Liz Tran, CEO & Founder of Reset
Liz Tran is the founder of Reset the modern learning company designed for busy professionals who want to find a work-life balance and offers executive coaching in conjunction with wellness modalities focused around mindset. Reset has been featured by The New York Times, The New Yorker, Bloomberg and Fast Company. In addition to running Reset, Liz herself is a highly sought after executive coach and trained meditation teacher and reiki master with expertise reading astrology charts.
Since opening its doors in 2019, Reset has hosted events on topics including team building using personality assessment, meditation and wellness to support employee mental health, and goal setting through objectives and key results for big name clients such as Facebook, Viacom and Ann Taylor.
Think of it as a magical one stop shop for busy professionals seeking to gain clarity on purpose and reconnect to professional and personal goals all with a strong emphasis on wellness and spirituality. You can utilize the support of a coach to help stay on path with your career goals all while digging into courses with topics ranging from The Enneagram: A Deep Dive into Personality to Get Paid: A Money Manifestation.
In life prior to Reset, Liz was an executive working in tech and venture capital for more than a decade. She managed teams and helped companies like Airtable and Glossier find the talent needed to grow from 10-person startups to organizations with more than 500 employees. She talked to founders and executives every day helping them find solutions to big problems they encountered in building out their companies.
While finding the work deeply rewarding and having built a reputation for being incredible good at her job Liz still felt something missing. She, like so many other working women in the fast-paced high-pressure corporate world, needed an outlet to stay balanced in order to work to her full potential and not feel burn out.
It wasn’t however, until her life was turned upside down from a very personal event that she began to feel a strong pull to return back to her authentic self and her true purpose. She studied yoga, meditation, astrology and reiki. She found Buddhism and she read. She felt the pain but she found joy. In a way she was reborn into the woman she always was.
She started incorporating all of her new practices and tools into her work day. She started seeing an executive coach, meditating before big meetings and using reiki to maintain her energy. Basically she began building up her energetic tool belt. She came to realize that there was huge opportunity to provide professionals, struggling just as she had been with burnout and overwhelm, with tools to integrate wellness into their work that felt easy and not forced. Feeling more balanced and focused than ever, she began her mission to find a way to bring what she’d learned into the workplace so others could benefit, too.
Thus, Liz created Reset — a place for ambitious, career-centric people, who also care about finding fulfillment in their overall lives. Liz truly believes that every person on this planet has a destiny to fulfill, and believing that for herself allowed her to move forward. Her’s is a modern day story about the magic and beauty that comes through when we feel our pain and begin to listen to our true inner voice. It’s not really about losing oneself but about reconnecting to the magic beautiful beings we all are. Her life isn’t about the “doing” the work its about “being” the work.
I honestly had chills reading Liz’s responses to the interview. I am incredibly inspired by her courage, beauty, knowledge, generosity and dedication to being her best self. Not to mention she makes it all look so cool. I am just as equally grateful that she’s made it her mission to share that knowledge and provide a space for other women to grow into their most magical selves too.
What is your secret to living a high-vibrancy life?
Living in NYC and running my own business, the dominant culture around me is busy, frantic, and competitive. With all this energy around me, it's inevitable that I slip out of high-vibrancy living sometimes. When I feel myself feeling frayed and stressed, I make sure to slow down and return to my "anchors." My "anchors" are activities that keep me tethered to my own values, intuition, and pace. My anchors change throughout time, but right now, they are an hour of exercise every day (whether running, yoga, or strength training), journaling, affirmations, and my gratitude list. When I do these things every day, I am able to feel joyful, optimistic, and creative consistently. In the past, some of my anchors have been Epsom salt baths, the Akashic Records, Astrology, and hot yoga.
Who is a woo-woo working woman that you admire and why?
I admire the late Octavia Butler, the first-ever prominent Black woman science fiction writer. When she started writing, every science fiction writer was a white man, but she was undeterred. She went on to win the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, colloquially known as the "Genius Grant," as well as science fiction's two biggest awards, twice. She visualized her future success in her journals which are filled with beautiful, moving affirmations like, "I shall be a bestselling writer... This is my life. I write bestselling novels." She is proof that when you stay connected to your own inner knowing, you can walk through any doors, no matter how closed they may appear.
