lA-based Sue Chen is known as a shark saver. She tells Karan Bhardwaj that she found the purpose of her life while finning with world’s most-feared fish
The successful movie franchises like Jaws and Shark Attack were enough to incite fear and hatred against sharks. But the creatures with those pointed claws could be as loving and shy as penguin. Ask Sue Chen, an lA-based businesswoman, who is better known as shark saver across the globe.
Her first date with sharks happened by accident when she dived into waters to rejuvenate her life. The encounter with the most-feared creature changed her life in the most unexpected manner. “There were other aquatic animals as well but there was something unique about sharks. I found them intriguing. Penguins, tortoises or small fishes were coming, touching me and even allowing me to take pictures peacefully. It was the moment of life time.
But whenever I tried to capture these sharks, they would shy away. In one instance, I had an eye contact with a shark. Something clicked within, something was anticipated, something was about to change in my life... It was almost like when you look furtively into somebody’s eyes,” she tells us.
There have been inspiring stories how individuals found purpose of their life in the most interesting manner but for Chen, her shattered life was rescued by sharks. “I was going through the worst phase of my life. My personal and professional life had hit a rock bottom.There was no way out. My emotional bucket was overflowing and I was crumbling inside each moment. But ever since I met this shark, something changed within,” she says, minutes after her presentation ‘Sharks saved my life. What will save youIJ’ at TedX Janpath.
At 23, Chen founded Nova Medical Products with an aim to revolutionise designs of medical equipment. Soon she got married. But things took an ugly turn when her company became a loss-making venture and her man of dreams (husband) turned hostile. life became baggage for her. “I cannot explain this but the timing of my encounter with sharks was perfect.
I was shaken but I began to dream about fishes and they were asking for my help. Since I was imagining something unusual, I discussed it with my friends. later, my own research told me that sharks were really in trouble. With that, I found my calling in life and I dedicated myself to this mission to save sharks,” she says.
In 2011, Chen helped successfully lobby the California legislature to protect sharks with the passing of the shark fin ban. Today, besides managing her pharma company successfully, she is a globetrotter with an objective. “I’m educating people about sharks that they are not dangerous. They don’t deserve to be killed. It’s so important in life that we give people and animals the benefit of doubt.
Ninety nine per cent people believe that sharks are man-eating creatures. The moment you get into the ocean, it will eat you. I think it’s the most misunderstood animal on this planet. If you go by stats, more people are killed by ants or lions than sharks. You have 120 per cent more chance of getting killed by a vending machine than a shark. If we are going to wipe out species that are vital to oceans, then we do not deserve to be called humans,” she laments.
Chen, also is a motivational speaker, now urges people to find their ‘higher calling’ and become better individuals by contributing to humanity. “So many people just live their life in a rut. Mobile phones, emails, parties — that’s all we have reduced life to. When you are quiet and find answers within yourself, you hear the voice of God.
First and foremost, you should be able to hear your own voice. Everybody has its own religion of truth inside and you just have to find it. Your act doesn’t have to be big like running a country or campaign. I think higher calling happens in moments of connections or when you introspect. Just do good things and you will be a better person. The nature will conspire to tell you the right things to do,” she says.
Born in Taiwan, Chen is a contented and independent woman. At 44, she worries nothing, neither age nor absence of any family. “People get shocked when I tell them I live alone. I’m divorced single woman. But it’s interesting. Had I remained married, I wouldn’t have been doing all this. I was so afraid of expressing myself because my ex-husband didn’t want to hear the voice I wanted to be. I was always afraid of speaking out. I’m happy being alone. I’m alone but I am not lonely.
It’s okay to be a woman in 40s, single and happy. Everyone around me has a family. But I cannot think about my old age now because I won’t be able to concentrate on amazing things that I’m going through now. The clock is always ticking and things only can get better,” she says.