Forging a Non-legal Career Path
Crystal Lim-Lange shares about the unique career path she has taken since her days in law school.
1. Please share about your current role.
I’m currently the CEO and co-founder of Forest Wolf, a leadership consultancy that specialises in unlocking human potential. I’m also the co-founder of Deep Human Club, a personal growth and productivity community. In both roles, I help individuals and organisations develop the emotional intelligence and future-ready skills they need to thrive.
2. Why did you decide to read law at university?
To be honest, it was a very Singaporean decision — I was told from a young age that I had two options: doctor or lawyer. Since my dad was a doctor, I chose law. I also happened to excel in the humanities and was quite the argumentative child, so law seemed like a natural fit. I definitely had that Hollywood-inspired image of a feisty litigation lawyer in mind.
3. You chose not to practise law after graduating — what changed?
In my second year of law school, I stumbled into an investment banking recruitment talk and ended up with a summer internship at UBS in the corporate finance department. During that internship, I worked on capital markets deals like IPOs and observed that the bankers on the deal would finish up at 2 or 3am, but the lawyers would be working through the night on the prospectus or docs! So, at 19, I made the pragmatic (and slightly impressionable) decision to go into banking instead. I received a full-time offer and a sign-on bonus, so I returned to complete my final year of law school in England with a job already secured.
4. Why did you then leave investment banking?
I spent the first decade of my career in various banking roles — starting in corporate finance, then moving into regional equity sales and trading. But becoming a mother shifted everything. I entered a new season of life, and after a short stint in executive search, I moved to Australia and lived on a vineyard and hobby farm.
That’s where I launched my first business, Legacy Retreat — a personal growth venture offering holistic retreats for leaders seeking deeper self-awareness. We ran retreats in Bhutan, Indonesia, Australia, and Vietnam. Although the work was deeply meaningful, the business wasn’t profitable — this was back in 2011, before wellness and self-care had entered mainstream consciousness.
5. What made you decide to start a (highly successful!) podcast?
A number of friends encouraged me to start a podcast as a space to go deeper into the topics I was already teaching — like leadership, communication, and emotional mastery. These topics deserve more than a quick reel or Instagram caption.
Rachel Lim, co-founder of Love, Bonito, invited me onto her podcast and said, “You need your own show.” Juliana Chan, a fellow LinkedIn Top Voice, did the same. I found that I had so much to say, and the podcast medium gave me the room to explore complex ideas with nuance and soul.
6. What does your day usually look like these days?
I get bored easily, so I’m grateful that my work is varied — I travel often and get to meet incredible teams across industries. Just last week, I was in Shanghai facilitating an offsite for 90 senior leaders of a global bank.
Most mornings start with checking on any “fires,” especially with my two teenagers. Then I ease into my morning routine — on good days that includes journaling in my I Am Well journal, meditation, movement, or simply a few deep breaths.
I review the day’s agenda with my PA. If I’m delivering a keynote or live training, I’ll go through my talking points, get into the right headspace, and brief my team. I always double-check tech and bring backups — laptop, mic, slides — just in case.
Once I’m on stage, everything else drops away. I enter a state of flow — it’s almost like extended meditation. And when I’m off duty, I focus on quality time with my kids. In Singapore, that means family dinners, listening deeply to them, and reminding myself not to always jump into “problem-solving mode.”
7. What is it like running a business with your partner?
Greg and I were colleagues before we became partners — I was actually his boss at NUS! That working relationship laid a strong foundation for our personal one. It’s easier to transition from work to romance than the other way around.
We share aligned values, a similar vision, and complement each other’s working styles. It helps that Greg is a psychotherapist and trained relationship counsellor — he’s emotionally intelligent and wise enough to avoid me when I’m in “HALT” mode: hungry, angry, lonely, or tired! He picks his battles, which balances out my more fiery nature.
8. What drives you?
I’m deeply passionate about personal growth and inner work. Nothing brings me more joy than hearing from someone who’s applied what I’ve taught — whether it’s navigating workplace politics, setting boundaries, or communicating with impact — and seeing real transformation.
9. How has your law degree impacted your career?
A law degree signals discipline, critical thinking, and strong communication — skills that have served me in every role. Even though I never practised, the way legal training sharpens your mind is invaluable.
10. Do you have any tips for those starting their career?
Take your career seriously — but don’t take yourself so seriously. Cultivate a sense of humour. It will carry you through awkward moments, difficult conversations, and the occasional misstep with grace.
11. Any messages for newly qualified lawyers?
Be bold. The beginning of your career is the lowest-risk time to take courageous leaps — whether that’s raising your hand for a project, asking a senior leader for coffee, or saying yes to an overseas opportunity.
People are more forgiving when you’re starting out, and those bold moves can dramatically change your trajectory.
