As a kid, I dyed my hair blonde to fit in. As an adult, I've made it my mission to help Asian women boost their confidence.

• Sheena Yap Chan is an author and podcast host who helps Asian women improve their confidence. 
• Yap Chan believes Asian women are stereotyped as "submissive" and "obedient."
• She shares three steps Asian women should take to break these stereotypes. 

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with 41-year-old Sheena Yap Chan, an author and podcast host based in Toronto. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I grew up in the Philippines before moving to Toronto, Canada, when I was seven years old. I experienced a lot of culture shock from living in a new country. To fit in, I remember dying my hair blonde and even thought of changing my name to "Heather."