Newsletter #38
A B U N D A N C E
Hi everyone!
I hope you're doing a bit better than me here in Berlin because for the past days I've been literally tied to bed with a cold and a swollen leg. Re: the cold.. It was a good fight I think, been trying to push through these past months like a maniac and while everything was incredibly exhilarating, my body wasn't able to catch up and rest up properly. And while it was tempting for me to head out of town for my birthday, this time and year around, the universe did not align for me to do anything. It's for the better I think. Re: the swollen leg.. Shanghai was amazing, more to it in a second, BUT weaving through thousands of people running the marathon.. while you are trying to run a 10km wasn't an ideal running situation. Definitely jumped up and down a bunch of sidewalks and definitely bumped into every other person. It was all good days after, but for some reason, this past Saturday, my leg blew up and I decided to go see a doctor this morning. No running for 10 days. Fingers crossed it heals up well and I can start proper training for Tokyo soon.
Also, I am trying to keep this newsletter short, since your girl is working on a few writing assignments - seriously "be careful for what you wish for" lololol although all amazing gigs, I am lowkey overwhelmed. Probably more so, because I am sick yikes! Anyway, let's get into it:
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On the NYC Marathon weekend
My dear sister Mekdes greeted me as I landed in New York with a phone call and said: "Welcome home Huyen!" As some of you know, the city holds a special place in my heart and with so many friends still present there, the thought about moving back crosses my mind often, if not weekly. My dad also just asked me this weekend: how many times have you been back this year already?! =P
For the NYC Marathon, I had the amazing opportunity to work on two special projects: 1) The Global Womxn Run Collective - our need to connect womxn leaders and founders in the global running community and elevate the conversation around womxns running + sports. We had our very first event during the NYC Marathon weekend and around 50 womxn showed up to run and listen to our panel including Sally, the founder of Oiselle, and Martha, the brand director at Hoka One One. Former pro elite runner Lauren Fleshman was also present during the discussion. I was just coming from a very hectic day, so it was somewhat emotional to me and I had to tear up in front of everyone. Nonetheless, super grateful for everyone who came and am really excited to be working towards a better future for all the girls in sports to come. It's wild to me, how still, at every level in sports and in society, womxn and especially womxn of color are not represented enough. Anyways, onwards and upwards. Please follow along, support and feel free to reach out if you'd like to get involved!
And the 2nd) project I was involved in was Maurten's first-ever Live Event. During that pop up event, they had different sessions, from educating the audience about their product and fueling strategies to listening to runners from the community about team training. It was definitely insightful hearing how Olympian Mary Keitany trains and thinks about running. Everything was video recorded, so I hope they'll put it online sometime soon. Once it's out, I'll definitely share with you all. Having assisted on this production, it was pretty cool how this opportunity came about because the guys in Sweden remembered my work from 2017 and thus, called me in to help with this project.
Apart from being in town for these fun events, I was able to spend some time with friends and as always, really cherish these moments. I was telling a friend here in Berlin the other day, how whenever I am there, I don't feel like I need to explain myself. Of course it's also very specific types of people I am with, but overall the running community is truly incredible and never ceases to amaze me. Speaking of, through mutual friends, I also connected to a fellow runner somewhat new-ish to the NYC community and while we connected over social media before, it was wonderful meeting in person that weekend. Kind of love instagram and technology for things like this. Claire just ran her first full marathon and we found out that we had so much more in common than only our love for running :P Thus, we ended up co-writing this piece for The Recreationalist, in which we speak about our training, our eating disorders and what it means to be a woman in the sport. Check it out here!
Also, regarding the topic of eating disorders and my recent IG post, there is probably much more to unpack, but just wanted to let you know - THANK YOU to everyone who reached out. It's been a journey and I am very happy to have a strong support system guiding me through this recovery process. Overall, been feeling pretty good in my body so just going to continue riding it out :) Don't hesitate reaching out though if you'd like to share your own story with me, we're not alone in this and I am more than happy to listen <3
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On Shanghai
Loved it! Loved all of it!!! You might have noticed already.. since I share a bunch of images over on instagram, I decided to fill this newsletter with my analogue film pictures I took from New York and yesss, Shanghai. As you can see, no running pictures here =D I mean, it was lowkey excessive. I've never been on a fully-funded trip by Nike before so this was just next level. I mean next level-amazing! Everything was taken care of and so well-planned out, we literally came to run, connect and party :))) There was no time to sleep - that's why I am sick fam!! I touched on this a little bit already, but I haven't been back to Asia in 12 years, so this trip was really special to me. Beatrice, one of my best friends from New York and yup, Black Roses days, relocated back to Taiwan a year before I relocated back to Germany. Again, the universe sometimes works magic.. and so we both teared up when we reconnected again this past week in Shanghai. For the ones who know, this trip also marked my kick off to my next big journey to Asia next year. As I am approaching an exchange semester in Vietnam for 2020, of course I aligned it with the Olympics in Tokyo :P, it was such a good time exchanging ideas and getting to know some of the run crews based in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Seoul and Tokyo.
In addition, it was a no-brainer for me to fill our WAYV spots with predominantly women from my team and with so many dudes within the larger running community + crew scene, I really appreciated the fact that we had a platform that weekend to share what WAYV is all about. It's cool to see how most of the teams came about by just being friends and wanting to run together, but when it comes down to access, resources and seats at the table, there are still not enough womxn up there. Besides, what do you stand for anyway? Are you really about pushing the sport forward? Or are you just in it for the check?
And tbh, this is less about me calling anyone out, this is more about you as an individual staying sharp and staying critical. Asking yourself those questions and while I understand that many realities can co-exist (y'all I am far from perfect), I just want all of us to do and act better. Thus, I am really hoping that as all these projects - from WAYV Run Kollektiv to WOCFORWARD to Global Womxn Run Collective to even my podcast and my writing - gain more visibility, more womxn and sisters will feel empowered to start their own clubs.
