State of Mind

Join Vera for an insightful conversation with Mike Chan, Chief Operating Officer for Microsoft ASEAN, on the State of Mind podcast. Mike, a 24-year veteran of Microsoft, shares his personal experiences and practical tactics for maintaining mental well-being in a high-pressure role. Mike opens up about: The importance of recovery: Why prioritising breaks and recovery is crucial for mental health and career longevity. Balancing work and family: How to be present and engaged with your family while managing a demanding career. The role of adventure: Discovering how physical activities and adventure can provide mental clarity and a fresh perspective. Tune in to learn valuable strategies for managing stress, prioritising your well-being, and achieving a fulfilling work-life balance. Find Mike Chan online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mchan/ Follow the host  Vera Siertsema for more updates on the State of Mind episodes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/

Explore the importance of prioritising well-being and taking courageous career breaks in this episode of the State of Mind podcast. Vera's back with a conversation with Kevin Wo, Chief Partner Officer for Microsoft ASEAN, as they discuss mental health in the context of leadership and personal growth. Kevin shares his personal experience of taking a sabbatical, highlighting: The power of a reset: How stepping away from work can provide clarity and renewed focus. Overcoming stigma: Addressing the cultural challenges of discussing mental health in Asia. Leading with authenticity: The importance of prioritising well-being to be your best self and effectively support your team. Tune in to gain valuable insights on building resilience, managing stress, and creating a culture of well-being in the workplace. Find Kevin Wo online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wo/ Follow the host  Vera Siertsema for more updates on the State of Mind episodes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/

Discover the power of joy in the workplace with Pip Arthur, Chief Marketing Officer for Microsoft Asia, on the State of Mind podcast. Vera returns with Pip, who shares her inspiring journey and practical insights on cultivating joy, fostering inclusion, and leading with authenticity. Pip delves into: The importance of self-care: Why prioritising sleep, nutrition, and movement is crucial for finding and sustaining joy. Diversity and inclusion in action: How everyday actions and behaviours can create a more inclusive and joyful workplace. Leading with purpose: Connecting to your purpose at work to enhance joy and fulfilment. Tune in to learn how to cultivate joy in your own life and inspire those around you, while also gaining valuable perspectives on leadership, diversity, and creating a positive workplace culture. Find Pip Arthur online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pip-arthur-34a199/ Follow the host  Vera Siertsema for more updates on the State of Mind episodes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/

Join Vera for a candid conversation about mental health with Ahmed Mazhari, the former President of Microsoft Asia, on the State of Mind podcast. In this insightful episode, Ahmed shares his personal journey and leadership perspectives on prioritising mental well-being in the workplace and beyond. Ahmed opens up about: His evolving view of mental health: From personal well-being to recognizing its profound impact on workplace dynamics and productivity. The importance of leadership: How leaders can advocate for mental health awareness and create supportive environments for their teams. Practical strategies for a healthy mind: Discover the role of sleep, exercise, gratitude, and open communication in fostering mental well-being. Tune in to gain valuable insights from a leader who champions mental health and discover how we can all contribute to a happier and healthier workplace culture. Find Ahmed Mazhari online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-mazhari-7717773/ Follow the host  Vera Siertsema for more updates on the State of Mind episodes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/

Welcome to the State of Mind podcast, where we delve into stories of strength and well-being with inspiring leaders. This time, Vera dives deep with Mark Sparvell, Director of Global Education Marketing for Microsoft Worldwide, to explore the power of emotional intelligence in navigating today's challenges. Mark, a renowned expert in well-being and emotional intelligence, shares his personal journey and insights on: The importance of emotional intelligence: Why it's a "tough skill" and how it unlocks motivation and learning. Practical strategies for managing emotions: Learn how to reframe your thinking and develop healthy habits for emotional well-being. The BeWell initiative at Microsoft: Discover how Microsoft champions holistic well-being for its employees, encompassing emotional, financial, and physical health. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on cultivating emotional intelligence, fostering kindness, and building resilience in the face of adversity. Find Mark Sparvell online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sparvell/ Follow the host  Vera Siertsema for more updates on the State of Mind episodes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/

