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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

00:39:44

Jonathan Sirisackda: Lao Esports Federations

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2025/05/27

When Jonathan Sirisackda was sent to America as a child, his parents hoped he would master math, science, and English at the Elgin Academy. But the lessons that would really shape his destiny came from an unexpected source — video games. What began as a pastime became a purpose and today, Jonathan is channeling his passion to empower a new generation of Lao athletes. As the founder of the Lao Esports Federation, he helped lead his country to into competition, including a historic bronze medal at the

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00:28:47

Lalida Maokhamphiou: Marathon Runner

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2025/05/19

For many, running is more than a sport—it’s a sanctuary, a space where life’s challenges are met one stride at a time. For Lalida Maokhamphiou, that couldn’t be more true. What began as a way to cope with life’s challenges quickly transformed into a lifelong passion. The roads that were once an escape soon became a second home. Lalida rose in the sport. becoming a standout high school track star and an accomplished NCAA Division I runner, but one of her most personal triumphs came at the 2025 Boston

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00:43:10

Haidon Vongsaravanhlao Allen: Professional Boxer

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2025/04/01

Sometimes, the hardest hits in life don’t come from an opponent’s punch—they come from our own self-doubts. Haidon Allen was climbing the ranks in amateur boxing when he stepped into the ring with one of the world’s top 25 fighters. He left that match humbled, questioning everything, and ready to throw in the towel.From youth baseball to high school football, Division 1 wrestling to MMA, he had always been chasing the best version of himself. Haidon had once before almost allowed his athletic

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00:38:42

Mason Bannavong: Journey to Physical and Mental Health

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2025/01/14

Mason Bannavong seemed to have it all — a college degree, peak physical fitness, and a dream job in the bustling city of Dallas. But life took a sudden turn, leaving him broke, unemployed, and back in his hometown of Amarillo, Texas. Hitting rock bottom might have seemed like the end but for Mason, it became the solid foundation he needed to rebuild upon. With the support of his family, newfound confidence, and an enduring passion for fitness, he carved out a name for himself in the fitness and

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00:30:19

Shamik Hayes: Lao-American Muay Thai Champion

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2025/01/02

The cornfields of Iowa and the lush tropics of Southeast Asia may seem worlds apart, but when Shamik Hayes first set foot in Laos, he felt an undeniable sense of home. Rediscovering the culture rooted deep in his family’s history ignited a passion that would propel him to become one of America’s top Muay Thai fighters. For some, fighting is about glory; for others, it’s the thrill of competition. But for Shamik, every punch and kick is a tribute to his heritage. His ultimate dream? To represent his

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00:41:54

Tetee Insixiengmay: World Traveler

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2024/10/17

Cherish the past, dream of the future but live, today… Time waits for no one and when Tee Insixiengmay needed a fresh start after a tough break up, he bought a one-way ticket to the adventure of a lifetime. From his ancestral homeland in Laos, to the mountains of South America, Tee has been back packing his way around the globe with the goal of visiting to thirty-five countries, by his thirty-fifth birthday. While he loves the beaches, the majestic views and the amazing foods, it’s the connections

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00:33:34

Sambo Kim: Promoting Bokator and the Kun Khmer...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2024/09/06

Sambo Kim, born in Cambodia, found his connection to an ancient Khmer tradition not in his homeland but 8,000 miles away in America. It was there that he discovered Bokator, a martial art with deep roots in his heritage. Like many young people, Sambo’s initial exposure to martial arts came through Hollywood films, but what began as a childhood fascination quickly grew into a lifelong passion. Returning to Cambodia to train and being mentored under the guidance of Master Kenya Prach, Sambo has been

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00:28:20

Matthew Nola: Building pickleball in Laos

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2024/08/15

At the bottom, there's only one direction to go: up. When Matthew Nola left the Nong Khai refugee camp and boarded a one-way flight to America with his family, he could only have imagined that his return ticket would come in the form of an unexpected game: pickleball. Now recognized as the fastest-growing sport in the world, pickleball has transformed Matt into one of its most passionate advocates. From playing in tournaments, developing future stars to building a brand that would help put his

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00:43:47

Anna Ounoutha: Probation Officer and Motorcycle Drag...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2024/07/25

Life is a journey filled with highs, lows, joy and pain and no one knows this better than Anna Ounoutha. Raised by refugee parents from Laos, she experienced the devastating loss of her brother to gang violence and became a mother during her teenage years. Instead of succumbing to these challenges, Anna transformed adversity into motivation. She pursued higher education, established a successful career in criminal justice, raised a family, and even excelled as a drag racer. Her resilience and

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00:50:53

Andy Rasavongseuk: New York Fire Fighter

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2024/06/29

For most of us help is only a phone call away but we often forget that those responding in our time of need are fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters… everyday people. At no time was that more evident than on September 11th, 2001 when 343 firefighters lost their lives. From routine fire inspections to one of the darkest days in our nation’s history, Andy Rasavongseuk served the people of New York for over 25 years. This selfless father of three and his colleagues put their lives on the line to

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00:15:39

Bonus Episode: 2023 SEA Games Recap

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2024/06/07

In 2023 a group of Lao American athletes traveled to Cambodia to represent Laos at the SEA games. Among the group was Angelina Messina (University of Pittsburgh Swim). Astrid Dirkzwager (Georgia Tech swim), Ariana Dirkzwager (Georgia Tech swim, Steven Insixiengmay (University of Georgia swim) and Dawson Sihavong (Stanford University wreslting). This episode includes a short recap and interviews with the athletes that were conducted at the games.

