On My Own Terms: Career Change | Life Pivot | Success Redefined

In this uncut clip from On My Own Terms , tech founder Marcus Cheu explains why B2B lead generation in APAC is harder than in the US. Cold email strategies that work in the West often fail in Asia due to different buyer behaviour, trust dynamics, and communication preferences. Marcus shares why prospects read but don’t reply, why mobile-first markets favour WhatsApp over email, and why Western out...

In this uncut segment from On My Own Terms , Janissa Ng , Sustainability Communications Consultant and Certified ESG Analyst, dives deep into how sustainability and ESG are reshaping industries — from large corporations to SMEs. She discusses how retail and consumer goods sectors are transforming after COVID, how sustainability has become a powerful differentiator for brands, and what smaller busi...

How long should a “good” prompt really be? In this uncut clip, Mohd Rizuan shares a surprising story that flips common assumptions about prompt engineering on its head — and reveals why most people are still approaching AI in the wrong way. Instead of quick fixes or one-line prompts, Rizuan talks about the deeper layers of prompt engineering, system vs. user prompts, and the hidden work that goes...

Most people think AI is only for big tech companies. 🚫But what if it could completely change how small businesses run — without hiring a single extra person? 👀 In this uncut clip from On My Own Terms , Mohd. Rizuan reveals how automation is quietly transforming the way agencies and SMBs work. From cutting hours of repetitive reporting to freeing up founders from endless admin, this is the side o...

💡 How do you manage money when you’re just starting a business? In this uncut moment, Shuyi Goh opens up about the practical side of starting her business — from separating personal and business expenses, to choosing between a sole proprietorship or private limited , and even finding the right corporate bank account . For Shuyi, it wasn’t just about chasing a dream — it was about building a found...

Season 2 of On My Own Terms explores real stories about career transitions, layoffs, startups, and mid-career challenges — and what it truly takes to build a meaningful career in today’s uncertain world. Across 10 episodes, we spoke with founders, operators, creators, and professionals who shared honest experiences about: • navigating layoffs and rebuilding confidence • making career decisions wit...

💭 We spend our best years chasing promotions, titles, and bonuses… but what happens when we don’t have health and family to enjoy it with? In this powerful uncut clip, Michael Foo reflects on the hidden cost of work, the fragility of tomorrow, and why gratitude may matter more than success. It’s a perspective many ignore — until it’s too late. ⚡ If you’ve ever felt consumed by your job, question...

In this uncut moment, Michael Foo opens up about two stories that changed the way he looked at life. A colleague whose health collapsed after endless hours of work. A friend who passed away unexpectedly at just 52. Both reminders that our lives can be fragile, our time in this world is limited and life doesn’t wait. For Michael, this was more than a wake-up call — it was the universe telling him t...

What shapes the way our children grow up — systems or culture ? 🤔In this uncut conversation, we explore how Singapore’s structured education policies and New Zealand’s cultural mindset create very different childhood experiences. From when kids start school, to how parents and communities support them, this is a fascinating look at how environment shapes values. Pamela and I also dive into the in...

🎓 How different is raising kids in Singapore compared to abroad? In this conversation, we explore the contrasts between Singapore’s world-renowned education system and what Pamela has experienced raising her children in New Zealand. From the pressure of early tuition and enrichment classes in Singapore, to the more open and balanced classroom styles in New Zealand, this discussion goes beyond aca...

Meet  Kriang Khanijomdi  — a Shopify veteran turned startup founder and the creator of  PuppetVendors , a multi-vendor marketplace used by e-commerce brands worldwide. In this episode of  On My Own Terms , host  John Lim  explores Kriang’s journey from big tech to entrepreneurship — the pressure of being the “last line of defense,” taking risks in your 30s, and the mindset shifts needed to build b...

Meet Vik Zeng — a former SAF intelligence officer who walked away from a stable, structured system to reinvent his entire career from scratch. From military intelligence to consulting, leadership development, and the private sector, Vik’s story is one of courage, identity loss, resilience, and the messy reality of a mid-career switch in Singapore. In this episode of On My Own Terms , host John Lim...

