#25: Reinventing at 42: From Counsellor to 17M Followers & 5 Kids

I had the joy of spending time with Ssonia Ong of Ong Squad during her visit to Singapore, where I was deeply moved by the strong bond she shares with her husband and 5 children, aged 2 to 14. Their close-knit family culture radiates warmth and genuine joy, and I was eager to discover the parenting principles that guide her. Ssonia’s story of reinvention is truly inspiring. When she was 38, she bravely pivoted from a fulfilling career as a child trauma counsellor to become a thriving content creator on TikTok, amassing over 17 million followers. It took immense courage to step into this new chapter, and her journey is a testament to the power of following your passions, no matter your age. In our conversation, she opens up about her parenting journey, the challenges and triumphs of balancing motherhood with a new career, and how she fosters a nurturing environment for her kids. Join me as I explore her incredible story and the belief that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Ssonia’s insights will inspire anyone looking to make a meaningful change in their life. 00:00 Introduction 00:36 Get to know Ssonia Ong  03:38 Content Creation During the Pandemic  08:22 Transitioning to a Full-Time Content Creator 10:33 Balancing Content Creation and Motherhood 12:09 Finding Inspiration on TikTok  13:05 Kevin’s Role in Ong Squad  15:22 Embracing Imperfection as a Content Creator  17:12 Creating Content with Positive Impact  19:13 Protecting Children on Social Media  23:21 Navigating Social Media Validation and Criticism  26:05 Memorable Interactions with Followers  27:18 Ssonia’s Content Creation Strategies  28:53 Redefining Creativity and Taking Risks  32:38 Navigating Motherhood with 5 Kids  35:30 Prioritising Marriage Amidst Parenting  39:14 Ssonia’s Advice for Young Parents  41:13 The Key to Raising Healthy Kids  42:12 Advice for Middle-Aged Dreamers  44:13 Ssonia’s Biggest Lesson in Life  44:49 Final Reflections Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/ Follow Ong Squad here: https://www.instagram.com/_ongsquad/