At 32, he battled and survived stage 3 cancer. At 50, he lost his job. Man reveals how he dealt with curveballs: ‘Rebuilding is less terrifying when…’

There is no age limit when it comes to reinventing yourself. Taking to Instagram,motivational speaker Edgar Tang revealed all the milestones he had achieved – at a later age. At 51, he was fitter than he had been at 21. He received his degree at 44 and started therapy at 46. He also battled cancer at 32 and became a caregiver at 38. He was also laid off at 50 and became a full-time content creator. He explained how life can throw you curveballs or challenges, but you can always take charge of your life and ascend.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Edgar revealed how, despite receiving a devastating diagnosis in his early 30s, he managed to survive and even thrive. He was 32 and on holiday in London when he came to know he had stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Instead of breaking down, he vowed to survive for his ageing parents.

At that time, Tang was working in broadcasting in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. He was offered a chance to stay on the payroll. He returned to Singapore and declined the offer. In 2011, he was declared cancer-free. But the good news did not fill him with relief but desolation. Fearing he may not have had much time left, he travelled the world, pursuing his hobbies. He studied filmmaking at the New York Film Academy and later went to Berlin to make a film on Timothy Ray Brown, the first person to be cured of HIV.


The challenges did not stop, however.

He Was Made Redundant

At 50, Tang was laid off from Netflix, Singapore, where he worked as a video editor. Taking to Instagram, he said that despite his great run, being made redundant was no less traumatic. But instead of grieving, he decided to embark on a new career – as a content creator. He recorded his first video with unbridled enthusiasm and shared it with his followers. He said, "Rebuilding is less terrifying when you do it with others. Send this to a friend who needs it.”

At 51, he has beaten not just cancer but also job loss and navigates the challenges in his life with unshakeable optimism. He commands a following of 29,000 on Instagram.

He urged his supporters to recognise that facing obstacles and reconnecting with oneself is an ongoing journey throughout life. He acknowledged he still has much to learn and has not yet become his best self, emphasising that ongoing growth and self-betterment are crucial parts of life.

For individuals embarking on their own path of renewal, he encouraged them to embrace new experiences, face their innermost fears, and turn those doubts into chances for personal development. He also recognised that setbacks and failures are unavoidable, stressing that what really matters is the capacity to get back up and continue progressing after each stumble.