With her radiant smile and an unwavering commitment to well-being, Lam, full name Valerie Lam Yuen-ha, sat down with Style to talk about how yoga is a beacon of hope to her for those seeking a healthier and more fulfilling life. “Now I am a yoga instructor and life coach, I want to spread this message and make my students happy and healthy,” the 33-year-old enthuses.

Getting to this stage wasn’t smooth sailing though. Lam recounts her journey from TV star to fitness influencer, speaking with passion and a touch of self-deprecating humour. “I used to be a very unhealthy and negative person,” she admits. “Late nights, drinks and zero exercise. Plus, as I grew older, I realised that health is more precious than money.”

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Born into a traditional household that “favoured boys over girls”, Lam experienced a lack of familial support in her childhood that eroded her confidence even after she became an artist. Her early days in the showbiz industry were marked by meagre earnings and sporadic gigs; sometimes she would take home around just HK$1,000 (US$130) per month.

Her health struggles described on her website also pushed her towards yoga practice. She would suffer from fatigue and got sick easily when she was young. Later, she went through an early stage of cervical cancer and scleroderma. Faced with these challenges, Lam recognised the need to prioritise her well-being. With the support of an instructor, she delved into yoga. After obtaining an internationally recognised yoga qualification, she became a full-time yoga instructor in 2013.

Then, in 2014, TVB contacted her to ask if she’d be interested in starting her own YouTube channel to promote her fitness routines. Though she hesitated at first, Lam eventually agreed to give it a go. She released her first video “Coffee Yoga Ep. 1” in July 2015. Now, with her account boasting over 350 videos and 1.7 million subscribers – and counting – Lam has accumulated a solid fan base.

Soon enough, Lam tried her hand at entrepreneurship with her own brand. In 2020, Lam launched CoffeeSweat, drawing on her experiences over the years with other yoga apparel brands.

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Lam’s brainchild marked a new chapter in her life – one that blended her passion for fitness with her keen eye for fashion. “CoffeeSweat is like my son,” she laughs. “It was more challenging than YouTube, but I embraced the discomfort and learned so much from building my own brand.”

With a focus on comfort and style, CoffeeSweat offers fitness wear that allows individuals to embrace an active lifestyle without compromising on fashion, with bestsellers including the Challenge Me Bra and Good Vibes Leggings.

As CoffeeSweat continues to make waves in the fitness industry, Lam remains dedicated to empowering individuals and building a supportive community. She firmly believes that fitness goes beyond physical health, emphasising its positive impact on mental well-being.

While Lam’s journey to success has been marked by various milestones, she emphasises the importance of balance in her life and the journey it took to get here. “Yoga was my first turning point. Becoming a YouTuber was my second turning point. Getting married was my third turning point,” she explains.

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Lam married her Malaysian-Australian husband Chak Chee-wang in a small ceremony in the summer of 2018. Months later, she gave birth to their first child, T.Y.

She candidly shares, “After my son was born, I felt like God sent me this amazing gift – an angel. I guess I did something good and deserve to have this angel.” She adds, “I have learned that I need to find a balance between my work and my family. Putting my phone away and cherishing quality time with my loved ones has become essential.”

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Lam’s words of wisdom resonate: “Life doesn’t always go as planned, but that’s the beauty of it. Don’t frame yourself. When I was an artist, I aimed for success in that field. But life surprises us, and I never expected to transition from an artist to a yoga instructor, then to a YouTuber, and now running my own business as a career woman. I’ve learned not to limit myself. Live in the moment and make the most of every day.”