True Story

True Story is a Substack by Nancy Hua focusing on personal growth, the intersection of technology and life, and the human condition. It touches upon themes like self-discovery, the role of startups, the pursuit of fulfillment beyond societal myths, and reflections arising from personal experiences and observations.

Personal Growth Startups and Technology Health and Wellness Self-Discovery and Identity Film and Storytelling Philosophy and Rationality Relationships and Community Work-Life Balance Cultural Reflections Leadership and Empowerment

The hottest Substack posts of True Story

And their main takeaways

On Ambition, then Criticism of High School Nancy

0 implied HN points • 01 Nov 12
  1. High school reunions can bring surprising realizations about classmates and personal growth.
  2. Personal ambition can lead to questioning societal norms and expectations.
  3. Reflecting on past behaviors can inspire a desire for self-improvement and personal growth.

Exercise

0 implied HN points • 21 Oct 12
  1. Exercise can be boring and annoying, but it's important to stick with it to improve.
  2. Team sports can make physical activity more enjoyable and help with motivation.
  3. Finding physical activities that have a mix of challenge, efficiency, and enjoyment can help maintain a consistent workout routine.

Olympic Fencing

0 implied HN points • 02 Aug 12
  1. Sports are a bastion of fairness where talent determines the winner.
  2. In Olympic fencing, epee is considered the most fair but controversies can still happen.
  3. Media portrayal of athletes can be unfair, especially towards female athletes.

Staying with Anna at Mobi Headquarters

0 implied HN points • 14 Jun 12
  1. The author stayed with Anna at Mobi Headquarters in Lincoln.
  2. The headquarters had interesting features like a gigantic pool and walls filled with windows.
  3. Anna is involved in various projects like Vehicle Design Summit and a fashion startup called Lorien.
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Greece

0 implied HN points • 04 Jun 12
  1. The experience of staying in Athens varied from initial concerns to eventually finding the neighborhood safe and people friendly.
  2. Greek art and culture, particularly the ancient history, provided a rich and interesting experience during the visit.
  3. While the trip to an island near Athens was not a favourite due to transportation and insects, there was still an interest in future island visits with better modes of transport.

Ireland

0 implied HN points • 01 Jun 12
  1. The author had two very different experiences in Ireland - one fun and one almost deadly.
  2. The author admires the calm, helpful people and the natural beauty of Ireland.
  3. Driving in Ireland was a challenging experience, involving a lot of unexpected elements and close calls.

Quora: Vegetarianism?

0 implied HN points • 23 May 12
  1. Having a non-mainstream diet like vegetarianism means being deliberate about food choices and facing social challenges.
  2. Being vegetarian involves thoughtful consideration of food and questioning societal norms.
  3. The decision to be vegetarian is personal, based on factors like compassion, empathy, and utilitarianism.

Chicago Things To Do

0 implied HN points • 18 May 12
  1. The author participated in various activities in Chicago like watching Mortified show at Schuba's and attending an improv class at Second City.
  2. Attended an Improvised Shakespeare show at the IO Theater as well as scuba certification at Underwater Safaris.
  3. Visited other places in Chicago like the Lincoln Park Zoo and the planetarium.

Mom: Just the Happy Stuff

0 implied HN points • 14 May 12
  1. The author's mom always had their back and supported them through tough situations.
  2. The author's mom went above and beyond to take care of them by ensuring they had food, a clean home, and even watched their cat when needed.
  3. Despite their mom's quirks and irrational behavior, the author was secretly proud and grateful for her presence in their life.

Singapore February 2012

0 implied HN points • 18 Apr 12
  1. Singapore felt different from the USA and made the author appreciate aspects of home.
  2. The author found the casino experience in Singapore to be eye-opening and not enjoyable.
  3. The trip made the author reflect on wealth, happiness, and pursuing what truly matters in life.

The Sunny Upside: Freezing My Eggs, Abundance Mindset, and Reproductive Freedom

0 implied HN points • 30 Dec 20
  1. Egg freezing unlocks freedom for women to focus on their careers without feeling rushed by time scarcity.
  2. Facing fears and embracing independence can lead to a more fulfilling life.
  3. Technological advancements like egg freezing offer new possibilities and outlooks on reproduction and personal fulfillment.

2019 & 2020 post & pre mortems

0 implied HN points • 06 Jan 20
  1. In 2019, Nancy achieved some big goals like exiting Apptimize and going on monthly dates with high-scoring individuals.
  2. Nancy reflected on her approach to work and relationships, focusing on learning and growth rather than external validation.
  3. Nancy made adjustments to her dating process, such as emphasizing playful interactions and avoiding dating when feeling lonely.

Iceland June 2018

0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 18
  1. Iceland is known for being an island with stunning landscapes and elements of nature like mountains and sea.
  2. Traveling can help appreciate the kindness of others and staying present in the moment.
  3. Being open to new experiences and perspectives, like trying unexpected flavors or learning from different kinds of friends, is important for personal growth.

