We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Valerie Hwang. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Valerie below.
Valerie, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Since childhood, I’ve often been the odd-one-out. In college, I helped form a breakdance club where I was one of the only female members for at least the first year. After I graduated, I moved to Japan, where I was one of probably only two or three Americans in town. These and many other experiences have taught me that appearances and identity are not the only factors that determine your success. Your reaction and your choices based on your experiences determine your outcomes.
Being different for me has often meant that I can bring something unique to the table. It was when I tried to hide my differences and blend it that I suffered the most. It can be incredibly exhausting to try to fit in with the rest of a group, and you end up spending more energy trying to do that than actually contributing to the work that you want to be doing.
I think that success lies in the balance of being part of the culture of the group that you are working with, respecting other’s expectations and feelings, while also staying true to your own values and goals. Looking different never kept me from learning how to breakdance, from making friends in foreign countries, and trying new things. In fact, it reinforced my own will to keep going no matter what the circumstance. And more often than not, that has helped propel my success.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am an Ayurvedic Practitioner with a private practice based in Long Beach, California. My mission as an Ayurvedic practitioner is to provide my patients and students with the tools and guidance necessary for bringing the body and mind back into a state of harmony – the optimal state for the body to heal itself!
When I graduated from the California College of Ayurveda in 2020, I set out to create a holistic health practice that makes Ayurvedic healthcare and education approachable and accessible to all. I believe that with loving care, guidance, and dedication, we all have the potential to overcome our obstacles and live a thriving life of vitality.
I grew up in suburban Long Island in a town with very little connection to the spiritual traditions of my ancestors. As a first-generation American with immigrant parents whose language and culture were very different from that of my peers, I spent a lot of time alone as a young child watching other people, navigating the differences in expectations and behaviors from one environment to another. It became second nature for me to observe and question the human condition – Why do people attach themselves to certain identities? Why do people treat each other so badly? What can I do to make the world a more peaceful place? My desire to understand the world always led me down many interesting paths – as a school teacher in Japan, as a professional hip hop dance artist, international exchange and travel guide, and other roles where I hoped to use my talents and drive to heal others through connection and exploration.
As time moved on, I came to realize how much of other’s suffering I was trying to bear on my own two shoulders. I also realized that no matter how flashy the fame, how delicious the meal, how exotic the destination – no glory or indulgence was ever going to heal that suffering. One day, while I was soaking in a luxurious hot spring in the beautiful mountains of Japan, looking out at the view, I found myself sobbing, empty, and miserable. I returned to the States knowing that it was time to make a change. Inspired by my close friends, I started practicing meditation and Ashtanga yoga to search for answers from within. As Paulo Coelho wrote in The Alchemist, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” One serendipitous day, I was introduced to Ayurveda – the knowledge and wisdom of life, providing all who follow its path with access to peace, health, and inner harmony. Ayurveda not only helped me realize the true value of Self-love, but it also revived within me the joy of being of service to others.
At my clinic, we offer a wide range of Ayurvedic services, including consultations, herbal formulas, and traditional therapies. Every client is treated as a whole and unique individual with unique needs and goals. I hope I can be of service to you soon!
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?
1. Ability to adapt – I’ve had to work with many different types of people, in different countries, with different cultures and customs. Especially in this day and age, it is important to make the effort to look beyond your own experiences and see the world with a wider lens. It helps with understanding the needs and wants of the people you work with and that you wish to serve.
Whether you choose to travel or engage locally, I think it’s important to spend time engaging outside of your immediate circle and comfort zone. There are so many ways to do this – volunteering, taking classes, etc.
2. Teaching – when you teach something, your knowledge of the subject becomes stronger. If there is an area that you want to become stronger in, be a student, and if you can, also find opportunities to teach the same subject.
3. Don’t take things too personally – Sometimes, people can unintentionally say or do something to offend you. Or they might reject you when you’re trying your best. What is important is that you pick yourself after every “no” you get. You are always the one that chooses your next step.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
I named my practice Intrepid Ayurveda because I have always believed that health gives us access to live our lives to the fullest. I have always wanted to work with people who have big dreams and big goals, but are limited by their health issues. It takes a lot of courage to change one’s lifestyle. My ideal client is one who isn’t looking for quick fixes, and wants to spend the time it takes to change themselves from within. Ayurveda is a lifestyle medicine, and sometimes that takes changing long-term habits. My ideal client also has a sense of self-responsibility – even though I am here to provide guidance, ultimately, it is the actions that my client takes for themself that will determine the outcome. Lastly, I want to work with clients that are coachable – that are willing to be open-minded about the work and give their honest best in implementing the recommendations I have given them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.intrepidayurveda.com
- Instagram: @intrepidayurveda
