1.9km Swim at the 70.3 Ironman Da Nang

Da Nang, Vietnam

Completing a 70.3 Ironman is no small feat. It’s a journey that tests every part of you—physically, mentally, and emotionally. For me, the most intimidating part of this journey wasn’t the 90km bike ride or the 21km run. It was the swim—the 1.9km stretch of open water that had once filled me with anxiety. But […]

From Zero to Ironman 70.3

Sunset

As Ironman Da Nang 70.3 is approaching in a few days, I can’t help but reflect on the journey that brought me here. It’s been less than a year since I started training for my first Ironman race in Vietnam, and yet it feels like I’ve lived a lifetime in that time—mentally, emotionally, and physically. […]

How Meditation Helped Me Heal and Transform

Butterfly

In our fast-paced world, finding a moment of peace can feel like a luxury. But what if I told you that just a few minutes of mindfulness a day could slowly but surely change your life? For me, mindfulness has been more than a practice—it’s been a lifeline. It all started in 2018, in a […]

Reflecting on Vietnam’s 50th Anniversary of Reunification

Firework

As fireworks illuminated the skyline of Ho Chi Minh City, I stood by the window of my flat, overwhelmed with a profound sense of gratitude and pride. The vibrant celebration marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, a pivotal moment in the nation’s history that led to the reunification of North […]

Youth Empowerment and Ironman Training

Wild flowers

Empowering Youth Through Volunteer Work At 9:30 PM, I wrapped up an inspiring workshop for Palace of English X-peaking, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping high school students, especially those from small towns across Vietnam, improve their English. The theme of the workshop was “How to Connect with Others and Build Long-Lasting Relationships”. Sharing stories, […]

A Birthday Note to Self

Green

As I celebrate another trip around the sun, I find myself reflecting on the journey I’ve taken over the past year—a year filled with discovery, creativity, and personal growth. What started as a vague idea has slowly taken shape into something real and meaningful. This is the story of how Sunny Valley, a platform dedicated […]

Riding Through the Heat and Diving Past Fear

Binh Thuan, Vietnam

Day two of our triathlon training camp in Bình Thuận was packed with excitement, growth, and a few jellyfish stings — but above all, it was full of joy. Early Morning Wake-Up Call The day began at the crack of dawn. My roommate, and now honorary sister, Nhan, gently woke me up around 5 AM […]

Open Water Swim, Jellyfish, and Resilience

Phan Thiet, Vietnam

Saturday morning greeted me with a mixture of excitement and lingering fatigue. I had been battling a cold for over a week, coughing often and feeling the effects of intense work, training load, and responsibilities from my role at the UWC Selection. My body felt slightly drained, but my spirit was more than ready for […]

Embracing the Swim Journey

Beautiful ocean

After a long and demanding day at work, I rushed home, cooked a simple yet satisfying dinner, and prepared for the part of my day that both excites and intimidates me the most—swim training. I’ve never considered myself a strong swimmer. In fact, it’s the part of triathlon I struggle with the most. But with […]

Facing the Open Water Day 2

Nha Trang, Vietnam

After a restful—though slightly uneasy—night, my team and I rose at 4:00 AM, ready to take on our second day of training. Despite not sleeping well due to an upset stomach (thanks to some adventurous seafood), I was genuinely excited about our long open water swim ahead. The ocean, the sunrise, the cool morning breeze—it […]