We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cindy Ho a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cindy, thanks for joining us today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?
A friend recently asked me why I’m venturing into coaching after a successful career in finance. Honestly, I’d never really stopped to think about it deeply until her question. At first, I said it was because I wanted to serve others and contribute meaningfully. But moments later, I realised there’s so much more to it.
I’m doing this for the shy little girl I once was, and for anyone feeling trapped by societal expectations or boxed in. Growing up in an Asian family, she was always expected to be the ‘good girl’ – to do as she was told, to fit in, and hopefully, to be loved. She endured body shaming and struggled with her self-image, which often left her feeling insecure, self-conscious, and constantly anxious. She always wondered, “What’s wrong with me?” and tried so hard to please everyone around her. When things got tough, she’d just want to hide or run away.
Yet, this little girl had a dream. She was curious about the world. She was a deep thinker and feeler who loved teaching and sharing knowledge.
My aspiration to teach traces back to my childhood when my dream job was to be a teacher. I even wrote it on my school’s occupation card. My siblings, though somewhat reluctant, were my first students. This passion for teaching continued through college, where I tutored young children. It brought immense fulfilment, lasting eight years until my audit career took precedence. Teaching, for me, is my zone of genius that brings indescribable joy.
Now, I’ve come full circle, embracing my true calling to share knowledge through facilitating workshops and coaching. It feels like a return to my authentic self, advocating for the dreams of that shy little girl and for anyone else feeling confined by societal norms. It’s a journey of unlearning limiting beliefs and relearning to trust in my worth.
I know many of you have faced similar stories, being told what you should and shouldn’t do, feeling like you need to suppress your true self to fit in.
I’m here to tell you it’s okay to fight for your dreams and to challenge those limiting beliefs.
You can trust what you need.
You can trust what feels right.
You can trust what brings you joy.
You can trust yourself.
Because you are inherently worthy.
💜
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a Certified Integrative Life Coach and Change Worker. I serve as a catalyst for deep emotional healing and transformative change. I specialise in coaching the unconscious mind, guiding women to release the societal “shoulds” and familial expectations that have long silenced their true selves. How it often looks like is a journey to break free from the shadow of “what’s wrong with me” to embrace an authentic life and well-being that proudly declares, “This is me, without apology.”
My journey into coaching took an unconventional path that began in the finance sector, where I enjoyed success, recognition, and stability. Yet, there was an inner calling that I couldn’t ignore, a yearning for something more meaningful and aligned with my true self. I felt a disconnect between my professional achievements and my personal fulfilment. This dissonance led me to embark on a quest for deeper meaning and purpose, ultimately leading me to the transformative world of coaching. The transition from finance to coaching was a journey back to myself. It taught me the importance of aligning one’s career with one’s values and passions. More importantly, it showed me that it’s never too late to redefine success on your own terms.
My practice is centred around personal growth, empowerment, and helping clients in breaking free from societal expectations to uncover and pursue their true desires. We achieve this is through cultivating inner safety and elevating their self-concept. At the heart of my work is a process of self-discovery, where clients are encouraged to explore their values, beliefs, and the narratives that have shaped their lives all the way in the unconscious level. Through a supportive and empowering environment, I guide my clients towards greater self-awareness, confidence, and the courage to create sustainable change in their lives.
The services I offer include one-on-one coaching sessions, workshops and community events. I specialise in areas such as working with the inner critic, navigating difficult relationship, transforming emotional wounds and building sustainable self-care practices.. What sets my practice apart is a unique blend of neuroscience based modalities such as NLP, hypnosis, EFT, yoga and meditation, energy and healing work combined with personal experience and a profound commitment to supporting others in finding their own path to fulfilment and success.
What I am most proud of is the transformation I witness in my clients—their journey from doubt to confidence, from confusion to clarity, and from fear to empowerment. It serves as a constant reminder of the power of belief and the potential for change that resides within us all.
