Qimendunjia.asia (Q): Master Dougles, thank you for speaking with us today. You’ve become one of the most recognized names in Qi Men Dun Jia. Some people might assume your journey was smooth. Was it?
Dougles Chan (DC): (smiles) No, far from it. In the early days, I felt very lost. When I first started sharing about Qi Men Dun Jia online, almost nobody read or watched my work. I remember posting articles that maybe had two or three views — and one of them was probably myself checking if the page loaded! (laughs) There were many nights I wondered, “Am I wasting my time?”
Q: Did you ever think about giving up?
DC: Many times. My family even questioned me. They would say, “Why are you spending so much time writing when you’re not earning anything from it?” It was hard to explain to them that I wasn’t chasing money at the start — I just felt this urge to share what I learned. Still, the pressure was real. There were moments I almost stopped completely.
But then, once in a while, I’d get a message from someone saying, “Your explanation helped me understand Qi Men for the first time,” or “Because of your advice, I made a better decision at work.” Those small comments kept me going. They reminded me that even if I wasn’t reaching thousands, I was at least making a difference for a few.
Q: You chose to focus almost entirely on Qi Men Dun Jia, while many others practice Feng Shui, Bazi, and I Ching. Why narrow it down?
DC: Honestly, it was partly because I was overwhelmed. Trying to master everything felt impossible. Qi Men Dun Jia spoke to me the most, because it’s so versatile — you can apply it to career, business, even daily choices. So I told myself, “Instead of being average at five things, why not go deep into one?” It wasn’t a glamorous choice, but it gave me direction.
Q: You also became known for making Qi Men very practical. Where did that come from?
DC: That came from my own struggles. When I was learning, everything was in complex texts that felt untouchable. I wanted to give up many times because I couldn’t see how to use it in real life. Later, when I finally figured out practical applications, I promised myself: if I ever teach, I’ll make it simple and usable. That’s why I always link Qi Men to real-world results — careers, sales, opportunities. It’s not about impressing people with big words, it’s about helping them make better choices.
Q: You went digital early. Was that a clear decision or more of a necessity?
DC: It was survival, really. Renting a venue, advertising offline, holding big seminars — it all costs money, and I didn’t have much at the start. Posting online was cheaper. Plus, I’m not the kind of person who loves standing on stage. Sharing from behind a computer felt more comfortable. At first, nobody paid attention, but over time, the internet gave me a voice that reached far beyond Singapore.
Q: Tell us about your first breakthrough moment.
DC: I’ll never forget it. One of my early YouTube videos suddenly reached a few thousand views. I couldn’t believe it. More importantly, people started emailing me, saying, “Can you teach us?” That was the first time I thought, “Maybe this can be something bigger than just a hobby.” It gave me the courage to start building structured training programs.
Q: Were you confident about training others?
DC: Not at all. In fact, I was scared. I thought, “Who am I to teach?” But the demand came from the students themselves. They wanted a structured path. So I created the first program, step by step. The night before the first class, I barely slept because I was worried people would be disappointed. But after the course, some students told me they finally understood Qi Men clearly. That gave me the confidence to continue.
Q: Today, many students praise your teachings as practical and results-oriented. How do you feel when you hear their stories?
DC: Grateful, and also humbled. I always remind them: Qi Men Dun Jia is the tool, but they are the ones who apply it and take action. I can only show the door — they are the ones who walk through it. Hearing their success stories makes me happy, but it also reminds me of my responsibility to keep teaching honestly.
Q: Looking back, what do you think allowed people to trust you over time?
DC: I think it’s consistency. I didn’t disappear after a few months. Even when things were tough, I kept writing and posting. People can tell when you’re genuine and when you’re just here for quick attention. I never claimed to know everything. I just shared what I knew, openly. Maybe that honesty is what connected with people.
Q: Finally, for someone who wants to walk a similar path, what advice would you give?
DC: Be patient. The beginning will feel lonely — you may spend months or even years with little recognition. Don’t let that discourage you. Focus on being authentic, not famous. Help people first, and let trust grow naturally. And above all, never stop being a student yourself. Even after all these years, I still consider myself a learner of Qi Men Dun Jia. The day I think I know everything is the day I stop growing.
✅ Takeaway:
Grand Master Dougles Chan’s journey wasn’t about shortcuts or luck. It was filled with doubts, pressure from family, long nights of questioning himself, and tiny sparks of encouragement that kept him going. What makes his story inspiring is not just his knowledge of Qi Men Dun Jia, but his humility, persistence, and his genuine desire to make the art accessible and useful to everyone.