Mindful and Mighty

In this episode, we sit down with Elena from our MBA class to learn more about her journey from growing up in Russia and Ukraine to building a career in biotech in Vancouver. She shares how a childhood of moving often shaped her resilience, adaptability, and curiosity about the world, and how those same traits have continued to guide her path. 🌍✨ We also talk about her bridging role from science...

In this episode, we talk about what it has really been like to step into business ownership. Amanda shares how this opportunity came into her life unexpectedly, why she never pictured herself as a business owner, and what it has been like to grow into the role while learning on the job. 🌮✨ We also reflect on the emotional side of the journey — from the stress and uncertainty of running a busines...

In this episode, we talk about therapy — what it means to each of us, why we decided to try it, and how it can show up in different forms over time. Amanda shares her recent experience going to a few sessions and what surprised her about the process, while Huan reflects on how therapy has shifted for him over the years. 🧠✨ We also discuss some of the misconceptions around therapy, why it is not...

In this episode, we sit down with Julian from our MBA cohort to learn more about his path from growing up in Germany to building a career in product marketing in Vancouver. We talk about how he went from dreaming of becoming an astronaut to exploring sales, marketing, and the role of being the “glue” between teams. 🚀 We also dive into his early career in sales, what helped him make the transition...

This week, we sit down with our MBA classmate Luis for a conversation about ambition, adaptability, and why some people are simply wired to grow through challenge. From aviation ✈️ to beer 🍺 to enterprise tech 💻, Luis shares how constantly stepping into unfamiliar environments shaped both his career and identity. Growing up feeling bored by routine, he discovered that what truly motivates him is...

In this episode, we dive into the sometimes awkward, sometimes revealing world of boundaries. From strangers on gondolas and airplanes to friends, family, and everyday interactions, we talk about what makes certain conversations feel comfortable, what makes others feel intrusive, and why setting boundaries can get more difficult the closer someone is to us. ✨ We also reflect on how self-awareness...

Is “work-life balance” actually real… or are we all just trying to survive the week? 👀 In this raw and relatable episode of  Mindful & Mighty , Huan and Amanda open up about what life  really  looks like behind the scenes—early morning meetings ☕, nonstop schedules 💻, shifting identities, and the quiet question we all ask:  “What do I actually want?” 💬 Expect honest conversations about: 🔥...

What if your  dream career … started as a  random major you didn’t even choose?  🤯 In this episode of  Mindful & Mighty , we sit down with  Kylin —whose journey takes her from 🥵 growing up in Chongqing (hello hot pot!) ➡️ landing in food science  by accident ➡️ grinding through  3AM shifts in a meat plant  🥶 ➡️ to traveling across regions for  food safety audits  🌎✨ And somehow… turning i...

What if your story didn’t start with you—but generations before you? 🌱🕊️ In this heartfelt episode of  Mindful & Mighty , we reflect on the love, memories, and quiet influence of our grandparents—and how they continue to shape who we are today. 💞👵👴 From joyful moments around food to meaningful realizations later in life, this conversation is a gentle reminder that even the smallest interac...

What if a “midlife crisis” isn’t a crisis at all… but a wake-up call? 👀 In this episode of  Mindful & Mighty , we get real about turning 40, questioning everything, and redefining what a meaningful life actually looks like. 💥 Amanda opens up about quitting her successful corporate career and realizing—after the fact—that she was in the middle of a midlife crisis 🧠 Huan reflects on why this...

In this episode, we talk about Courtnay’s journey through engineering, renewable energy, EV charging, and major life transitions. We also explore how she navigated career pivots, motherhood, and the confidence needed to step into more business-focused roles. In this episode, we talk about: 🎓 Growing up in Calgary and choosing chemical engineering at UBC 🌱 Starting her career in renewable energy...

What if a single pause could redefine your path? 🌍✈️🚂💻🧘‍♀️🌈 ... In the gripping conclusion of this vulnerable series on Mindful Mighty, Huan & Amanda reveal the final two life-altering events that forged their resilience & purpose 💪✨—from solo backpacking revelations 🗺️🥾 to unimaginable family tragedy 😢🚨, tech career pivots 📱🔄, & a bold quest for bliss 🌺! In this episode,...

What if your entire life is just a dream… and one day you wake up? 🤯💭 In this deeply personal and reflective episode of  Mindful & Mighty , we explore the  defining moments that shape who we are —from childhood thoughts to life-changing transitions 🌱✨ Inspired by a powerful coaching exercise, we each share  two of the most impactful events in our lives —and how they continue to influence o...

