Yvette started the chat by introducing her former career as a competitive swimmer for Hong Kong. Her passion for swimming began at just three years old, and by seven, she was inspired by athletes on television. At 13 years old, Yvette broke a Hong Kong record, setting the stage for a promising career.
Yvette's journey from athlete to social advocate has shown me that great things can come from humble beginnings. She started out watching the Olympics on TV and ended up creating a social enterprise to destigmatize mental illness in Hong Kong. After the Rio Olympics, she shifted gears, joining McKinsey as a consultant. This experience broadened her perspective and led her to pursue a Master's degree at MIT where she designed lectures on art, culture, and social impact. Her diverse experiences and passion for advocacy have inspired me to break through my own limitations and work hard towards achieving my goals. Yvette's story is a powerful reminder that we can all make a positive impact in the world, no matter our age or background.
The journey to mastery is often filled with setbacks that can make us feel like it’s the end of the world. Even legends like Yvette have faced their struggles; she narrowly missed qualifying for the London Olympics by just 0.1 seconds, which took a toll on her mental health. Recognizing the importance of her well-being, Yvette took a break to focus on herself, understanding that mental health is foundational to success. Nonetheless, the road back wasn’t easy—she didn’t have an ideal result for the first two years after returning to training. Yet her perseverance paid off when she ultimately qualified for the Rio Olympics. Yvette inspired me to see setbacks as learning opportunities, as a stepping stone to success rather than an obstacle! Whenever the luck is not with you, don’t give in and don’t give up!
Another powerful lesson Yvette has taught me is the importance of finding your own voice. It’s essential to listen to yourself rather than conforming to others’ expectations, as their goals are not necessarily yours. Yvette’s career path showcased several pivotal shifts—her journey reflects the process of discovering her true passions and pursuing what excites her. Yvette is living proof of the message she advocates: we all start as blank slates emerging from a long tunnel of education, and it is up to us to write our own stories.
As a Project Melo fellow, I look forward to carrying forward the lessons that Yvette shared with us. As I progress in my journey, I will always remind myself to stay true to who I am, embracing setbacks and staying locked in on my goals. I am truly grateful to be part of Project Melo and to have met incredible individuals like Yvette, who goes on to become a lifelong mentor of ours!
