In this episode, I sit down with Bebe Ding — co-founder of Singapore’s cult fitness brand CRU — to talk about what happens when the dream you’ve built no longer fits.

At just 23, Bebe and her siblings launched one of the country’s most recognisable boutique spin studios. But what most people don’t know is that she was never a fan of school and she almost dropped out of college to start a food truck in LA, and has always been a rebel at heart.

Ten years later, after building a brand that became part of her identity, Bebe made the bold decision to close down her business.

In this light hearted interview, We talk about:
– How her rebel nature and “just try” attitude made entrepreneurship feel natural
– What it really felt like to close a business after 10 years
– The identity loss that came with walking away from being a fitness founder
– Why grades don’t define success
– And how she’s now returning to her roots — launching an ice cream company and starting over, on her own terms

Bebe’s story is a reminder that you don’t need a perfect plan — just the guts to begin again.

What really happens when you get laid off three times?

In this episode, Ariel shares her honest journey through three back-to-back layoffs — how the first shook her identity, the second left her angry and disillusioned, and the third finally gave her space to reflect and heal.

We talk about tying self-worth to career, the emotional rollercoaster of job loss, and how coaching helped her reset her mindset. Ariel also shares how she went from being overly invested in work to finding a middle ground — where she can still care about her career without letting it consume her.

If you’ve ever been retrenched, questioned your value, or felt stuck in a system that only rewards performance — this one’s for you.

In this second episode of Chit Chat with Aunty Mary, I sit down with my husband Jeff to talk about something we don’t often admit out loud — what it feels like to be stuck in a negative mindset.

For years, Jeff saw the world through a pessimistic lens. In this honest conversation, he opens up about where that came from, how it affected his energy, and what finally pushed him to start shifting towards a positive mindset.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck in your own thoughts, this one’s for you

In this very first episode of Chit Chat with Aunty Mary, I’m sharing the raw, unfiltered story behind my layoff — and the identity crisis that followed.

From battling imposter syndrome to questioning my entire career path, this episode is a heart-to-heart about what it really feels like to "start over" in your 30s. I talk about the pressure to chase titles, the fear of not being enough, and the surprising wisdom that comes from being completely lost.

This isn't a success story (yet). It's a messy, honest one — about finding your purpose, and the quiet voice inside that led me to start this podcast.

So if you’ve ever felt like a fraud or are quietly wondering what the heck you're doing with your life... this one's for you.

Welcome to Chit Chat with Aunty Mary 💛