Brave Stories

This week, we hear Vee’s powerful journey from battling with thoughts of suicide to discovering her true self and following her passions. Thank you, Vii, for bravely sharing your story. Many of us can relate to letting life simply happen instead of taking control. Sometimes, we all need that pause to reevaluate—not just what we want, but what we truly need.

Thank you, Chantal, for sharing your journey growing up as a Eurasian Singaporean in Singapore. From navigating the school system to becoming the determined and passionate individual you are today; your story is truly inspiring. We loved hearing about the moments that shaped you and how you define your own success.

Having a life plan can feel like the only way to stay on track, but what happens when things don't go as expected? And whose plan are you really following—yours, society’s, or your parents’? This week, we’re diving into Cheryl and Grace’s journey as they navigate growing up in Singapore, societal expectations, and building a life together.

Growing up with strict Asian parents and in international schools, Marissa shares how success was defined as climbing ladder after ladder—from school to university to career. “Mediocrity wasn’t okay—you had to be exceptional,” she reflects. For Marissa, success was always tied to visibility—being recognized for what you accomplished, whether that meant making big money, becoming a CEO, or creating something impactful.

This week, meet Lumin—part of Singapore’s sustainable fashion community.Growing up, she kept hearing the same things:
“You’ll never make money doing something creative.”
“It’s safer to take a traditional path.”
“There aren’t enough opportunities for this here.”

Lumin knows that stigma all too well. But instead of following the script, she chose to write her own. Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about doing what’s expected—it’s about doing what feels right for you.

Meet Lavania Rose —entrepreneur, community builder, and fourth-gen Singaporean. Growing up, Lavania was raised with the crab story—a narrative about how different communities uplift (or hold back) their own. As an only child with Tiger parents, failure was never an option. High expectations? Constant. Identity crisis? Real.But through it all, she learned resilience. And now, she’s using her journey to empower others.

Meet Megha—a storyteller, creative, and bold voice for women choosing their own path.Growing up in 1980s India, she was taught to be nice, quiet, and agreeable. Anger? Not allowed.

Even when she left a “safe” career in IT to pursue film and television, the questions started:
“Why would a girl choose this line of work?”
“It’s not good for women.”
“It’s too unconventional.”

But Megha didn’t buy into the rules. And she’s still rewriting them today.

Meet Nur — a therapist and healer who walked away from a stable, high-paying job to rediscover joy, purpose, and her true self.There was a time when going to work felt heavy. The job was “good on paper,” but it left her feeling unfulfilled and disconnected. So she made a choice that many would find terrifying—she quit. With no clear plan, just a deep knowing that something had to change, Nur set out on a journey of self-discovery.In this conversation, she opens up about navigating fear, cultural expectations, and the internalised pressure to always be the “good girl.” She shares what it meant to rebuild herself from within, and how that path—uncertain and uncomfortable—ultimately led her to the work she does today.