Who We Are with Rachel Lim

This conversation with Gurmit Singh moved me deeply. It’s not just about a career; it’s about the constant pull between ambition and presence, the delicate balance between success and self-worth, and the courage it takes to step away and realign with what truly matters. Whether you’re in the thick of building your career, questioning your path, or seeking clarity in life’s transitions, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. I can’t wait for you to hear it.For over two decades, Gurmit Singh was a household name, bringing laughter to millions. But behind the scenes, he was giving everything; his time, his energy, and unknowingly, pieces of himself, to an industry that demanded more than it gave. Then, at the height of his fame, he made a decision few expected—he walked away. In this deeply personal conversation, Gurmit shares the story of why he left, the sacrifices he made along the way, and the hard-earned wisdom that reshaped his understanding of identity, purpose, and what it truly means to live a meaningful life.00:00 Welcome & Introduction01:47 Gurmit Singh: The Man Behind the Laughter07:06 Fighting Inner Battles: Overcoming Inferiority Complex10:45 The Legacy and Burden of Phua Chu Kang13:31 Why Gurmit Walked Away from Fame for Family17:22 The Power of Saying ‘No’: Guarding Time & Priorities19:35 A Child’s Silent Plea: The Cost of a Father’s Absence23:45 Parenting in a Changing World: Lessons & Challenges26:40 Choosing Love Without Conditions: A Father’s Journey30:03 Bridging Generational & Belief Gaps with Your Kids35:27 A Near-Death Experience That Changed Everything40:31 What Gurmit Would Tell His Younger Self Today44:47 Beyond the Persona: Who Is Gurmit Singh, Really?47:48 Final Reflections & Parting WisdomFollow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/Follow Gurmit Singh here: https://www.instagram.com/gurmit.65/

James Dyson, the innovative founder of Dyson, shares his inspiring journey of defying industry norms and believing in his vision despite over 5,000 rejections. He highlights the power of naivety as an advantage in innovation, challenging reliance on market research. Dyson discusses the importance of resilience in the face of self-doubt while recalling the transformative impact of the James Dyson Award in inspiring young innovators to tackle real-world challenges. His story is a call to trust your instincts and pursue groundbreaking ideas against all odds.

In a heartfelt conversation, Leo shares his journey of starting over at 52, navigating change, and rediscovering purpose after losing his job. The discussion dives into the emotional complexities of grief and identity, highlighting the transformative power of new beginnings. Leo's love for cooking becomes a source of solace and connection, inspiring him to share his culinary passion online. As they reflect on personal growth and community support, listeners are reminded that reinvention is a shared experience filled with hope and strength.

As we close out 2024, I’m taking a moment to pause, reflect, and share the lessons that have shaped me this year - lessons about growth, grace, and becoming. In this wrap-up episode, I open up about navigating change, embracing challenges, and leaning into the questions that carried me through some of my hardest yet most transformative moments. From asking “What is this here to teach me?” to “How did I co-create this?”, I share the mindset shifts that helped me move through discomfort and uncertainty with more clarity and intention. I also take a look ahead to 2025 and share a powerful practice I’ll be trying - scripting. It’s a tool to help visualise and design the life you want to create, and I’ll guide you through how we can use it to set meaningful, aligned goals across every area of our lives. Whether you’re celebrating wins, navigating storms, or somewhere in between, this episode is an invitation to reflect deeply, dream boldly, and step into the new year with courage and purpose. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I can’t wait to see what 2025 holds for all of us.❤️ ——— 00:00 Introduction 01:39 Rachel’s 2024 Lessons 03:19 Lesson 1: “What is this here to teach me?” 08:02 Lesson 2: “How did I co-create this?” 10:23 Reflections on Who We Are and CLOSER 15:10 The Art of Scripting for 2025 23:08 Final Reflections Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/

In this inspiring episode, Yvon and Leon Bock, co-founders of Hegen, share the extraordinary yet challenging journey behind building their brand and family. They open up about the tough realities of entrepreneurship, the sacrifices made, and how they’ve supported each other through the dark days of self-doubt and struggle.  From Yvon’s breastfeeding journey to Leon’s leap of faith into entrepreneurship, they discuss the power of partnership in both business and life. Yvon also delves into her new book, ExtraOrdinary, offering insights into her entrepreneurial story. This episode is an inspiring conversation about resilience, trust, and the journey of overcoming obstacles together. We discuss:  •⁠  ⁠Navigating the dark days of entrepreneurship •⁠  ⁠Balancing business and family life •⁠  ⁠The power of supporting each other as partners •⁠  ⁠Yvon's breastfeeding experience as a driving force for Hegen •⁠  ⁠Insights from Yvon's new book, ExtraOrdinary 00:00 Introduction 01:05 The Inspiration Behind Hegen 02:44 Leon Bock’s Journey and Transition into Hegen  06:05 Navigating Challenges and Differences as Partners  10:12 Leon’s Leap of Faith  12:38 Yvon’s Breastfeeding Journey with Four Kids  17:23 How To Stay Relevant as a Brand 19:02 The Fruit of Resilience  20:06 Balancing Entrepreneurship and Parenting  24:00 Doing Everything Together as a Couple  26:02 Practical Relationship Advice from The Bocks  29:57 Confronting Fears and Overcoming Struggles as a Couple  34:46 Being Each Other’s Cheerleader and Protector  39:08 Sacrifices Made as Entrepreneurial Parents 42:01 The Unseen Reality of Entrepreneurship  46:06 The Importance of Investing in Yourself 48:46 Our Biggest Lessons Learned from Each Other  52:14 The Billboard Question  53:15 Diving into Yvon’s First Book: Extraordinary  55:31 Episode Closing  Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/  Follow Yvon Bock here: https://www.instagram.com/yvonbock/ Follow Leon Bock here: https://www.instagram.com/that.hegen.dad/ Get more details on: https://www.yvonbock.com/ Purchase ‘Extraordinary’ online here: https://singapore.kinokuniya.com/bw/9789819800544

