Breaking Through Survival Mode: The Lessons That Changed Miyoki Chan’s Life

Hi Miyoki, thank you so much for joining us and sharing your wisdom with our community. Your upcoming book Breaking Through Survival Mode is deeply rooted in your own journey from caregiver and diabetes advocate to resilience coach, author, and community leader. We’d love to hear what inspired you to share such a personal story, and what you hope readers take away from your experiences as they navigate their own challenges?
What inspired me to share my story is giving others in survival mode a sense of hope. I was at that space for a long time struggling alone, lost, and feeling hopeless, wanting to give up when my daughter was diagnosed with T1D . I was fortunate to come across diabetes camp and the mom’s retreat. I hope those currently struggling realize that things will get better and we can find a way through. Readers, I hope you realize that although our story is not identical, the need for safety, validation, empowerment, and community is universal. The biggest takeaway I want you to have is that if you are struggling, recognize it, become aware, and start finding options. Reach out for help earlier, don’t wait until despair consumes you. If you cannot immediately see any options ahead, seek support from a coach, a community with shared identities, or an expert. I would be happy to assist you in my personal Thrivers Community. Visit my website www.plentifuLearning.com or email me to get started: hello@plentifulearning.com

You introduce a four-pillar framework designed to help people move beyond survival mode and reconnect with themselves. What can you share with our readers about the framework?
The 4-pillars Break Through Framework, covers precisely the 4 areas I mentioned: safety, validation, empowerment, and community.  I describe them within my book along with a roadmap. For awareness and curiosity to occur we need a sense of security and safety, both physically and emotionally. Then we can validate our personal struggles and attempts and seek options. With options and choices, we have more empowerment over our situations. When we choose to take action, we continue to strengthen our confidence and modify our behaviors and situations. By having a supportive community, you have a resource to rely on and know that there are others you can count on. You can also pass your learnings and knowledge within your community. You grow with your community and create lifelong friends. That was the case for me in the diabetes community.

You have a very relevant background spanning education, linguistics, psychology, coaching, and parenting, but you’ve said your greatest lessons came through raising your own children. I think that’s very comforting for most parents who might sometimes feel advice is too academic or lacks the perspective of parental experience. Can you talk to us from the perspective of a parent – what are the key lessons and insights you want to share as a parent?
With my experience as a coach, author, and parent, here are some key lessons and practical insights: meet your children and spouse where they are. Do not use the measuring sticks you developed from experience and training for those you love. Instead, pause, connect, and understand your child at their level. That means not listening to what authorities, educators, and other parents tell you, especially if they are not familiar with your child. Those just become distraction and conflicting noise. If you notice your children struggling, stay curious to trace the roots, test out theories or consult experts, avoid harmful assumptions.

With your book launching on July 22, followed by a virtual launch, author talks, and community events throughout Southern California, what excites you most about connecting with readers face-to-face and hearing how Breaking Through Survival Mode impacts their lives?
When conflicts arise, give both parties space and time to cool off before using logics to tackle emotions. This method limits the situation from escalating or making regretful decisions on the spot. Lastly, always give the other person your most generous interpretation. This means treating them as the most ideal version of who you think they can potentially be and helping them live up to it. For example, when my girls bicker, I do not simply tell them to stop. I say, I have seen you interact respectfully, with kind words, so let’s try another way. And when someone has a hard time telling me their needs, I assume they need help identifying that need instead of assuming they are giving me a hard time on purpose. (Yes parents, we have that default assumptions at times. But it could mean that one of yours or your child’s HALT needs were not met. HUNGRY, ANGRY, LONELY, TIRED).

With my book launch approaching I am most excited to speak with readers about the lessons and frameworks in the book and share my own coaching journey and parenting. I would love to invite them to try out coaching with me. I offer private 1:1 sessions and group coaching. Come and experience the magic and transformation.

If someone reading your book feels stuck in survival mode and unsure where to begin, what is the first step you hope they’ll take toward becoming the leader of their own life?
If a reader is unsure how to get started, I would suggest finishing my book, complete the workbook and diagnostic test. Then seek a place and space for a sense of safety- either with me, a counselor or therapist. When you are ready to take back control on life and add more meanings and vibrancy, reach out to me.

Before we go – how can people sign up for your in person and virtual events?  How can they pre-order and connect with you?

Those interested in pre-ordering, they can email me or sign up for my newsletter at https://plentifulearning.com/ or follow me on Instagram with @plentifuLearning.
The book will be widely available on Amazon starting July 22, 2026.

You are also welcome to attend one of my upcoming book events:

Contact Info:

• BOOK PAGE: subscribepage.io/BreakingThroughSurvivalMode
• LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miyokichan/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miyo.chan.52
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plentifulearning/