Derek Hui

This carousel took me 15 years to make. Wins, losses, pivots, reinvention, health risks. I chose the long road early and on purpose. Most days, nobody was telling me what to do. I had to decide how my time was spent, what work mattered, and who I wanted to become. Now that life has started to blossom in Tokyo, now that I finally feel ready to share it, I feel like that kid at 21 again. Standing at the start of something. Some days I feel overprepared for what’s next. Other days, knowing how hard life can swing, I feel underprepared. But the biggest thing I’ve learned is simple: the road is longer than it looks. And it’s worth every step. Thank you to @na_tist & @yulianoten for designing this and bringing my story to life.

Two quotes that will change your perspective: “When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” — Audre Lorde “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” — Unknown At some point in everyone’s life, a vision forms in front of you—and you’re left with one question: Will you follow it? When I left Toronto, I won’t lie—there was fear. But bigger than the fear was belief. Belief in the kind of man I am. Someone who sees when a city is no longer what it once was— and is strong enough to go find a new place to call home. From that belief, a vision started to take shape: of the man I could be, the partner I could become, the story I want to live and tell. And the simple truth: that this life is a gift. These are the defining moments. The same kind our parents faced when they left their own countries— their language, their home, their families— all in service of a new vision they carried inside. You begin to feel life repeat itself in new forms. You start to see yourself as part of something much older. Just another link in a long chain. One more person searching for something better— and believing it’s possible. I don’t know where this all leads. The voice inside me has led me down both right and wrong paths before. But at the end of the day, if you can’t trust yourself, what’s the point? Whatever happens next—I know it’ll be nothing short of amazing.

In 36 years I’ve never met someone who regretted betting on themselves.

We’re all going to die. News flash, I know 🏴‍☠️ But between now and then, the ONLY thing that actually matters is thinking clearly about what you want and going after it. Your life is your decisions. Your decisions are your thinking. That’s it. That’s the damn whole thing.

Up until 30, I never kept more than $5,000 in my bank account. On purpose.

february was a fun one

December you were beautiful 🌹

the people and places in Thailand 🫰🏼

you are your greatest project 🏆

bits and bobs from my favourite place on earth 🎞️

Life’s been looking like art lately. And the art’s been looking a lot like life. We’re only three episodes in, and this already feels so different from anything I’ve ever built before. To everyone who’s reached out since the start of this series, thank you. The support has been motivating in all the right ways. When I started, I couldn’t really define what “The Art of Living Big” meant. It was just a feeling. But I’m starting to understand it now: when you grow, when you actually work on yourself over many years, you become someone who can show up for the people who matter. Someone with more capacity. More presence. More to give. That’s the life I want to live. That’s the message I need to share. And I hope that you continue to enjoy all that I document. A huge and over-needed thank you to @darren_ha my partner on this… the hours, the talent, the eye. This project wouldn’t be what it is without you. Link in bio🍿✌🏼

Fun fact most of the world doesn’t know: Canadian Thanksgiving isn’t in November, it’s in October. Usually I come back to Toronto for the summer because it’s the best time of year here. But this year I stayed in Tokyo to keep laying down the foundation of this new life and I ended up meeting some incredible people in the process. These last three weeks in Toronto however, felt more stuffed than the Thanksgiving turkey we cooked up… pseudo–housewarming, baby showers, cottage weekend, dinner with my mom, friendsgiving hangouts, new businesses launched, new offices to drop by. Even though we’re a world apart, it always feels like nothing’s changed in the best way. And for that, I’m thankful.