What are your thoughts on aging? 

Age is only a number. We need to motivate ourselves to feel young emotionally, but no one can do that but you. Being sick with long Covid for the last four years, I felt very old mentally and emotionally. I worked very hard on getting myself healthy and healing from long Covid. Mentally, I felt like an 80-year-old three years ago when I started this healing journey. Today, I feel like I'm 30 mentally!

How is your age group relevant?

As a 55-year-old woman, I'm living in what I consider a truly unique chapter of life. We, in this age bracket, are the movers and shakers — the ones rich with knowledge. It's up to us to guide the younger generation and to support our kupuna (elders) as they gracefully move into life's sunset years. To the younger generation, we might appear seasoned, while the older generation sees us as still young. We're nestled right in life's middle, and it's the best seat in the house.

Younger women, might think that it's scary getting older. What wonderful things can women look forward to at your age?

Reaching 55 as a woman is like unlocking a treasure chest of wisdom, freedom, and self-assuredness that younger years can't provide. It's not about getting older; it's about becoming more of who you really are. You've navigated through life's storms and sunny days alike, emerging with insights and resilience that only time can gift.

At this age, I've found a deep sense of liberation in embracing my authentic self, without the weight of societal expectations. There's a beautiful shift from prioritizing how the world sees me to how I see the world. My relationships are richer, chosen for their depth and genuine connection rather than convenience or obligation.

One of the most awesome aspects of being 55 is the ability to mentor younger women, sharing the lessons learned — not to guide them on an identical path — but to inspire them to forge their own with confidence and courage. It's about passing on the baton of wisdom, not out of obligation, but out of a heartfelt desire to see them thrive.

This stage of life opens up new paths for exploration — whether that's pursuing long-held passions or discovering new ones. It's a time where fear of judgment fades into the background, allowing the pursuit of joy and fulfillment to take center stage.

So, to younger women who may fear the idea of aging, I say: Look forward to a future where you become the most authentic version of yourself, surrounded by love that you've chosen and passions that ignite your soul. Aging isn't scary; it's another phase of growth, full of opportunities for discovery and self-acceptance.

Share tips on how you celebrate yourself and what you do for fun and self-care.

Self-care isn't just a buzzword for me; it's been my lifeline this past year. After being confined to my home and bed by the relentless grip of long Covid for two years, I've redefined what health means on a deeply personal level. Self-care is losing 42 pounds, a testament to my resilience and dedication. It's also found in the joy of my work, where I get to extend a helping hand to those navigating the same medical battles I've been through.

 But my journey didn't stop at conventional recovery paths. I plunged into the realms of biohacking and peptides, exploring innovative ways to heal. This exploration wasn't just for my benefit; it's knowledge I'm eager to share, helping others find their way back to health.

And yes, self-care has its moments of pure, unadulterated joy — like selling my four-door sedan and getting a Mercedes roadster. That sports car isn't just a vehicle; it's a symbol of triumph, a reward for the long journey out of the shadow of Covid. It represents the distance I've traveled, not just in miles but in the hard-fought journey back to myself.

Share one experience or piece of advice that would lift other women and empower them.

Don't let the naysayers get to you with their "no, you can't." I was lucky to grow up in a home where multiple languages filled the air, and I picked them up like magic. But when it came to math, that was a different story. I have dyscalculia, which made math super tough. I ended up in special ed classes. Those teachers couldn't see past my math struggles. They didn't catch on that I had a knack for languages and the arts.

They never would've guessed I'd spend 15 years in TV news, become a voice for my community, master six languages, or receive commendations from not one but two governors for my work in health and medical advocacy. So, here's the thing — when someone doubts you or tells you it's not going to happen, just smile and remember my story. I'm here to tell you never give up. I'm living proof that you can make it happen.

What would you tell your 14-year-old self?

Hey, howzit, 14-year-old me, listen up. Don't you dare give up or give in? Those kids who tease you, bully you, and make every day a bit of a struggle? They're not going to be part of the awesome journey you're about to take. No matter how hard things seem right now, remember, you've got what it takes to blaze your own trail. And guess what? Other people's opinions? They don't matter one bit. So, keep your head high and your spirits higher. You're destined for amazing things, and I can't wait for you to see it and experience it.

Who inspired you as a little girl? Who inspires you now?

Growing up, my inspirations didn't come from just one person; they were a vibrant tapestry of individuals who shaped me into who I am today. As a little girl, my mother, an outspoken German lady, and my mother's bestie, showed me the power of speaking my truth without hesitation. My mother, an immigrant who ventured to America without knowing English and left her family behind for a fresh start, is a pillar of strength and determination. Her courage not only paved the way for my linguistic skills, allowing me to speak six languages but also for my success. My parents always believed in me, pushing me to realize that I could achieve anything with hard work and determination.

Now, as a woman in my middle years, I find my inspiration closer to home — my circle of female friends and colleagues. Their stories of triumph and resilience in the face of adversity fuel my drive and ambition. But if there's one group that truly captures my admiration as an adult, it's the Kānaka ʻŌiwi, the indigenous native Hawaiian people. Living in Hawaiʻi Nei is a privilege I don't take lightly. As long as I'm here, I'm committed to supporting and advocating for Kānaka Maoli rights and culture. Their enduring spirit in the face of centuries of adversity on the most isolated, populated landmass in the world is profoundly inspiring. After all, without Kānaka Maoli, there is no Hawaiʻi nei. No Hawaiians, no Hawaiʻi.

What was your greatest challenge, and how did you overcome it?

Life's thrown quite a few hurdles my way, from being the shy kid juggling a learning disability and multiple languages to feeling like the odd one out. But standing tall above all these was battling long Covid. Imagine, my brain map/EEG (electroencephalogram) looked like that of a 90-year-old on the brink of dementia, with my frontal lobe looking stunned as if I'd suffered a traumatic brain injury. There I was, months on end, tethered to my bed, a shell of my former self, mentally and physically drained.

When traditional treatments didn't work, I took matters into my own hands. My journey kickstarted with brain treatments aimed at reviving my brain, followed by a personal health crusade that saw me shedding 42 pounds, battling through the fog of major depressive disorder and the shadows of suicidal thoughts. It was my unwavering determination that carved the path to recovery.

Sure, I still face tough days, we all do, but now, I find myself bathed in the glow of that light at the end of the tunnel, stronger and more resilient than ever.

What is your definition of success?

To me, success isn't measured by accolades, titles, or the balance in your bank account. It's about the resilience to stand back up after life knocks you down, the courage to face your darkest days with determination, and the strength to carve out a path to wellness against all odds.

It's in the journey of overcoming the seemingly insurmountable, like battling through the fog of long Covid, where every step forward was a victory.

Success is in the personal milestones — shedding 42 pounds on a quest for health, healing my brain when it felt beyond repair, and wrestling with the shadows of depression to find the light. It's about embracing the bad days, knowing they're just part of the journey, and still being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Success, in its truest form, is thriving amidst the challenges and emerging not just unscathed but stronger, more enlightened, and genuinely happy with the person you've become.

What is the best advice you have been given?

Keep pushing forward and never give up.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that determination can move mountains. No matter the hurdles, things have a way of falling into place. "It will all work out, it always does," my dad always said, instilling in me a trust in the journey, regardless of its twists and turns.

He couldn't have been more right. Through every challenge, every setback, there's a rhythm, a pattern that eventually leads to where you're meant to be.