Best Lao American Sports Hall of Fame Podcasts (2024)

1
Samson Phommabout: MMA Fighter & Entrepreneur 44:45

28d ago44:45

44:45

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 los…

1
Kyto Khoungrasvongsa: Football Player, Coach and Team Owner 44:21

2M ago44:21

44:21

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 t…

1
Jason Somchay: Muay Thai and MMA Fighter 50:20

3M ago50:20

50:20

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 intro…

1
Rose Khun: Forgiveness & Healing through Somatic Breathwork 53:25

4M ago53:25

53:25

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 forg…

1
Jose Nouchanthavong: Lao-American Professional Basketball Player 38:47

4M ago38:47

38:47

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 transi…

1
50th Episode Special: Reflections on the past 2 years 36:43

6M ago36:43

36:43

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 Fou…

1
Lao Rugby Federation: Megan Knight, Viengsamai Souksavanh & Ana Lavongtheung 42:59

7M ago42:59

42:59

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 Wered…

1
Terry Rajsombath: Army National Guard Purple Heart Recipient 57:33

8M ago57:33

57:33

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…

1
Brandon Thammavong: Lifestyle and Confidence Coach 39:44

8M ago39:44

39:44

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. H…

1
Rasi Chau: Football Coach 50:50

9M ago50:50

50:50

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 bee…

1
Sovannahry Em: One Championship MMA Fighter 36:36

9M ago36:36

36:36

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…

1
Amatha Ratsombath: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Laos 1:22:25

10M ago1:22:25

1:22:25

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 L…

1
Athlete Mental Health: Stories from Lao American Athletes 1:06:33

11M ago1:06:33

1:06:33

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 ou…

1
AJ Vongphachanh: Utah State and BYU Football Star 32:00

11M ago32:00

32:00

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 et…

1
Leth Oun: Cambodian American Secrete Service Agent 42:49

12M ago42:49

42:49

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…

1
Boomer Savanh: Laos Born U.S. Navy Veteran, Mountain Climber and Runner 1:10:24

1y ago1:10:24

1:10:24

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 t…

1
Kenya Prach: Kun Khmer / Bokator fighter, Cambodian Genocide survivor, author of Black stone Hands 59:59

1y ago59:59

59:59

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 …

1
Rugby Edition: Jerry Sysourath and Tino Paophavihanh 52:07

1y ago52:07

52:07

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…

1
John Nammychai: Lao-Khmu Army Airborne Soldier and Semi Pro Football Player 1:11:13

1y ago1:11:13

1:11:13

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 herita…

1
Malay Bouaphakeo: Softball, Roller Derby and Life Coach 40:50

1y ago40:50

40:50

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 i…

1
Tron Siphaxay: Lao American Navy Seal 55:27

1y ago55:27

55:27

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 …

1
Lao American Pro Wrestling Round Table: Peter Chanthapone (Jordan Jaa), Sean Bouasenesouk (Sean Lao), Sengphet Sengphachanh (El Saiko Gato) 1:18:34

1y ago1:18:34

1:18:34

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 …

1
James Vang: Hmong American Powerlifting Champion 59:18

1+ y ago59:18

59:18

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 hi…

1
Krysada Panusith Phounsiri: Part 2 Language & Art 32:28

1+ y ago32:28

32:28

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 sta…

1
Krysada Panusith Phounsiri: Lao-American Break-dancer, Poet and Physicist -Part 1 1:00:22

1+ y ago1:00:22

1:00:22

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…

1
Arick Souvanna: Precision Rifle Competitor 43:01

1+ y ago43:01

43:01

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 com…

1
Royal Tiger Academy: Kenji Saykosy and Diandra Sayasy 38:41

1+ y ago38:41

38:41

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 confide…

1
Jeremy Mirken: U.S.A. Sepak Takraw Head Coach 49:31

1+ y ago49:31

49:31

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 beg…

1
Phanath Nate Sengmany: Creator of the Hike and Hit Program 56:33

1+ y ago56:33

56:33

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 findi…

1
Walter Sarnoi Oupathana: WBC Title Holder and Laos National Team Boxer 27:35

1+ y ago27:35

27:35

What would motivate someone who holds a master’s degree, is a licensed paramedic and speaks five languages to step into the ring with some of the best fighters in the world? A passion and a dream. A passion for competing and the dream of representing your ancestral homeland at the biggest athletic show on earth, the Olympics. Walter Sarnoi Oupathan…

