The Decode Diary

I never had the chance to speak to a makeup artist, let alone the chance to know what a day in the life of a makeup artist is like. It seems there is a lot more than I expect, from having to wash and dry a HUNDRED over brushes in a night to being treated unfairly despite being a junior in the industry. The pressure and suppression a makeup artist has to endure is probably one of the most understated in the industry, likely because they are expected to show up and just complete the job. I sat down with Janine, a freelance makeup artist based in Singapore, who shared with me how her day looks like when she has a gig to attend to. How do they price their work? Have they ever done makeup in an unsafe environment? Listen on to find out.Instagram:Janine - @janine.mkupRay - @ray_low28The Decode Diary - @thedecodediary

41 conversations in a year! I want to do this again, but my gut tells me to have more in-depth conversations to maximize my learning out of each story. Let me know what story you wish I would tell or make!"Resisting judgements" is a line I came up with that I think fits The Decode Diary very well. There may or may not be an agenda with a story, but it remains the top priority to let the story flow till the end before a conclusion is made. It simply preserves the genuinity of the story! Do you agree?Follow me on Instagram:@ray_low28@thedecodediary

As far as I can remember, I have never spoken to a nurse before, of course excluding the times I woke up in the middle of the night to get my blood drawn when I was at the hospital. But I didn’t speak to the nurses either, it wasn’t a conversation. In this episode, I sat down with Farah to learn the stories behind a nurse and all the kindness a nurse would offer to any random stranger, something even I struggle to do when times are bad. Think about nurses. The conversation helped me understand a few things. First and foremost, the empathy and kindness a nurse can offer to any stranger is unmatched and it melts my heart to see and hear any stories from a nurse taking care of their patients. They really take care of their patients as if they were their kids. But also, the issue of short-staffing never seems to get solved and the longer the problem sits, the more underappreciated these nurses go. The same goes to doctors and all healthcare providers. I hope conversations like this get heard and together, we can sit down and take the next step to solve a problem. Step by step.  Listen on to know what nurses go through in their shift. Timeline: [00:00] What does a surgical nurse do? [05:41] A day in the life of Farah [08:38] What kind of decisions do nurses make? [10:05] Her early days of becoming a nurse [12:54] The career prospects of a nurse [19:07] The working hours of a surgical nurse [20:26] All about vital signs [22:16] False alarms from nurses [24:49] Things that happened in the ward that she would never tell [26:30] Teamwork in wards [27:43] Short-staffing in hospitals [31:48] Advice to future nurses [34:26] Difficult patients [37:51] A bad day in the life of a nurse [44:18] Room for errors [48:56] How would AI or technology help nurses? [50:37] Wards during Covid [59:28] The most rewarding part of the job [01:07:11] Does it ever get boring? [01:09:49] Ethical dilemma Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com and https://www.epidemicsound.com/

This is my first time recording the episode very, very close to nature. As a nature lover and a scout during my high school days, camping is one of the most common activities we would do and being outdoors just makes sense to me. But not to many kids and parents. GreenLife Project is a green project started by TuMa, whom unfortunately wasn’t available on the recording day, with the ultimate mission of living simply with nature and contributing back in whatever ways she can. A near-death experience led TuMa to realize the importance of living life simply. Speaking with her assistant, Jia Yie helped me realize that living simply is something we all think we can do, but when it means you have to leave every single piece of item in your possession to be free in nature again, many would doubt the decision.  Seeing the positive feedback from this project comforts me a lot, mainly because it is unusual to see nowadays that kids are enjoying being outdoors and in the sun. Without too much of a capitalist’s vision, I hope that this mission goes on so more kids get to play with nature without the worries of tomorrow. Timeline: [00:00] What is GreenLife project? [04:12] The origin of TuMaWu [05:54] What was Jia Yie’s upbringing like? [07:50] Core mission of GreenLife project for the kids [13:29] Simple Giving, Simple Living, Simple Life [16:10] Balancing the need for traditional and modern education [18:23] Turns out kids are smarter when they are with nature [21:22] Kids at Green Education [24:30] Day in a life at GreenLife camp [25:22] How Jia Yie calms crying kids at camps [26:40] How GreenLife project teaches kids not to be afraid of failures [30:42] Her own encounter of failures [33:17] Her one failure that taught her how to run this sustainable business [38:23] Day 2 of the camp [47:15] The rewarding parts of being a GreenPro mentor [49:50] How she responds to “Nature is not the best educator” [54:30] Parents are not allowed to visit [57:48] Do mentors/volunteers have certifications? [01:01:07] How do they ensure financial sustainability operating as a non-profit? [01:05:48] Plans to scale up GreenLife project Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com and https://www.epidemicsound.com/ More information on GreenLife project: https://m.facebook.com/GLP630/

