For the next instalment of our ‘Meet the Past Speaker’ interview series, journalist Emily Ashman catches up with TEDxTinHau Women speaker, Dr Laurena Law to find out how life has changed since her talk…

Some conversations stay with you long after the recording ends. My interview with Dr. Laurena Law was one of those.

Laurena is a medical doctor, health advocate, and the 2023 TEDxTinHau Women speaker who delivered a practical and empowering talk on how lifting weights can help women power through midlife, menopause, and beyond. Watching her talk inspired me, at 44, to pick up weights for the first time in my life. Sitting across from her in person only deepened that impact.

What struck me most was her steady passion… and the deeply personal reason behind it.

A Mother’s Fall, A Daughter’s Turning Point

Laurena was never the sporty type growing up. She describes herself as a classic “brainiac kid” who found elaborate excuses to avoid PE. Science and maths were valued; physical activity felt like a chore. It wasn’t until later, when her mother suffered two fractures in her seventies, that everything shifted.

Watching her mother’s mobility decline raised urgent questions: Was this genetic? Could it be prevented? The answers led Laurena back to the gym with a clear purpose. She realised there was no medication that could replace the need to build strength. If she wanted a different future for herself, and for the women she cared for, she had to start now.

During our conversation, Laurena started crying when she spoke about her mother’s transformation, which was such a beautiful moment because I could see how her professional dedication, her passion and her love for her family collided with that moment. Despite a bad fall and fractures, after committing to strength training, her mother regained enough mobility and strength to return to her garden. She could weed again. She could plant flowers. The joy of simply being able to move freely, and to do something she loved, was life changing… and now she’s even taken up line dancing!

From Personal Journey to Public Message

That experience reshaped how Laurena practises medicine. She began incorporating grip strength testing into her consultations, treating it as a meaningful marker of overall health and longevity. She started teaching patients that resistance training is not about becoming bulky — it’s about building the strength to live well for decades to come.

When the TEDxTinHau Women curation team approached her, she hesitated. As a self-described introvert, the idea of standing on stage felt daunting. But she recognised the opportunity to challenge common myths, particularly within Asian communities, where the fear of injury often keeps women from lifting weights at all.

Her talk became part health message, part gentle workout. She invited the audience to stand up and try simple chair-based exercises, proving that strength training can start anywhere — even at home, with nothing more than a chair.

Breaking the Silence

Laurena also spoke about the cultural silence that still surrounds menopause for many Asian women. While physical changes may be acknowledged, the mental and emotional aspects often remain unspoken. Through her TEDx talk, her ongoing content, and her work with the Hong Kong Menopause Society, she is helping create space for more open, evidence-based conversations.

A Clear Message

What stays with me most from our conversation is Laurena’s core belief: you can become an athlete at any age. Strength is not about aesthetics. It is about capacity, confidence, and quality of life — for ourselves, and for the people we love.

I left the interview feeling both moved and motivated to get to the gym! And I suspect many others will feel the same after hearing her story. Listen to our full interview here.

Join us on 2 October at Xiqu Centre for TEDxTinHau Women 2026. Early bird tickets on sale now. Buy there here.