Younger years

I learned recently that I was not a planned baby. I came to exist because I was ready— which I love knowing. I chose my timing.

The first-born child of hard-working parents from completely different cultural backgrounds, I am the physical representation of the east merging with the west— some call that ‘hapa’.

Born in California, I moved at a young age to just outside Seattle, where I lived until the end of high school. I may have been pale as a ghost, but I remember not being bothered by the weather too much. I have always felt content being indoors and cozy.

Go Seahawks.

athletics

When I was 13 years old, I made a commitment to myself and my parents that I’d become a club swimmer and get a scholarship to college. I had no idea, at the time, how much that decision would shape my future.

Yes, I did get the scholarship to a D1 program and ended up swimming competitively for 10 years. Excelling in this grueling sport taught me:

I know without a doubt that my grit is high.
My athletic foundation is strong even when I take breaks from working out.
If I dedicate myself to something that I do not actually love, I will end up burnt out with little satisfaction (I would not actually understand this lesson until years later).

early career

I graduate college and am living in Los Angeles.

I still had no idea what I wanted to do “when I grew up.” After all, I’d buried my head in water for 10 years.

I dove into corporate America like I dove into a pool— not actually wanting to and hoping it wouldn’t be too cold.

While working full-time, I founded a Master’s (adult) swim team where I was the head coach.

I also wrote a blog and held events under a pseudonym, Cleo, where I focused on dating and relationships. This led me to meeting an angel investor who encouraged me to start a mobile app company— which I ended up doing.

Ultimately, imposter syndrome would win.

I closed the business after a couple years of experimenting. I told myself, “I’ll never start a company again.”

grad school

I bounced around different jobs for awhile and, over time, I started to learn more about what I love: taking care of high-profile /celebrity clientele, branding, marketing, and leading teams.

I decided business school would help me get on a new path, so I moved down to Orange County and got my MBA at UC Irvine.

Fresh start.

I also started volunteering with a start-up non-profit consulting organization (SeedCG) to hone my business skills and expand my network. I become their inaugural CMO— so much fun.

going viral

I inadvertently go viral. And then am mortified.

I had been going through a lot of stress and some health concerns prior to filming. I was working out less and spending more time resting and changing my diet.

I went on the show as a fun thing to try while I was studying for the GMAT.

Watch the full backstory here.

gift of life

There was a time when I dabbled with country music. So, for my 30th birthday, I took two of my girl friends to Las Vegas for a the Route 91 music festival.

I’m still not sure that I’ve processed this event fully and I often think of the 60 people who lost their lives and hundreds who were injured.

But, I can say with confidence that I am calm under pressure.

IG post

Medtech

Right before graduating from my Master’s program, I started working as a product manager in diagnostic equipment and SaaS imaging solutions. Later I would move into managing devices for the brain, including permanent implants.