As someone who has family members diagnosed with cancer, I am deeply concerned about this topic. For whatever reason, the idea of sticking to a healthy diet, having a fixed sleep routine and working out to keep my joints and muscles active have appealed largely in the past year for me. 10 months have passed, I’m not entirely sure about the results, and talking to a dietician/nutritionist is the only way to find out if I have been eating healthy.  There have been noises about sugar feeding cancer cells and I want to find out if it is the truth. In fact, there is a twist to this. Also, why do cancer patients lose weight during their treatment? How can we help them increase their food intake to a regular level? Can they eat anything and everything? What about anti-cancer diets? Do they exist? Join me as I speak to Jing Wen, a nutritionist in Singapore, working for a non-profit cancer nutrition center, who happens to know what a cancer fighter should eat. If you stay longer, I also showed her my medical health report to see if I’m really healthy. Timeline: [00:00] What does she do and why does she do what she does [01:45] I thought everyone should have the same diet, why customize? [04:18] Do cancer fighters change their diet overnight? [06:44] The difference between the advice given from a dietitian/nutritionist and a medical doctor [09:37] Healthy grocery shopping with the healthy choice label and nutrigrade labels [14:20] 3-in-1 coffee in Singapore is healthier than in Malaysia? [17:38] Nutrigrade labels - is this referring to the sugar content only? [22:39] Can we tell if we are at risk of cancer by looking at these numbers? [25:31] How often should we get screened for cancer? [28:01] Should we get screened multiple times at once to avoid false positives? [29:26] Who are some of the people that consult her for diet advice except cancer fighters? [31:02] The things she tells cancer fighters BEFORE the treatment? [32:24] What about DURING the treatment? [35:40] Maintaining the BMI throughout the treatment [38:08] So she says we can eat anything during the treatment… [40:41] Changing our diet going into the treatment to increase our blood cell count [43:23] Tackling nausea and vomiting during treatment [47:55] What to do about declining weight during the treatment? [51:12] Anti-cancer diets [54:04] Keep them happy or healthy during treatment? [55:57] Post-treatment diet/nutrition [57:03] What happens if the cancer fighters have diabetes too? [57:43] Is my diet risk-free of cancer? [01:02:59] Any signs of over intake of protein? [01:03:37] My health lab report [01:07:24] Misconceptions about cancer nutrition Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com and https://www.epidemicsound.com/

When I first heard of this new startup which has only been around for 8 months since the start of 2024, I had a lot of skepticism. Particularly, the way it solves the plastic problem because it actually introduces more plastic into the ecosystem. Sure, they could have introduced another material and still call it a green company, but I think the problem of single-use plastics is still there. The idea and concept of single use.  I get it, because it’s so convenient and far too much time saved if we just dispose of our containers and utensils after every meal. I am guilty of this too. The idea of introducing reusable plastics is not new and novel, but the logistics of having it in every corner we visit might just make it work. I see there is a huge hurdle for the team at OPack to encourage the switch to reusable plastic, or any other material in that context, but having collaborated with companies and event organizers, they are on track to make an impact never before seen in Malaysia.  But should there be a punish/reward system for this to be successful? I’ll let you make the verdict after you finish the episode. Timeline: [00:00] What does OPack do? [02:34] Measuring her own plastic usage [04:58] The feedback she got about her business idea [06:07] How eco-friendly is the process of making her plastic products? [11:30] The reason biodegradables are not on her list [15:21] Green-washing and the reason why recycling rate is low in Malaysia [18:35] Isn’t OPack producing more plastics? [21:38] Aren’t there already reusable plastics? [23:42] Partners of OPack [25:42] Missing out on the consumer market [30:53] Rental rate = Amount of single-use plastic avoided [34:35] Is it already a profitable business? [36:19] The pilot projects that kicked off OPack [38:54] The single hardest part of running the business [40:20] Large corporations still prefer single-use plastics due to the low cost of logistics [43:27] Are deposit systems the best way to increase the rental rate? [45:22] Why aren’t there more companies doing what OPack does? [46:43] Can technology step in to help? [49:11] CSR and ESG of companies matter to OPack [54:58] She wanted to stop doing this back in 2022 [01:00:03] Her motivation to keep doing this [01:01:05] Her day-to-day routine as a founder [01:03:58] The last happiest moment for OPack [01:05:55] Short-term goals for OPack Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com and https://www.epidemicsound.com/

I’ve known Xin Hui since young and witnessing this journey of her life is just heartwarming. It takes not only courage but also strategic thinking, commitment and the undying fire in her to start Tiny Pockets, an online bakery business during the Covid period. Many would have said it was easy to start back then, but it is a whole different story to persist till today.  Xin Hui’s unique approach to her bakery business has made her one of the successful women I know today, all while having a side gig of modeling. She knows she can’t satisfy all the taste buds in the world, but as long as she enjoys her own tarts and cookies, she’s willing to sell them. Keeping the desserts fresh and off the artificial ingredients is also one of her unique selling points, and as one of her customers, I can attest to that.  Rainy days are ahead and as we talk about Tiny Pockets’ success story, buckle up as we listen to her plans moving forward getting ready for a tough market. Timeline: [00:00] How she started her online bakery business [09:46] Her dream team [11:11] There was a Butter Pockets before [16:52] If you are lost in life, check your resume [21:14] How Tiny Pockets came about [23:11] The typical ingredients in pastry and desserts [25:48] She can’t please everyone’s taste buds [28:52] Quality checks [32:32] Baking is easier to fail than cooking [34:49] Logistical challenges running an online bakery business [38:26] The different trends running the business [45:06] A myriad of taste in her products [48:04] Her top three best-sellers [49:08] Baking for corporate events and individual customers [49:57] Handling deadlines for customers [53:17] Her bakery team [54:33] Handling everything alone and burnout [58:11] A major setback [01:08:14] Does she still love baking? [01:15:00] The most important skill for a business owner [01:21:52] Rebranding Tiny Pockets [01:24:21] The brand origin story Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com and https://www.epidemicsound.com/

The story that you are going to hear is a story that reminded me of how lucky I am today in terms of what I have and what I do. That is a luxury some of these Bajau people will never get to enjoy because of the environment they grow up in. But Zul vows to help lift them out of poverty and provide proper education to them. In fact, he and his team have set up a 10-year plan to, quoting his own words, help these people reach the level of underprivileged people in Singapore because that level is also a luxury to have. Zul, a go-getter all his life, suddenly puts behind his current life and pushes forward to help these kids at a beautiful island on the east side of Malaysia, called Semporna. Anyone visiting would drop their jaws upon the sight of the sea and beaches. But little does anyone know about the dark side of this place where many social problems tend to linger around for many years… Join me and Zul as we understand what goes on truly on this side of the island. Timeline: [00:00] Why is he into volunteering? [01:29] The dark side of Semporna [04:59] From thinking of building a business to volunteering [10:48] Lifestyle changes for him and his family [13:54] What did his wife think about this? [16:54] HUGS project [20:06] Sea gypsies and homeless kids [23:23] These Bajau people are not what tourists portray them to be [27:38] Bajau people are good fishermen [28:47] You’d never expect this from the Bajau people [31:39] What if they learnt to beg for more? [38:00] Would they beg for education had their basic necessities been secured? [40:53] The progress in volunteering so far [44:06] They rely on generators on islands [45:18] What about pirates and the dangerous stuff? [48:20] Why is there tension between the Bajau Darat and Bajau Laut people? [49:42] Resisting donations [50:26] Culture first, then progress [57:37] Bad exploitations [01:03:45] How can one start volunteering? [01:04:39] Glue sniffing problem [01:16:50] The need for volunteering Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com and https://www.epidemicsound.com/

