Amanda Chay
Biography
Amanda Chay is an author, entrepreneur, and lifelong health nut who has helped countless businesses and individuals put their health first. Amanda's own battle with lupus, which often drives her bonkers, has fueled her passion for helping women with lupus. With a master's degree in counseling and as the owner of a stress reduction and mindfulness training company, Amanda brings a wealth of expertise to her work. When she’s not planning her next travel adventure with her family, she’s drinking Jasmine tea, teaching yoga, and giving book suggestions to anyone willing to listen.
Name
Amanda Chay
Title
Author of “The Girlfriend’s Guide to Lupus”
Interview with Amanda Chay and Robin McLoughlin
Amanda and I met at my gym where she confidently instructs an advanced yoga class on Monday evenings to the not so advanced. Well, I should only speak for myself on that front.
She is a positive force and an inspiration for all of us striving to take better care of ourselves. I always say in my mentor program: “put your mask on first, then help others”. So, when I heard she was producing a book that not only helped her but will help countless others, I was thrilled when she took me up on my offer to promote it here.
Robin: I always love to ask, where do you find your inspiration?
Amanda: Inspiration, for me, comes from a variety of places. Books and travel are my favorite means for this, but also being in nature, Instagram, and podcasts. There’s a lot of amazing stuff out there-we just need to get out there to see/read/hear it.
Robin: What is something you wish you knew 10-20 years ago?
Amanda: I wish someone had told me to go ahead and make the mistakes. Knowing that the learned gained from these experiences would come quicker and be more impactful, rather than playing it safe and striving for perfection.
Live in the moment. Life goes by so quickly and if you’re looking ahead or behind, you’ll miss out on the beauty that’s before you. I believe that a lot of disappointment comes from not being present in life.
You’ll never get it all done in a day and in lifetime, so give it (and yourself) a rest. The desire to check off the to-do list and achieve can be such a strong pull, but this doesn’t mean it’s always right. Magic is created when you allow your brain and body to rest.
Robin: Do you have a favorite item in your home?
Amanda: Across our travels, my husband and I have collected pieces from each country, and they are sprinkled across our home. I’m constantly reminded of our adventures and the fact that the world is much, much larger than I am. My favorite piece is the teak Buddha bust we picked up in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We were happy to meet the gentleman who hand-carved this from one piece of wood. My husband, Noi, carried this heavy bust wrapped in paper with twine on his back for a long time to bring it back to the US.
Robin: Describe a highlight from your latest publishing project.
Amanda: I knew that I wanted cheeky images to go with my book. The problem was I could not find these images anywhere, after all lupus is a pretty unique image to create. Khanh Du Nguyen, my graphic designer created 45 bespoke images for the interior and she designed the cover.
Case Study
This book is a lifeline, a radiant beacon of hope for women struggling with the uncertainty of a lupus diagnosis. And I can relate to these feelings as both my oldest daughter and I have lupus. You see, when I was diagnosed years before, it was a very lonely and scary space for me. I knew no one with this disease and found it hard to relate to the lupus books out there which were very clinically dry. So, I decided to write the book that I would have wanted at that time and one that offered hope and inspiration.
I have been working on “The Girlfriend’s Guide to Lupus” for the last 15+ months. Thankfully, I had no idea of how the book writing process worked or the costs involved, or else I might have second guessed my efforts. Writing this book has largely been a solidarity process where I’ve lived a cave-like existence. With unknown levels of persistence, dedication, and flat-out stubbornness, I have completed it. For this reason and a few others, I’d like this book to be my one contribution to the lupus community. One-and-done, as they say.
“This book is intimate and real, like a heartfelt conversation with your bestie. There’s so much good information for a lupus warrior or anyone who loves them.”