As we head into the new year I hope we can all look back on 2022 with love, happiness, and increased comfort to open up, be vulnerable and check in with one another. This has been another turbulent year, and as time passes we will continue to be challenged by life - good and bad. With this in mind, I am sharing the final episode of State of Mind: Season 2. It is a short 20-minute compilation with key learnings I took away from each episode, featuring each one of my inspiring guests. I love this episode and I hope it will inspire you to stay true to yourself and prioritize your mental health every day in 2023. Thank you to my lovely guests for openly and vulnerably sharing your stories throughout this season! Your unique journeys are an inspiration, and one of the key reasons why I feel this podcast is so special. If you missed any of my episodes from Season 2 and would like to listen to them now after hearing one of the segments in this highlight episode, you can find the links to each full episode below:  Episode 21: "Creating Content To Give Back" - John Savill https://bit.ly/3PrwArr Episode 22: "Overcoming Obesity in Malaysia" - Kevin Zahri https://bit.ly/3R1NjCY Episode 23: "Giving Back In Tech" - Charles Wartemberg https://bit.ly/3RsUunR Episode 24: "Building a Woman’s World" - Jingjin Liu https://bit.ly/3AZL5xq Episode 25: "Mental Strength, Physical Power" - Vanessa Murray https://bit.ly/3Saepbv Episode 26: "Mental Health at Work" - Kim Hamrosi https://bit.ly/3dwtQfh Episode 27: "Getting Older, Getting Wiser" - Tracey Thomas https://bit.ly/3Cn4BWD Episode 28: "Being a proud, gay man in Singapore" - Andee Chua https://bit.ly/3VayLno Episode 29: "Overcoming the persistent stigma around psychotherapy" - Laure de Panafieu https://bit.ly/3SW7S4Q Episode 30: "Adventure awaits on the other side of trying" - Antony Austin & Emma Brentnall https://bit.ly/3TCOj1C Episode 31: "Recovering from Trauma" - Dr. Sarah Woodhouse https://bit.ly/3fatN9T Episode 32: "Balance career goals with family needs" - Soraya Scott https://bit.ly/3T1VC1O Episode 33: "The long road of treating PTSD" - Cameron Hardiman https://bit.ly/3UFbCc5 Episode 34: "How Yoga and surfing lead to self-discovery and wellness" - Erika Drolet https://bit.ly/3g6XEAI Episode 35: "'Introvert' is not an identity but a label" - Cia Ai Eng https://bit.ly/3OxgCNk Episode 36: "Lead with purpose and positive energy" - Jean-Philippe Courtois https://bit.ly/3VHpGSu Episode 37: "Our Family Planning and Pregnancy Journey" - Tony van Eck & Vera Siertsema https://bit.ly/3HeW3nh Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verasiertsema?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Tony van Eck is the Customer Success Regional Lead - ASEAN at MuleSoft, but the most important title he holds is that of my husband. He shares a bit of his backstory before revealing an exciting announcement I've been eager to share with you all: Tony and I are expecting a baby boy! In all my podcasts I finish with "we all have a story, and every story matters". With that in mind, I thought it was only suitable to share our own family planning and pregnancy journey. It is something that heavily impacted our mental health, both positively and negatively, and we expect this to be the case for many (aspiring) parents.⁠⁠ Throughout our pregnancy journey, Tony and I were often surprised, as there are quite some topics that people rarely speak about. We decided to open up about some of these, including the process of conceiving, fertility, and morning sickness. We hope that sharing our story will bring awareness and support to (aspiring) parents, and those surrounding them.⁠ From Tony's perspective, he shared some of the fears and mental challenges he experienced on our journey of starting a family. He revealed how he suffered through thoughts of doubts and uncertainty throughout the 1-year process. Tony also shared a few details about his experience of visiting a fertility specialist. Tony and I also shared a few more details about our experience, including: How sharing more about our journey with intimate friends was helpful How stressing led to the process feeling procedural How we dealt with the stigma around 'morning' sickness Find Tony online: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonvaneck/ Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verasiertsema?