Hong Kong Confidential

REPLAYED CONTENT- for the Christmas break. Tricia Yap is a holistic coach who encompasses physical training, nutrition, positive psychology and lifestyle choices in her work with her clients. She is an MMA fighter and founder of the Warrior Academy in Hong Kong. Tricia has faced her share of difficulties in her life ranging from being bullied as a child in Australia to dealing with an acrimonious divorce, which made her question her self-worth on many levels.  She harnessed these negative experiences to redefine her success by overcoming feelings of shame, guilt, anger and inadequacy.  She has worked hard to be a better version of herself and now helps others to achieve this same success by teaching people to invest in their own health and wellbeing.  Tricia explains how we can learn from our failures and how we must not define success based on what other people think of us. She shares a great 5 step prioritisation exercise with us that can help us to think about where we are placing all of our

REPLAYED CONTENT for the Christmas break- Kate McAlister was a fit and healthy 31-year-old early childhood educator from California working in Hong Kong, when she had a stroke. At first, she was misdiagnosed and sent home with a migraine but eventually after a whole night of vomiting, she went back to the hospital and was finally diagnosed with having a stroke. She shares her difficult journey in relation to returning to work too quickly and realising she needed to head home to stay with her parents to recuperate. Whilst back in The States, Kate pursued more medical advice by seeing other doctors and specialists, one of which whom made a connection with her stroke and the death of her aunt at 37, who passed away from a dissection in her heart- a similar occurrence to Kate's stroke. Kate explores her journey with grief and loss as she had to come to terms with the fact that her body was not the same as it used to be, and her lifestyle had changed dramatically given that she was an adventurous woman who lived l

REPLAYED CONTENT for the Christmas break- Valentina Tudose joins me to talk about sex with a focus on educating young people so they have more positive relationships. She explains why it is important to educate teens about respect and consent by teaching them about values and the need to have high self worth. We live in a hyper-sexualised society, where sexting and pornography are prevalent. Valentina advises parents’ ways in which they can discuss these issues with their children and educate them on how to develop their relationships skills.  We talk about sexual pressure and how important it is to set boundaries. Managing emotions is an important part of sexual relationships and Valentina gives us tips on how to do this. Valentina discuses sex positive resources with us and is full of wonderful advice on topic of sex and relationships. “Awareness is the foundation of becoming well adjusted people who can function successfully in relationships.” Happy Ever After: https://happyeverafter

REPLAYED CONTENT for the Christmas break- Temmy Maclean and her 63-year-old mother were caught in the 2004 Tsunami in Thailand. This is the first time that Temmy has shared her story publicly. Temmy talks about the fear she felt and how she came to terms with the fact that she was going to die. She and 64 other people were stranded on Bamboo Island after being caught in the Tsunami during a day trip to Phi Phi Island. She and her mother went into self-preservation mode whilst being in a heightened state of sheer terror. Temmy explains the impact that this near-death experience had on both her and her mother and how she dealt with the trauma at the time and when she returned to her life in Hong Kong. This is a powerful example of human strength in the face of a devastating natural disaster. Temmy’s story will have you on the edge of your seat. A Listener Note: This podcast explores some distressing themes- listener discretion is advised. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: juleshannaford1@gmail.com Net

Jing speaks to me about her Chinese culture, traditions and upbringing for International Podcast Day 2019. She shares her life story with a focus on the one child policy in China, her schooling, family life and some of her favourite memories. Jing explains some of the more difficult parts of her childhood and how she has overcome these struggles. Jing has a German boyfriend and she shares how this intercultural relationship has been received by her family and how she and her boyfriend have managed to adjust to each others cultural differences. Jing explains the differences between living in China and Hong Kong. Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: juleshannaford1@gmail.com Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and anywhere you find your podcasts.  Support the show:

Nivedita Ramanujam is pursuing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is a qualified counsellor. She is qualified in EMDR, CBT, Mindfulness and Meditation. She is also a certified Hypnotherapist. Nivedita blends Western psychology and Eastern healing traditions including mindfulness and meditation. Nivedita shares her knowledge about treating many mental health issues in her work as a counsellor. We focus a great deal on hypnotherapy and the impact that it can have on individuals. Nivedita explains the techniques she uses, the ways that hypnotherapy can benefit people from all walks of life and explains some of the myths surrounding this healing practice. This is a fascinating topic and an insightful interview with a passionate practitioner. Nivedita Ramanujam: https://www.otandp.com/our-practitioners/nivedita-ramanujam?hsLang=en Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: juleshannaford1@gmail.com Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfide

Karl Lam is an entrepreneur, journalist and a go-getter yet he is still in high school. He is passionate about mental health and is the founder of Live Well Sell Well, a community empowerment initiative, focusing on empowering women, entrepreneurs and self-starters with skills in media and marketing, whilst also spreading awareness about healthy living and well-being. Karl works in digital marketing and is also a TEDx speaker. Karl was named Hong Kong's Youngest PR Powerhouse by WeWork & Social Space Magazine's Changemaker. Karl shares his wisdom and reminds us that taking risks and putting yourself out there can yield great results. Karl is an old soul in a young body. I learnt a lot from this teen dynamo. Karl Lam: xylamkarl@gmail.com Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: juleshannaford1@gmail.com Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongko

Sofie was one of three siblings but sadly both of her sisters passed away when she was young. She shares the traumatic stories of her sisters’ deaths and her journey through grief as she dealt with these tragic life events. We delve deeply into the notion of grief, coping strategies and the impact on the whole family and how each person dealt with grief differently. Sofie internalised her grief after the death of her first sister and became very stoic, this suppression of her grief meant that when her second sister died, she was impacted intensely. We discuss the benefits of counselling to help a person to “struggle effectively” to manage their grief. This is a moving and thoughtful exploration of one woman’s personal take on grief and loss. Sofie is now a midwife and helps bring new souls into the world. Sofie Jacobs: https://www.urban-hatch.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: juleshannaford1@gmail.com Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook

Bess Hepworth is the mother of a hearing and sight impaired young boy who is the most joyful and inspiring child that you might ever meet. He has a degenerative condition which requires Bess and her wife to travel from Hong Kong to Australia for his treatment. Bess shares her inspirational parenting journey with us and the challenges and rewards she and her wife have faced along the way, whilst raising this two beautiful sons. Bess discusses the highs and lows that come with balancing work, activism, marriage and parenting. We hear the heartwarming story of how Bess met her wife and how they have forged a life together in Hong Kong. Bess is an inspiration to us all on so many levels. This is part 2 of the interview with Bess. Please go back and listen to episode 114 first. Planet Ally: https://www.planetally.org/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: juleshannaford1@gmail.com Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: w

Bess Hepworth is an Australian born mother, wife and a human rights defender. Bess spends most of her time raising her sons and being the proud founder of Planet Ally, a group whose mission is to empower allyship and give people the resources and tools to advance human rights and help build stronger, more resilient communities. An active LGBTQ community member in the Asia-Pacific region and champion of positive change, Bess specialises in using social media as a tool for visibility, solidarity and advocacy for LGBTQ communities. Bess shares her deeply personal story with us and opens up about things that she has never spoken about publicly. She shares the impact and pain that she and her family faced when her mother was killed in a boating accident when Bess was a young girl. She explores her grief and the impact this had on her and opens up about the challenges she faced growing up with a family member who became abusive towards her. Bess talks about coming out as a lesbian and how her life has been enriched

Dr Brenda Alegre shares her story of a happy childhood in the Philippines where she felt loved and supported as she evolved into her true self: a transgender woman. She worked hard at school, had lots of friends, felt loved by her family and admired many super heroes, including Wonder Woman who was her favourite. She faced negativity and discrimination at times as an adult, but this just made her stronger and inspired her to work harder to be successful and make a difference in the world. Brenda is an incredible person who has a multitude of achievements to her name. Some of her accomplishments include being a Registered Psychologist, she is on the Board of Directors of STRAP – The Society of Transsexual Women Advocates in the Philippines and she is also the Trans Secretariat of ILGA; the International LGBT Association. Brenda is a Lecturer at the University of Hong Kong where she teaches Sexuality and Gender. As an activist for LGBTQ and women in both the Philippines and Hong Kong, she has been invited

Beatrice Lee’s gift of intuition was opened to her from her childhood. Intuitive at an early age, she was able to foretell the future of friends and family using this “sixth sense” of hers. This gift never left her; and growing up she had a strong desire and curiosity towards metaphysics. Now a certified meta-physician and hypnotherapist, Beatrice left her high-ranking corporate role and realised her dream of helping others in The Golden Space Malaysia. Beatrice shares her story with us and helps us gain a greater understating of intuition, psychic abilities and healing in general. Beatrice Lee: https://thegoldenspace.sg/wppractitioner/beatrice-lee/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: juleshannaford1@gmail.com Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfidential/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/juleshannaford/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hongkongconfidential/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube and

Mui Thomas has a rare skin disorder called Harlequin Ichthyosis. It causes her skin to be red and flaky and she must be very careful when it comes to her body temperature control. She was adopted by her parents as a baby in Hong Kong and they have strong family bonds which they talk about in their webpage ‘The Girl Behind the Face’. Growing up with a visible difference was not easy for Mui.  She was bullied when she was in high school and this took a toll on her emotional wellbeing and caused a great deal of stress for her family. At times Mui felt suicidal and wanted to give up and she shares what she does to overcome the stares and comments that she still endures, even today as an adult. Mui is a role model who has won awards and has garnered a lot of media attention, which is great as it highlights the need for people to be accepting of anyone who has a visible difference. As Ashton Kutcher says, “Mui is an inspiration, she hasn’t let her disease define her!” WARNING: Lis