In this episode of  Mindful & Mighty , Huan and Amanda dive into the world of  romance stories  — from K-dramas and Hallmark movies to romance novels and classic rom-com tropes. Why do we keep watching the same love stories over and over again… even when we already know how they end? We explore the  psychology behind why romance stories are so appealing , especially for women, and how our pers...

In this episode of  Mindful & Mighty , we sit down with our MBA classmate  Ryan  — a firefighter, paramedic, clinical educator, and easily one of the most energetic people we know. ⚡ Born and raised in Coquitlam, Ryan shares how his journey evolved from a sports-obsessed kid and wakeboarding competitor to someone working on the front lines of emergency services. Along the way, he pivoted from...

Parents are our first teachers, mirrors, and sometimes… our biggest triggers. 🫠👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 In this cozy, honest chat, we look at how our relationship with our parents shifts from childhood to adulthood, what we consciously (and unconsciously) inherit from them, and how we can choose our own path with compassion.​​ ✨ In this episode, we explore: 🧠 How childhood shapes our beliefs, habits, and pa...

Ever feel like you’re  multiple people  in one body? 👀Same. In this episode, Amanda and  Huan  dive into the many versions of ourselves—your inner child, your fearful protector, your hyper-productive self, and that carefree “I-don’t-care-I’m-going-to-the-beach” energy 🌊 We talk neuroscience, hormones, emotions that only last 90 seconds (yes, really), gratitude hacks, mood cycles, and why even sa...

In this episode, we dive into our very different experiences growing up in Mexico and China’s education systems, and how they eventually led us to meet in an MBA program in Canada 🇲🇽🇨🇳🇨🇦. We talk about intense private schools, strict teachers, endless homework, and what it’s like to be pushed to perform from a very young age 📚😮‍💨. Amanda shares what it was like to attend a bilingual, high-press...

We’re back for our first episode of 2026 ✨ After a quiet holiday break, we sit down to reflect on the films, books, travels, and moments that stayed with us — and the feelings they unexpectedly stirred. From international films about grief, depression, and chosen family, to a very real struggle with fear, trauma, and almost quitting skiing altogether, this episode is about noticing ourselves more...

We made it —  40 episodes , 40 weeks, and a full year of learning, laughing, unlearning, and becoming. 👶🎙️💜 In this season finale, we sit down together to reflect on the moments, ideas, guests, and breakthroughs that shaped our first year of  Mindful & Mighty . Join us as we look back on… ⚖️ Balance — always find your own balance. 🌱  Awareness & Mindfulness  — the themes that kept resur...

🎧 This week on Mindful & Mighty: We’re joined by our MBA friend Margaret for a real, honest conversation about social media, authenticity, algorithms, and how we stay human in a hyper-connected world. From growing up with Instagram to setting boundaries with scrolling, from digital connection to real-life presence — this episode explores the pros, cons, and quiet contradictions of being onlin...

Every Human Is Creative (Yes, You Too) In this Mindful & Mighty conversation, Amanda and Huan get honest about creativity—what it is, what it isn’t, and why so many of us still say “I’m not a creative person.” 🎨 From childhood doodles and “I’m just rational” identities to stick-figure art, podcasting, and the dream of a children’s book about Amanda’s dad, they explore how creativity shows up...

🌍  This week on Mindful & Mighty, we sit down with our friend Amir — someone whose life story feels like a passport full of lessons. Born in  Iran 🇮🇷 , raised in  Dubai 🇦🇪 , and later studying and working across  Canada 🇨🇦 , Amir’s journey is a beautiful reflection of what it means to grow, change, adapt, and  continuously learn . 🧠 From  engineering  →  biomedical research  →  architecture...

This week, we’re diving into a topic most of us live with, but rarely talk about out loud:  expectations. Inspired by the quote  “Unspoken expectations are premeditated resentments”   we explore how expectations shape relationships, identity, and self-worth — often without us realizing it. From family pressure and cultural conditioning, to silent assumptions in relationships, careers, and friendsh...

In this episode of  Mindful & Mighty , we sit down with Alicia — a mom, leader, immigrant, wife, daughter and unapologetic hard-worker — to explore what it  really  looks like to build a career and a family at the same time. Alicia shares her inspiring journey from arriving in Canada with a five-year plan, to building a career, starting a family, and juggling bottles, conference calls, and bus...