Meet Tiffany Lau

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tiffany Lau. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Tiffany, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?

I build my time around the things that bring me joy: yoga, volleyball, reading, and baking. These activities keep me grounded, energized, and connected to both myself and others. When I take care of my body and mind, I’m more focused, present, and resilient in every part of my life.

Yoga is the cornerstone of my self-care routine. Beyond the physical practice, I value the mental clarity it brings through breathwork and letting go of mental clutter. I started during the pandemic with Yoga with Adriene and deepened my practice after moving to New York, developing a more rigorous, Ashtanga-inspired Vinyasa flow. Eventually, I decided to get my 200-hour teaching certification. Whether I’m on the mat as a student or teacher, yoga gives me space for growth and reflection. These skills help me stay intentional in high-pressure situations.

Volleyball is a newer hobby and a fun counterbalance to yoga. I picked it up last year and started dropping into open gyms to improve. It’s fast, team-focused and occasionally unpredictable. Playing more regularly has taught me how to recover quickly from mistakes, keep cheering others on, and stay adaptable.

Reading and baking are quieter, but just as important. I’ve loved reading since I was a kid, often staying up too late with a book under the covers. These days, my Kindle is always in my bag for subway rides. Losing myself in a story feels like a mini-vacation. Baking has a similar effect: it’s creative, hands-on, and comforting. Rolling cookie dough into balls is my idea of physical therapy!

These routines bring me joy and help me reset. I feel and perform at my best when I make time to move, rest, and keep learning—both inside and outside of work.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a UX Researcher, which means I help companies build smarter, more human-centered products by grounding decisions in real user insights. I love the puzzle-solving nature of the work. It’s fun to untangle complex problems, choose the right research method, and surface stories that drive clarity and action. One of my favorite parts of the job is sharing those insights in ways that inspire empathy and innovation across teams. I’m especially energized by collaboration and the challenge of balancing user needs with business goals.

Most recently, I was at SeatGeek, where I led research for our fan-facing marketplace. It was a blast diving into how people discover and buy tickets to live events, and uncovering the pain points that shape those experiences. I’ll be starting fresh in a new problem space this July, and I’m excited to keep growing while helping teams build with intention.

Outside of research, I’m a yoga instructor. I teach an Ashtanga-inspired Vinyasa style with an athletic, flow-focused approach. I love the direct connection that teaching offers. Every time someone leaves class feeling more grounded, more open, or more in tune with themselves, I’m reminded why this practice is so powerful. My hope is that my own passion for yoga is contagious. If that inspires someone to deepen their practice, amazing. If it simply helps them feel lighter or more present walking out of the studio, that’s more than enough.

At the heart of everything I do is a desire to foster curiosity and connection. I want people to feel a little more seen, a little more centered, and a little more empowered.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Curiosity – Curiosity opens doors to ideas, people, and opportunities. I’ve found that staying curious keeps me both grounded and growing. As a UX Researcher, it means asking thoughtful questions, identifying knowledge gaps, and choosing the right methods to fill them. As a life philosophy, it’s what pushes me to keep learning, to reflect on my own behavior, and to connect more deeply with others.

2. Prioritization — For a long time, I struggled with overwhelm. I’d look at a to-do list and spiral before I even started. By prioritizing the 3 things that matter most each day (My Google Calendar and notes app are precious), I can do more with less. Over time, I’ve extended that thinking beyond the day-to-day. I now think in terms of roadmaps, intentionally setting goals months or even years ahead. It’s a skill that keeps me aligned with what matters most.

3. Public speaking — This one’s more straightforward, and maybe the most powerful. Whether it’s presenting research findings, leading a yoga class or just sharing a funny moment with friends, I’ve seen how strong communication can bring people together and leave a lasting impression. My advice: start with clarity and authenticity, then work on making it fun. If you can speak confidently and connect with your audience, it opens up a world of possibility.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

A book that always sticks with me is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It’s short, magical, and contains life lessons that resonate with kids and adults alike.

The story kicks off with a pilot stranded in the desert who meets a young prince from another planet. The prince has been hopping from world to world, collecting quirky encounters and quietly profound truths about love, loneliness, and what really matters. It sounds whimsical (and it is), but it also hits you right in the gut in the best way.

I pick it up whenever I need a reset. You know those moments when life starts to feel like a never-ending to-do list and you can’t remember the last time you touched grass? That’s when I turn to The Little Prince. It gently nudges me to slow down, stay curious, and pay attention to the invisible things like connection, kindness, and joy.

Bonus: it’s a super quick read, so you can finish it in a cozy afternoon and feel like a more grounded, imaginative human by the end. Highly recommend.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: tiffergopher
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/tiffanywlau98
• Other: Yoga photos by @sravya.balasa

Image Credits

Sravya Balasa