Meet Emily Tan

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emily Tan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emily, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I have faced many challenges in my life. As a child growing up in Japan, I often felt that I did not truly belong. Japanese tradition and culture are beautiful, but behind that beauty lies a rigid standard of how one should behave: to always be good, polite, and selfless, and to live for the sake of others. I struggled under the weight of these expectations, constantly trying to meet my parents’ expectations and to fit in with those around me. That pressure was painful, yet it also forced me to develop an inner strength. In school, in daily life, and later during my experiences living abroad, I kept taking small steps forward each time I feel different or out of place. Each step built my ability to endure and adapt. The most defining experience came when my first marriage came to an end, I had lost my home, my work, and the life I had built, and I went through difficult times. Yet, with my young child by my side, I began to create a new life that reflected my own values and dreams. It was painful but transformative process which becomes the foundation of my resilience. Now, I carry the strength not to be broken by most difficulties. I believe that no matter how heavy the challenges may feel, it eventually becomes a path toward growth for the better.

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

I guide people to understand their true selves and to discover ways of living that truly align with who they are.

After graduating from university, I worked for many years in a company’s HR department, supporting the growth and development of employees. Through this experience, I realized that the self we think we know is only a small part of our true selves. This realization has become the foundation of my current work.

Today, as an independent practitioner, I use tools that access aspects beyond conscious awareness to help unlock people’s potential. For example, tarot reveals patterns and challenges from the perspective of the subconscious, while what I call the “soul blueprint,” derived from birth data, highlights the unique gifts and potential each person is born with.

I am deeply passionate about offering one-on-one sessions with these tools, guiding people to connect with their true selves. In addition, I now lead classes for those who wish to learn and practice them. One of the greatest joys of my work is watching participants grow in confidence as they learn to read for themselves and for others.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Choosing the path where your body feels alive
This is the wisdom I gained during the most difficult time of my life. Choosing the path where my body naturally wanted to move. It may sound simple, but it carries a very deep truth. Our bodies are remarkably honest and finely tuned. When we enter a place we dislike, our body tightens. When we do something we love, energy flows through us. This is not merely about personal likes and dislikes—it is a signal from the body itself. So rather than choosing what you think you “should” do, choose what your body longs to do. That choice will always move your life in the direction you truly desire.

2. Enjoying the process (not rushing for the answer)
Life is long, and along the way we encounter countless necessary experiences. I have gone through many painful and difficult times myself, often wondering, “Why is this happening to me right now?” and desperately wanting an answer. But when I finally came to understand that the process itself is part of the journey, my life began to open up. Not rushing toward the result, but instead embracing the journey, brought a new sense of meaning and freedom.

3. Cherishing the people right in front of you
Being alive is not something to take for granted. It is only possible because of the many people who support us. I once failed to see this and, as a result, I fell to the lowest point of my life. That experience taught me the importance of valuing those who are here with us in the present moment. To face them sincerely and wholeheartedly is one of the most essential things in life.

For those who are just beginning their journey
Don’t be afraid to take on new challenges!
If you make a mistake, you can always turn back.
If you don’t enjoy it anymore, it’s okay to stop.
So try the things you truly want to do.
Choose what you want, not just what you think you must do.

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?

One of the most impactful books for me has been Rainy Brain, Sunny Brain by Elaine Fox. The book explores how our brains can lean toward pessimism or optimism, and—most importantly—that these tendencies are not fixed. Through practice and experience, our mindset and even our personality can change.

For me, the most valuable insight was that resilience and optimism are not traits we are simply born with; they can be cultivated. This perspective gave me tremendous hope during some of the hardest times of my life, such as going through divorce and rebuilding my life with my young child. Instead of believing that my struggles defined me, I began to trust that my brain—and my life—could adapt and grow stronger through those challenges.

This book helped me see that change is always possible, no matter how difficult things may feel in the moment. That belief has become a cornerstone of both my personal life and the work I do with others today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily.ai.888/
• Soundcloud: https://stand.fm/channels/61d3a67e299c4d5005b016a1