Listening to Stephen’s journey of starting his business helped me gain a tremendous amount of insight into a founder’s mind as we all try to grasp what actually goes on in one. The startup founders we know from the Silicon Valley may be raking in millions of dollars while delivering superb value to customers, FireJet is a business from which Stephen and his co-founder stumbled upon a problem while building a website for a client and started a company. The solution may be simple on the outside, but the journey is never easy.  Among all the effort they have put in for the company and product, one of the amazing feats was the application to Y Combinator, a US-based startup accelerator. They got through to the interview stage and like many others who failed, they were given the reason why they were not picked. I liken this conversation to one of the best that I’ve put out because of the lessons I took away from Stephen as a startup founder. If you are launching your product or scaling up your team, you must not miss this conversation. Give it a listen, I assure you there will be a ton of interesting information. Timeline: [00:00] Why is his company called FireJet? [02:36] What does FireJet do? [03:30] How was the idea born? [05:15] The rise of no-code tools [07:19] Who are FireJet’s customers? [08:30] How important are websites to companies these days? [10:49] What was the MVP like in the early days? [12:40] It could have been just an API instead of a company [18:05] His first paying customer [21:25] His product is entirely reliant on this company [24:18] Applying to Y Combinator [25:53] How to apply to Y Combinator [27:36] Getting rejected multiple times [28:50] Questions from Y Combinator [30:31] Why were they actually rejected? [32:06] A quick YC mock interview [36:41] The underlying problems of his product [39:31] The 80/20 rule [41:41] Experiments from the company [46:04] How to build a company? [49:49] In terms of hiring [52:28] Co-founder partnership [55:57] What is his daily routine like running a startup? [58:08] The team is the best product you’ll ever build [01:01:28] How long is the runway for his company? [01:02:33] Can AI solve the code quality problem? [01:03:21] The core feature of his product [01:09:13] Build things people ask for [01:10:39] The goal for the company Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com and https://www.epidemicsound.com/

I, for one, couldn’t stand the idea of listening to just one side of the story when Sha came onto the show and talked about her entrepreneurial journey with Isya. I had to get Isya on. Just like I thought, their stories are aligned! One would be extra motivated listening to both their stories of how they set out to start a business of their own. One would be even deeply touched to hear how they stood for each other during bad times. But speaking to Isya was more than about her journey, it was because of one lesson Sha made sure I learnt, which was to get yourself a contract when in business. Isya taught her this. If you are starting your own business, Isya couldn’t stress enough how important contracts are, not to deceive, but to protect all parties involved. This is just the kind of conversation I yearn for when I start out on a journey of entrepreneurship. Timeline: [00:00] Isya’s current phase of life [01:55] What took her so long to get her law degree? [04:46] The difference between the paralegal and the legal industry [05:39] What is contractual law? [07:33] Why she does what she does [12:41] How she felt leaving her job [14:02] How her partnership with Sha kicked off [17:58] How they got customers together [20:10] How Isya likes the self-employment journey [23:50] The childhood cause that made her jump into entrepreneurship [28:46] The two biggest traits to have for an entrepreneur [32:47] How her parents supported her [35:28] Who gets the most say? Isya or Sha? [37:56] Surely Isya saw the need to bring in a third decision-maker [39:15] Sha still got her pay when she was ill. Why? [41:12] The toughest part of the journey [46:12] From business partners to friends, or the other way round? [48:10] Things to know when starting a business [51:26] Do we really need a lawyer? [53:52] Her advice to someone starting a business [55:46] Her financial runway [57:58] Current distractions in life Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com and https://www.epidemicsound.com/

I first met Daren at Google Singapore back in 2019 and he was already a great storyteller. Never would I have imagined that he would become a creator on the sister company of Google, YouTube and I was one of the early audiences watching his videos for investment advice and car reviews. Not that I would buy a car in Singapore. He has since posted consistently for 3 years and has grown a substantial number on his platform. The amazing thing about this conversation? Having sat down in his Tesla Model 3 for the conversation in camp mode which no other internal combustion engine vehicles could do! Though a short one, the conversation goes directly into the space of social media and content creation and why he does what he does. Fun fact: Since we are both in the automotive industry, we talked a little about the industry! Timeline: [00:00] The transition from a Googler to a YouTuber [01:49] When did he start YouTube? [02:53] The transferable skills from Google [03:39] Managing the business side and creative side of his YouTube channel [06:48] Advice to someone starting a YouTube channel [10:06] How he handles negative feedback [13:29] Was there someone for him to look up to when he started out? [14:41] The rise of BYD [16:38] The lessons he learnt after reviewing so many cars [20:50] EV sales have slowed down [23:42] What do his viewers say about his content? [25:16] Teslacon [26:20] What he loves about his Tesla Model 3 [29:22] This is what he would do if he were to enter the social media game again Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com and https://www.epidemicsound.com/