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Jean-Philippe Courtois is the Executive Vice President and President of National Transformation Partnerships at Microsoft. He is also one of the most inspirational figures I've come across; he can often be found hosting a passionate, heart-touching discussion on the role purpose plays in moulding our lives. Jean-Philippe begins our episode with a nostalgic walk down memory lane. He shares a brief glimpse into his early childhood along the idyllic Nice riviera. He discovered the magic of software early with a start-up company that developed payment software for Apple 2. Jean-Philippe joined Microsoft shortly after as only the 11th employee in France. He has now worked with the company for over 38 years and established himself as a strong leadership figure. However, that time hasn't been completely smooth and trouble-free. Jean-Philippe shares a few events that both challenged him and helped him identify his purpose. Some of the definitive moments he shares include: Transforming his leadership style as he recognised the "top-down" model neglected his team's remarkable ability to self-innovate Starting his foundation, Live For Good, showed him the incredible capacity for entrepreneurship that the youth have when granted ample opportunities Learning to be mindful about having positive moments with people, and being conscious of the energy he carries and brings into a space with him Find Jean-Philippe online:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpcourtois/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpcourtois_/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JP_Courtois Listen to his podcast, Purposeful Leadership: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798971 Learn about the Live For Good Foundation: https://live-for-good.org/fr/ Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verasiertsema?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Cia Ai Eng is Chief Legal Counsel for the Marubeni Corporation, a major energy company. Since her childhood, Cia has always identified as an introvert. But at the peak of the covid pandemic in 2020, Cia shocked her close friends when she decided she wanted to start hosting dinner parties. What began as a closed tradition among friends quickly grew into so much more as Cia realized how much she enjoyed hosting dinner parties. Cia reflected on her own self-identification as an introvert and felt a spontaneous urge to challenge it. Suddenly not wanting to limit herself to a label, she made a bold decision. In one of her most un-introverted moments, Cia started reaching out to total strangers over LinkedIn. Battling fears of failure and rejection every step of the way, Cia was shocked to discover how positively her initiative was received. Cia Ai also shares: How she overcame her nervousness to cold-call strangers on LinkedIn The most memorable dinner party moments Positive outcomes that reached beyond her dinner parties Find Cia Ai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cia-ai-eng-黄家爱-44131715a/ Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verasiertsema?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Erika Drolet is the Co-founder and CEO of the Salty Souls Experience / Salty Club. She describes her business as a travel agency for women, but as she discusses it on the show it quickly becomes obvious that what the Salty Souls Experience offers is so much more. To paint an accurate picture of what Erika aimed to achieve with the Salty Souls Experience, she first describes the experiences that led to her deciding to launch the company. Before the Salty Souls Experience and its sister company, the Salty Club, Erika was already a successful entrepreneur with her jewellery design company, Jane & Rye. Even while attending some of the biggest fashion shows in the world, Erika felt out of place encouraging people to buy more stuff. She sought to create an environment that encouraged people to create more memories instead. Erika shares more on how her experiences travelling helped shape the Salty Souls Experience and, later, the Salty Club. Some of these key experiences include: Running into her future business partner, Marie-Christine, multiple times in 6 months across the world. Discovering groups of young women like her who had always been doing “boy things” Using her experience as an avid traveler to support young women travelers exploring the world alone. Check out Salty Souls Experience: https://saltysoulsexperience.com/ Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera