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Valentin and Hwee Keng Maeder, the inspiring parents behind Singapore’s young kitefoiling champion, Max Maeder. I was incredibly curious to learn how Max — a world-class athlete with remarkable character, mental strength, discipline, and resilience — was raised to be not only successful but also grounded and confident. From the interviews I’ve watched and read, Max strikes me as an exceptional athlete and a genuinely great person, someone clearly brought up with strong values. His parents generously share their unique journey, revealing how they nurtured his independence, embraced failures as essential to growth, and created a safe space where their children could explore their passions without fear of judgement. With practical lessons on balancing personal expectations, resisting societal pressures, and fostering courage and authenticity, this conversation offers an inspiring glimpse into the values and insights that shaped Max and his siblings, providing guidance for parents everywhere striving to raise grounded, confident children. ——— 00:00 Introduction 01:25 Get To Know The Maeders 03:42 Nurturing Independence in Children 08:05 Addressing Fear with Probability 10:19 The Maeders' Unconventional Parenting Views 12:59 Creating Safe Spaces at Home 15:46 Parenting Through Different Stages 18:40 Family Rituals That Strengthen Bonds 20:14 Max’s Journey: Solo Travels at Age 11 22:58 Guiding Children Through Failure 26:36 The Myth of Perfect Parenting 30:13 Breaking Generational Patterns 35:13 The Maeder’s Approach on Discipline 37:47 Navigating Conflict and Reconciliation 38:43 Prioritising Yourself and Letting Go of Parental Expectations 41:02 Going Against Societal Norms and Pressure 45:09 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/

Yip Pin Xiu, Singapore’s most decorated Paralympian, shares the untold story behind her journey - her unseen battles, silent strength, and unbreakable spirit. From navigating life with muscular dystrophy to becoming a world-record-holding gold medalist, Yip reflects on the personal sacrifices, moments of self-doubt, and the powerful support that fueled her resilience. She opens up about redefining success, challenging misconceptions about para-athletes, and her hopes for the future of Singaporean sports.  This heartfelt conversation offers an intimate look into the life of a true champion who continues to defy limits and inspire a nation. 00:00 Introduction 02:09 Getting to Know Yip Pin Xiu 03:05 Reflecting on Diagnosis and Childhood Resilience 08:14 Discovering Strength and Overcoming Bullying 13:06 The Journey to Olympic Gold 15:38 Silent Battles and Unseen Challenges 21:35 Facing Self-Doubt and Post-Olympic Realities 25:27 Staying True Amidst the Spotlight 28:02 Hopes for the Future of Singaporean Sports 31:03 Challenging Misconceptions of Para-Athletes 32:04 Redefining Success: Pin Xiu’s Perspective 34:25 What Truly Fulfills Pin Xiu 36:34 The True Meaning of Resilience 38:03 The Billboard Question: A Message to the World 38:51 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/ Follow Yip Pin Xiu here: https://www.instagram.com/yippinxiu/

Join Oliver Burkeman, author of 'Four Thousand Weeks' and 'Meditations for Mortals', as he shares his insights on finding meaning in a productivity-obsessed world. He challenges the relentless chase for efficiency and emphasizes embracing our limitations. Burkeman discusses the importance of mindfulness in navigating distractions and encouraging intentional choices over societal pressures. Learn to redefine success, celebrate accomplishments, and appreciate imperfections in pursuit of a more fulfilling life.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Anders Hansen, a leading Swedish psychiatrist and author of "The Mind-Body Method," shares his groundbreaking research on the link between physical activity and mental health. He unpacks the evolutionary roots of anxiety, highlighting its protective role. Dr. Hansen debunks common exercise myths and reveals how movement enhances cognitive functions. He provides practical tips for simple lifestyle changes to boost overall brain health while addressing the importance of managing stress and understanding our 'storytelling' brains.

_*Trigger Warning:* This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening, and consider your well-being before proceeding._ ——— Today, I have the honour of sitting down with Cassie, a remarkable survivor of cybersex trafficking. Her story is not just a tale of resilience; it shines a light on the dark realities of online sexual exploitation that many of us would rather ignore. Cassie's journey began in the remote mountains of the Philippines, where dreams of a brighter future led her to the bustling city of Manila. Tragically, what awaited her there was a harrowing nightmare — one woven by the hands of someone she trusted, plunging her into a world of abuse and manipulation. Join me as we delve into Cassie's journey of recovery, hear her powerful voice, and learn about the vital work of International Justice Mission (IJM) in the fight against child exploitation. This episode will move you, inspire you, and call you to action, revealing the stark truths of cybersex trafficking that's prevalent today, and the courageous individuals who stand up against it. ——— 00:00 Understanding the Cause 01:21 Meet Cassie 08:25 Cassie’s Story: The Reality of Cybersex Trafficking 13:54 The Silent Victims 16:36 Cassie’s Healing Journey 22:57 Reclaiming Her Power 26:11 A Call to Action 28:23 Looking Ahead: Hope for the Future 30:35 Final Reflections Help rescue victims of sexual exploitation here: https://www.ijm.org/stories/cassie Learn more about IJM here: https://www.ijm.org/about-ijm Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/