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00:44:45

Samson Phommabout: MMA Fighter & Entrepreneur

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2024/04/08

Samson, a man so powerful they say he could slay a lion with his bare hands. Much like his biblical namesake, Samson Phommabout’s life story is one of incredible strength and resilience. Raised in the shadows of Salt Lake City, Samson's early years were marred by the allure of gang life. It would take a brush with law enforcement and the tragic loss of a dear friend before he would confront the harsh realities of where his choices were taking him. He decided to trade the streets for the cage,

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00:44:21

Kyto Khoungrasvongsa: Football Player, Coach and Team...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2024/03/14

The first generation walked, so that the second could run, and the third…could fly… Lost somewhere between Buddhist ancestors and Mormon neighbors, between his Lao heritage and the American dream Kyto Khouangrasvongsa would find his way home on the football field. Kyto began playing in high school before transitioning into the semi pros. When the team he was playing on went into default, Kyto paid off the debts and found himself at the helm as owner and general manager. Evolving from player to

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00:50:20

Jason Somchay: Muay Thai and MMA Fighter

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2024/02/24

They say that a smooth sea has never made a skilled sailor. The odds were stacked against Jason Somachay in life. Growing up without a father, being raised by his immigrant grandparents and finding his way into the juvenile justice system. It was through the tumultuous seas of his youth that he discovered his anchor: martial arts. After being introduced to MMA by an uncle, Jason would rise through the south Florida amateur circuits and in 2012 made his professional debut. His journey as an athlete

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00:53:25

Rose Khun: Forgiveness & Healing through Somatic...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2024/01/29

Rose Khun is the daughter of Cambodian refugees that resettled in the United States after fleeing the Khmer Rouge. Her parents operated a small video store in California where her father was killed in a robbery. The tragedy would impact Rose for years to come. Through somatic breathwork Rose was able to start her healing journey and ultimately forgive her father’s killer, a fellow Khmer Rouge survivor. In this episode host Ko Chandetka opens up about his own healing journey having lost his sister to

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00:38:47

Jose Nouchanthavong: Lao-American Professional...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2024/01/13

From a small town in Maine to the lights of Bangkok, it’s the love of the game that has taken Jose Nouchathavong on a journey around the world. Jose began playing basketball as a child and would work his way onto the roster of a local community college before going on to play for University of Southern Maine. At a crossroads, contemplating a transition into the workforce, fate intervened with a unique opportunity – a chance to travel to Laos and proudly represent his heritage as a member of Team

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00:36:43

50th Episode Special: Reflections on the past 2 years

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/11/30

When the Lao American Sports Hall of Fame was founded over a cup of coffee in South Elgin, Illinois, we could have only imagined what it would become. About two years into our journey, we’ve inducted 25 athletes, featured countless rising stars, built bridges between athletes in Laos and the USA and made a few new friends along the way. The SEA Four Podcast was born out of the desire to give the Hall of Fame athletes and other inspiring individuals a platform to have their stories told. In a special

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00:42:59

Lao Rugby Federation: Megan Knight, Viengsamai...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/10/23

While we love the competition, the glory and the roar of the crowd there is so much more to sports and nowhere is this more evident than on the Rugby pitches of Laos. From the capital city to the rural villages rugby is making a positive impact across the country. Through the Lao Rugby Federation’s developmental programs and the transnational Weredragons Rugby club people are coming together from around the world and overseas Lao people are reconnecting with their heritage. In Laos rugby is not just

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00:57:33

Terry Rajsombath: Army National Guard Purple Heart...

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/10/02

Victor Hugo said, “What causes night in our souls, may have stars”. The 9/11 attacks drove Terry Rajsombath to enlist in the military and it wouldn’t be long before he was deployed to the front lines in Afghanistan. After surviving a near fatal gunshot wound in a harrowing fire fight, Terry would face the ultimate battle of his life while trying to recover both physically and mentally. At the dawn of the darkest night in his life, Terry, would find a star and against the advice of doctors go on to

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00:39:44

Brandon Thammavong: Lifestyle and Confidence Coach

SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement... ·

2023/09/05

The toughest moments in our lives can either break us, or make us. Brandon Thammavong was headed down a path of self-destruction, when in a defining moment he decided to make a change. Pouring everything into his mental and physical self, while harnessing his entrepreneurial spirt, Brandon, would conquer his past and forge a path into the future. He’s dabbled in bodybuilding and physical training but his greatest passion comes from helping others find their purpose through his platform, North Star

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67 results

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