Podcast Summary: "Brutally Anna" – Episode: The Power of Not Belonging with Ava Lee
Host: Anna Kai
Guest: Ava Lee
Release Date: November 25, 2024
Introduction
In this insightful episode of Brutally Anna, host Anna Kai engages in a deep and candid conversation with Ava Lee, a skincare influencer and wellness entrepreneur. The discussion delves into Ava's journey of reinvention, navigating cultural identities, transitioning from a career in finance to becoming a successful content creator, and building meaningful relationships. Through their dialogue, Ava shares personal anecdotes, challenges, and the empowering realization of embracing one's true self.
1. Early Life and Cultural Identity
Background and Upbringing
Ava Lee opens up about her unique upbringing, highlighting her multicultural background.
- Ava Lee [01:54]: “I was born in Korea. Both my parents are 100% Korean. I moved to China when I was 2 years old because of my dad's job. We spent my entire life in China, except for short trips back to Korea.”
Despite growing up in China, Ava always felt like a foreigner, attributing her sense of not fully belonging to any single culture. Her experience attending an American middle and high school in Shanghai allowed her to become fluent in English, Korean, and Mandarin.
- Ava Lee [03:19]: “I’ve never even been to the U.S. until I stepped foot in Notre Dame. It was wild.”
2. College Experience and Reinvention
Transition to Notre Dame and Name Change
Ava recounts her unexpected admission to Notre Dame, a predominantly white institution far from her Asian roots.
- Anna Kai [04:10]: “He sold you on South Bend, Indiana.”
The admissions counselor convinced Ava to attend Notre Dame, offering her a fresh start where few recognized her Korean identity. This move marked the beginning of Ava's reinvention.
- Ava Lee [05:04]: “My real name is Juwon, but I changed it to Ava to fit in better. It was a critical confidence boost when I came to the U.S.”
Ava explains the significance of her name change, emphasizing how shedding her original identity allowed her to navigate a new cultural landscape with greater ease.
3. Navigating College and Professional Life
Feeling of Not Belonging at Notre Dame
Despite making friends, Ava struggled with the deep-rooted traditions at Notre Dame, feeling out of place in a community where family legacies spanned generations.
- Ava Lee [12:14]: “Some people just don’t get it, or they don’t want to be friends with me. But my group of friends were all very nice, good people.”
This sense of not belonging extended beyond college, as Ava found herself one of the few Korean individuals in her professional environment.
4. Career in Finance and the Shift to Social Media
Investment Banking and Private Equity
Ava pursued a career in investment banking after college, securing a position despite being a non-American citizen.
- Ava Lee [17:27]: “After my junior year, I interned at an investment bank. Right after college, I got a full-time offer and went straight into investment banking.”
However, despite professional success, Ava felt unfulfilled and sought a creative outlet, leading her to the world of skincare and social media.
Starting "Glow with Ava"
Ava began documenting her skincare routine and sharing her passion for beauty, filling a gap in the market by explaining how to use Korean skincare products.
- Ava Lee [21:24]: “I realized no one was explaining how to use these skincare products. So I wanted to talk about how to use a toner, what's a toner, how to use a serum.”
This initiative marked the birth of her influencer persona, allowing her to merge her interests with her professional life.
5. Personal Relationships and Finding Love
Meeting Ben on a Dating App
During a hiatus from her finance career, Ava ventured into the dating world through an app, leading to her relationship with Ben.
- Ava Lee [43:25]: “I was so bored that I went on a dating app. Ben was my first dating app date ever.”
Their relationship blossomed quickly, defying Ava's expectations of being with someone who would not mistreat her— a stark contrast to her previous relationships.
- Ava Lee [47:08]: “He was the first really good guy I dated. He was persistent, caring, and different from anyone I’d been with before.”
Despite initial reservations, Ava found herself drawn to Ben's genuine kindness and support, ultimately leading to their marriage.
Navigating Relationship Dynamics
Ava discusses the challenges of trusting someone new and breaking away from past patterns of attracting the wrong partners.