How do you balance work, wellness and spirituality?
I don't see work, wellness, and spirituality as disparate parts of my life that need to be balanced. They are interconnected and I treat them as one. I know, that I cannot create my best work without first having a firm foundation of spirituality and wellness. So, when I engage in spiritual practice, whether reading, meditating, or looking at astrological transits, I consider this to be part of my work. When I take an hour every morning to exercise, even though I could be tending to a mounting pile of emails, I see this as directly beneficial to the company I run. I am first and foremost a spiritual person, and everything I do, no matter how non-spiritual, gets filtered through that lens. I am certain that my professional success is only because of the foundation of spirituality and wellness I built.
Was there any one significant event that that moved you onto the path of becoming the woman you are today?
I got divorced the year I turned 30 and it turned everything in my life upside down. I was devastated. I felt like a failure. I didn't know what shape my life would take now that my relationship was over. Up until this point, I was a classic overachiever and all my energy went toward impressing other people. With my divorce, I could no longer control what people thought about me. They were going to gossip and talk about it, and there was absolutely nothing I could do. I realized then, that I had to learn to stop caring about what other people said about me. In this time, I sought to rebuild myself. I went to Bali to meditate for a month. I found Buddhism, studied Astrology, I started teaching yoga and meditation while also building a career in the Tech industry. I stopped drinking for almost a year, and never really returned to it. I spent most of my nights alone with self-help books. I lost a lot of friends, and also gained many new ones. My divorce led to an incredibly challenging and painful four-year journey to find peace and joy in my life. I constantly felt like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, and when I finally emerged from my cocoon, I was free.
Personal Mantra?
I am enough. I have enough. There is always more than enough.
You founded Reset well into a very successful career in People and Talent. What made you decide to pivot and how did that transition look like for you?
It was never a choice of whether or not to pivot. My soul was screaming that I had to start my own company. I had deferred my own dreams for over a decade because up until that point, I had never been confident enough in myself to take the leap. Through my spiritual learnings and personal growth, I developed an inner conviction that energized me to pivot. It wasn't easy though. I was working in venture capital, which is a very lucrative industry, and I walked away from a multiple-six-figure salary into the unknown. I am so grateful for the incredible support systems I had in my life, namely, my faith, my husband (who was my boyfriend at the time), and my small but loving family. I truly believe that every person on this planet has a destiny to fulfill, and believing that for myself allowed me to move forward.
How would you advise other women out there who are having similar intuitive pings to find or create a career that is better aligned with their values?
I'll lean on a series of old but true clichés here. Life is short. You have to live it for you. Do you want to serve your job or have it serve you? Now is the time to lower the volume on what people around you say, and to turn up the volume on your curiosity. Follow your interests and passions and see where they lead you. Also, don't feel like you need to rush. I spent years letting the idea of Reset brew. I continued to walk steadily and confidently toward my dreams, knowing that it would take however long it would take for me to get to the finish line.
You work with so many successful women. Are there attributes or traits that you recognize immediately in these women that sets them apart?
Everyone is different. I firmly believe that there are no templates or archetypes for success. The only commonality is that all of those women have found a way to be wholly and uniquely themselves. They listen to their inner wisdom, they trust their own vision, and they don't contort themselves into any specific shapes to be successful. They do it their own way.
You use Enneagram in coaching individuals and groups. How can one utilize their Enneagram number for career and professional development?
The Enneagram is a powerful resource for understanding your own strengths and challenges. I am an Enneagram 5, so I am energetic, curious, and a fast-learner, but it is hard for me to stay focused. Every type has their own set of unique talents and deterrents. I recommend that everyone take the online test to discover their Enneagram type, and then to read about the "Healthy/Unhealthy" scales. These scales help you recognize when you are at your best or worst for your unique type.
Are there any professional skills or life behaviors you wish you’d developed or learned earlier that are essential to your success now?