When we first met, Ashvin was telling me about his recent trip to Alaska on a cruise. Little did I know he runs a bar business and more shockingly, he was kicked out of school multiple times when he was younger. The days of being in school for him were more for entertainment. To him, some rules are never meant to be followed and he stood by his own opinions. Today, he runs his family business, picking up the necessary skills needed to engage with customers because school didn’t teach him those. To me, it is not a message of skipping school and playing truant, but a message of knowing how to get to your goals. If schools don’t teach you great communication skills, you’d better find out by whatever means. Timeline: [00:00] The reason he switched many schools when he was younger [02:44] He went to this boarding school in Johor Bahru [03:58] He didn’t think a boarding school would have these [06:54] He switched school at 16, again [09:44] He needed to get his education sorted, or else… [13:03] Rules are not for him obviously [18:17] He did follow one rule though [23:31] Kids should have fun [27:37] What is the best system for him then? [29:02] On how kids these days only want to be a YouTuber [30:32] Unless you have a running business, go get a college degree [33:14] He doesn’t need a degree to run the business he’s running [37:51] You need to know what you don’t like [40:29] He was a funny fat boy [43:13] He ate fries to cut weight [47:32] The beginning wasn’t the hardest point in his weight loss journey [49:49] The first bite of eating fast food [54:45] The support system throughout his weight loss journey [01:00:03] Proof he commits to his goal 100% [01:02:15] Juggling between his family business and school [01:06:25] What happens between 7pm and 1am [01:09:45] Smelling salts [01:10:45] Handling his bar staff [01:12:59] To anyone who wants to open a bar Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com and https://www.epidemicsound.com/

The more I dive into how other people keep to a fitness routine, the more interesting insights I uncover. A simple conversation with Noel revealed how I am lacking a proper program for essential strength training that will actually help me get bigger. As simple as a 4-week program, it includes a deload week to ensure we don’t drive ourselves to the point of fatigue.  Listen on as I discuss the unhealthy beauty standards for men and how all of us should listen to our body when we hit the gym. Concepts like autoregulation tend to help our body adjust our load based on how we are performing during a workout, but how does it affect our ultimate goal of getting stronger and bigger? Timeline: [00:00] Why Noel started working out [06:56] Is it healthy to chase after a good look by weightlifting? [12:09] This is why you should listen to your body more often [16:29] Unhealthy beauty standards for men [23:34] Measuring one’s progress in strength training is not what you think is like [29:08] His 4-week strength training program [35:01] Principles or framework weightlifters follow to get big [38:34] Autoregulation of our body [43:32] Recovery techniques you should know [45:24] The importance of stretching before lifting [48:17] Strength training for a person with a 9-5 job [50:16] What about cardio? [53:06] Has he reached his peak in terms of body shape and size? Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com and https://www.epidemicsound.com/

Shen Yi and Ameerul are both brilliant dieticians who clearly know what they are doing. If there is one thing that I learnt from them, it is that healthy means differently to everyone. However, outside of that definition, they are strict that one should consume food with the right portion. I'm not sure how other dieticians would advise their clients, but I'm glad to have learnt dieting the right way. If you didn't know about them, check out their website here to see what service they provide! https://myfindiet.com/ Or head to the full conversation to learn what I learnt: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1J4fcrjwCIeDIWc7LdqoCc?si=IV_Il7XdQVO8shqVTexDJQ

Aside from keto diet, many women practice intermittent fasting because they want to get into the "best" shape of their body. To fully grasp the idea of intermittent fasting, it does not mean we can eat anything or everything when it comes time to feast. The 16-8 fasting framework is still one of the popular frameworks for guiding how to fast, but managing your portion of food intake is equally as important. Listen to the full conversation to find out how: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1J4fcrjwCIeDIWc7LdqoCc?si=IV_Il7XdQVO8shqVTexDJQ

Did you know ketogenic diets were originally designed mainly for children with epilepsy? Keto diets are also now for people with diabetes and heart diseases but not for people having problems with their pancreas, liver or thyroid. I've heard many around me practicing keto diet not fully grasping the benefits and impacts to their health, both mentally and physically. It will only invoke a push factor for them to lay back on to their previous unhealthy diet. If we are to create a healthy diet, start by analyzing and tracking our food intake. Listen to the full episode on how: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1J4fcrjwCIeDIWc7LdqoCc?si=IV_Il7XdQVO8shqVTexDJQ

Our diet these days seems to rely on whether we have time in our busy daily schedule for a proper meal plan. Cheap food and quick service restaurants make it almost impossible for us to follow a strict and healthy diet. With family members having health issues, I can’t help but want to understand the definition of a healthy diet and how we can achieve it, for my family and myself. In this episode, I speak to two dieticians about my daily meals and see if there’s anything I should fix. On top of that, diet buzzwords like keto diet and intermittent fasting seem to have taken the world of gym-goers by storm. But do we really know what they are and what they do to our body? It is almost not an option to choose health and fitness but a mandatory one if we want to live and perform our best, and the only way to do that is to talk about it, at least to health professionals and experts. Join me as I speak with Shen Yi and Ameerul from MyFindiet from Malaysia on the topics above. If you are interested in getting a diet program, definitely check them out! MyFindiet Website: https://myfindiet.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfindiet/ Timeline: [00:00] The MyFindiet program [07:55] Is it okay to consult young and inexperienced dieticians [10:43] What about the diet of a dietician? [16:30] Is a ketogenic (keto) diet actually healthy? [21:12] What happens to our body when carbohydrates are replaced with fats? [23:29] Effects on insulin sensitivity [25:14] LDL and HDL cholesterol [30:21] Different versions of keto diet [31:09] Are keto diets suitable for a person with a 9-5 job? [32:28] Gym-goers with their keto diet addiction [33:42] Exposing my diet and gym routine [42:03] Can you gain muscle and lose fat at the same time? [46:14] How should one track their health and food intake [49:31] If there is one thing I should change about my diet [53:59] What about intermittent fasting? [57:53] The 16-8 fasting framework [59:19] What happens to our body when we fast? [01:02:03] These people should not practice intermittent fasting [01:04:41] The way to measure calorie loss [01:06:57] What can diabetic patients eat? [01:16:43] Side effects of diabetic pills [01:09:10] Jenis, Jumlah dan Jadual in diabetes management [01:22:14] What about fatty foods for diabetes patients? [01:24:28]  The all-around meal everyone should be eating Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com and https://www.epidemicsound.com/

