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PODCAST

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement > Adversity

Lao American Sports Hall of Fame

The SEA4 Podcast aims to bring the stories of refugees from Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam and their American-born descendants into the mainstream. By focusing on athletes and other accomplished individuals who have overcome adversity we hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams. John Messina and Ko Chandetka from the Lao American Sports Hall of Fame will be interviewing athletes and others who represent the diverse cultures of Southeast Asia including Lao, Laotian, Khmu, Khmer, Hmong, Vietnamese,

society & culture

All Episodes

00:50:50

Rasi Chau: Football Coach

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/08/28

In life we make choices. Shortly after Rasi Chau landed in America, he strapped on a football helmet and put the war and devastation that had defined his early childhood behind him. Rasi would go on to play in high school, college and the ranks of the semi-pros before taking to the field as a coach and official. From Pewee to the Pros, Rasi has been sharing his knowledge, triumphs and struggles with the next generation of athletes for over 20 years. His story not only embodies the American spirit

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00:36:36

Sovannahry Em: One Championship MMA Fighter

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/08/21

How does a shy child from Long Beach end up fighting on Asian’s biggest MMA stage? After high school, Sovannarhry Em began training in boxing and martial arts. Initially focused on fun and fitness she quickly caught the eye of professional promoters. After winning her first few pro fights in dramatic fashion, Sovannahry boarded a plane for Malaysia and entered the cage as One Championship athlete. Sovannahry is currently taking a break from her MMA career but hopes to one day represent her Khmer

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01:22:25

Amatha Ratsombath: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Laos

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/07/17

Amatha Ratsombath was lost in life, floundering somewhere between the French ideals of Liberty, equality and fraternity and the urban ghettos of Paris filled with disenfranchised immigrant youth. He would find a path in life through martial arts and after relocating to his ancestral homeland of Laos discover his inner self. Amatha recentlyled the Lao national Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team to its first international competition at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia and is now preparing for a history making

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01:06:33

Athlete Mental Health: Stories from Lao American...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/07/05

Behind the triumphs and glory that grace the sporting arenas, there lies a lesser-known battle fought within the hearts and minds of these extraordinary individuals. Athlete Mental health, a topic often shrouded in silence but that holds immense importance. Behind every gold medal lies, trauma, self-doubt, fear and pain. From the darkest lows to our proudest moments, we'll discover the unbreakable spirit that resides within every athlete, reminding ourselves that mental health is not a barrier

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00:32:00

AJ Vongphachanh: Utah State and BYU Football Star

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/06/15

To most people the 2021 Jimmy Kimmel L.A. Bowl was just another football game but to the Lao American community in was a moment of great pride as two Lao last names battled it out. AJ Vongphachanh rose from the youth football fields of western Washington to playing in a sold-out SoFi stadium on national television. Behind his rise, a strong work ethic, an NFL dream and most importantly a supportive family. After an incredible four years at Utah State AJ has decided to finish out his college

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00:42:49

Leth Oun: Cambodian American Secrete Service Agent

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/05/30

Neil Diamond said, have you ever heard a story about a frog who dreamed of becoming a king, and then became one? Well except for the names and a few other changes if you’re talking about Leth Oun the story is the same one. Leth was a virtual slave under the Khmer Rouge but now protects the leader of the free world. After escaping the killing fields, transitioning through refugee camps and adapting to life in America, Leth joined the secret service. A pivotal moment in his life and career came when

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01:10:24

Boomer Savanh: Laos Born U.S. Navy Veteran, Mountain...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/05/08

How does a child go from a poor farming village in Laos to the top of a mountain? Opportunity, its what the American dream is ultimately all about. After transiting through a refugee camp, Boomer Savanh, came to America as a child and went on to have a successful 27-year career in the U.S. Navy and is raising a family. As an athlete, he’s climbed to the top of some of the world’s most majestic mountains, endured 100-mile trail runs and competed in Marathons across the country. If there is any

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00:59:59

Kenya Prach: Kun Khmer / Bokator fighter, Cambodian...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/04/24

Kenya Prach is a survivor of the Cambodian genocide, known as the killing fields. Destitute and clinging to life, Kenya entered a refugee in Thailand. At night he would sneak out of the camp and fight for money in order to support his family. In America, with limited language and job skills Kenya would rely on his fighting skills again and pass on bokator and the ancient kun-khmer arts to a new generation. His martial arts skills have become a platform to fight crimes against humanity, stop human

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00:52:07

Rugby Edition: Jerry Sysourath and Tino Paophavihanh

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/04/17

For many in the U.S. participation in competitive sports ends on the high school football field but for Jerry Sysourath and Tino Paophavihanh football was only the beginning. Rugby, a sport that has long been popular in the Asia Pacific Region is steadily gaining a following in America and became a completive poulet for Jerry and Tino. What started off as a hobby has taken the two men around the world. Competing in international matches, finding a community, and in the case of Tino, bringing him

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01:11:13

John Nammychai: Lao-Khmu Army Airborne Soldier and...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/04/02

As Steve Hartman would say, “everybody has a story”. John Nammychai is no exception. The child of refugees he guided himself into the world, jumping from planes, fighting in war, and realizing his version of an NFL dream on the semipro football field. John did this all while trying to understand who he is and to connect with his ancient Khmu heritage from Laos. This isn’t a story of an NFL star or Navy Seal, but rather a regular guy navigating through this complicated world. Check out Sweet Rice