Meet Kelly Lim — a Singapore-based professional who’s built one of the most unconventional, fascinating careers you’ll ever hear about. From helping grieving families as a funeral undertaker to navigating the chaos of crypto and thriving in Fortune 500 tech sales , Kelly’s story is a masterclass in reinvention, courage, and finding humor in the unexpected. In this episode of On My Own Terms , host...

What happens when you get laid off from a dream job — and decide to turn that setback into your biggest leap forward? Meet Marcus Cheu — a former Salesforce professional who lost his job during the tech layoffs and used that moment to redefine his career completely. Instead of returning to corporate life, Marcus chose to build something of his own — a startup born out of curiosity, courage, and co...

What happens when you walk away from a successful 10+ year corporate career to start over — as a student, in a new country? Meet Janissa Ng — a former Senior Account Director from Singapore who took a bold leap to rebuild her career in sustainability. After over a decade in corporate communications, she left everything behind to pursue a Master’s degree in Germany, eventually crafting a remote, pu...

In this episode of On My Own Terms , I sit down with Mohd Rizuan , founder of Rice Labs , to talk about career pivots, building a business around AI and automation, and what the future of work means for everyday professionals. Rizuan’s journey is anything but typical: From marketing & sales to tinkering with AI tools before they were mainstream Taking a $13/hour part-time job just to buy himse...

#CareerPivot #BurnoutRecovery #RedefiningSuccess Feeling stuck in your career or battling burnout? 💡 Shu Yi “Shuyi” Goh is a Gallup‑Certified CliftonStrengths coach and founder of The Strengths Co, specializing in helping mid‑career professionals discover their innate talents and build fulfilling careers. With over 16 years in technology and leadership roles at Accenture, Standard Chartered Bank,...

“I lost my job… and it changed everything.” In this raw and inspiring episode, Michael Foo reveals how being let go from a top tech company at age 49 forced him to question his identity, confront cultural shame, and completely redefine what success means. Instead of letting the setback break him, Michael turned it into the greatest opportunity of his life — to build a career filled with purpose, n...

🎧 Feeling Stuck in Your Career? This Is What Starting Over Actually Looks Like Subscribe to newsletter for bonus content on career change and growth: http://bit.ly/3Em887U    Are you stuck in a job that no longer excites you? Wondering what it would take to finally make that career pivot — or move to a different country, city, or life altogether? In this episode of On My Own Terms , I speak with...

👋 Hey everyone! It’s been a while… but I’m back. After a long pause, I’m relaunching On My Own Terms - a podcast created for people navigating career change, layoffs, pivots, and reinvention. The past year taught me a lot. And now feels like the right time to restart these conversations - honest, practical, and real. New episodes drop every Thursday - with fresh conversations, honest stories, and...

This is Part 3 (and final part) of special conversation episode between John Lim and Aaron Wong, guest from Ep 1. At time of recording, John has been actively job hunting for several months.   Some topics covered include: - You need permission to be employed - Crafting a good CV  - Anxiety of an unemployed sole breadwinner with 2 young children - Job vs income - How to reduce probability of being...

This is Part 2 of 3 of special conversation episode between John Lim and Aaron Wong, guest from Ep 1. At time of recording, John has been actively job hunting for several months.   Some topics covered include: - Dealing with news of ex-employer's extravagant spending  - What could have been done differently  - Building skills and network - How to deal with recruiters - Red flags  - Career coaches...

This is Part 1 of 3 of special conversation episode between John Lim and Aaron Wong, guest from Ep 1. At time of recording, John has been actively job hunting for several months.   Some topics covered include: - Getting laid off - What's interest rate got to do with anything - Tech companies - Work vs identity - What's a good layoff exercise  Support the show Subscribe to bonus podcast content and...

Winnie Wong (her LinkedIn ) is the author of Amazon #1 New Release - You Don't Have to Look the Part: How East Asian Women Thrive as Entrepreneurs ( link ).  Winnie is also a business leader, educator, researcher, investor, and philanthropist. She has over a decade of corporate experience working with start-ups, scale-ups, and big tech companies.  An advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (...

In this episode, we have a special guest - a career change coach who has helped numerous individuals successfully navigate their career transitions. If you're a millennial in Singapore looking to make a career switch, this episode is for you.  Former VP at BlackRock, career change coach Jennifer Ong (www.ongjennifer.com) shares her own personal career change story, insights on career and career ch...