Beijing May 2018

0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 18
  1. Growing up in Beijing with a unique childhood experience
  2. Experiencing challenges and surprises during visits to Beijing
  3. Developing a newfound love for Beijing despite initial reservations

Apptimize S5E5: SF Office Move

0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 17
  1. People care a lot about office location, and it can cause strong emotions and conflicts.
  2. Office moves can be influenced by factors like growth, funding, and the need to optimize for hiring.
  3. Choosing office locations is a balance of considering team needs while focusing on cost and increasing hiring velocity.

Seed Fundraising in 2013 after Y Combinator

0 implied HN points • 11 Mar 15
  1. Raising seed money involved a different approach compared to Series A.
  2. Focus on selling points when talking to investors to maximize impact.
  3. Closing deals efficiently with fast decision makers is crucial during fundraising.

Successful YC S13 Application

0 implied HN points • 08 Oct 14
  1. Apptimize is a mobile app AB testing tool that makes optimization easy for non-programmers.
  2. The founders of Apptimize have unique expertise and backgrounds that set them apart.
  3. Apptimize aims to simplify and innovate mobile app testing, filling a gap in the market.

From High Frequency Trading to Silicon Valley

0 implied HN points • 20 Mar 14
  1. In Silicon Valley, everyone is open and helpful, promoting a culture of sharing and collaboration.
  2. Understanding valuation in startups is not intuitive - it's about the potential and user base, not just the cost to build.
  3. Success is less clear-cut in startups compared to trading - it's important to adapt, accept reality, and make your own bets.

The and My Future

0 implied HN points • 11 Dec 12
  1. The author reflects on their past career in trading and the decision to leave after years of success.
  2. The author experiences a year of self-reflection and exploration, feeling a sense of ennui towards societal expectations in their late 20s and early 30s.
  3. The author contemplates the future, feeling a shift in priorities and questioning the trajectory of their life, especially considering the impact of their parents' illnesses.

Iceland

0 implied HN points • 16 Aug 12
  1. Icelandic language sounds poetic and magical with names like Grimsey and Gullfoss.
  2. Traveling in Iceland can be adventurous, from missing flights to experiencing the natural wonders like geysers and glaciers.
  3. Iceland is a unique place with beautiful people, no mosquitoes, and a lack of diversity in flora and fauna.

Is Charity Ever Immoral?

0 implied HN points • 15 Aug 12
  1. Focus on allocating resources to have the greatest impact, even if that means letting go of personal attachments.
  2. Consider whether there are more efficient ways to achieve a goal, even if familiar options are cherished.
  3. Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of charitable actions to ensure they are making a meaningful impact.

Quora: What is it like to be a humanities major at MIT?

0 implied HN points • 23 May 12
  1. Most humanities majors at MIT have it as a secondary degree.
  2. Studying humanities at MIT may involve facing a lack of interest in humanities-only students.
  3. Benefits of studying humanities at MIT include individual attention from faculty and exposure to a different class dynamic compared to other institutions.

Chicago Food Adventure

0 implied HN points • 09 May 12
  1. Discovering new and cool food places in Chicago is exciting.
  2. Variety is key when it comes to choosing where to eat.
  3. Some favorite spots in Chicago include Riccardo Trattoria and Joe's for king crab.

Push Past Pain To Pleasure

0 implied HN points • 27 Apr 12
  1. Push past indifference and pain when donating to charities to reach true pleasure in giving.
  2. It's important to give back to programs that have positively impacted your life.
  3. Donating money should feel meaningful, not like a laziness/guilt tax.

Everyone's in a Tech Startup!

0 implied HN points • 06 Apr 12
  1. Many people in the Bay Area are part of tech startups or tech companies like Zynga, Facebook, and Google.
  2. The author reflects on the changes in her clothing size and the experience of visiting friends who work in different tech companies.
  3. The author muses about online identities, domains, and the potential value of securing certain online names for future wealth.

How to Not Waste Your Life

0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 13
  1. Big decisions are difficult, so we tend to avoid them to stick to what we're 'supposed to do'.
  2. To find meaning in life, consider creating something people want and think beyond just personal passion.
  3. Being selfless and focusing on helping others can lead to a more fulfilling and productive life.

Crossing the Net

0 implied HN points • 08 Jul 22
  1. Focus on stating your own emotions and sensations instead of making assumptions about others' thoughts.
  2. Avoid 'crossing the net' by refraining from attributing thoughts and feelings to others.
  3. Crossing the net can damage relationships, hinder collaboration, and lead to unnecessary suffering.

Conscious Leadership

0 implied HN points • 30 Apr 21
  1. Increasing self-awareness is crucial for personal growth and empowerment.
  2. Unveiling unconscious desires and patterns is the first step to making lasting changes.
  3. Self-awareness helps us break free from repetitive patterns and narratives to reach our full potential.