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00:40:50

Malay Bouaphakeo: Softball, Roller Derby and Life Coach

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/03/20

Passion, its what drove Malay Boauphakeo from her humble begging in Storm Lake Iowa, to the softball diamond at Drake University. After graduating and entering the workforce her passion for competitive sports would lead her to found and compete on a roller derby team, the Des Monies Dames. Malay’s greatest passion in life might just be instilling it in others through her work as a life coach, IT recruiter and with her newly earned master’s degree in mental health

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00:55:27

Tron Siphaxay: Lao American Navy Seal

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/03/06

Why attempt something if most people fail? Why put yourself in danger when you can be at home safe? Soukhanthone Siphaxay, known to most as Tron, was in boot camp during the September 11th, 2001 attack on America and would soon find himself on the front lines of the war on terror as part of an elite force, the Navy Seals. Tron enlisted in the Navy with the purpose of serving his country and was deployed to hot spots around the world including Iraq, Afghanistan, and the southern Philippines. The Laos

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01:18:34

Lao American Pro Wrestling Round Table: Peter...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/02/20

The glory, the agony, the sport and the acting, we dive deep into the world of pro wrestling. From the bright lights of the stage to the depths of defeat it may be just a show to many, but to the athletes, it’s a lifestyle filled with exhilaration, challenges, pain and purpose. Join us for a roundtable style discussion on what its like to be a pro wrestler. This is Ringside Raine and welcome to the Lao American Pro Wrestling Round Table, a special episode of the SEA4 Podcast, And now, introducing

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00:59:18

James Vang: Hmong American Powerlifting Champion

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/02/06

The road to greatness can be a lonely one and no one knows this better than champion powerlifter, James Vang. It was during a tough time in life that James made a choice, ignore the naysayers, don’t let others define you and go all in. As a member of Team USA, a nine-time national champion, and Arnold Classic title holder, James Vang has powered his way to the top of the sport. It's not all about titles and breaking records for James he enjoys giving back as a coach, advocating for health and

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00:32:28

Krysada Panusith Phounsiri: Part 2 Language & Art

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/01/30

This is part two of our interview with Lao-American dancer, poet, and scientist, Krysada Panusith Phounsiri. In the last episode, he took us on a journey, from break dancing on the streets of San Deigo to national tv and the Las Vegas stage. Krysada is also a poet and tells of his experiences and the stories of his community through writing. We start off part two of this inspiring interview with a recital of Krysada’s poem, Sa bai Sa bai. Sa bai Sa bai Poem:

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01:00:22

Krysada Panusith Phounsiri: Lao-American...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/01/23

Part 1 of a two-part interview. What lies at the intersection of science, art, language, and athleticism? At the confluence of Lao and American culture? Krysada Panusith Phounsiri, or Binly, as he is known is an accomplished break dancer, award-winning poet, artist, and physicist. From his early days in Laos to the Las Vegas stage, Binly is writing his story with every dance move, photograph, and engineering breakthrough. It's a story, being retold through poetry, preserved for future generations as

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00:43:01

Arick Souvanna: Precision Rifle Competitor

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/01/15

Sometimes, in life people shoot for their dreams, literally. Arick Souvanna grew up in Saginaw Texas, a town known for hosting one of the largest Lao New Year celebrations in America. Arick is putting this tight-knit community on the map again, this time for Precision Rifle Shooting. From building his own ammunition to traveling the country for competition, Arick is taking a shot at a dream. After competing for four years, he has won regional matches, placed as high as 6th in national events, and

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00:38:41

Royal Tiger Academy: Kenji Saykosy and Diandra Sayasy

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/01/10

Sometimes we don’t find our calling in life, it finds us. As a refugee from Laos, Kenji Saykosy was bullied as a child and turned to martial arts for self-defense. 40 years later at Royal Tiger Academy in Damascus Maryland, Kenji and his partner Dee Dee, pass on their knowledge and passion to students of all ages. Helping young people build confidence, preparing athletes for competition and keeping our men and women in uniform safe, its all in a days work for Kenji and Dee Dee. The team at Royal

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00:49:31

Jeremy Mirken: U.S.A. Sepak Takraw Head Coach

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/01/03

In 1960 a group of southeast Asian countries came together in Kuala Lumpur to standardize the rules and settle on a name for an ancient sport, Sepak Takraw. The sport began gaining popularity in the United States mainly within the Lao and Hmong diaspora communities in places like Northern California and Minnesota during the 1980s. Jeremy Mirken began playing with a group of Lao Americans at an apartment complex in Oakland, California. He would soon find himself representing the United States on

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00:56:33

Phanath Nate Sengmany: Creator of the Hike and Hit...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2022/11/22

You may have heard the saying “find your why”. It’s the why that has driven Nate Sengmany from his namesake, a refugee camp in Thailand, to doing the Nate Pose on top of some of California’s most scenic bluffs. He came up during Sacramento’s turbulent 1990’s and after an encounter with the criminal justice system Nate made a choice in life by finding his why. Nate’s why is to leave have a positive impact on, individuals, his family, the Lao community, and beyond. His life has taken him on a journey

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67 results

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