. To my amazement, positive changes began to unfold one after another.
Reflecting on my 10-year journey of transformation, filled with trials, mistakes, and successes, there are three things I wish I had known from the start.
1 – 🫵 Transformation is a MUST
Transformation is the only way towards fulfilment, sustainable growth, and success. To put it another way, transformation is a MUST, not optional, for survival, progress, and growth.
2 – 🧱There is Always a “BUT” Blocker – I want to change BUT…
…It is what it is. I cannot change. I’m stuck.
…Other people must change first!!
…I have other conflicting priorities.
…I’ve tried but it doesn’t work. I’m demotivated.
…The result does not last. I’m disappointed.
…I’m not ready. I’m not good enough.
…There are so many uncertainties.
…I’m overwhelmed. don’t know where to start.
…Too much work. I’m lonely and exhausted.
Transformation is supposed to be challenging, chaotic, messy, and emotional. It’s ok to hear one of those voices. What is NOT ok is to let them prevent you from achieving your goals.
3 – 🤝 Don’t Struggle Alone!
Going through transformation can be extremely exhausting and lonely. A strong support network, including a coach, makes it much easier. My first coach fueled my drive to pursue an international career. My second coach helped me overcome emotional barriers and embrace my feelings. Another coach guided me through a challenging career transition.
And remember: There is always help when you ask for it!
Sometime later, on March 7th, 2024, I wrote myself the following message:
“These days, I just felt genuinely content with myself and my life despite its ups and downs. I have my own house, an international career, financial freedom, and two cats. But more importantly, I feel happiness and freedom. Happiness turns out to be simpler than I thought ten years ago: sleeping well, eating well, enjoying nature, travelling frequently, working on things I like, spending time with people I love, loving myself enough to know what truly improves my well-being. I have a clear sense of owning my life and am able to choose how I want to live it. For myself. Not for or because of anyone else or anything else. Freedom, I realized, is not “free” of something, but the ability to be “you” despite of everything else.”
I am proud of myself for embracing and driving my own transformations. I am proud of the progress I have made so far. And I’m looking forward to championing my future transformations and endeavors.
Coachnovate 