Episode 10: From Backpacker to Forbes 30 Under 30: Jacob Tan on Rewriting the Playbook on Sustainability in China

In this episode of The Asian Rebel Club Podcast, I sit down with Jacob Tan, a two-time Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and pioneer of sustainability consulting in China. From surviving premature birth to nearly dying twice while backpacking, Jacob shares how confronting mortality shaped his unconventional path, leaving corporate stability to launch a sustainability firm when no one in China understood the concept.

Discover how Jacob’s anthropological background and global experiences taught him to prioritize impact over status, reject societal definitions of success, and build a nomadic life free from materialism. 

He also reveals surprising insights from interviewing Fortune 500 VPs (who hated their jobs) and how his work bridges ancient Chinese wisdom with modern ESG strategies.

Whether you’re questioning societal expectations or seeking purpose beyond profit, Jacob’s journey is a powerful reminder to live like you’re dying - because fulfillment isn’t found in accolades, but in aligning your work with your deepest values.