Today we’d like to introduce you to Yollanda Zhang

Hi Yollanda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I came to Canada when I was 10 with my mom to be reunited with my dad. It was a difficult transition because I left my grandparents, aunt, and uncles behind to live in a country where I didn’t speak the language and everything seemed unfriendly. My early childhood experiences had many moves including this one. They really informed my future decisions and influenced many areas of my life.

Fast forward to high school and university, I was always a very hard-working and high-achieving student. Looking back, I realize now that my motivations to excel and do everything perfectly stemmed from not feeling like I was ever good enough. It’s taken many years of self-healing work to arrive at a place where I can accept myself as I am and let go of expectations that once felt so heavy.

Everything I’ve been through, the good, the bad, and the ugly, have all led me to where and who I am today. I’m a mom of an amazing 12-year-old girl and a 2-year-old Basenji, wife to a loving husband, and founder of three businesses – Panda Mandarin, Girl. Strong., and Business Doula.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

It definitely was not a smooth road, I’ll share some of the main struggles that really shaped who I am today:
1. I was separated from my parents at 4 months old and raised by my grandparents until I was nearly 4 years old. This early attachment injury made me hyper aware of how I am perceived and I attached a lot of value to achievement because I thought that’s how I would be loved.

2. Being diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 20 was the biggest shock of my life. It made me feel broken and that my life will never be the same again. Little did I know that 24 years later, I would share about that experience openly and eventually become a keynote speaker to help others who felt the same stigma and shame.

3. Being hospitalized twice with manic episodes and at risk of losing my pregnancy after two previous pregnancy losses. It made me truly appreciate and value what it means to be a mom to my only daughter, who is now 12 years old.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I’m a serial entrepreneur and lifelong learner. I love taking the lessons I have learned personally and professionally to help others avoid the same pitfalls and empower them to live limitless lives. Whether that is through workshops and presentations to help corporate teams communicate better, individual coaching for women entrepreneurs to birth and grow their business babies, or keynote presentations about living purposeful lives inspire of unpredictable struggles and challenges. I am passionate about sharing my journey and lessons to help others find inner peace and live in unstoppable ways.

Any big plans?

I am pursuing a Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology and I’m really excited to see what my next chapter will look like. For now, I think it will be a combination of what I’m already doing, which are keynote speaking, corporate training, and individual coaching; after graduation, I may either join an agency/existing clinical practice or start my own private practice as a registered psychotherapist. Also, traveling more with my family.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yollandazhang.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yollandazhang/profilecard/?igsh=aHk2NDNmeWFuM2Jm
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yollandazhang
• Other: www.pandamandarin.ca; www.wearegirlstrong.com
• Courage Circle: https://forms.gle/FdpxYJ7hUZkpihVs6