I’m excited to introduce Irene—@irenieeweeniee—who turned a corporate layoff and months of misdiagnoses into a mission. After learning she had ovarian cancer, she started editing food videos on her phone and sharing her story on TikTok. What began as a way to cope became a platform for honest storytelling and women’s healthcare advocacy.
Irene’s roots run through the SGV. Her immigrant parents ran a Thai restaurant, and weekends here taught her the hustle behind small businesses and where to find the real hidden gems. That perspective shapes everything she creates now: restaurant spotlights, must-try dishes, and a sprinkle of beauty content—always practical, upbeat, and community-minded.
In this episode, we dig into how she navigated misdiagnosis, what helped her advocate for herself, and how she built momentum posting straight from a phone. We get tactical about consistency, captions, voiceover, and staying human on camera—plus how creators can responsibly shine a light on mom-and-pop restaurants across the San Gabriel Valley.
If Irene’s journey resonates, drop a comment with your SGV hidden gem and something you’ve learned from her content. Follow @irenieeweeniee, support the local spots mentioned, and subscribe for more SGV stories that connect food, family, creativity, and community.
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Music Credits
Intro
Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG
Stinger
Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library
Outro
Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG
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My SGV Podcast:
Website: www.mysgv.net
Newsletter: Beyond the Mic
Patreon: MySGV Podcast
info@sgvmasterkey.com
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