In this deep and inspiring episode of The Gabi Koyenov Podcast, I sit down with John Wang—entrepreneur, storyteller, and author of Big Asian Energy—for a powerful conversation about identity, growth, and owning your voice. We explore the Asian American experience, the struggle with self-promotion, and John’s journey of self-discovery through personal, cultural, and entrepreneurial challenges.
John opens up about battling social anxiety, learning to live with purpose, and preparing for life’s big questions—including how to face death with intention. We share laughs and wisdom as he recounts dark family stories, a hilarious moment with my mom, and how communication with parents has shaped his emotional evolution. He also discusses his first business failure and how heartbreak in entrepreneurship ultimately became fuel for purpose and reinvention.
The episode culminates in the origin story behind Big Asian Energy, unpacking the message and movement behind the title. If you’re interested in self-growth, cultural identity, and turning pain into power, this conversation is filled with insight, heart, and moments of unexpected humor.
John Wang is the author of Big Asian Energy (Tiny Rep / Penguin Random House, May 2025), an empowerment coach, and a sought-after speaker helping Asian professionals break through leadership barriers. With over 15 years of experience, he has coached clients from Google, Apple, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs, empowering them to step into leadership with confidence.
His insights on confidence, assertiveness, and breaking limiting patterns have amassed over 25 million views on social media, where he has built a global audience of 240,000+ followers. As the host of the Big Asian Energy podcast (Apple Podcasts), John features top Asian American leaders, therapists, and changemakers, sharing real conversations about breaking barriers and redefining success.
A TEDx speaker and global traveler who has visited 52 countries, John combines cultural insight, humor, and science-backed strategies to help professionals overcome imposter syndrome and self-censorship. His mission is simple: to help Asian Americans own their voice, lead with confidence, and claim their space in every room they walk into.
🔗 Connect with John!
🌍 Website: https://www.bigasianenergy.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnwangofficial/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnwangbae
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-wang-b79ba396/?originalSubdomain=ca
📖 Book: https://a.co/d/c0T1c8t
🎙️ Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/5M7T0HbKqNpJNuFRt3DUEH
🎙️ Podcast (Apple): https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/big-asian-energy/id1704004839
Connect with Gabi!Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/journey_with_gabi/
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