Q&A With Sheena Yap Chan 

I’m so glad that another Q&A I’m doing to start off the month of June with Sheena Yap Chan. Sheena is the author of The Tao Of Self Confidence which is on the Publishers Weekly & Wallstreet Journal Bestsellers Lists. Sheena has previously co-authored the international bestselling books Asian Women Who BossUp & International Women Who BossUp. Sheena is the founder & host of the award-winning podcast also titled The Tao Of Self Confidence where she interviews Asian women about their inner journey to self-confidence. 

Q:  Sheena would you please tell the readers of the blog & I about your book The Tao Of Self Confidence? 

A:  Hi Bianca, thank you so much for featuring me on the blog.  My name is Sheena Yap Chan, and I am the author of The Tao of Self-Confidence:  A Guide to Moving Beyond Trauma and Awakening the Leader within.

This book serves as a guide to help women learn to unpack the traumas that are holding them back from stepping into their greatness.  Growing up in an Asian household, I never shared the feelings that I was going through so in turn I went through so many self-esteem and self-confidence issues.  By being able to unpack what we have gone through and learn how to heal from them, we can show up as our best self.

In this book, you will learn the following:

• Getting to the root causes of what’s holding you back and stepping into your greatness
• Cultural and historical issues that affect our leadership potential
• Finding and gaining more confidence as your authentic self

Q: How long did it take for you to write The Tao Of Self Confidence & would it be fair to say the podcast with the same name, is the reason why you wrote the book?

A: I had a tight deadline to write this book.  I had to write the book in less than 3 months so that it can be released in May 2023 for AAPI Heritage Month.  This was the first time I have written a book by myself, so the self-doubt does creep in when you are doing something new.  I was approached by the publisher if I wanted to write a book about confidence and leadership.  I almost said no because I wasn’t sure if I was the right person to write a book on this topic, but I am glad I said yes.  Since the publisher loved the title of the podcast so much, they asked if they could use the same title for the book.

Q: What important lessons do you hope women, especially Asian women learn after reading The Tao Of Self Confidence? 

A: The important lesson for this book is for Asian women and beyond to learn that it’s okay to show up as your authentic self.  Too often we are told to be the perfect wife, daughter, sisters, etc.  The best thing we can do is to show up as our best self.  I also want Asian women and beyond to learn that it’s okay to be vulnerable and share what you are going through.  Vulnerability is actually our greatest strength and not a weakness.  I hope that the lessons I shared in the book can apply in their everyday life whether it’s business and/or personal.

Q: How does it feel knowing that The Tao Of Self Confidence is both a Wallstreet Journal & Publishers Weekly Bestselling book? I think its impressive and it sounds like a dream come true!

A:  It feels so surreal, I’m still in shock that this happened.  On the Wall Street Journal bestselling list, there were 8 men and 2 women on the list.  There was Brene Brown and then me.  I just want women, especially Asian women to see that it is possible.  That we can show up , speak up and take up space industries where we feel invisible.

Q: What advice would you give anyone wanting to start a podcast like you did? 

A: Just start! It doesn’t have to be perfect. I know it’s easier said than done but really you just have to start and correct your mistakes along the way.  Also figure out your purpose as to why you want to start a podcast.  When your intentions are clear, everything else falls into place.

Q: In your bio on LinkedIn, I saw that you are a speaker & a Book Marketing Consultant. What is a Book Marketing Consultant & do you ever become nervous when you must speak publicly? What is your advice for anyone wanting to be a speaker & Book Marketing Consultant? 

A:  A book marketing consultant helps clients learn how to utilize a book to build their brand and visibility to get more leads and clients.  So many people don’t realize that writing a book is only 30% of the work and that marketing the book is more important.  I have seen so many people write their book and then they are too afraid to share it out into the world.  You can do so many things with a book that the possibilities are endless.

I always get nervous when I have to speak in public.  Part of the reason is because I want to make sure that the audience gets value out of my talks.  So being nervous is a sign that I want to do my best.  For anyone who wants to be a speaker and/or book marketing consultant, learn from someone who has been through it so you avoid making the same mistakes and you get there faster.

Q: How do you juggle writing, podcasting, speaking & being a book marketing consultant? 

A:  My google calendar is my best friend.  If it’s not on my google calendar, it’s not happening.  Organization is important along with having a team.  You don’t have to do everything alone.  

Q: If you are currently writing your next book, is it similar to The Tao Of Self Confidence, a memoir/autobiography or is it something very different? 

A:  It will be a book on confidence and leadership, but it will be for all women, so be on the lookout for it =)

Q: What was it like being featured on NBC, ABS-CBN, Nextshark, Global News & Business Insider, MindValley, Fox, Thrive Global & Manilla Times? 

A:  To be honest, I still get surprised to be featured on these big media platforms but it’s also necessary because growing up in Toronto, I never had role models that looked like me to be featured in the media and because of it, I never believed in myself.  By showing up in these prestigious media platforms, I am showing the current and future generations what is possible for themselves.

Q: On your website, you’ve interviewed over 800 women on the topic of confidence, celebrities, & 8 figure CEOs. That’s quite an impressive list! Would you please tell the readers and I what that experience was like interviewing all these people and which celebrities have you spoken with? 

A:  It was great to hear so many stories from different women and I realize that we all go through similar situations.  By being able to hear their stories of struggle and how they overcame it, it gives the listeners and I hope that we can do it too.  This is why sharing our stories and having representation matters so much.  It’s about learning to dismantle the negative stereotypes and create a new normal.