To everyone who is reading this, I want you to know that in a world that often tries to put us in boxes, I am here to help you break free and live a life that’s truly your own. Your journey towards a more fulfilling life is deeply personal, and if my story resonates with you, I would be honoured to be a part of your journey. Together, we can explore the endless possibilities that await when you dare to listen to your heart and follow your dreams.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
“𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐭? 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬.” “𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐈 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠?”
At family gatherings, these comments are not uncommon. While they may stem from jest or genuine concern, they highlight the heavy weight of societal expectations and the “social clock”—a timeline dictating life’s milestones such as education, career, marriage, parenthood, and retirement as markers of a “successful” life.
When our lives don’t adhere to this schedule, it is common to feel inadequate, ashamed or anxious, as if we’re somehow failing or falling behind. These common responses are rooted in a fear of not meeting others’ expectations or not being accepted for our unique paths. Yet, the critical question I’ve learned to ask myself is, “Is this really true?”
Unlearning the societal timeline and associated shame is an important part of my personal growth journey. This process involved deep self-reflection and a conscious effort to challenge the “social clock”. I gradually embraced the understanding that everyone’s life unfolds at its own pace, recognising that happiness and fulfilment cannot be measured by a universal yardstick or achieved according to a standardised schedule. Life isn’t a to-do list of milestones to be checked off according to someone else’s deadlines. The diversity of human experiences is rich; no single standard can, or should, define what a “successful” life looks like.
Whenever those age-old comments arise or when I feel pressured by comparison, I remind myself: I am not late, not early, but right on time—for me. Resisting the “social clock” is liberating and empowering, allowing us to honour our unique pace and journey.
The essence of unlearning process was more than just rejecting societal pressures; it was about coming home to myself. It meant my desires, needs, joys and sorrows matter. I’ve learned to stand up for myself, extending the same kindness and love to myself that I would offer to others. Though there are moments when I stray from this path of self-compassion, I always find my way back.
Sharing this story in solidarity with anyone who is wrestling with the “social clock”. Remember, your journey through life is uniquely yours, not dictated by societal timetables. Instead, your life is rich with personal potential and possibility waiting for you to discover. Let this be your empowering reminder: You are navigating life on your own terms.. Trust in your pace, and embrace your journey with confidence and self-compassion.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Reflecting on my past, I realise how often I used to pretend that everything was okay when it really wasn’t. I’d put on a fake smile and say that I was fine, even when feeling overwhelmed or distressed. I thought that I had to be strong all the time and showing any sign of weakness was a sign of failure. I was afraid that if I let my guard down and showed my true emotions and vulnerabilities, people would judge me or think less of me.
However, as I’ve grown older, my lived experiences have taught me that this way of thinking is not healthy and definitely not sustainable. Pretending to be okay when you’re not is a form of self-betrayal. It’s like convincing yourself that your feelings and experiences don’t matter and you must hide your true self to gain acceptance from others. Essentially, people- pleasing is a form of self-abandonment and I’ve realised I no longer want to confine myself to a box that limits me.
I’ve come to understand that vulnerability is not a weakness but a profound strength. It takes courage to be honest with yourself and others about your feelings, fears and insecurities. Although challenging, this authenticity is essential for personal growth, healing and forming genuine connections.
It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to admit that you’re struggling, need help, or feel scared. You don’t have to pretend to be strong all the time, hide your emotions or put on a facade. You don’t have to be perfect.
We all have our weaknesses, flaws, doubts and fears. And that’s perfectly okay. It’s our humanity that makes us who we are.
At the end of the day, the most valuable gift we can offer one another is our authenticity, empathy, and love. This realisation has been a cornerstone in my journey towards resilience. It highlights that resilience isn’t just about overcoming challenges but about having the courage to live authentically.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pranaforvitality.com/cindyho
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindyhxy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindyhxy
Image Credits
Shrijesh Khadka