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, offering guidance, and connecting with 28 brilliant students on such an important topic left me feeling energized and deeply grateful.
The invitation came from Nhu, a UWC finalist from Dak Lak, a charming town nestled in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. I met Nhu through my volunteer work on the UWC Vietnam Selection Committee, where I have the honor of reading applications and interviewing some of Vietnam’s most promising young talents. Although Nhu wasn’t ultimately selected for the scholarship, her drive, intelligence, and radiant energy made a lasting impression.
We kept in touch, and when she reached out in early April with a heartfelt letter inviting me to lead this workshop, I said “yes” without hesitation. Opportunities to support the youth are precious to me. I see myself in them—full of dreams, hopes, and the fierce desire to grow. It feels like giving back to the community that once shaped me.
Supporting young people is a way of investing in the future. Every conversation, every piece of advice, and every shared story can light a spark. Through volunteering, I continuously witness the extraordinary potential that lies within Vietnamese youth. It fills me with optimism and a deep sense of purpose.
A Day of Training: Pushing the Limits
Before the workshop, my Saturday was already in full swing. It began with a demanding brick training session—a 90km cycle followed by a 5km run. This was meant to be a heat training session, preparing my body to handle the extreme temperatures expected at the Ironman 70.3 race in Da Nang.
However, Mother Nature had other plans. I started training at 7:30 AM to catch the midday heat, but it turned out to be a pleasantly cloudy day, complete with light rain. While the cool breeze was refreshing, part of me wished for the punishing heat—knowing that Da Nang would offer no mercy during race day.
Embracing the Unexpected
Training often doesn’t go as planned. Sometimes, the environment challenges you in ways you least expect. Rain or shine, adjusting the mindset to embrace whatever comes is a crucial part of the journey.
After the cycle and run, I spent some time tidying up my flat. Weekend organizing is a little ritual of mine. It brings a sense of peace and order amidst a busy training schedule.
A few hours later, it was time to head to the Sala swimming pool for a session with Coach Hung. Despite swimming being my weakest discipline, today felt like a small victory. Coach Hung walked me through specific drills to improve my freestyle leg kicks, focusing on better ankle flexibility and kicking rhythm.
The main set included a 1.5km swim, increasing speed every 500 meters, followed by 6×25-meter sprints to boost sprinting power, and finishing with a 200-meter cool-down. The structured training left me feeling satisfied. With just two weeks until the race, excitement and nervousness are building up in equal measure.
Lessons from Ironman Training: Discipline, Structure, and Persistence
Training for an Ironman 70.3 has been a transformative experience. It’s not just about physical fitness—it’s about mental toughness, emotional resilience, and building an unwavering commitment to your goals.
Discipline: Showing Up Every Day
The biggest lesson Ironman training has taught me is the importance of discipline. Not the glamorous kind that shows up in highlight reels, but the quiet, persistent discipline of showing up every day—even when you’re tired, sore, or simply not in the mood.
Some sessions feel like a win. Others feel like failure. But both are essential parts of the journey. Success in Ironman, as in life, isn’t built in grand moments. It’s built in the ordinary days when you choose to keep going.
Structure: Trusting the Process
Following a training structure is key. Having a clear plan—from cycling drills to swimming intervals—provides a framework to measure progress, identify weaknesses, and steadily build endurance. Trusting the process, even when the results aren’t immediately visible, is a critical mindset.
Persistence: Embracing Hardship
There have been days when exhaustion whispered, “Just skip today’s session.” Days when the mind said, “Why are you even doing this?” But persistence means pushing through those voices, reminding yourself why you started, and reconnecting with your purpose.
Training for an Ironman is a constant invitation to challenge oneself, to stay with discomfort long enough to grow beyond it. As I write this, I’m already thinking about tomorrow’s brick session: a 50km cycle, a 15km run, and a 2km swim. It’s going to be tough. It’s going to test me. But I’m ready.
Today was a day filled with purpose, growth, and a deeper connection to what truly matters: serving others and challenging myself to be better. Whether it’s empowering youth through education or pushing personal limits through Ironman training, the core values remain the same: discipline, structure, persistence, and heart.
Supporting young minds like Nhu’s reminds me why I must continue showing up—not just for the races but for the community, for the next generation, and for the dreams that deserve nurturing.
Every day is a step forward. Every effort matters. And with each step, I get closer to becoming the person I aspire to be.
