Beautifully Unbroken

Yesterday was World Bipolar Day and I shared about my top 5️⃣ lessons from 25 years of lived experience. Today, I want to share something personal—my very first keynote speech.

In 2023, I delivered “Beautifully Unbroken” keynote in front of 600 people at the 40th Anniversary Gala for Hong Fook Mental Health Association, an organization that supports Asian Canadians navigating mental health challenges.

But what most people don’t know is that before this keynote, I had a depressive episode. I was terrified I wouldn’t be well enough to take the stage.

That experience taught me something that changed everything: I could pre-record my keynote as a backup. If I ever couldn’t make it, my message would still be heard.

Since then, I’ve done this for every keynote. I’ve never had to use the backup video, but just knowing it’s there gives me confidence. More importantly, it proves that meaningful work is possible when we create real accessibility and inclusion.

Too often, people with disabilities or mental health conditions are overlooked because of assumptions about what we can or can’t do. But here’s the truth: With the right support, we can show up. We can contribute. We can create impact.

Here is the full video of my keynote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5KEJpA4DcI