After facing death three times, Alvn has emerged stronger with a profound perspective on life. From a traumatic near-death experience in childhood to life-threatening health crises, he battled through physical, emotional, and mental challenges.
Each brush with death left him with a deeper appreciation for the fragility of life, leading him to transform his adversity into empowerment. Today, Alvn is not only a successful writer and speaker but also a passionate advocate for financial literacy. He aims to help others navigate financial challenges and secure their future, drawing from the lessons he has learned through overcoming his own near-death experiences.
Can you describe the three near-death experiences?
The first one is when my mom tried to kill me when I was about five years old. The second incident happened when I fell seriously ill, and my heartbeat went over 200 beats per minute. I was admitted to the ICU, and the doctor said that one day I might survive, and the next, I might not. That was truly a near-death experience for me. The third was when I had a releapse of my illness and I lost sensation from my chest down. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, or MS in short.
How do you mentally cope with the fear and uncertainty during these critical moments?
Frankly speaking, for the first one, I don’t recall much because I was very young. However, I do remember that when I realised my mom had tried to kill me, I became very fearful. During that time, I started being cautious about everything I did at home and always watched my back. It was not a good experience.
For the second incident, mentally, I felt like I didn’t want to live. When the doctor was attaching all those monitors and saying I may or may not make it, my body felt helpless. But I remember telling myself that I had to put all my energy into pulling through that night. I don’t know if it helped, but knowing how crucial it was made me give everything I had to survive.
For the third one, it took me a long time to recover. My dad and my new mum never gave up on me. They visited me every day and they did not share my negative assumption that I could not survive. Due to their persistence, I began to focus on what I had instead of what I had lost.
The most important lesson is finding a balance between knowing what’s worth fighting for and what’s worth letting go.
How have these experiences shaped your perspective on your health and wellness?
I’ve started to realise the importance of appreciating what we have in our bodies. Simple things like being able to go to the toilet or waking up and opening my eyes, are things most people take for granted. When I started losing certain bodily functions and then regained some of them, I learned to be truly grateful.
These experiences taught me to appreciate life more and to value the people around me because nothing in life comes easily. I believe we shouldn’t wait until we lose something to appreciate it; we should be grateful in the present moment. Eating well, getting enough rest, and managing stress are now my top priorities.
What have you learned about yourself through these experiences that you might not have discovered otherwise?
I’ve learned that I took a lot of things for granted before my illness, such as my health, my body, and my family’s care. After these experiences, I’ve become more appreciative of life and the people around me.
One thing I practice now is expressing gratitude. Every morning when I wake up, I take a moment to say grateful messages—to my health, my family, and my loved ones. It sets a positive tone for the day and makes a difference in how things flow.
What advice would you give to someone who is currently going through a serious health crisis?
There are two important things to focus on. First, ask yourself what is your purpose for staying alive and fighting through. Once you identify that purpose, stick to it to give yourself mental strength.
Second, rely on external support, whether it’s your faith in God or the medical professionals you trust. These external forces can help carry the burden that is beyond your control. Sometimes, when you surrender certain things to others, it helps lighten the emotional load.
Can you share more about the work you do after your near-death experiences?
I became a coach and trainer and started doing public speaking for corporate events. I mainly focus on topics in education, health and wellness, and now financial literacy.
Can you share more about your public speaking?
I wrote a book titled I’m Lucky, which chronicles my experiences and survival. I’ve shared it with many people, and it has opened doors for me to speak at their companies.
After reading my story, many found it inspiring and invited me to share my journey. This led to several years of public speaking, which I’m passionate about. I also advocate for financial education, which stems from my struggles when I was diagnosed with my medical condition.
At the time, I had no income and lacked insurance. In my talks, I stress the importance of being properly insured and knowing how much coverage one needs to avoid ending up in a similar situation.
What do you think is the most important trait that many people are lacking in terms of financial literacy?
In my opinion, many people rely too heavily on their financial advisors or agents. While it’s important to trust professionals, I believe individuals should have basic knowledge of financial planning.
There are two key areas in financial planning: protection (insuring yourself and your family) and future planning (ensuring you have sufficient funds for the rest of your life). Knowing what’s in your control and relying on a financial planner for only the more complex matters ensures your financial plan aligns with your personal goals.
What do you think is the most important lesson others can learn from your story, especially when it comes to nearing death?
The most important lesson is finding a balance between knowing what’s worth fighting for and what’s worth letting go. Some battles are not worth the time and energy, while others align with your core values and deserve your full effort. It’s about understanding what truly matters in life and not wasting time on things that don’t.
Connect with Alvn: https://wa.me/6584686468
Also read: Meet Ian Tan, The Master of Magic And Money
