NAME: |
Lyn Heard |
FROM: |
Long Beach California, United States |
LIVED IN THAO DIEN FOR…? |
3 years |
ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN THAO DIEN: |
There’s nothing more fulfilling than spending time in Thao Dien during the day and seeing the young, familiar faces in the community doing things outside of their daily habits. When they have close to ultimate freedom, is when their individuality really shows. I also enjoy coffee, tea, and smoothie dates. |
FAVORITE FOOD: |
PHO! A good vegetarian pho with tons of chili paste! |
FAVORITE COLOR: |
Lavender |
FUN FACT ABOUT YOU: |
I love animals. My ultimate dream is to build my own animal sanctuary and visit it at least 2-4 times a year. |
WHAT ARE YOU KNOWN FOR?
I am known as a huge advocate and influencer of Youth Development. I created the Premier Scholar Athletes program which immerses Vietnamese and international students into a lifestyle of sport and community. We provide hard working, productive and progressive after school sports structures that provide a healthy and active outlet for the youth. It’s all about supporting each other, listening, building together and ultimately competing together.
The work I do at PSA is similar to what I started doing in the states. After being a student-athlete I recognized I needed to help future athletes continue making healthy decisions and choices after they left school.
I was inspired to move to Vietnam after my fiance got offered a job to coach basketball, and through this, I was approached by a group of women who wanted to train and learn about fitness. I taught them all about balance, activity management, positive habit building, physical and mental awareness while using sport as their vehicle to where they want to go in life.
The whole experience has been incredibly special for me. The youth is our future, it’s only right that we prepare them for their lives ahead with the tools we didn’t have or use.