After touring a few of the properties in KL, we sat down in a cafe and Ganesha told me to look up this apartment called Kudalari Apartment. Full of curiosity, I typed in the name and hit enter. On the map, this apartment sits right smack in the middle of KL, right next to KLCC, the iconic twin towers in the city. When it was built, KLCC did not exist. Today, we can imagine the rent or even sale price of the apartment. This is the type of property we want to go for - the type where the development is coming towards. Listen to the entire conversation to understand better: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3XuWWUeqNcUMAc6tnLFXlh?si=zv8lhtikTcKObwhJ1pQoMA

Ganesha was supposed to take me to a property he think is non-investable. For many reasons, that property is a bad purchase if one is aiming to invest for profit. Long story short, we didn't make it to the property. But we have Ganesha on the podcast to tell us what it means to invest in a non-investable property. When I heard it, though short and simple, the advice applies to many other areas in life when it comes to money. Listen to the full conversation if you are looking to invest in properties: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3XuWWUeqNcUMAc6tnLFXlh?si=zv8lhtikTcKObwhJ1pQoMA

When Ganesha first told me about the different tier areas in Kuala Lumpur, a city so close to me and a city I grew up in, I wanted to know what the different tier areas mean. Trust me, you have to see it for yourself because if you are in the market for a new home or a rental property, this is the prime piece of information you cannot afford to miss. Knowing the different tiers means you have the upper hand to select the right investment and cash in within your capability. Doing this also means you will be able to cash out with a big fat satisfiable sum later on. Follow along the journey with me and Ganesha as we discuss what we saw when Ganesha took me on a tour around KL. Timeline: [00:00] Is buying a property in Tier 2 areas the key to a successful purchase? [03:40] The direction of development in KL [05:29] An example of non-investable property [12:03] The story of Kudalari Apartment [15:27] How to find the median price of properties in an area? [19:03] Can you assess the property based on the residents/tenants ratio? [21:21] Segambut - Scrap Yards around a new development [25:35] Negotiating prices on sub sale properties [29:15] The actual steps to purchasing a home [33:07] Legal processes of the purchase [34:55] Fees you should be aware of  [38:23] First Home Buyers’ Scheme [40:14] Development of Tuan 3 Heritage  [42:02] Checking for defects and damages [43:25] Don’t bulk book the same defect checker [44:29] The insane selling rate of Tuan 3 Heritage development Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

It is not entrepreneurship if there isn't any hardship along the journey. For Sha, a podcast hosted by three ladies quickly brewed into something they never would have expected. But Sha kind of saw it coming. She knew the importance of having contracts between the three of them in order to protect themselves. And I think by reading this you would know what had caused the fallout. Listen to the entire conversation to grasp the importance of having contracts when you first start running a business: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5c4BEVO9Om6rf1GoxaanV2?si=1gagwVV1RziwAh9Oe1YLDQ

When the wave of podcasting hit Singapore shores, Sha was totally not adamant about the idea of riding it. Her relentless entrepreneurial spirit helped her brave through the ups and downs of the businesses and she knew pivoting was essential at one point. Say What SG is a podcast based in Singapore and she has her own fair share of guests who talk about life's lessons in a touching way that anyone can walk away having learnt something new. I respect that a lot. Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5c4BEVO9Om6rf1GoxaanV2?si=1gagwVV1RziwAh9Oe1YLDQ

One thing I learnt from this conversation is that our friends may not be the best business partners, but business partners can turn out to be the best friends in our lives. Sha and her business partner made this sound simple when her business partner decided to step in and hold the fort for her when she was ill. Listen to the entire episode on how the business relationship blossomed into a friendship of lifetime: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5c4BEVO9Om6rf1GoxaanV2?si=1gagwVV1RziwAh9Oe1YLDQ

If there is one thing I learnt from Sha about starting a business, it is to start it properly with legal contracts. The contracts are there to protect us during tough times. It was a conversation I needed to really get The Decode Diary up to speed and a legal business. This conversation came in at the right time. Sha is such a kind and lovely nanny, as she calls herself, but also a wonderful friend. If you listen to the entire conversation, you will find out how she left the Ministry of Education as a teacher to start her own business, tutoring kids in English and Science. The entrepreneurial journey didn’t just stop there, she started a pastry shop with her business partner, and immediately got out of the business when the numbers were in red. To that, I call it a smart exit. Listen on to find out how she started her podcasting journey and how she runs this business! Timeline: [00:00] From being a teacher to a clinic manager and then a tutor [08:08] Setting up systems for her business [13:28] Holding the fort for her business partner [14:57] How Simply Sinless Started [18:48] When it came time to close it down [21:42] Pivoting to survive [25:15] The rise of Say What SG [30:36] Realizations in the podcasting industry [33:10] She was curious about The Decode Diary [34:55] The reason she left the Ministry of Education [41:34] Teaching the entrepreneur’s mindset to her kids [49:41] The fallout of The Onion Aunties [58:18] What is actually Say What SG [01:01:06] How does Say What SG get sponsors? [01:04:48] Advice for new podcasters Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

For Prateep, staying in an industry for 6-7 years is a long time and if he didn't make the jump to quit, he would stay in the same role in the same company forever. I think this speaks for most working class. But there has to be a push factor for him to throw in the letter. Or a pull factor. I asked Prateep out of curiosity. Listen to the full conversation to find out: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3xsSqoJXU6mDz32TmcfdXo?si=dAjy4mViRraHDz9DCmcIwg

