From Corporate to ReelWild: A Journey of Redesigning Life
In 2020, I left my corporate job thinking I had everything figured out. I wanted a slower, more intentional life where I could create, explore, and live on my own terms. Almost immediately, the world changed. COVID arrived, bringing lockdowns, uncertainty, and stillness.
That same year, life took a few unexpected turns. A divorce that, in hindsight, lifted a weight off my shoulders, and a motorcycle accident that forced me to slow down physically and mentally. It wasn’t an easy chapter, but it gave me something I hadn’t had in years: space to breathe, reflect, and rethink the kind of life I wanted to build.
In 2021, I finally pursued an idea that had been with me for years. I started a home dining business. What began as a passion project became a full-time commitment. Cooking for others brought back creativity and connection. It reminded me that fulfillment comes from creating experiences that matter, not from job titles or paychecks.
In 2022, my attention shifted more seriously to the camera. What began as simple food videos at home grew into something much bigger. I started travelling to places like South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and around Southeast Asia, exploring their food cultures while filming my journeys. My lifelong love for movies began to manifest in the way I shot and edited these moments. I experimented with framing, lighting, and storytelling, learning how to transform street food stalls, local markets, and simple meals into visual narratives. Each trip taught me something new, and each video pushed me to refine my craft and trust my creative instincts.
In 2023, I reconnected with my adventurous side. I started traveling solo again and rediscovered the freedom that comes with exploration. That same year, I climbed Mount Kinabalu and documented the journey. It wasn’t just about reaching the summit. Filming that experience reminded me why storytelling matters. It allows us to capture emotion, growth, and the quiet victories that shape who we are.
In 2024, an unexpected opportunity arrived. Explora discovered my work through a close friend who believed in what I was creating. They invited me to film their leadership programs and manage their social media presence. It brought together everything I enjoyed: adventure, storytelling, and purpose. Through their programs, I observed how growth emerges in the outdoors through challenge, empathy, and resilience.
In 2025, that connection evolved into ReelWild, a partnership with Explora to offer adventure videography services. ReelWild represents everything this journey has taught me. Reinvention. Courage. Creativity. And the power of real stories in wild places.
Looking back, I have learned that every detour has meaning. Letting go often creates room for better things. Creativity grows when life forces you to pause. And the most fulfilling life is one we design with intention.
If I could leave one thought behind, it would be this:
Never stop moving forward.
Everything happens for a reason.
Don’t live a life of default. Live a life of design.
Edd Ong, Managing Director (ReelWild Pte. Ltd.)