No. I believe that my life, with all its twists and turns and non-linear paths, has unfolded exactly as it should. And, remember, it's taken me awhile to get here. I was 34 when I started Reset, and had spent 11 years in the Tech industry. Even so, as career "late bloomer," I still think of my timing as perfect. Did I make some painful and embarrassing mistakes along the way? All the time. Did it take me many years to finally find my way to what I loved? Absolutely. But, the realizations and personal growth I got from stumbling and falling were invaluable. Just remember that everything that happens in life is for your benefit. It may not seem like it at the time, but trust me, the universe is always giving you what is good for you-- even if you can't understand why at the time.
How do women finds mentors that align with their purpose and values?
Mentorship is not straightforward or transactional. It unfolds organically. It doesn't happen when you write to someone and expect them to become your mentor. It happens when you are interested, curious, and putting in the work to improve your life. I believe in karma. Do your best to help others, and you will find people who want to do the same for you.
Do you follow any specific doctrines on diet or health?
I listen to my body, and she is very clear about what she likes and what she doesn't like. When I have dairy, I break out and get eczema. When I eat gluten, I get bloated. When I eat too much refined sugar I can't sleep. When I drink caffeine, I become shaky. So, I don't really do these things. Everyone's body is different though, so pay attention to how your food affects you. I learned to listen to my body by doing several elimination diets over a few years. I highly recommend that everyone do one. The book "Clean" by Dr. Alejandro Junger is a great resource. Sleep is very precious to me, so I also give myself a buffer of 4 hours from when I last ate until my bedtime. I find I get better and deeper sleep when my body isn't digesting.
What are your favorite forms of activity?
I love coaching people. Luckily, it's now my job. I like anything to do with the written word, and spend much of my time reading, writing, and journaling. I love to take Epsom salt baths. I also love connecting with those I love most, especially walking my dog with my husband, and talk on the phone with friends. I studied Ashtanga yoga in India, and I will always love yoga. Recently, I discovered the Nike Run Club app, and even though I was never a runner before, I find this app to be so warm and supportive that I now love running. Lastly, I really like watching TV shows that are heartwarming with good values, like Queer Eye, Jane the Virgin, and Younger.
Do you have any morning or evening rituals?
Every morning, before I start working, I read my Manifestation Statement. This is the goal that I've written out for whatever I am bringing into my life at the moment. It helps to focus me and remind me what I'm doing that day, and also, in life. In the evening, I always turn to my journal. I write 5 things I am grateful for, 5 things I feel proud of myself for, and 5 moments of joy at work. I give thanks before every meal.
Are there any productivity or focus hacks you swear by?
I turn my phone on "Do Not Disturb" and exit out of my email when I am writing or working on an intense project. When I have a million things on my mind, I open a Google doc, and I write freely, whatever comes to mind for 20 minutes while I listen to a playlist of classical music that I made for such occasions. This helps me dump everything out of my brain so I can make space for the things I actually want to think about.
What are someways to integrate wellness into everyday?
Wellness should never feel like a chore, so only do the things that give you life and feel like a treat. I love the taste of Golden Milk, which is really healthy for you, too, so I drink it when I am relaxing. I only do exercise that is fun and not too strenuous, and when I am journaling, I light a nice candle or some incense so it really feels luxurious and special.
How do you "reset" during a challenging time or even off day?
I go back to my anchors like exercise, journaling, and affirmations. I force myself to do them once, even if I don't want to, and pretty soon, I am back on my upward spiral. I also cut myself a lot of slack if I go a few days without my anchors. My central practice in my life is to be less hard on myself. I can really be strict and judgmental with myself, so I try to always treat myself gently, especially if I'm going through a challenging time.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
Easy! I am writing a memoir now, and it is called, "Reset."
I always want to learn more about__________?
what makes people tick.
In my free time, when I have any, you can usually find me __________.
reading self-help books.
Most people don’t know that I really enjoy__________?
This is a tough one. I am very open and transparent, warts and all.
Favorite motivational instagram account, podcasts, and/or books?
Instagram: @Subliming.jpg, @minaa_b, @i_weigh
Podcasts: How I Built This, Reset podcast
Books: Anything Pema Chodron has written, "Think and Grow Rich", "Radical Acceptance" by Tara Brach.
Advice to the Woo🖤Wooo Working Women out there figuring out how to live their best high-vibrancy life?
You're doing great. Keep going, and always remember that life isn't about making money and being successful. It's about loving yourself no matter what and following what lights you up. Those are the only things that matter.
