Some days, without doing anything extraordinary, you feel it—this quiet sense that you’re heading in the right direction. That’s exactly how I felt this Saturday.
It was a simple day. No big events, no intense workouts, no packed calendar. But by the time evening came, I felt full of gratitude, energy, and a deep sense of progress—like all the little pieces of my week had come together in a way that mattered.
I’ve been pouring my heart into Sunny Valley, a platform I hope will grow into a nurturing space for young people—somewhere they can come to feel inspired, understood, and supported. A place where they can listen to real stories from real people and begin to ask themselves: What kind of life do I want to live?
There’s still a lot I’m figuring out. But this Saturday reminded me: building something meaningful doesn’t always look like hustle. Sometimes, it looks like rest. It looks like reflection. It looks like people showing up for each other.
A Morning That Started With Stillness
I started the day slowly. My body was still recovering from a cold, and my coach had advised me to take a break from training. That’s always hard for me. I genuinely love training. It brings structure, energy, and a sense of control to my days.
But I listened to my body. Instead of pushing it, I chose to stay home and clean my space. Cleaning might seem like a chore to some, but for me, it’s calming. As I moved through the rooms—dusting, folding, tidying—I felt my mind settle. I do some of my best thinking during quiet tasks like these.
Afterward, I sat down with my journal and did my usual Saturday reflection: What went well this week? What drained me? What filled me up? What do I want to feel next week? These check-ins keep me grounded. They help me move forward intentionally instead of just reacting to life as it comes.
A Mentorship Journey That Inspires Me Daily
Later that morning, I had my weekly call with Kien. If you’ve ever had the chance to mentor someone, you know how special those relationships can become. Kien and I first met during the UWC scholarship selection in 2023. He wasn’t selected, but there was something about him that stayed with me—his curiosity, his drive, his energy.
He grew up in Lao Cai, a small town in northern Vietnam. His mother has been the main pillar of the family, taking care of everything while his father struggles with illness. Despite these challenges, Kien has never let his circumstances define him. He has a natural spark and works incredibly hard.
After the UWC selection process ended, he stayed connected with the other finalists and reached out to me. Even though he wasn’t selected, he asked if I could be his mentor. I said yes—and I’m so glad I did.
Eventually, he made a brave decision to move to Ho Chi Minh City, leaving behind the comfort and familiarity of home to pursue his dreams. That transition wasn’t easy. Like many young students, he was unsure, overwhelmed, and searching for direction. Over the past year, we’ve had countless conversations—some practical, some emotional, all rooted in trust.
Today, Kien is not just my mentee—he’s my creative partner. He helps design all the social media content for Sunny Valley. We’re producing over 100 pieces of content weekly across platforms. He manages the visuals, writes captions, brainstorms ideas, and brings the Sunny Valley spirit to life through every post.
Each Saturday, we meet to plan the upcoming week. This week, we talked about ideas for image posts, short videos, and captions that could really connect with our audience. We always ask: What message would help someone feel inspired this week? or How can we bring more value and light to the platform?
Kien recently received a 100% scholarship for his tuition—a huge milestone. And just this week, he moved into a new apartment. After sharing a crowded room with several people, he now has his own space with a roommate. He showed me pictures during our call, and I could feel the pride in his voice. Watching him grow and thrive reminds me why I do this work.
Of course, he still gets overwhelmed. Between school, creative projects, and freelance work, it’s a lot. I’ve been helping him build systems and structure so he can manage his time better and avoid burnout. I always remind him: School comes first. Sunny Valley can wait if needed. His well-being is more important than any deadline.
The People Behind My Wellness
After our call, I had a session with Hoan, my massage therapist. She’s been helping me recover and stay healthy for over a year. Training for Ironman competitions puts a lot of stress on my body. Without people like Huyen and my physiotherapist, Dung, I wouldn’t be able to keep going.
They know when my muscles are fatigued, when my stress levels are high, when I need rest more than I need a workout. Their support is quiet but powerful. They’re the reason I’m able to perform at my best, not just physically—but mentally and emotionally too.
Wellness isn’t just about exercise. It’s about surrounding yourself with people who understand your rhythms, support your growth, and help you slow down when you need to.
A Big Moment for Sunny Valley
Saturday afternoon was exciting—we filmed the first in-person episode of the Sunny Valley podcast!
Until now, all the podcast episodes had been recorded virtually using an online platform. But I wanted to try something new—something more real, more visual, more grounded.
My web designer connected me to a talented videographer who’s worked on many podcast projects. He brought all the equipment—lights, cameras, mics—and we set up the studio space to film with my friend Hai, who is also a UWC alum.
Hai and I always have deep conversations, and filming this episode felt natural. We talked about identity, purpose, struggles, and growth. The videographer was incredibly professional, and the whole process just flowed. It felt like a dream coming to life.
After filming, we sat down and talked about the bigger vision. I showed him where I hope to take Sunny Valley, and we discussed future collaborations. It was such a great moment—one of those when you realize, Yes, I’m building something real here.
Ending the Day with Gratitude
As the day wound down, I felt deeply grateful. For Kien. For Hoan. For Hai. For my small team. For every person who has walked with me through this journey of building Sunny Valley.
This Saturday wasn’t flashy or dramatic. But it was full of meaning.
And the weekend wasn’t over yet—on Sunday, I had plans to meet another amazing mentee for brunch. She’s a UWC scholar studying in Costa Rica and is back in Vietnam for her summer internship. She’s grown so much, and I couldn’t wait to catch up and hear about her first year abroad.
Saturday reminded me of one simple truth: growth isn’t always loud.
Sometimes, it’s a quiet decision to rest. A heartfelt message from someone you’ve mentored. A creative breakthrough over a cup of tea. A podcast episode that lights up your soul. A clean room. A peaceful heart.
And as I sat back that evening, notebook on my lap, tea in hand, I felt at peace. There’s still a long way to go—but this journey is already rich with purpose.
Here’s to more Saturdays like this. Full of quiet joy, meaningful work, and the kind of progress that speaks straight to the heart.