Beauty in pauses: Jaclyn Chan changes her relationship with the storms in her life

“Like with every beautiful music that's ever been created, beats are created because there are pauses in between. So, with radical pause, it's really around like helping people find that beat. But recognizing the beat needs pauses.”

When I first met Jaclyn Chan, there was a clear sense of vulnerability but also strength. It was very vivid - Our final episode of our first chapter of Semicolon Spaces podcast concludes with Jac’s story. She is the founder of Radical Pause and her story is one of resilience, introspection, and the profound realization that life's most challenging storms can offer the greatest gifts.

The Morning Pause

Jac begins her day with a simple yet powerful ritual: a pause. "Every morning is hard to wake up," she confesses, describing how she takes a moment to stretch and reflect. This intentional pause allows her to connect with her body and mind, setting a tone of mindfulness for the day ahead. It's a practice that underscores the importance of self-awareness and gratitude, even in the face of life's challenges.

Navigating Life's Storms

Her biggest pause and storm was the heartbreaking loss of her son, Nathan. "Grief is never linear," she shares, emphasising that each person's journey through loss is unique. For Jac, these experiences have been opportunities for growth and introspection. She has learnt to view life's storms as gifts - first by changing her relationship with the storm. 

“Whenever I face a challenge, be it a small challenge or a big storm, how do I change my relationship with it?” 

Her battle with type 1 diabetes further tested her. With the constant fatigue, “what really hit my confidence was the inability to be sharp, which was a large part of my identity.” She now urges others to listen to their bodies and seek help when needed. 

The Concept of Caesura

Central to Jac's philosophy is the concept of caesura, a universal term for pause. "It's the double lines that you see in your music scrolls, your page breaks, and even on your remote control when you press pause," she explains. This idea of caesura represents the intentional pauses that allow us to pivot and find clarity amidst chaos. For Jac, these pauses are not just moments of rest but opportunities for reflection and growth.

Through Radical Pause, Jac aims to share the lessons she has learned with others. She believes that everyone experiences storms, and her mission is to help people find their own rhythm amidst life's chaos. "The beat needs pauses," she says, reminding us that true success lies in finding balance and embracing the journey.

Radical Gratitude

Jac's journey has also been one of cultivating radical gratitude. "It's not about pretending the storm does not exist," she explains, "but recognizing that you have the choice of where you are in the storm." This mindset shift from "Why is this happening to me?" to "How is this happening for me?" has been pivotal in her personal growth. By embracing gratitude, even in the midst of challenges, Jac has found a sense of peace and purpose.

For Jac, success is no longer defined by external achievements or accolades. Instead, it is about finding equanimity—a balance of strength and ease. "True success is really finding the balance of strength and ease, both personal and work," she explains. This shift in perspective has allowed her to embrace life's challenges with grace and resilience.

The Legacy of Nathan

Jac's son, Nathan, whose name means "gift from God," has been a profound influence on her journey. His loss has taught her the importance of surrender and the power of love and connection. "He's taught me how to pause," she reflects, acknowledging the deep impact he has had on her life and work.

Jaclyn Chan's story is a testament to the transformative power of pauses. Her journey through personal storms, health challenges, and profound loss has shaped her into a beacon of resilience and hope. Through Radical Pause, she continues to inspire others to embrace the beauty of intentional pauses and find their own rhythm in the dance of life.

Her ways to restore, refresh and recharge during her pauses:

Restore… Heal and regulate body and mind again

Sleep has been the biggest humbling lesson for me.

I used to proudly say I could survive on three to four hours of sleep and still function. I almost wore it like a badge of honour. But the truth is, I wasn’t functioning well. I was more irritable. My brain felt foggy. Even my eyebags would ache. That was my body quietly protesting.

Now I treat sleep as sacred. When I sleep well, I’m kinder. Clearer. More grounded. It sounds simple, but it changed everything.

Movement is the second thing. I need to sweat. I need to stretch. I need to feel my body working and breathing. When I move, especially when I take deep, intentional breaths, I can feel my nervous system calm down. It’s like my body reminds my mind that we’re safe.

And nourishment. Especially living with Type 1 diabetes, I’ve learned that food is not just about eating. It’s about stability. When my blood sugar is steady, my mood is steady. When I nourish well, I think better. Restoration for me starts from the inside out.

Refresh: Gain new perspectives

One of my favourite practices is silent walks with my husband.

We wake up, leave our phones behind, and we don’t talk. At first it feels strange. But after a while, something shifts. I start noticing the light, the breeze, the sounds around me. My senses wake up. My mind becomes clearer. And often the ideas that were stuck start flowing again.

Silence gives me perspective.

Dancing has been another surprising teacher. I used to be so conscious of how I looked. I was always worried about what people might think. But when I allowed myself to just feel the music and move, without judging myself, it felt freeing. It reminded me that joy doesn’t need permission.

And quiet time with God. When I begin my day in stillness and prayer, my whole posture shifts. It doesn’t mean the day will be easy. But I feel aligned. I feel guided. I feel less reactive and more intentional. That alone changes how I move through everything.

Recharge! Bring new energy

Yoga will always be my first love. It feels like home. But I’ve also fallen in love with strength training. Lifting weights has given me a new kind of confidence. There’s something powerful about physically proving to yourself that you can carry more than you thought.

Deep one-to-one conversations recharge me too. Real eye contact. Honest sharing. Presence. When someone feels truly seen and I feel seen in return, it fills my tank.

And honestly, building things with my team energises me. I don’t see challenges at work as obstacles. I see them as puzzles. When we solve something hard together, when we win together, it feels deeply fulfilling. That shared momentum gives me fresh energy.

Subscribe now to follow Jac's journey and discover the power of intentional pauses in your own life.