SEA4 Podcast: Southeast Asian Athlete Achievement > Adversity

Zachary Keomysay, better known as Keymo, left his childhoodhome in Nebraska chasing a dream in Los Angeles. While his vision of dancing on the big screen didn’t unfold as planned, the journey led him to something even more powerful: storytelling. Drawing from his ancient roots in Laos and his upbringing n the great plains of America, Keymo weaves purpose and identity into every story, creating sce...

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 Espo...

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 a...

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 a...

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 c...

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-fift...

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. Retu...

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 advoc...

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 c...

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...

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 wi...

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 th...

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...

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...

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 surv...

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 un...

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 H...

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...

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 daw...

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...

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 wi...

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....

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 recently led the Lao national Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team to its fir...

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 unbreak...

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 supporti...