On My Own Terms is the podcast for career change, life pivots, and redefining success in today’s fast-changing world.
Hosted by John Lim—whose journey spans banking, entrepreneurship, tech startups, and e-commerce—it explores what it takes to build a meaningful career, especially in Asia where traditions run deep. From launching Singapore’s largest indoor laser tag business to navigating layoffs during the tech winter, John has lived the challenges of reinvention.
Each episode dives into real conversations with career changers, entrepreneurs, and unconventional thinkers, uncovering mindset shifts, strategies, and practical tips. If you’re exploring new career paths, adapting to the age of AI, or rethinking what success means, you’ll find inspiration, insights, and action steps here.
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive bonus content from podcast episodes, on career switch and growth in your inbox here: https://bit.ly/3VU2e47
On My Own Terms is the podcast for career change, life pivots, and redefining success in today’s fast-changing world.
Hosted by John Lim—whose journey spans banking, entrepreneurship, tech startups, and e-commerce—it explores what it takes to build a meaningful career, especially in Asia where traditions run deep. From launching Singapore’s largest indoor laser tag business to navigating layoffs during the tech winter, John has lived the challenges of reinvention.
Each episode dives into real conversations with career changers, entrepreneurs, and unconventional thinkers, uncovering mindset shifts, strategies, and practical tips. If you’re exploring new career paths, adapting to the age of AI, or rethinking what success means, you’ll find inspiration, insights, and action steps here.
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive bonus content from podcast episodes, on career switch and growth in your inbox here: https://bit.ly/3VU2e47
Meet Vik Zeng — a former SAF intelligence officer who walked away from a stable, structured system to reinvent his entire career from scratch.
From military intelligence to consulting, leadership development, and the private sector, Vik’s story is one of courage, identity loss, resilience, and the messy reality of a mid-career switch in Singapore.
In this episode of On My Own Terms, host John Lim sits down with Vik to unpack the emotional and practical truth behind a military-to-corporate transition. No glamorised story. No quick wins. Just an honest look at rejection, uncertainty, self-doubt, and the mindset needed to find clarity when your old identity no longer fits.
💬 In this episode, we talk about:
👉How leaving the military triggered an identity crisis — and why many mid-career professionals feel the same
👉The emotional journey of starting over and facing rejection during a career pivot
👉The most transferable skills ex-military and PMETs already have (but often overlook)
👉Why “the problems you solve determine your paycheck”
👉How to evaluate job offers without falling into fear-based decisions
👉The mental frameworks Vik used to navigate a career transition in Singapore’s competitive job market
👉Why taking action creates clarity — and overthinking doesn’t
👉How millennials can build resilience, adaptability, and relevance in a fast-changing work landscape
👉What Singapore professionals need to know about switching industries in 2025 and beyond
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Chapters:
00:00 Why This Conversation Matters
02:30 Introduction
03:37 The Pivot That Changed Everything
10:07 What Leadership Really Looks Like
16:34 Leaving the Military? Hear This First.
30:56 When Your Career Hits a Crossroads
32:31 Where Opportunities Really Come From
35:23 Small Choices, Big Shifts
45:26 How AI Is Shaping Modern Careers
51:49 What It Means to Live Authentically
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Where to find Vik:
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4pt036F
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3KkhTtB
🎯Find practical tools and resources to guide your journey:
Check out: https://bit.ly/3CTMZRW
📩 Follow us on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onmyowntermspodcast
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/on-my-own-terms-podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnMyOwnTermsPodcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UoZFflZDdk03KfafgTwQg
Email: johnlimcy@gmail.com
Support the podcast here: https://buymeacoffee.com/onmyownterms
📌 References, Recommendations & Resources:
✅ Tony Robbins Seminars: Mentioned by John as leadership and performance programs used in his previous startup. 🔗 https://www.tonyrobbins.com/events / https://bit.ly/4odSgZg
✅ Rie Park Institute – OD Theories Map: Referenced for explaining the wide range of OD and leadership theories used in development work. 🔗 https://www.riepark.org / https://bit.ly/486ySc9
✅ WSG – Workforce Singapore: Co-runs free career exploration workshops for mid-career and senior workers learning new skills. 🔗 https://www.wsg.gov.sg / https://bit.ly/4oZxtKn
✅ What’s Next: Reimagine Your Career Using Design AI by SUTD and WSG 🔗https://www.sutd.edu.sg/course/whats-next-reimagine-your-career-using-design-ai/ / https://bit.ly/4a8li9i
About the host John Lim:
Born and bred in Singapore, John is a husband, father and a curious business and tech enthusiast. John began his career in banking, co-founded Singapore’s largest indoor laser tag events company, led regional business development for a tech startup, and took a leap into e-commerce just before the Covid pandemic hit. Just when he thought he was crushing it at his dream company, he got laid off in the tech winter. In his journey, he's embraced uncertainty, growth, and reinvention—and he’s on a mission to help others do the same.
Note:
Some links may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the podcast!
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