PAIN IS INEVITABLE. LEARNING IS FOREVER

Pecha Kucha sharing @ ADPList : The Dance of Passion, Pain, and Purpose

There is a beauty in brevity, a challenge in distillation. Pecha Kucha—20 slides, 20 seconds each—demands not merely a presentation but a distillation of the heart’s deepest convictions. To weave a narrative under such constraints is to lay bare the soul’s essence.

When I first encountered this format, it seemed like the perfect canvas to paint the crossroads of my mind—where passion, experience, and curiosity meet. This intersection, I believed, held the key to individuality, the alchemy that transforms the ordinary into the unique. It was also a mirror, reflecting my journey of becoming, a narrative I hoped to craft authentically.

A Song of One’s Own

Rei and I had pondered this very question in our recent podcast: What does it mean to create oneself? To tell a story that resonates, not by molding it to fit others but by letting it speak its own truth. Presenting to an audience of diverse minds was not about finding a common theme, but creating a shared experience—a melody, like a musician playing their heart out, trusting the audience to find their own meaning in the tune.

So what fortune it was to have had the opportunity to make my first ever Pecha Kucha presentation at the ADPList Singapore Official Event.

This is the paradox: in marketing, we often tailor messages to audiences, crafting narratives that resonate broadly. Here, I found myself walking the opposite path. My story had to emerge as it was, raw and real, trusting that authenticity would forge the connection.

With only a week to prepare, I turned to what was closest to my heart—running and learning. Both have shaped me, transformed me. And in their intersection, I found a truth illuminated by Haruki Murakami: “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.”

Lessons From Pain

Pain, I realized, is a faithful teacher. Whether it was the burning muscles at the 30-kilometer mark of a marathon or the quiet struggle of a 5 a.m. study session, pain taught me resilience. It whispered truths about growth—that transformation often wears the guise of discomfort.

Between the ache of exhaustion and the joy of completion, I learned that growth is not found in comfort but in the tension of effort. Running and learning share this secret: the places that challenge you most are where you bloom.

From Industry to Impact: The GAVO Framework

My career, like a winding marathon route, has taken me across landscapes I never imagined. From advertising to digital strategy, from shaping brands like Nike, adidas and lululemon, to shaping minds in education, each step has brought new lessons.

From advertising executive at W+K / AKQA to Digital Strategist to Brand Director at adidas / lululemon and ANTA

Yet, through these transitions, I’ve held close a framework that anchors my journey:

I had previously introduced this framework, but I enjoy this version way more after being able to blend it with my love for running and learning.

So let’s take a look at each one of the principles derived from the blend of running and learning.

Every run is a gift, every challenge a learning opportunity

To me, running is a gift, and learning is a privilege and the facts are pretty clear - the 3 key indicators for longevity are, apart from the obvious healthy heart and lungs, are a pair of healthy and strong thighs! I would add a consistently curious and hungry mind that is eager to learn new things also add to increased longevity helping to build mental activity to extend mental rigor.

Then there's Amor Fati – love of fate, embracing the process.

“A blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it.” - Marcus Aurelius

As I was running in the China edition of the infamous Trail Relay race - Hood to Coast I encountered so many diverse trails en-route, some breathtaking, some leg breaking.

When you're training for a marathon, you can't rush it. Same with learning, you can't cram for it the night before like an exam. You have to trust the process, embrace the slow build, the small victories, the inevitable setbacks.

But here's where it gets interesting. As I dove deeper into both running and learning, I discovered something crucial about Voice. You see, many of us begin running thinking it's just about following training plans or copying what others do. But running, like learning, craves your unique voice, your personal perspective.

I remember when I first started sharing my running journey in China. Instead of just logging miles, I began documenting how running was helping me navigate a new culture, how each route taught me something about my adopted city. My perspective as an expatriate runner added a different flavor to the local running community.

That's what Voice is about – it's not just about participating, it's about contributing your unique voice to the culture.

