Shu Tan

EXPERIENCES

• Other than my role as a Positive Health Corporate Consultant and Psychologist who I work with companies and individuals, currently also working as a Manager MBA Career Center at globally known and rank No.2 business school in Germany - WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management in Düsseldorf

• Independent scientific researcher on current important topics, and supervising junior researchers in developing meaningful empirical findings, practical interventions and tools

• Teaching part-time as a University Lecturer at the Department of Social Sciences of Sports, University Münster, Germany. Worked there for almost 4 years, supervised and guided sport enthusiasts in finding their future directions and developing core skills

• Worked as a Assistant Lecturer, Trainer & Project Manager, for both Executive Educations and Health Psychology & Behavioural Medicine Unit at Jacobs University Bremen, Germany

• Started my early career as a Graduate Teaching & Research Assistant with my expertise in Psychology at the Department of Nursing & Midwifery, Middlesex University, London, U.K. Worked with nurses-to-be, and especially midwives-to-be, in overcoming traumatic and negative experiences with mindfulness-based approaches and relaxation techniques.

LANGUAGES

• English
• Mandarin
• Cantonese
• Hokkien
• Teochew
• Bahasa
• German

Feel free to let me know which language you feel more comfortable during our consultation. I believe languages convey a connection of who we are and where we are from, and this would help to build mutual understanding and trust.

My Story

I grew up in Malaysia with deeply-rooted Chinese traditions. When my grandparents left China, they couldn't bring many material things, but all the cultural traditions, ritual practices, and even living lifestyles with them instead. These were the things they could hold on to when the home was far away, and life isn't rainbow all the time. Among all the cultural traditions and practices, my mum has explicitly always taught my sisters and me how to live a traditional way of healthy living. From eating a balanced meal by cooking with herbs and spices, making sure we sleep well (including taking naps), spoiling us with all kinds of massage, to all ways of self-care and love, as well as religious mindfulness practices.

I didn't appreciate it as much back then, and unfortunately, I thought it was old-fashioned and a waste of time (with some herbal soup's cooking time taking up to 8 hours). I'm very glad that despite this rebellious phase, I have adapted to this way of living, eaten all the food my mum cooked, and learned which pressure point of my body would ease my headache or heartburn, improve sleep, etc.

Although I have learned and benefited from my mum's traditional way of healthy living, I struggled with various health challenges and pain throughout my early lifespan, significantly impacting my health and well-being.

I questioned a lot—"why me?".

Why do I have to go through so many shits in life? Why do all these shits decide to fall on me out of nowhere all of a sudden? I was young and struggled, not knowing what to do besides writing. I've been keeping journals since I was 12, and writing it's the only time I found peace and felt safe and listened. Being reflective and curious saved me from becoming worse. When I constantly seek answers and truths, I realise I'm surrounded by loving people who never fail to explore the questions and doubts with me, comfort me, encourage me, and inspire me. One usual night I was lying on my sickbed, feeling scared and insecure about what was coming;

My mum said to me,"things happen for a reason, you may not see it now, but hold on to it; you will see how this will make you become who you really are."

Here it comes to one of my life's most significant turning points. I developed a strong interest in wanting to know more about what makes life a life and what makes a human a human. I stumbled upon this journey to becoming a psychologist. In this pursuit, not only have I discovered different sides of myself, but I also stopped questioning "why me?" and was finally able to see life from different perspectives.

I left home when I was 18 and then worked in various fields, from child psychology to counseling in Malaysia. Finally found my passion first in Positive Psychology in London, where I lived for almost five years, and then in Health Psychology in Germany, where I still live today.

Throughout this journey,I learned more about myself and how maximising the use of my strengths made me gain the confidence I ever had.

I learned more about thriving and resilience to overcome inevitable difficulties in life.

I learned love is a powerful tool of compassion for self and others, not only a healthy mind but also a healthy body.

I started to appreciate seeing the excellence and strengths of others and being grateful for experiencing what mindfulness practices could do to improve one's health and well-being.

My mum was right; it takes time, and it took almost a decade to find out who I really am, and every up and down I have experienced in my life made me become who I am today. I count the blessings of having her and my dear family and friends, who always being there for me when I was about to give up. I want to give this love to more individuals who may benefit from what I've learned and experienced.

After 15 years of professional experience, I am still learning and continue to be fascinated by the power of understanding oneself. I am sharing my expertise because of my first-hand experience. I've found my sources of happiness, and I want to help you to find out more about yourself and write your own story. My journey in positive and health psychology has transformed my life, and I believe this can similarly create a sustainable change in anyone.