Tracey Osborne is the driving force behind the empowerment blog, 'Daring Woman'. As a thriver of abuse, sexual assault and a lifetime of self-loathing, Tracey created 'Daring Woman' to help others know they aren’t alone…and to be a place for women to find and share their voice. Tracey is unstoppable and is a role model for others. Tracey's husband passed away recently and she has been dealing with grief and the loss of the love of her life. She  discusses her life and how she has healed from a number of traumas that she has faced. We discuss shame, forgiveness and owning your story. Tracey reminds us that the most important person to forgive is ourselves. WARNING: Listener discretion is advised as we discuss topics which may be triggering, such as sexual assault and abuse. Daring Woman: http://daringwomaninc.com/ Hong Kong Confidential Details Email: juleshannaford1@gmail.com Network: https://www.auscastnetwork.com/home/hong-kong-confidential Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hongkongconfid

Eleanor Coleman is a financial coach and the Principal Partner and Founder of The Financial Empowerment Group. She aims to help women and the LGBTQ community to understand and master their finances through planning and education. Drawing on her 13 years of experience working for international banks in Hong Kong, Eleanor delivers regular seminars and workshops including the popular series "A Man is Not a Plan". She uses her expertise to help people define and achieve their dreams, take control of their finances and realise true financial freedom. She discusses all aspects of financial life ranging from credit card interest to ensuring that everyone has a will. Eleanor reveals that 61% of women would rather talk about their own death than discuss their finances and she is determined to change this. It is so important to know where all your finances are as a family and Eleanor explains all the reasons why this is so. Her goal is to empower women and the LGBTQ community to gain financial freedom and manage their

Bertha Chan had a difficult childhood and always felt like she did not fit in and was often excluded. She had a Tiger Mum who was always telling her that she needed to be thin and pretty to be able to find a rich husband. Bertha's mum placed her on diet pills at the age of 12. Unfortunately, Bertha ended up being hospitalised with an eating disorder in her early 20s and this was a turning point in her life. Bertha wanted to find a way that she could be happier and could embrace her curves. She joined online support communities, and this helped her to change her mindset and to learn to love herself. Eventually, she felt comfortable with her self and learned a lot about self-acceptance. She decided that she wanted to share what she had learnt with others and try to help others to embrace their perceived flaws. She started a blog called ‘Curvasian’ to help curvy girls find clothes in Hong Kong as she had always struggled with both her body image and being able to find clothes that fit. She decided to

Vishal is my ex-student who suffered from mental health issues as a teen and I tried my best to support him. He was diagnosed as Bipolar at the age of 25. He talks to us about his mental health journey and explains how he was very pessimistic and lacked motivation for many years. He also suffered from anorexia as a teen and he shares how he faced this diagnosis. Vishal’s mental health went downhill at university and he found himself feeling suicidal. He could not overcome the shame he felt which was an underlying theme during his struggles. Finally, Vishal sought help and developed the tools that he needed to change the way that he was thinking. He turned his negative thoughts into reasonable thoughts as trying to make them into positive thoughts was too difficult. With medication and CBT, Vishal was able to turn his life around and is now in the happiest place that he has ever been. Vishal is a writer and a poet, and he shares some of his work with us. One of his poems was a real surprise to me and it

Sara Tang is a sexuality educator, pleasure coach and creator/host of the ‘Better in Bed’ podcast. She shares frank, informative and educational information about pornography and the impact that it is having on today’s society. Sara shares her knowledge and wisdom on many aspects of porn from the prevalence of its use, to the impact on relationships and the way that it influences the social constructs of what constitutes good sex. Sara discusses porn dependence and the possible impact on a person’s sex drive and performance. She explores the impact that virtual reality is having on the industry and the rise in labiaplasty and body image issues for all genders. Sara is an advocate for sex education in schools and feels that sex should be an ongoing conversation. Sara recommends that everyone who has an interest in porn should access healthy porn resources. She reminds us that porn is not an educational tool and that it is not a true representation of what sexual relationships entail. WA

Minal Mahtani is the founder of ‘OCD & Anxiety Support’ in Hong Kong. Minal used to suffer from a physical illness and this took a toll on her mental health. She began to explore services that could support her and she discovered that mental health care in Hong Kong was very limited and costly. So, she decided to leave teaching and trained as a cognitive behavioural therapist. Minal also experienced anxiety after facing three deaths in her family. She has a family member who has suffered from OCD for many years, so this inspired her to help people who suffer from OCD. She wants to help break the stigma that many OCD suffers face. Minal explains the OCD rituals and how these compulsions impact the sufferer. She shares some of the myths associated with OCD and delves into what the suffers really go through. Minal discusses exposure response therapy and how cognitive behavioural therapy can help OCD sufferers. We explore the different levels of anxiety that a person may experience and discover th

Lucy Chan works for The Golden Space Malaysia as the Learning and Development Director. Lucy believes that the connection with one's heart can change one’s own attitudes, beliefs and create success. Lucy realised that she had psychic abilities when she was very young. As a young adult she was working in banking and suffered from depression. She had relationship difficulties and called off her wedding just three months before the event. Finally, Lucy decided it was time to seek help. This is when she discovered that healing was her passion and true path. She helps others find the root causes of their problems and teaches people the art of self-love by encouraging them to connect with their soul. She reminds us that we are all light and love and that we need to learn how to let go to be whole and find love. She feels that spirituality and well-being are a part of our daily lives and that kindness and love are the keys to happiness. Lucy takes me through a live healing session on this podcast to help me ov