1
The Lao Pickleball Guys: Noi Sourinthone & Matthew Nola 48:31

1+ y ago48:31

48:31

Drive by any park or visit an indoor rec center these days and you’re sure to see people, young and old, hitting a ball in what appears to be a life-size game of Ping-Pong. Pickleball has taken the US by storm and two Lao Americans are riding its wave. Noi Sourinthone, left his home in Tennessee to follow his dream to Wichita, Kansas, where he reco…

1
Jackie Sayasone: Lao American Cornhole Pro 37:06

1+ y ago37:06

37:06

When one door closes another one opens. As refugees from Laos, Sy and Nang Sayasone were resettled in the Midwest where they quickly went to work, toiling in meat packing plants in an effort to give their children a better life. Jackie would take advantage of that opportunity and go on to be a college athlete but just as Jackie’s college soccer car…

1
Ohn Phommavong Scoggins: Lao Disc Golf Pro 34:10

1+ y ago34:10

34:10

Sometimes, our life’s calling finds us in the most unexpected ways. Ohn Phommavong grew up in a rice farming village in rural Laos before heading to the city in search of work. Through a chance encounter, she would fall in love with a backpacker from America, Justin Scoggins. After traveling across Asia together they would settle down to a new life…

1
Ben Nguyen: Vietnamese American MMA Fighter 57:58

1+ y ago57:58

57:58

They may say that “nice guys finish last” but Ben Nguyen proves that sometimes it’s the good guy who comes out on top. After the war in Vietnam Ben’s family settled in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where they rebuilt their lives from scratch as refugees. Ben was bullied as a child so his mother signed him up for taekwondo. From his early days practici…

1
David Phrathep: Lao American baseball player and medical student 53:26

1+ y ago53:26

53:26

Arnold Schwarzenegger's six rules for success are, trust yourself, break some rules, don’t be afraid to fail, work like hell and give something back. The first time David Phrathep stepped onto the baseball field he was the underdog. From being told that he wasn’t cut out for little league to taking a shot as a college walk-on, David used that negat…

1
Christa Camvongcau Atwood: Lao-American Airline pilot 56:15

1+ y ago56:15

56:15

When it comes to chasing your dream, they say, “it’s not the destination but the journey”. Pilot Christa Camvongcau Atwood is on the journey of a lifetime, chasing her dream from destination to destination through the skies. From her humble beginnings as a refugee to taking the controls of an A320 Christa is breaking down barriers in a male-dominat…

1
Linda Sayavongchanh: Basketball Player & NCAA D1 Coach 43:08

2y ago43:08

43:08

Linda Sayavongchanh was introduced to basketball in elementary school, a sport that was foreign to her parents who had recently resettled in America as refugees from Laos. At Des Moines-Lincoln High School she would score a staggering 1,630 points, be crowned Miss Iowa Basketball and was named Gatorade player of the year before signing with Drake U…

1
Nara Sihavong: Wrestler, coach, entrepreneur & philanthropist. 59:04

2y ago59:04

59:04

When we featured Folkstyle national champion and Stanford University wrestler Dawson Sihavong as a rising star in the Lao American Sports Hall of Fame it quickly became apparent that Dawson’s journey to the top began a generation earlier in war-torn Laos. Nara Sihavong came to the United States as a refugee in 1978. A mere seven years later he made…

1
Maria Balang: 1st Lao-Lahu IFBB Bikini Pro 45:22

2y ago45:22

45:22

Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, “in our society, the women who break down barriers are those who ignore limits. That’s exactly what Maria Balang did. Maria started working out to get in shape but soon found herself on the stage competing against women half her age. This mother of four would go on to capture one of bodybuilding top honors, earning …

1
Davy Phrathep: Baseball player and clinical psychology doctoral candidate on athlete performance. 58:21

2y ago58:21

58:21

Davy Phrathep and his brother David took up baseball during their childhood in Florida. The brothers, whose parents were refugees from Laos, would go on to be the first known Lao Americans to compete at the NCAA Division I level. While Davy may have hung up his glove after graduating from Florida International University, he would merge his athleti…