- Ava Lee [49:19]: “I've always been attracted to men who treat me like shit, but Ben wasn't like that. He was genuinely nice, and that was unexpected.”
6. Overcoming Health Challenges and Embracing Wellness
Health Struggles in 2017
Ava shares her battle with serious health issues, including stomach aches and a leaky gut, which prompted her to return to her cultural roots in healing through food.
- Ava Lee [37:22]: “I was having stomach aches every day. My coworkers suggested I see a GI doctor, and after tests, I realized I had SIBO and leaky gut.”
Adopting her mother's traditional recipes, Ava focused on healing her body, reinforcing her commitment to wellness and holistic health.
- Ava Lee [37:57]: “I started eating rice every day for lunch. It was much healthier for me than the raw salads everyone else was having.”
7. Building a Successful Social Media Presence
Growing "Glow with Ava"
Despite initial hesitations and feeling awkward about sharing her journey publicly, Ava persevered, gradually building a loyal following by providing valuable skincare knowledge.
- Ava Lee [25:18]: “I was taking food pictures only and never showed my face. My face is never shown on the feed.”
Her authentic approach resonated with audiences seeking practical skincare advice, allowing her influence to grow organically over time.
- Ava Lee [32:05]: “It was a very slow, steady growth, but it was steady all along.”
Balancing Authenticity and Branding
Ava emphasizes the importance of being real and informative over aesthetic perfection, prioritizing substance over style.
- Ava Lee [24:50]: “I wasn't making any money for two years. But I kept sharing how to use skincare products effectively.”
8. Motivations and Giving Back
Inspiring Others and Supporting Family
Ava attributes her success to her desire to give back to her parents, who sacrificed so much for her education and well-being.
- Ava Lee [61:55]: “It's the only motivating factor. To give back to my parents because they sacrificed their entire lives for me.”
Her endeavors extend beyond social media as she pre-pays her sister's tuition, demonstrating her commitment to familial support.
- Ava Lee [62:25]: “I prepay all of my sister's tuition. You can pay me back whenever.”
9. Lessons on Rejection and Reinvention
Rejection as Redirection
Ava reflects on her high school rejections and how changing her identity empowered her to succeed in the U.S., embodying the podcast's theme of reinvention.
- Ava Lee [63:10]: “I rejected myself. I wasn't good enough for anything. Reinventing myself gave me the confidence to survive and thrive.”
Her journey underscores the importance of embracing change and using setbacks as opportunities for growth.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Embracing the Journey
Ava Lee's story is a testament to the power of self-acceptance, cultural resilience, and the relentless pursuit of one's passions. By sharing her experiences, she empowers listeners to navigate their own paths of reinvention and find strength in vulnerability.
- Ava Lee [65:17]: “You can find me at Glow with Ava on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. I also have a wellness lifestyle brand called By Ava.”
Anna Kai wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to follow Ava's journey and support her continued efforts in promoting holistic beauty and wellness.
Notable Quotes
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Ava Lee [05:04]: “My real name is Juwon, but I changed it to Ava to fit in better. It was a critical confidence boost when I came to the U.S.”
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Ava Lee [21:24]: “I realized no one was explaining how to use these skincare products. So I wanted to talk about how to use a toner, what's a toner, how to use a serum.”
-
Ava Lee [37:22]: “I was having stomach aches every day. My coworkers suggested I see a GI doctor, and after tests, I realized I had SIBO and leaky gut.”
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Ava Lee [63:10]: “I rejected myself. I wasn't good enough for anything. Reinventing myself gave me the confidence to survive and thrive.”
Where to Find Ava Lee
- Instagram, TikTok, YouTube: @GlowWithAva
- Wellness Brand: By Ava
Offering a range of products including Gua Sha tools, tea elixirs, collagen supplements, and more to promote inner and outer beauty.
This episode of Brutally Anna offers a profound exploration of identity, resilience, and the transformative power of embracing one's true self. Ava Lee's journey serves as an inspiration for anyone seeking to reinvent themselves and find belonging in an ever-changing world.