Today we’d like to introduce you to Mai Nguyen.
Hi Mai, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story started with a passion for community well-being, fueled by my psychology background from UCLA and special education training from Cal State LA. Volunteering at Mary’s Kitchen Pantry highlighted the crucial link between food and well-being. This led me to share healthy cooking through my YouTube channel, Cooking with Mai Tai. Ultimately, my desire to bridge the gap between nutrition and mental health for underserved communities led me to co-found Tree of New America (TONA), where we work to provide vital resources.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road! While my passion has always been clear, the path to realizing it has had its twists and turns.
One significant struggle was the emotional toll of being a middle school special education teacher for five years. I loved the work, but the intensity and demands really impacted my mental health, leading me to step away from teaching.
My time at Disney was a great learning experience, especially discovering my passion for analytics and consumer insights, which was unexpected. Then, at Kelley Blue Book, I honed my leadership skills, which has been invaluable.
The layoff in 2020 was a major turning point. While challenging, it pushed me to take a leap of faith and start teaching healthy cooking independently during the pandemic. This meant learning a whole new set of skills – marketing, social media, business management, and networking – which was a steep learning curve. There were definitely times when things didn’t work out as planned, and I had to learn to pivot and try new approaches.
Throughout all of this, I’ve realized the absolute importance of prioritizing my mental health. It hasn’t always been easy, but actively working on being present and taking care of my well-being has been crucial to navigating the challenges and ultimately finding a more fulfilling path with TONA.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work at Tree of New America (TONA) focuses on the vital link between nutrition and mental well-being for underserved communities. I specialize in creating accessible health resources and programs, informed by my psychology and behavioral science background. I’m becoming known for bridging the gap between food access and mental health support through TONA and my YouTube channel, Cooking with Mai Tai.
I’m most proud of the positive impact TONA has on people’s lives and the empowering messages I share through my cooking content. What sets me apart is my diverse background and creative approach to storytelling through short-form content, aiming to make people smile and build their self-esteem. Having valued great mentors, I’m passionate about empowering others to discover their own potential and confidence.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I view risk-taking as an inherent part of growth and making a meaningful impact, though I definitely lean towards calculated risks. For me, it’s about weighing the potential benefits against the potential downsides and feeling a strong conviction in the underlying purpose.
Starting Tree of New America (TONA) definitely felt like a major risk. Stepping away from more stable employment to launch a nonprofit, especially without reliable initial funding, was a significant leap of faith. Relying on gig work to pay the bills while building TONA is still a bit scary, to be honest. There’s a constant uncertainty, and it’s not the most straightforward path.
However, I truly believe in TONA’s mission and the need for this work in our community. That conviction, coupled with careful planning and a willingness to learn and adapt, makes the risk feel worthwhile. I try to mitigate the uncertainty by being strategic in our approach and constantly seeking opportunities for funding and partnerships.
I’m incredibly fortunate to have the unwavering support of my husband, which makes navigating these risks much less daunting. Knowing I have his partnership allows me to focus more on TONA’s development. I also make a conscious effort to be fully present with him and my kids, recognizing that while the professional risks are important, my family is my foundation.
Ultimately, I’ve found that taking calculated risks, even when they lead down less conventional paths, has been instrumental in shaping who I am and what I’m able to contribute. It requires courage and resilience, but the potential for significant positive change makes it a worthwhile endeavor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.treeofnewamerica.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treeof_newamerica
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tree-of-new-america/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@treeofnewamerica
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mnguyen80/
