In this episode of The Human Algorithm podcast, I sit down with Charlene Chew, a creator, fitness coach, and storyteller with over 300,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram, for an unfiltered conversation about trauma, neurodiversity, beauty, and the emotional labour of being your whole self online.
Charlene shares how surviving third-degree burns, living with OCD, and navigating sexual assault shaped not just her healing journey, but her purpose.
From filming TikToks alone in her room during lockdown to becoming a voice for the voiceless, her rise as a creator is not about chasing trends; it is about reclaiming agency, redefining beauty, and turning pain into power.
Together, we unpack why authenticity isn’t just an aesthetic but an act of resistance, and how storytelling became her way of surviving, healing, and connecting.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why OCD is both a creative superpower and a silent battle
How burn trauma reshaped her relationship with her body
Why she turned down brand deals that do not honour her story
How she balances aesthetics and advocacy in the influencer space
The emotional cost and courage of being vulnerable online
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