Think about it. Every great movement in running came from someone who dared to add their perspective. Barefoot running, ultra-marathons, urban running crews – these all started because someone said, "Here's my take on this sport." Your voice, your perspective, your unique way of approaching running or learning – that's not just valid, it's vital. The community needs your voice.

And then there's the final piece of the puzzle – One Thing at a Time. This might be the hardest lesson I learned, both in running and in my career transitions. In our multi-tasking world, we're told to juggle everything at once. But that's not how excellence works.

When I first started running, I tried to improve everything simultaneously – speed, distance, form, strength. You know what happened? I got injured. When I switched careers, I initially tried to master every aspect of my new role immediately. You know what happened? I got overwhelmed.

That's when I discovered the power of focusing on One Thing at a Time. Want to run a marathon? First, master your form. Then build your base mileage. Then work on speed. Each element builds on the last, but you focus on one thing at a time. It's like building a house – you need a strong foundation before you can put up the walls.

This is why the GAVO framework is so powerful. It's not just about running or learning; it's about transformation.

Every step changes you

Gratitude gets you started, Amor Fati keeps you going through the tough times, Voice ensures you're not just following but contributing, and One Step at a Time makes sure you're building something that lasts.

These principles have not only guided my own journey but have also become the foundation for how I teach and mentor others.

Building Tomorrow’s Leaders

As an educator, my mission is to transform personal and professional growth into actionable wisdom for others. Whether in the classroom or through workshops, I aim to inspire curiosity, cultivate resilience, and foster a mindset of continuous learning.

My Teaching Philosophy

1. Storytelling as a Bridge

Storytelling as a Bridge

Stories make abstract concepts tangible. By sharing my own experiences navigating diverse industries and markets, I connect theory to real-world applications, making learning both relatable and impactful.

2. Active Participation

Learning isn’t a spectator sport. Through case studies, hands-on workshops, and collaborative projects, I encourage learners to engage deeply, test their limits, and find their stride.

3. From Experience to Empowerment

My goal is not just to share knowledge but to equip learners with tools they can use to shape their own paths. Whether they are building brands, navigating markets, or fostering collaboration, the aim is always empowerment.

Expanding the Vision: New Frontiers in Learning

Through these methods, I help students and professionals alike navigate the complexities of a globalized, digital-first world, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

As I reflect on the lessons of my career, I find myself drawn to two areas where I see immense potential for impact: fostering collaboration and bridging cultures. These two themes—collaboration in marketing and cultural adaptation in global markets—are at the heart of the courses I am now developing.

Seamless Collaboration: Building Agency-Client Partnerships for High-Impact Marketing

Marketing is inherently collaborative, yet too often, the relationship between agencies and clients falters due to misalignment, miscommunication, or mistrust.

This course is designed to bridge that gap, offering marketing professionals tools to:

• Build trust-based relationships that fuel innovation.

• Enhance communication workflows to streamline projects.

• Align agency expertise with client vision, creating campaigns that are not only effective but transformative.

By addressing the dynamics of collaboration head-on, I aim to equip professionals with the skills to foster creative synergy, turning potential conflicts into productive partnerships.

Global to Local: Strategies for Market Entry and Cultural Adaptation in Asia

As global brands seek to thrive in Asia’s diverse markets, they face a unique challenge: how to adapt without losing their identity.

This course explores strategies for navigating the cultural and economic complexities of markets like China, Singapore, and Southeast Asia.

Key themes include:

• Analyzing market dynamics to identify opportunities and risks.

• Adapting global strategies to resonate with local audiences.

• Developing cultural intelligence to foster collaboration with local teams.

Through this course, participants will learn to bridge the gap between global strategy and local relevance, ensuring sustainable success in the world’s fastest-growing markets.

To Growth, To Impact, To the Future

Running taught me discipline. Learning gave me the tools to grow. Teaching allows me to share these gifts with others.

With these courses, I am stepping into a new chapter of impact—equipping others to foster collaboration, navigate cultural landscapes, and thrive in a constantly evolving world. Whether you are a marketer, a strategist, or a lifelong learner, I invite you to join me on this journey of growth and transformation.

Let’s run there together—one step at a time.

#LetsRunThere