Jim Tang: I See Success as a Life I Don’t Want to Retire From (Personal Branding & Career, 264K Followers, Bangkok)

“I stopped chasing prestige and started building a life I don’t want to retire from.”

Q. You left a $326K job at Google to build something entirely your own. What’s the real story behind that decision, and what moment made you realize it was time to walk away?

When I started working in a corporate setting about five years ago, I realized pretty quickly that I didn’t enjoy it. I kept thinking something was wrong with me for not fitting into the system. So, when I joined Google, I told myself, “This is it. 

This is where I’ll finally feel fulfilled.” But after three years there, that same emptiness crept back. I couldn’t shake the question: Why am I not happy even now? That led me into what I jokingly call a “third-life crisis.” I went on a Vipassana course, and that silence made me see how much of my life was driven by ego and external validation.

Deep down, I’d always wanted to build something of my own, but I’d been clinging to the prestige of being on the “right” path. It wasn’t an overnight decision; it was months of knowing what I needed to do and putting it off. The day I finally quit, it wasn’t dramatic. I was just numb. And in that numbness, I knew staying would cost me more than leaving ever could.

Q. Many people dream of leaving corporate life but never do. What was harder for you: the fear of losing stability or the fear of living without meaning?

Before leaving, stability terrified me, losing the paycheck, the structure, the security. But during that crisis, the fear of living without meaning completely took over. I’d look at people who had been at Google for ten or fifteen years and imagine myself in their place: more money, more stock, maybe a bigger title.

But then I’d picture waking up at forty, realizing I never took a real bet on myself. That thought haunted me far more than losing stability ever could. That’s when I knew I’d rather fail doing something that matters than succeed doing something that doesn’t.

Q. You built an audience of over 100K in just 70 days. What key principle or creative insight helped you grow that fast without chasing trends?

Storytelling — that’s the foundation. People don’t follow algorithms; they follow stories. When you tell yours honestly, you don’t need to chase trends. You connect on a deeper level.

Creators like hubslife, who built a massive audience by documenting 9–5 life, were a big inspiration. I studied how great storytellers package ideas — hooks, structure, pacing. But more importantly, I learned that authenticity scales better than any trend. If you can make someone feel something, the growth takes care of itself.

Q. You often say you work more now than you did at Google, but feel more fulfilled. What changed in how you define success and balance?

Back then, I saw work as a trade — put in decades now so that you can enjoy life later. But that mindset made me miserable because I was always living for a “someday.”

Now, I see success as a life I don’t want to retire from. I wake up excited, even if the work is harder. I still admire people who love their 9–5s, like my dad. The key difference is I finally get to define what fulfillment looks like for me. That’s balance: doing something that aligns with who you are, not what others expect.

Q. You’re currently living across Asia. How has that shift in environment influenced your creativity and outlook on life?

Right now, I’m in Bangkok — I’ve been bouncing between cities in Asia. Each place has expanded my perspective in ways I didn’t expect. For most of my life, I lived in a bubble. Traveling solo made me realize how self-limiting my thinking had been. I used to believe you needed permission or a reason to change your life. Turns out, you don’t.

Creatively, I feel freer. I think less about what’s “realistic” and more about what’s possible. At the same time, moving constantly has shown me that the grass is always greener. When you’re stationary, you crave movement; when you’re on the move, you crave roots. It’s a humbling reminder that fulfillment isn’t a destination, it’s a mindset.

Bio 

Jim Tang known to millions online as @jimruitang is a content creator, entrepreneur, and former Google software engineer who left a $326K corporate job to pursue a life of creative and financial freedom. In 2025, his story of walking away from one of the world’s most prestigious tech companies went viral, inspiring thousands of professionals to rethink success and fulfillment.

Today, Jim has built a powerful digital presence with over 100K followers in just 70 days across Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, where he shares raw reflections on identity, ambition, and personal growth. His storytelling blends honesty with clarity, offering a rare look into the emotional side of success from burnout and ego to rediscovering purpose.

Currently based in Bangkok and exploring different parts of Asia, Jim documents his journey of designing a life on his own terms. Through his content, he’s helping a new generation of creators and dreamers understand that freedom isn’t about quitting your job — it’s about reclaiming your time, energy, and story.

Instagram: Jim Tang

Interviewed by Monika Bhardwaj