1
Lo Phong La Kiatoukaysy, aka Lil' Buddah: Hmong American through hiker 55:24

2y ago55:24

55:24

After the secret war in Laos Lo Phong La Kiatoukaysy and his family fled their Hmong village in the mountains and were resettled on the great plains of America. The family adapted to life in Kansas but would try and reconnect with their highland roots by vacationing in the Rocky Mountains. Lo Phong eventually headed to New York City exploring Ameri…

1
Justin Phongsavanh: Lao-American Paralympic Athlete 48:39

2y ago48:39

48:39

Justin Phongsavanh was only two years old when he entered the Iowa foster care system after his biological parents were incarcerated. He was raised by his adoptive mother in Ankeny, Iowa, and excelled at a variety of sports until at the age of 18 his life changed forever. Justin was shot in a Mcdonald's parking lot after an encounter with a mentall…

1
Jennifer Chanthavong: Lao-American Muay Thai Fighter 26:13

2y ago26:13

26:13

Five feet tall, 184 lbs, and out of shape. That was Jennifer Chanthavong when in 2017, determined to take her life back, she walked into V-Fit martial arts of Arlington Texas. Jennifer started taking kickboxing classes to get in shape but soon found herself in the ring fighting against some of the best up-and-coming martial artists that Texas had t…

1
Channing Cash: Team USA Para-rower from Laos 36:37

2y ago36:37

36:37

Channing Cash was born in a small village in Laos where at three years old she was attacked by a bull that had escaped from its pasture. The attack left Channing unable to walk and was the catalyst behind her parent’s immigration to America as they sought better medical care and quality of life for their daughter. Upon graduation from high school i…

1
Sam Leam: 1989 Stockton schoolyard massacre survivor 50:22

2y ago50:22

50:22

On January 17, 1989, a man walked onto the campus of Cleveland elementary school in Stockton California and unleashed a rain of terror that would leave five children dead and more than 30 others wounded. The mentally disturbed perpetrator, Patrick Purdy, spent his childhood in and out of the foster care system and had a long criminal record and his…

1
Andre Soukhamthath: Lao MMA fighter 45:21

2y ago45:21

45:21

The call that every MMA fighter dreams of finally came in. The man they call the “Asian Sensation” had nine days to drop 25 lbs and get to Las Vegas for his UFC debut. Adversity was nothing new to Andre Soukhamthath and on March 04, 2017, he stepped into the cage securing his place in history as the first Lao American to fight in the UFC. Andre’s j…

1
Bobby Syvanthong: Lao / Khmu basketball player 29:57

2y ago29:57

29:57

Bobby Syvanthong started playing basketball at the age of four in the blue-collar town of Richmond California. He would be crowned MVP at El Cerrito High School before heading to the east coast to play for the University of Maine at Fort Kent where he revolutionized their game. His talents would capture the eyes of scouts in Thailand and Bobby’s gr…

1
Vanna In: Executive director of Hope Now for youth 53:40

2y ago53:40

53:40

In 1975 the Khmer Rouge launched a rain of terror that would result in the death and displacement of millions of people. Vanna In and his family would escape the killing fields only to face a new war on, this time on the streets of America. Caught between the emotional scars that the genocide left on his family and the gang violence of the 1990’s V…

1
David Boutsomsy: Lao-American powerlifter 1:07:53

2y ago1:07:53

1:07:53

Growing up in poverty and in an abusive home David Boutsomsy poured his energy into athletics. While running track and playing football in high school he was introduced to Powerlifting by a teacher. David would join the Delaware State University Football team and unsuccessfully try out for the NFL and Arena league before going all-in on bench press…

1
Cody Chhun: Khmer-American pro wrestler 45:30

2y ago45:30

45:30

Growing up Cody Chhun was a typical Seattle teenager and everyone expected him to head to college after high school. Cody instead chose to forge his own path, into the world of professional wrestling. Unbeknownst to his family, he would sneak off to wrestling school in nearby Everett to hone his craft. Cody’s family has since warmed up to the idea …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Lao American Sports Hall Of Fame Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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