My dad once said…”You have 3 choices. You can either be a doctor, a lawyer, or…a failure.”
I didn’t like any of them. So I wrote in my own answer to that multiple choice question.
I spent 2 days struggling to write my acceptance speech for one of the biggest achievement awards of my life. But…just a couple minutes before I stepped on stage, I ripped it up. I decided to speak from the heart.
To be honored with the Digital Influencer Award in front of so many people I respect and admire – directors, actors, writers, authors, singers, and fellow creators I’ve watched for so many years – my body was shaking, my heart was racing, but my soul was flying.
Choosing to follow my passion was scary. I tried to ignore it, but as the days passed on, my heart became more hollow, more fragile, and more lost. I wanted badly to make my parents happy, but I didn’t know how it would be possible if I wanted to be fulfilled too. There were times I even thought of ending it all…
Eventually, my soul couldn’t take it anymore…so I took a risk…on myself, on my family, and on my future. I dropped out of Organic Chemistry, sabotaged my perfect Pre-Med record, and followed my heart to where I am today.
If you grew up Asian American, you’ve probably heard this story. Maybe you ARE this story. Perhaps you’re still trying to figure out YOUR story.
My parents gave me an extremely rough time growing up, but I owe it to them for igniting this INTENSE fire inside me. Their blockades taught me how to FIGHT HARD for what I wanted. We still have a lot to work through, but I love them so much for helping me become the woman I am today.
Thank you Kore Asian Media for this incredible honor and for bringing together so many inspiring people in our community for a moment to stop, dress up real fancy, and celebrate! Thank you to my fellow creators for your genuine friendship and enthusiastic support. And thank you to YOU GUYS, my POPsters – you are the reason why I’m living my actual dream. THANK YOU.
2018, what a year.
This is my vlog from Unforgettable Gala 2018! People featured in this video:
Lauren Young, makeup artist: https://www.instagram.com/laurencrucifix/
Sam Livits, da hubs: https://www.instagram.com/samlivits/
Kevin Kwan, author of Crazy Rich Asians: https://www.instagram.com/kevinkwanbooks
Philip Wang of Wong Fu Productions: https://www.youtube.com/user/WongFuProductions
Jason Chen: https://www.youtube.com/user/miniachilles
Jen Chae, Frmheadtotoe: https://www.youtube.com/user/frmheadtotoe/
Sam Tsui: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSamTsui
Casey Breves: https://www.youtube.com/user/CaseyBrevesMusic
KRNFX: https://www.youtube.com/user/krnfxTV
Debra Messing: https://www.instagram.com/therealdebramessing
Jon M Chu, Director of Crazy Rich Asians: https://www.instagram.com/jonmchu/
Sir George The Magnificent: https://www.instagram.com/sirgeorgethemagnificent/
Here is where I get all of my music! Epidemic Sound: https://goo.gl/Nj4ZMg
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Cassey Ho is an award-winning fitness instructor, entrepreneur and online personality. As the creator behind Blogilates, the #1 female fitness channel on YouTube, she’s transformed millions of lives through helping them achieve their strength and weight-loss goals. She focuses on making fitness fun and the results are evident. Cassey’s unique format, POP Pilates©, which launched as a workout video on YouTube in 2009, has become a live fitness class that can be taken at gyms all over the world with over 3,000 POP Pilates classes being taught monthly. Her authenticity continues to shine through, making her one of the most relatable fitness icons online and beyond. She’s also the author of the best-selling book, Hot Body Year Round and is the designer of her own activewear line, POPFLEX.
With a wide range of free workout videos available, Cassey’s channel focuses on ab exercises, butt & thigh exercises, arm exercises, pilates, cardio routines, fat burning workouts, high intensity interval training workouts (HIIT), stretching and flexibility routines and so much more!
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Full length POP Pilates and fun Bootcamp Sculpting workouts to Top 40 Hits with certified fitness instructor Cassey Ho.