I took the opportunity to ask Prateep if he has dealt with difficult passengers because we all know it, there have to be Karen passengers somewhere on planet Earth. Surprisingly, he gave an unexpected answer. The answer was that it is more difficult to deal with colleagues and other flight attendants. Do you work with difficult colleagues too? Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3xsSqoJXU6mDz32TmcfdXo?si=dAjy4mViRraHDz9DCmcIwg

Posting on social media, for flight crew, requires permission from their higher-ups. Understandably, this is to protect the image and reputation of the company. For a lot of the flight attendants, their previous lifestyle of posting beautiful photos of them shift once they start their job. It was the same for Prateep. However, it wasn't a big deal. It probably matters more to those who post on social media for a living. What do you think of this policy? Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3xsSqoJXU6mDz32TmcfdXo?si=dAjy4mViRraHDz9DCmcIwg

For many, working in the airline industry is a dream job, specifically as part of the flight crew for obvious reasons. For Prateep, however, the perks and benefits are nice-to-haves, but not the reason he would stay for. While the company is not the main reason, he saw it that he would not be in the same industry for the years to come, especially when he is entering the prime age of starting a family. Eventually, he made the decision to quit.  He did it with no backup plan of what to do next. This topic is controversial because many would advise against quitting without another job offer in their hands. More so than ever, Prateep is preparing to start a family. I wanted to get an inside look at what it means to quit a job. If you are looking to do so, I think this conversation is for you. If you are in the airline industry and you resonate with his experience, I think this conversation is for you too. Timeline: [00:00] Flying with Singapore Airlines [06:36] The best thing he got from being a flight attendant [10:47] Going on social media is a strict no-no [17:15] Is it wise to leave the industry early? [22:00] Misconceptions about being a flight attendant and the airline industry [26:58] Karen passengers [31:02] Colleagues are harder to deal with [38:25] Why did he quit? [42:40] Nobody likes last minute standby call-ups [48:42] His family supported his decision to quit [51:20] Planning his annual leaves a year ahead but end up not getting them [54:18] His behavior after quitting [55:59] The balance between family and flying [01:00:27] Financial plan after quitting [01:04:29] Advice on job quitting [01:06:01] Are there many flight attendants who want to quit? [01:07:24] One thing he learnt about the industry  Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

I sat down with Johnny to understand if we are able to cope with traumas using mindfulness. For so long, my view on mindfulness is that it helps us detach from emotions, but more often than not, most of us are humans and cannot skip away emotions. We will feel it some day or sooner. Johnny was spot on that mindfulness does not cure emotions, but simply it is a practice that helps us understand what is going on around us. Sometimes traumatic events happen and we can only feel the outcome. To those suffering, my only hope is that all these will pass too. If the pain is too much to take, please see a therapist. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4IG2Eyh9x7QBueeY2jM13D?si=vx0kby6uS-24IA3mObLKWQ

It is ultimately how we perceive the matters around us that shapes us who we are. Depending on our mindset, an ordeal can turn into an experience that teaches you grit and persistence. On a smaller scale, if we view minor events as unforgivably serious occasions, we are likely to always feel stressed and strained. Here, only we know our surroundings. Nobody can tell us what our world looks like, except ourselves. I think it's true, there are times I were in a situation where my friends or family told me how the outcome was not that bad but I actually turned a blind eye to it. I think we all must have been there. I also think it is time to be mindful at these times so we can tune our mind to be recognizing the right things. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4IG2Eyh9x7QBueeY2jM13D?si=vx0kby6uS-24IA3mObLKWQ

The special thing about our minds is that it tends to habituate. It is the act of our minds to make or become used to something. It does not take more to understand why. It simply happens because our body tries to resist pain. We tend to stay in our "comfort zone". Speaking to Johnny about habituation made me realize how corporate culture is meant to put us in situations we will never want to leave. Some would argue this is how we all earn money. By creating boring systems. I totally get that. The question is how many of us realize that and actually take action and do something out of it, for example, start a business? Listen to the whole conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4IG2Eyh9x7QBueeY2jM13D?si=638DCxC_QGScDGNTbA72aw

If you are the type of person who feels numb to a lot of life’s interesting chapters, you probably should listen to this. Johnny came on to the show several episodes ago and the topic of mindfulness was so interesting that I invited him for a second time to talk to us about emotions, especially at work. If you have gone onto a vacation before, you must have experienced post-trip depression and it does not feel nice. I try to dive deeper to understand what goes on in our minds when we feel bad about our current situation. Johnny, a mindfulness practitioner for years, shares with us how we should be mindful about our emotions because if we are not, we could be going into an endless loop of ideation, resonance, emotions and actions, always chasing the next high but failing to recognize reality. I think there are some truths to what Johnny describes, but is it really healthy to clearly recognize the reality and truth of everything? Being in the moment helps us seize the moment, and if our minds are somewhere else, we are always losing the moment that we think we could rewalk later in life. If there is one thing I learnt from this conversation, it is that I need to focus on the moment itself.  Timeline: [00:00] Should we multitask? [13:40] Multitasking is king in corporate [39:39] Habituation of our minds [48:10] Can one find happiness and satisfaction in an endless loop? [54:30] Why do we feel numb at work? [01:05:16] Exhausting our bandwidths with traumas [01:19:00] Becoming rich by being mindful [01:24:34] Greed and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs [01:37:45] The language of being a better version of ourselves Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

To Giri, cancer patients are not that strong after all. "Half the time we don't know what is going on!" was what he said and I think it is true. But I think the strength to live on treatment after treatment still needs to be there because the pain after each treatment can be unbearable. Listen to Giri's story and you will know how the treatments are almost intolerable. Being labelled as strong may sometimes throw some cancer patients off, because it is easy to say those words when we are not the ones suffering. But being strong is really an understatement. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3c3AE1So9t782cOs8DI8hz?si=UlD7zvz5RYmUDVh-Dcynbg