For more than 35 years, Cameron Hardiman protected the streets in his role as a police officer for the Victoria Police Force. Drawn into the career by an exciting advert that featured car chases and many other scenes that thrilled his young, 19-year old self, Cameron served as the frontline against crime while barely realizing he was following in his father’s footsteps, who was also a police officer. Cameron shares some of the pivotal experiences that have shaped his career, tracing a remarkable story that goes from being a uniformed police officer to patrolling the skies as an air observer before finally serving his nation as a federal officer. From drunk drivers to drug smugglers and counterfeiters, Cameron has been face to face with all kinds of people and faced some of the most stressful, life-or-death situations imaginable. Cameron shares how his career only came to an end after his work had worn into him and he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Cameron also opens up about some of the most traumatic experiences in his career. Somse of these events stretch back as far as 1985, but the one that really stands out is the tragic story of a lost sailor in the “Shipwreck Coast”, the notorious stretch of ocean between Victoria and Tasmania. You can listen to the full episode for the full story, and also find out: How Cameron recognized his PTSD Some of the most prominent symptoms of PTSD that stuck out to him afterward Learning to accept his right to feel emotion. Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera #PTSD #posttraumaticstressdisorder #mentalhealth 

All of us carry at least a little trauma with us, and people like Dr. Sarah Woodhouse are dedicated to helping us overcome it. Sarah studied trauma clinically for over 10 years before she left the academic space to write her own books on the topic. Although Sarah is a trauma expert today, she hasn’t always been one. Sarah reflects on how her decision to become a trauma expert was likely deeply tied to her own trauma. During her prior career in lobbying, her work brought her into close proximity to the Guantanamo crisis. As she worked with PTSD experts who helped survivors of Guantanamo recover and heal, Sarah discovered many similarities to her own experiences, guided by her therapist. Sarah also takes us through a detailed exploration of what trauma is and how it may manifest: How trauma can be viewed as a memory dysfunction, and how it can affect how we remember certain events What causes trauma and how to identify traumatic events in your own past, since trauma does not always come from the same cause How being consciously aware of trauma might help trauma patients confront and overcome it. Learn more about Sarah's work: https://sarahwoodhouse.com/ Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera #selfacceptance #mentalhealth #podcaster

(Trigger Warning: Please be aware that the content of this episode contains mentions of suicide.) Laure de Panafieu is the Co-Chair of City Mental Health Alliance Singapore, but mental health has been a deeply influential theme in her life for a long time. Laure shares with us the story of her parents’ battles with mental illnesses. Her mother was believed to suffer from depression for most of her life, and it was only recently that a healthcare professional has been able to correctly diagnose and treat her. Laure’s experiences grant her an intimate perspective into the role of mental health in a person’s life, and in the workplace.  From this perspective, Laure shares some of the many ways that mental health awareness still needs to progress both in the workplace and at home, such as: How to de-stigmatize seeking professional mental health services Improving access to professional mental health services in the workplace Creating a culture of understanding and acceptance around mental health service. Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera #selfacceptance #mentalhealth #podcaster

This episode of State of Mind is all about diversity - listen to the amazing journey of Andee Chua; a model, dancer, community builder, public speaker and LGBTQ+ advocate. Being an advocate for diversity and inclusivity, Andee devoted his life to spreading awareness about the challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces in Singapore. Andee grew up in a traditional Singaporean family and it wasn’t easy for him to come out to his family and friends. Finding great support and strength in his partner, he went on to become one of the biggest voices for LGBTQ+ rights in this part of the world. He speaks about 3 pillars of support that helped him on this journey, which are dance, friends, co-workers and of course, his fiancé. Listen to Andee speaking more about: - How dance helped him express himself - What it was like coming out to traditional parents - Embracing an inclusive workspace mentality. Follow Andee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andeecys/ Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera #selfacceptance #mentalhealth #podcaster

Contrary to popular belief, life can be long. There are many lessons and realizations that only come to us with age, time, and maturity. On this episode of State of Mind I'm joined by one of my personal favourite podcasters, Tracey Thomas, host of the amazing Talk with Trace podcast. Tracey shares with us her rich life experience. As she nears the major milestone of age 40, Tracey has found herself reflecting on many of the lessons and values that were instilled in her during her lifetime. By sharing touching, relatable stories with us, Tracey draws a clear illustration of the challenges surrounding personal development and self-fulfilment in an ever-changing world. One of the standout stories she shares relates to self-acceptance. In her 20s, Tracey found herself to be a bit of a people-pleaser. Her selfless, giving nature nearly ran her ragged, and it wasn’t until she learned to put herself first that things started to make more sense in her life. We also discuss: Her transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship The ups and downs of her business career Some of her personal favourite episodes of her podcast Check out Talk with Trace podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/talk-with-trace/id1418334318 Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera #selfacceptance #mentalhealth #podcaster

