My latest ‘Date With Ains’ guest is the multi-passionate and highly dynamic Teressa Siu of LotusLifeTV.
This award-winning TV journalist has over two decades of solid experience in journalism, media and education and in recent years has transitioned from full-time broadcast news to founding LotusLifeTV. Teressa is a self-confessed health advocate and is on a mission to empower communities to take charge of their health by taking small yet progressive steps to change their lifestyle.
We caught up in NOOD, one of Teresa’s favourite healthy haunts, to talk all things clarity, confidence and connection in life and business.
Take a read!
I was born in China and raised and educated in Los Angeles, USA.
In 1995, when I was at Grad School studying Broadcast Journalism, I took up a professional internship role and was then hired by TVB in Hong Kong as a news reporter and then anchor for many years.
Although I came to Hong Kong for work, I always had this innate connection with the city.
I worked and lived here and established my career and life here…I moved away and I just kept moving back!
In 2001 after working for TVB I started my own media consulting firm, lectured at Universities and continued with various TV news roles with Channel News Asia and CNN World Report.
In 2013 I also landed a fantastic role in Beijing with CCTV News where I was a health correspondent and senior news correspondent.
In the same year I founded LotusLifeTV which is a part of my life-long mission to educate communities about health and wellness. TV journalism and Health journalism are my passions and I love that my business combines both!
It’s either clarity or confusion.
I always believe in having clear goals either in personal or professional life. Surely there are stages in life we spend searching for our soul goals, but we eventually get there.
So when I’m stuck, I remind myself of my purpose and what I love to do and how I’d like to spend the rest of my life.
There have been different stages where I’ve lacked self-confidence.
The key one was when I took a pause in life to spend time with my parents back in the US as my dad was unwell.
It was only natural that life was put on hold as I nurtured someone ill. But it felt they were my only world and I often said I was married to my parents…meaning I felt slowly disconnected with the world out here in Hong Kong – people were starting to forget about my presence that once brought ‘fame and riches’ and with the world turning so fast, I felt I was behind in everything.
The breakthrough came when I was offered a fantastic TV opportunity in Beijing where I became a health correspondent and senior news correspondent for CCTV News.
I simply told myself I had something big to do – that is to be on a mission to advocate health and that I’ve had all this experience being on TV as a reporter and anchor and ran my own businesses, etc.
I felt like I was back on TV with a true purpose and clear intention – I was on a mission to serve, to inform and help people live better lives. It was the most beautiful year personally and professionally as I met amazing people from all walks of life and incredible jobs and opportunities came my way.
It was as if the Universe had lined everything up for me and then I knew that I wanted my own health TV show.
I never let a day go by without making it part of my life and lifestyle.
My friends and clients would say I live and breathe what I preach which is very true.
In the old days, when TV journalism was my passion, I would watch myself on TV over and over again to improve and grow.
Now, I do the same with all the tools and knowledge that I have about health and wellness – I just need to keep at it.
Keep trying and getting excited about little and big things.
I have to be the inspiration and my inspiration comes from seeing people smile and walk away feeling better.
I have so much planned for LotusLifeTV – a major health show, international conferences and expanding health education and advocacy around Asia and beyond!
In regards to my new health TV series I’m passionate about helping health practitioners showcase who they are and what they do in 1 minute documentaries.
I help them carve out their unique stories so they can share how they serve others in the health and wellness space.
It’s unique.
It feels like home.
I like the multicultural complexities of this place. There is always roaring energy and there’s always opportunity. It makes you want to move and keep going.
Just believe! Just do!
Know that it’s ok to be vulnerable.
Seek support and keep moving.
Focus and think positive!
Teressa Siu, TV Host, Connector, Wellness Speaker, Lifestyle Nutritionist
Teressa is a health advocate on and off camera. Her TV news reports on health issues and epidemics have won her applause from the journalism community, including awards from international organisations and CNN World Report. When she’s not working in front of the camera, Teressa travels around Asia to spread knowledge in her most passionate subjects – holistic vegetarian/vegan nutrition, integrative food therapy, yoga and spiritual healing. She teaches yoga, culinary and nutrition courses at retreats in the region.
Teressa supports a holistic and sustainable lifestyle through permaculture and a plant-based diet. She also believes in raising awareness by integrating holistic and wholistic education to schools. Her other passion is empowering women and the younger generation to go after their dreams and live life with a passion. Her qualifications include Certified Yoga Teacher, Certified Raw Food Chef, Certified Holistic Integrative Health Coach.
You can take a look at Teressa work over on her website and follow her on Facebook and instagram.