It was a 7-week cancer treatment involving chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Listening to his experience revealed to me the courage one has to have to go through the treatment. Radiotherapy had him at his worst. The 7-week period, I believe, made him a totally different person. From a lump on the left side of his neck to cancer-free, from being impatient in life to accepting of everything that happens and from being weak and unable to take care of himself to starting a fitness challenge on social media, what Giri has done was something extraordinary. The logical side of him made it easier for him to follow a plan. But there are some other reasons as to what made the treatment easier on him. Listen on to find out. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3c3AE1So9t782cOs8DI8hz?si=UlD7zvz5RYmUDVh-Dcynbg

What are the odds of your university senior finding out you have cancer? That was exactly what happened to Giri when he was helping his seniors with their exams. It was odd listening to this part because I started to feel my body for lumps but thankfully, no. Listen with me to how Giri found out he got cancer and how he reacted to this life-changing moment. It is heartwarming to know that Giri is still the optimistic senior I know. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3c3AE1So9t782cOs8DI8hz?si=UlD7zvz5RYmUDVh-Dcynbg

It has been 9 years since Giri was diagnosed of nasopharyngeal cancer. To him and everyone around him, it was the worst experience one could ever go through. There were no symptoms when he was diagnosed with it, but starting the treatments meant he had to endure all the pain that came with them. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the latter made his mouth and throat so dry that he had to rely on tubes to sustain himself. For 7 weeks, he had to tell himself "One day at a time". I cannot relate and hope that I don't, but in the story I heard despair and hopelessness occasionally, but towards the end, it was clear that Giri emerged victory over the challenges. Speaking with Giri made me appreciate our health even more and I think everyone should. Join me as we hear his inspiring story of hope and resilience. Timeline: [00:00] His goal to find happiness now [06:53] Fitness challenge on social media [11:21] The moment he was diagnosed with cancer [17:08] Preparing the fight with cancer [19:52] Decision-making time [21:53] The risk of recurrence [23:23] Chemotherapy on his 20th birthday [31:27] Radiotherapy is worse [38:36] The real cause of change in his behavior [46:42] His parents took good care of him [56:27] Physical changes in his body during the treatment [01:05:43] He learnt he wasn’t strong [01:10:05] Survivor’s guilt [01:15:08] Outlook on life after 9 years [01:20:49] Words from a cancer survivor Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

We all know flight attendants get to travel the world getting paid. It is like a dream job for many people, especially young people these days. But what about the actual career advancements? Do they actually level up in their ranks? If so, what more do they do? We explore the career progression of a flight attendant as Belinda reveals how she makes her way up the ranks. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Gxtyfhwu8A610wcy6bKAZ?si=VFXJy-GRSuOKQN8dSIbkKw

Because they fly so frequently and are always out and about, I would presume that they can make friends easily. And they are adept at maintaining relationships too. It turns out that they are probably the people who would lose the most number of friends if I had to count. For some, being a "low maintenance" friend works. But it might not be that effective when you are rarely seeing your friends when life goes on. Relationships are all about sharing parts of life. Let's hear from Belinda her side of the story. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Gxtyfhwu8A610wcy6bKAZ?si=VFXJy-GRSuOKQN8dSIbkKw

Their spouses and family could be sleeping while they are working through the night serving passengers onboard a flight. This is one of the many things a flight attendant has to deal with in their job. But is this the toughest one? In this snippet, we explore together with Belinda, who is a flight attendant, the toughest problem she has ever faced while flying. It might not be what you think! Listen to the entire conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Gxtyfhwu8A610wcy6bKAZ?si=VFXJy-GRSuOKQN8dSIbkKw

For many, the dream of flying around the world to see beautiful places and people is worth the constant overtime at a 9-5 job. But for Belinda, it is her job to fly almost every single day. How does it work out for her if it means she needs to sacrifice on sleep and many more? What about relationships and family? Is this the best job ever? In this episode, I’m glad to have sat down with Belinda to know more about her profession as a flight attendant, the job that is very much sought after amongst most young adults these days because of the obvious perks of getting to travel. Like you and me, she is someone who craves for a huge pizza after long hours of standing on the flight and having to deal with difficult passengers. But unlike you and me, she has most of her belongings packed at any time because she is always on the go.  Timeline: [00:00] What a day in life is like for her? [02:12] How did she get into this profession? [07:56] Troubles moving abroad [09:42] The toughest thing about flying so frequently [11:05] Sleeping on the job [16:55] Skills in the service and hospitality industry [20:44] Non-reciprocal compliments [26:40] Her mental state after always putting up a front for the passengers [32:19] Is work-life balance far-fetched for her? [36:21] Is it harder to meet new friends or to maintain existing relationships? [42:25] Family trips and feeling homesick [49:22] Picking a career all over again [51:46] Fostering one-off and long-term relationships [57:47] Career advancement as a flight attendant [01:05:38] More misconceptions about flight attendants [01:07:10] The training required to handle safety [01:11:05] Ever come close to a dangerous incident? [01:16:46] Maintaining your body weight and image [01:24:34] What is next for her? Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

After her career started, she felt she needed to do more. For the money, of course. But also to share and teach while learning. According to her, we resonate on the notion that we learn best when we teach. Belle seems to be confident she will continue to work towards giving her own workshop whenever she has the chance. I think there is just something about people who talk about their goals and their eyes light up the moment they see their vision come true. I hope this one does for her too. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3W9fVRmkEyohLYj6f7VAxc?si=DsByOhT1T0SSij4PgFrZjg

When I first heard about her job as a reservoir engineer, I didn't think it was something to do with the oil and gas industry. I thought it was closely related to reservoirs and waste water management. As if I didn't know enough about the field, she shared with me how on a high level overview the oil and gas industry works. Of course, there is the drilling, then the extraction and filter before the transportation which feeds into the network of energy sources we have today. I take this as a small step towards understanding how other fields work through the real life experiences of others and it is interesting to see the stories coming out of them. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3W9fVRmkEyohLYj6f7VAxc?si=DsByOhT1T0SSij4PgFrZjg

