Meet Joyce Liy

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

Hi Joyce, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

For a long time, while working as a general practitioner veterinarian, my schedule was grueling — 12-hour shifts with only one day off a week. Over time, that pace led to burnout, and I found myself losing the joy I once had in practicing medicine. I tried moving to different hospitals in search of better balance, but nothing truly gave me the quality of life I was craving.

It wasn’t until I opened Holiystic Vet that I began to experience real freedom — taking more time off while still being able to help pets and their families. But I realized self-care wasn’t just about having days off. I needed to intentionally fill my spirit and emotions with practices that brought me peace. I reintroduced exercise into my routine, started meditating daily to find stillness and regulate my nervous system, and made more time to immerse myself in nature, plants, and wildlife.

These practices have completely transformed how I show up — not just as a veterinarian, but as a whole person. By caring for my own body, mind, and spirit, I’ve been able to bring more presence, compassion, and clarity to my work with clients and their pets.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I wear a few hats, but at the heart of everything I do is healing, balance, and care. Through Holiystic Vet, my mobile integrative veterinary practice, I focus on helping pets harmonize their bodies and restore balance in their Chi. It’s about treating the whole animal — body, mind, and spirit — and guiding families to see wellness as something deeper than just medicine.

With Bender’s Bakery, I bring that same philosophy into everyday moments. Our treats are limited-ingredient, oat-based, and crafted with love, but what excites me most is knowing they’re not just healthy for pets — they’re also healthy for the planet. Our bags are 100% compostable, because my bigger mission is to fight for the environment. I want every choice I make, from veterinary care to pet treats, to reflect compassion not only for animals, but also for the earth we all share.

I’ll be honest — I’m still learning every day. But my hope is to use my platform to educate younger generations about the importance of protecting nature and wildlife, and to show that small, intentional choices really do add up. Right now, we’re excited to be connecting with our community through events like Barking Bingo for Michael Angel Paws (Sept 21), the Nevada SPCA Neon Dog Walk (Oct 18), and North Las Vegas Paws in the Park (Oct 25). You can also now find our treats locally at Barking Dogs, Paws in Charge, and Barx Parx. For me, it all comes down to this: when we nurture pets, protect the planet, and stay rooted in community, everybody thrives.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

For me, the first quality has been resilience — the ability to not give up, even when things don’t go as planned. I’ve learned that failures aren’t setbacks meant to break you; they’re lessons designed to shape you. Life isn’t about being perfect or getting everything right on the first try, it’s about getting back up, adjusting, and making it happen because you won’t let yourself give in.

The second quality has been self-acceptance and independence from others’ opinions. Growing up, I struggled with being on the heavier side and often faced teasing and even bullying, sometimes from people I considered close friends. It took me years to realize those experiences were part of what my soul needed to grow stronger. Today, I see that they built the foundation of my character and gave me the empathy and strength I carry into my work and my life.

The third has been a commitment to never stop learning. Knowledge is something no one can ever take away from you, and it’s one of the most powerful tools you’ll carry with you through every stage of your career. My advice to anyone early in their journey is this: keep learning, stay curious, and don’t let fear of failure or others’ opinions hold you back. Resilience, self-acceptance, and lifelong learning will give you the foundation to build anything you dream of.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

For me, the biggest challenge has been overcoming the discomfort of being in the spotlight. In today’s world, social media is such a powerful tool for connection and for amplifying your voice — but I still find myself nervous about putting content out there. There’s always that fear that people won’t support me, or that what I share won’t resonate.

What I’m learning is that the best way through it is to stay true to myself. Instead of trying to fit into what I think people want to see, I focus on creating content that reflects my values and my authentic voice. My hope is that by showing up consistently and honestly, more people will eventually connect with my message — and feel empowered to live the same way.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Jennifer Bagwell – photographer

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Local Highlighter Series

We are so thrilled to be able to connect with some of the brightest and

Highlighter Series
Who taught you the most about work?

Society has its myths about where we learn – internships, books, school, etc. However, in

Highlighter Series
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?

We asked some of the wisest people we know what they would tell their younger