Most people only see the highlight reel, the smiling photos, the family holidays, the thriving business. But behind my success story is a past marked by pain, rebellion, and a relentless fight for freedom. This is my story. Not the polished version, but the raw, unfiltered truth.
Growing Up in Survival Mode
I was born into a traditional Vietnamese migrant family. My childhood wasn’t defined by playdates or school holidays, it was defined by work. At just 10 years old, I was forced to work every day after school. I didn’t get to be a child. I was treated like a soldier, expected to obey, contribute, and not complain.
I remember thinking, This can’t be normal. None of my friends were working seven days a week. At 15, after years of physical and emotional suppression, I made a plan to run away. I warned my mum. She didn’t believe me. But one day, I followed through. It was terrifying but also the first courageous step I ever took for myself.
Cycle of Destruction
Running away didn’t lead to freedom, it led to chaos. I fell into a string of toxic relationships, surrounded myself with the wrong people, and numbed my pain with alcohol, clubbing, and eventually, drugs. I was looking for love and validation in everyone else, because I didn’t know how to give it to myself.
By my teens, I was already battling bulimia. I grew up hearing comments like, “You’re going to be fat like your mum.” Even though I was never overweight, those words stuck. I learned how to eat and throw up to keep the weight off. I had no idea there was even a name for what I was doing. I just thought I’d hacked the system.
I became a single mum at 20. It was the hardest chapter of my life, navigating motherhood while still trying to grow up myself. I was lost, overwhelmed, and ashamed. But I kept pushing forward. Deep down, I still believed my life could be more.
The Turning Point
In 2010, after a devastating breakup that left me heartbroken and empty, I finally cracked open. I stopped blaming everyone else and asked the scariest question: What if it’s me?
That moment of humility changed everything. I stumbled across personal development. I devoured teachings from Oprah and Tony Robbins. I made my first vision board. I started journaling. I got clear about what I wanted in a partner, in a career, and in life.
And then… I met my husband. Through a YouTube video I almost didn’t post. He watched it and told his friend, “I think I’m going to marry this girl.” Eight months later, we were married
Discovering God (After A Lifetime of Doubt)
For most of my life, I was an atheist. I believed in hustling, not praying. Even when I got into spirituality through the Law of Attraction, I still didn’t believe in a personal God. But something was missing. I had success, love, and growth but my soul still felt hungry.
In the lead-up to COVID, I stumbled across a pastor online, Pastor Vlad from Hungry Generation. He spoke like a life coach but quoted Scripture. It piqued my interest. I went to church and cried through the
Suddenly, everything made sense. The Bible no longer felt like a legend, it felt like truth. I realised God wasn’t just some distant force. He was real. He was personal. And He had been with me the whole time.
A Life Rewritten
Since then, my life hasn’t been perfect but it’s been peaceful. I quit alcohol after 25 years. I wake up at 3 a.m. every day to journal, pray, and reflect. I prioritise family, faith, and freedom in everything I do.
My business, Outsourcing Angel, is giving me the time and financial freedom I’ve always dreamt of. My business grew not because of smart strategies, but because it’s built on purpose. I don’t just hire virtual assistants, I help entrepreneurs reclaim their time, and I help people in developing countries create better lives.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Waste Your Pain
If you’ve been through trauma, heartbreak, or failure, don’t waste it. Every struggle I’ve faced has shaped me. Every wrong turn taught me something vital.
You can rise. You can change. And you can rewrite your story.
You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. You just have to be honest and courageous enough to begin again.
Thank you for reading my story.
With love,
Linh Podetti
