You Don’t Need the “Right” Five People to Glow 🚫

I Work Hard, But Don’t Know Hard Work is a little glimpse into how I developed my mindset and how it was built on the backs of the two hardest‑working people I’ve ever known — my parents 👨‍👩‍👧. Their grind, their sacrifices, and the silent strength they modeled laid the foundation for the way I show up in the world today.

Growth Isn’t Limited By Your Circle💬

You’ve probably heard that saying: you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with 🤔. Well… I kinda refuse to believe that 🤨. It almost sounds like I’m rejecting science, right? But hear me out.

A big part of this blog is about helping you feel empowered 💪, not boxed in by ideas that make you feel limited or stuck. Saying, “I guess I’m just the average of my five closest people” gives away your power a little too easily. It suggests that who you are, what you’re capable of, and what you’ll become depends entirely on the people around you.

I am not hanging out with Warren Buffett, I don’t have dinner with Bill Gates, and I definitely don’t play weekly chess with Jensen Huang 😅. Does that mean I can’t start a business, invest well, or become a millionaire? Of course not. Does that mean I’m stuck forever at the “average” of my environment? Also no.

Sure, you can try to level up by finding new people to surround yourself with — and that can help 💬. But let’s be real: building five deep, meaningful friendships from scratch at 30 (or 40, or 50) isn’t exactly easy. Most of us spend time with our partners, immediate family, and a handful of close friends. And that’s okay. Life doesn’t come with a cheat code that says, “You must find five finance‑savvy, athlete‑disciplined, startup‑CEO types to be worthy of growth.”

Here’s the thing though — those five people don’t have to define you ✨. If your circle isn’t filled with people chasing the exact same dreams you are, you can still glow. You can still grow, still learn, and still build a life that feels true to you.

You Choose Who Influences You🎯

I’ve soaked up wisdom from my financial heroes 💰, even if we’ve never met in person. Take Dave Chilton, for example — I basically “know” him through his books and podcast, though he absolutely does not know me 😅. I’ve devoured his podcast, read The Wealthy Barber Returns, and loved seeing him on Dragon’s Den. No stalking here, promise! 🕵️‍♀️

Then there’s my ultimate your #RichBFF inspo, Vivian Tu 💃. She’s the real deal — sharp, honest, and unapologetically bold about money. She’s a true inspiration for anyone trying to untangle their relationship with wealth and actually talk about it without shame.

And of course, I cannot leave out David Goggins 🏃‍♂️💥. Not a financial guru but...mannn, that guy is the definition of next‑level toughness. Can’t Hurt Me had me ugly‑crying, soul‑searching, and grinding harder than I have in a long time. Underdog stories like his are my top fuel. I love seeing someone push past limits I didn’t even know existed — even if my therapist quietly side‑eyes my “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” energy 😂.

The beauty of it all is that you get to choose who influences you 🎯. You’re not limited to the people within a 10‑minute drive from your house. Podcasts, books, YouTube channels, online communities, and mentors can all be part of your circle. So if you’re not getting what you need — whether it’s motivation, emotional strength, financial literacy, or just better stories — you can go out and find it.

That said, even the people around you who aren’t living your dream life can still shape you in powerful ways. My immigrant parents taught me strength, work ethic, and resilience — the quiet, no‑fanfare kind that sticks with you for life. They didn’t have side‑hustles or newsletters; they had 12‑hour shifts and futures built entirely on hope and hustle. That’s the foundation of who I am today 🌱.

My best friends since Grade 4 continue to teach me about generosity, family, and selflessness through the way they show up for their siblings every day. And my amazing husband reminds me daily to believe in myself, try new things (like cooking, with mixed success 😅), and understand what real and unconditional love looks like ❤️.

You don’t have to “find” people who inspire you — you can become that person yourself, while still cherishing the ones who already love you 🔥. When your desire to glow is stronger than your fear of what’s around you, you’ll naturally launch yourself toward places you once thought were out of reach. Your path isn’t dictated by the people in your immediate circle 🌿.

Still, never forget the value of genuine connections ❤️. Surround yourself with people who truly care — family, friends, partner, that one weird cousin who always shows up. They don’t have to be “successful” by anyone else’s standards. They don’t have to be rich, famous, or even particularly wise. They just need to show up for you through the good and the bad.