Society & Culture
Why do we spend hours consuming stories (https://www.buro247.sg/culture/insiders/buro-brave-living-with-simone-heng-a-podcast-with-successful-people-on-overcoming-challenges-and-building-a-legacy.html) and telling them? Anthropologists say that storytelling (https://www.buro247.sg/lifestyle/buro-loves/storytel-review-how-this-swedish-audiobook-streaming-service-storytel-did-in-the-eyes-of-a-traditional-book-reader.html) is universal. Stories are the currency of life; they help us make sense of the world and create connections (https://www.buro247.sg/lifestyle/technology/a-case-of-social-media-fatigue-and-how-to-use-it-for-the-better-good.html) — whether with people or concepts. Own Your Breath is built upon that belief. The life coaching studio holds monthly storytelling sessions with the hope to inspire one to live purposefully and authentically. The event is held at The Eclectic Room, an indie lifestyle boutique along Joo Chiat Road founded by Ryana Yusoff, who’s also the brain behind Own Your Breath. We wanted to give back to Ryana what she has given to her community of courageous storytellers and compassionate listeners: a space to tell her amazing story of trials and tribulations. In this episode, she opens up to our host Simone Heng about her difficult childhood, living under the poverty line, and the importance of setting boundaries as an Empath. Get ready to hit play to get inspired. 00:00 Introduction Ryana Yusoff, founder of life coaching studio Own Your Breath and lifestyle boutique The Eclectic Room, came from humble beginnings. Born and raised in Singapore to a Malay-Singaporean mother and an Indonesian Arab father, Ryana, the youngest of five children, recalls a childhood of poverty and torment. 13:35 Growing pains Unable to care for her children, Ryana’s mother sent her and her siblings to the orphanage. Despite the trauma, Ryana knew the adversity of her life would eventually pass, and she would grow up to be the woman she wanted to be. 29:21 Finding greener pastures She bought her first apartment at 24, which she shared with her mother. Driven by a deep-seated desire to achieve financial stability, Ryanna soon left for Dubai to be an air stewardess for Emirates. 35:26 On starting The Eclectic Room She discovered her love for vintage fashion during a year-long sabbatical that she spent travelling around the world. In 2014, she fell into depression — but from that dark place, the idea for The Eclectic Room was born. Ryana later sold her apartment, went on another year-long travel and started her business from ground zero. For more inspiring stories, subscribe and tune in every fortnight to Buro.'s Brave Living with Simone Heng (https://www.buro247.sg/stars/simone-heng) . Connect with us by following us on our website (https://www.buro247.sg/) , Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/buro247singapore) , and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/buro.singapore) .