Kim Hamrosi describes herself as having never had a masterplan, only a series of interesting ideas. Her early career reflects this belief clearly as she began working in the hospitality industry before moving to aviation, and then finally settling in the pharmaceutical industry. Kim shares how despite having worked her way to become CEO of Corporate Mental Health Alliance Australia, she has at times struggled to find the right balance between her work and her mental health. Working in a high-performance team, Kim found herself inundated with work. Overwhelmed and reluctant to disappoint her peers, Kim reflects on how her decision to leave that job was the best thing to do for her at that time. During our talk Kim shares many more details about how she’s seen mental health intersect with work, including: How working in aviation helped her understand people’s psychology practically The infamous “passion tax” that overly passionate people pay for not setting proper boundaries What communities can do to promote better mental health at workplaces. Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera #workplaceculture #mentalhealth

In this episode, I’m joined by the inspirational Vanessa Murray. In addition to being a phenomenal triathlete, Vanessa is also the 2021 AG Ironman Champion. She shares with us how she’s balanced a demanding physical fitness regime with a healthy mindset, allowing her to achieve phenomenal success. Our conversation starts with a brief exploration of Vanessa’s history. She reveals how sports have always been a heavy fabric in her life, with running taking a special place in her heart. However, Vanessa truly found herself when she discovered triathlons. She was introduced to the sport via her husband, who also bought her her first road bicycle. She quickly found her groove within the sport, and soon she was registering for her first competitive triathlon. Battling fear, doubt, and uncertainty every step of the way, Vanessa managed to blaze an impressive trail over the next 12 years. Throughout our chat, Vanessa shares how she never intended to become a world champion. Instead, she simply fell in love with the sport and it allowed the achievements to follow. Tune in to our latest episode to find out more about Vanessa’s fascinating journey, such as: Her training regime How she improved herself How she kept her mental health in check. Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera #thriathlete #womenpower #mentalhealth

Through sweeping social reforms in the 1900s, the world has begun to accept that women play an essential economic role in society. Even so, the workplace is still a den of gender inequality for many women around the world. Jingjin Liu, founder and CEO of ZaZaZu, is taking strides to change that. Our conversation with Jingjin begins with her personal history. She shares how being raised in China often left her feeling muted and restricted. As all teenagers do, she rebelled and chose to pursue an intensively male-dominated industry in the industrial hub of the world: Germany. Alone in a foreign country with a foreign language, Jingjin quickly learned how to express herself in any way possible to integrate into society. Her experiences made her appreciate qualities she was previously criticized for, leading to a bloom in confidence and identity. These experiences, and many others, shape ZaZaZu’s unique lens and helps her understand the nature of issues women are facing in modern society. In our discussion, we explore some of those, such as: How are expressive women perceived compared to reserved women? What are different reactions to sexism and microaggressions in the workplace? Why is it important to own your narrative? Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera #genderequality #womenpower #mentalhealth

Charles Wartemberg, Product Manager at Netflix and Public Speaker, joins us in this episode of State of Mind. Having worked with some of the biggest names in technology such as Microsoft, Charles has been around some of the brightest people in the world. You can imagine, then, his surprise when his manager quoted an article he had written on LinkedIn. So began the meteoric rise of Charles’ consulting and coaching platform. He quickly discovered that an ideal work-life balance often means you have to take a step back from side hustles to focus on what he calls 'the most important job of all', being a husband and a father. Join us to find out more about how Charles has leveraged technology to scale his platform and achieve an ideal balance in his life. We also cover many other topics, such as: The importance of giving back Avoiding or mitigating harmful effects of technology in children Challenges related to scaling your business Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera

Obesity is a growing problem in developed and developing countries around the world. As more research on the subject comes to light, people are slowly beginning to recognize that what they do plays as pivotal a role in their weight as what they eat. Kevin Zahri, our guest today, is the founder of Bukan Soal Kurus, the largest weight-loss movement in Malaysia. He shares with us how he came to become a fitness influencer. His journey begins with being the typical academic - pressured by his parents to study engineering, it wasn't long before he realized this wasn't for him. Since then, Kevin has carved out his own space, helping people around Malaysia develop weight-loss programs that integrate seamlessly with their lives and promote an active lifestyle. Among many other topics, we discuss: The basics of 'body engineering' How Kevin has fused fitness and entrepreneurship The importance of following through with your decisions Follow the host Vera Siertsema for more updates and short snippets of the State of Mind episodes on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verasiertsema/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/verasiertsema LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsema/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stateofmindwithvera