Sep 255 min read

Enough is a Decision, Not an Amount: Empowering Insights from My Conversation with Lucy Liu

Updated: Sep 27

From the moment I met Lucy Liu, my energy shot up because she’s so full of life. Yes, her name might sound familiar, and she speaks candidly about what it was like growing up with the same name as a famous actress—but it doesn’t take long to realize that this Lucy Liu has a presence entirely her own.

In our latest podcast episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Lucy Liu, a master life coach, speaker, best-selling author, and podcast host of The Lucy Liu Show. She’s also the author of Epic and Confident and was featured in Asian Women Who Boss Up. Lucy is an unshakable optimist who dedicates her work to helping women uplevel their lives and confidently live epic lives full of joy and fulfillment.

Our conversation was packed with valuable insights about personal growth, the power of choice, and the role our heritage plays in shaping our mental landscapes. Lucy's journey is inspiring, and she shared wisdom that left me—and I’m sure our listeners—feeling empowered to make big changes in their own lives. Here’s a glimpse into some of the key takeaways from our discussion.

The Power of Choice in Life and Happiness

One of the central themes of our conversation was Lucy's belief that

"Enough is a decision, not an amount."

In a world constantly pushing us to want more—more success, more achievements, more everything—it’s crucial to realize that enough isn’t about reaching a specific goal. Instead, it’s a mindset, a conscious choice to feel fulfilled with what you have and where you are.

Lucy emphasized the importance of choosing joy and prioritizing mental well-being. When we take control of our mindset, we can shift from a place of stress and anxiety to one of happiness and abundance. She pointed out how much power we have in choosing our thoughts, and how that simple act can completely change our life’s trajectory.

Mental Well-Being is the Foundation of Growth

Personal growth starts with mental well-being, and Lucy stressed this during our talk. No matter what you're aiming to achieve, if your mental health is suffering, success will feel hollow. Lucy talked about how she supports her clients in reframing their negative thoughts, helping them turn self-doubt into self-confidence.

By focusing on mental well-being first, we give ourselves the best foundation for achieving our goals—whether they're in business, relationships, or personal development. Lucy reminded us that it's not about working harder or longer, but about being intentional in prioritizing our joy.

Heritage and Personal Growth

As a Chinese immigrant, Lucy also shared her personal experiences with balancing cultural expectations and pursuing her own happiness. The influence of Asian heritage on personal growth can be powerful, particularly in cultures that emphasize hard work, sacrifice, and external validation.

Lucy spoke about the immigrant experience, the common pressures to overachieve, and the struggle to balance cultural traditions with personal aspirations. She encouraged listeners to challenge limiting beliefs, often inherited from our families and communities, and to cultivate self-empowerment and validation from within.

The Role of Coaching in Achieving Your Goals

Throughout our conversation, Lucy highlighted the transformative power of coaching. Her own coaching work focuses on helping women break through their mental barriers, confidently set and achieve goals, and live their best lives.

"There's always a way. So when I'm hit with one of life's curve balls, instead of shrinking myself, I just be open."

Coaching, she explained, offers the guidance, accountability, and support that many of us need to move from a place of uncertainty to one of clarity and empowerment. It’s not about giving advice but about helping you uncover your own strengths and capabilities.

Final Thoughts: Self-Empowerment and Turning Negatives Into Positives

Lucy’s energy is infectious, and her optimism is unshakable. One of the most impactful parts of our conversation was her emphasis on turning negative thoughts into positive ones. So many of us are conditioned to focus on our shortcomings or fears, but Lucy encourages us to flip the script. Every time we choose to see the positive, we are taking a step toward a more empowered and fulfilling life.

Lucy also shared her advice for her younger self, and it was a reminder to all of us: You don’t need external validation to be worthy. You are already enough.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

Prioritizing mental well-being is essential for personal growth.
The power of choice plays a significant role in how we experience life and achieve our goals.
Coaching is beneficial for anyone seeking personal growth and achieving their dreams.
Asian heritage can influence our approach to personal growth, but it's important to challenge limiting beliefs and seek internal validation.
Turning negative thoughts into positive ones leads to a more fulfilling and empowered life.
The immigrant experience often involves the need for self-empowerment and self-validation, common themes in the Asian community.

BTS: A Fun Moment with Lucy

After we wrapped up recording, Lucy stopped me and asked, “Did I hear you right? You said you were 50?!” I had to pause and think for a minute because, honestly, I very rarely focus on my physical age and often have to try and remember my actual age. I had even forgotten I mentioned it during the episode! We both got a great laugh out of that moment.

But it got me thinking—this exchange highlights something important. I’ve always believed that age doesn’t have to limit our potential. Whether you’re told you’re too young to take on a leadership role or too old to start something new, society tends to impose arbitrary limits on what we can achieve. But when you look across the span of life, you’ll see that this rule doesn’t apply to those who don’t take it seriously. Some of the most successful people began their journeys later in life, while others achieved greatness at a young age.

Lucy and I both share a mindset of boundless possibility, and we hope this episode inspires you to let go of the age-related limits society might try to place on you. Whether you're 20, 50, or 80, your potential is infinite as long as you don't let the numbers define you.

This fun little moment during our conversation was a great reminder: age is just a number, and what truly matters is the energy, optimism, and drive we bring into our lives and our work. So, here's to breaking free from the notion of being too young or too old—let’s live as if the possibilities are endless, because they are!

To hear more about Lucy's incredible insights and journey, listen to the full episode and discover how you can choose happiness, challenge limiting beliefs, and step into a life of confidence and fulfillment.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with Lucy Liu, and be sure to grab a copy of her book, Epic and Confident here and check out Asian Women Who Boss Up here.