When asked about her role in her field, her eyes lit up and that is when you know someone is purely interested in what they are doing. Or maybe they are good actors, except I don't think Belle was acting up. From this conversation alone, I got to know the different streams in the oil and gas industry, specifically from her role as a reservoir engineer. In this snippet, we talked about her problem-solving skills in the field and how she leveraged what she learnt back in university in her job. It is the small detail that she cares about and that I have to observe in order to find out that it is the reason why she is well-versed at her work. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3W9fVRmkEyohLYj6f7VAxc?si=DsByOhT1T0SSij4PgFrZjg

When I saw Belle’s graduation on her Instagram story, I reached out to her to know her story. Despite being a fresh graduate, she is very well-versed in her field of chemical engineering. To be more exact, she is a reservoir engineer. If you are like me wondering what a reservoir engineer does, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we dive deep into her journey from developing interest in physics and chemistry back in high school to selecting chemical engineering as her major and then being a reservoir engineer. To her, by her own words, science is everything and can explain everything. More importantly, Belle is just like me and you, trying to grasp a foothold of her career. Timeline: [00:00] Graduating with a chemical engineering degree [06:57] The most valuable lesson from university [12:16] Problem solving skills in chemical engineering [28:11] The economics of the oil and gas industry [37:26] The challenges in her role as a reservoir engineer and her long term career goals [40:04] She gave her own workshop in university [43:32] On coaching and giving her own workshop in the future [46:00] Her bad academic history [53:59] Her big plans on coaching [58:44] Her advice to university students [01:02:00] Her short term plans Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

I haven't really hit the peak of what a good body looks like, but with my workout routine, I always think there's something not done correctly. Not enough reps, not enough sets and not enough weights. There's always something that is not enough and I can only take the blame myself for still being small after months of working out. Talking to Joshua made me realize how important it is to compare not with others, but with yourself. It's hard not to compare with everyone else in the same gym lifting the same weights, but by being self-compassion allows me to grow comfortably and not develop a trauma towards working out. That has stayed with me ever since. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4bx2rGLsElpFqbFV8IfaUj?si=JW2Yegi4T-Wk0FkPY5jsKA

Although hitting the gym has been a trend for many years, for many reasons, I want to talk about this because I want to find out why people are taking to social media to show a picture of their biceps when things like this wouldn't have happened 50 years ago. Maybe social media played a part, maybe the idea of sharing the perfect workout routine that leads to the perfect body shape makes sense, maybe it is to promote a healthier lifestyle among the hustle and bustle, whatever it is, I'm here to find out with Joshua. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4bx2rGLsElpFqbFV8IfaUj?si=HLQGc6jlRI-2pTfxAxs-Ng

I have only recently started going to the gym because for my whole life, I have stuck to a home workout routine. Probably because it is cheap and you get to be the sole user of all the equipment. The sad truth is there are not a lot of options, be it equipment or exercises. The way to get serious in working out is to at least know the fundamentals before any injury hits.  Joshua, a financial advisor turned gym personal trainer, comes onto the show to share what he feels like is the perfect workout routine. Even if there is none, he prefers a set of routines that may very well be the best-bang-for-your-buck workout. More than just that, we discussed what the trending gym culture is like and how it impacts gym goers like he and I.  If you are into gym sessions, this is probably the conversation to listen to. Timeline: [00:00] How the gym culture has evolved [14:44] Can anyone be a gym personal trainer? [20:00] What is his daily routine like? [23:39] Feeling burnt out working out or coaching [32:32] Fear of judgment in the gym [39:33] Self-compassion vs self-critical in the gym [48:18] The ideal workout routine [52:57] Is there a real need for a personal trainer? [58:50] Workouts that we shouldn’t do [59:43] Exposing my workout routine [01:25:07] Stretching - how should we do it? [01:29:59] Hitting the gym with your friends [01:33:12] People who groan and grunt in the gym [01:35:20] Can everyone push hard or is it genetics-bound? [01:40:40] His advice to gym goers Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

I don't know how, and I don't want to know how. But Jennefer did it in an elegant way. She chose the way many wouldn't and I'm not saying this should be the only approach, but I hope anyone who has to go through a heartbreak chooses to forgive and let go. Cry a little, be sad a little, go through the 7 stages of denial, and then as a closing to the event, try to forgive a little. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6586CgeMD0srbpiPdZl3Xy?si=l1DJIfEpTlOQpqiTxOMgdQ

I don't think anyone should condone the act of betrayal in any relationship. Jennefer talked to me how she found out about the affair her ex-boyfriend had with her friend. When I was listening, I couldn't understand what the boy was thinking. But it didn't matter. What matter was that Jennefer had already forgiven him and let go of this hurtful past. If you listened, I was having a hard time trying to ask about her story, so all credits to her for having that courage. If there is one thing I learnt, it is to forgive and let go when the damage has been done. It couldn't hurt more when you let go. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6586CgeMD0srbpiPdZl3Xy?si=l1DJIfEpTlOQpqiTxOMgdQ

I have always wondered what people do on dating apps like Tinder. I mean, it is a chatting app where you get to know people and talk to them based on primarily their looks. I am lucky to have Jennefer on the show to describe how she dates on Tinder. Fun fact: I went on to the app to try it for awhile, only to be put off by the surface-level chitchats and unintimidating topics that I didn't have the time for. Moreover, there were a lot of scams that I almost fell for and it is imperative to stay vigilant because I know how dangerous it is to love at first sight. Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6586CgeMD0srbpiPdZl3Xy?si=l1DJIfEpTlOQpqiTxOMgdQ