Also, it was great connecting with the women behind the scenes. Some of them told me, that because of WAYV, they started Queer Runners Shanghai, which is exactly what I was just talking about :) At the end of the day, I am hoping that people will see it more clearly, that the personal is political, and that your decision and action matters and that no matter how small your team or group, you can make a difference. And yes, very much so, we as female founders and change-makers, need men and allies to support us as well. Shoutout to the friends who are in this with me and are actually down to listen and have these conversations.
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BTW on this Shanghai trip, it was amazing getting to know Solne and James and their daughter Selena from PRRC. Bringing kids to weekends like these somewhat takes the pressure and seriousness out - in a good way! Huyen loves being an auntie and if you ever need a babysitter (if you know, I was a former au-pair in my first year in the U.S.), call me! <3
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For my birthday...
I guess I am at an age now, where birthdays shouldn't matter that much and while the day of doesn't really matter THAT much to me, I became super reflective in the past weeks leading up to this weekend. I mean with a cold and a swollen leg, I couldn't really do much on Saturday... BUT still made it out to a comedy show - which actually gave me life again!
Anyways, for the ones, who asked and would like to contribute to my birthday in any capacity, I would love for you to consider a donation to my friend Patty's fundraiser. As you may know, the health care system in the United States is pretty messed up and for years, Patty has been dealing with several issues. One of her friends put it into words here:
"Our dear Patty has been quietly struggling with some health issues for the last few years, but recently things have taken a turn for the worse. We are extremely heartbroken about her condition and it pains us to see her suffer so much to the point where she is severely debilitated. She is unable to work nor generate an income and on top of that, has been left with no health coverage since January due to a clerical error. Because the next enrolment period is in November 2019, Patty will not be insured until the end of this year. So we are here to raise money so that she may be able to receive the proper medical attention and treat the multiple illnesses that have taken over her life. Though it barely scratches the surface of what she’s had to endure, we are here to share her story:
Patty was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 13 years old. While awareness for this chronic illness is growing, there was and still is very little funding towards new research. She was put on birth control throughout her young adult years as many young patients are as a treatment for this. About three years ago, Patty was also diagnosed with an Unknown Autoimmune Disease and we have seen her go through her worst days. Her last few years have been spent in and out of hospitals, meeting doctor after doctor, looking to find answers or at least some relief to her relentless symptoms.
Exposure to black mold in her Brooklyn apartment triggered the Autoimmune Condition. It left her bedridden for a month and every part of her skin was deep red, burning, weeping and swollen, almost as if she was covered in 3rd degree burns. After being put on oral steroids seven times in 2017 along with topical steroids, her symptoms only worsened. Her compromised immune system and the topical steroid withdrawal caused a staph infection, and after yet another hospital visit later, the doctor advised her not to return to her apartment.
With only a handful of options left on the table, Patty’s husband, Pete, packed up their belongings while Patty waited in the hospital and they moved to LA to escape the allergens with the hopes that her condition would improve. Unfortunately, her allergies to food, dust, dander, chemicals, and now wind, the sun, and pollen have become hypersensitive and she has since been suffering with chronic inflammation on a daily basis.
On top of that, her periods bring on a bad flare up every month, which puts her in an immobilizing amount of pain and does not allow her to do anything at all. Her sensitive skin becomes stiff with dryness and the deep red, burning, weeping, and swelling begins again. After a couple of weeks of constant pain, cramping, and skin weeping, it takes another couple of weeks for her to build up the energy to achieve a manageable state, just in time for another cycle to start again." Read more here.
I actually haven't met Patty in person, but again.. through instagram we became pretty close and through the many conversations we had, she's been integral to my own journey back to my own Vietnamese roots. I am thinking of her daily and every evening, I am hoping she has a somewhat decent day. My health issues right now are nothing compared to her struggle which she documents and shares on social media, too. So if you'd like to wish me a happy birthday, do so by visiting her fundraiser and at least, reading through it. I'd appreciate it! Also, when she was feeling a bit better, she had started this beautiful and very much Vietnamese inspired brand Lu Chung, if you wanna check it out.
Much much love if you consider adding into her funds for her to go to the doctor!!
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Words to live by
“When your dreams are bigger than the places you find yourself in, sometimes you need to seek out your own reminders that there is more. And there is always more waiting for you on the other side of fear.” ― Elaine Welteroth
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My last trips were amazing and even the time spent during the Berlin Marathon weekend showed me that I don't need much to laugh and live and love. I mean, we organised our events on like no money... and I just finished a 3hr video shoot part of a study on financial well-being. Thinking about it more, I basically just need an open mind, a healthy heart and wide eyes and ears to listen deeply. Maybe it's me being back in school, experimenting, creating new ways of thinking and yeah sure, this life here and right now, but as I was reflecting these past weeks, the word abundance kept coming up. Everywhere. So much of my past life was surrounded by fear and scarcity, that's also what capitalism and especially the world of consumption tries to tell you, right, that if you don't buy this and that now, it's gone. That there are only so many slices of a cake, that there is only a limited amount of love and that there can only be one woman at the top. Smash all of that. While I am still learning and un-learning, for the new year and the new chapter ahead, I want to ignite the feeling of abundance.
What does it mean to live and breathe and create, knowing there is more. More amazing opportunities, more good people, more travel coming and more love and freedom to experience. How can I share that same energy? How can I make my surroundings feel loved and appreciated? How can I turn fear into freedom?
My heart is full and I want to give it right back, multiply it. Haha, please do tell me if I sound too hippie-ish.. or if I am about to lose it, but something inside me tells me that I am on the right path and hey, Chani Nicholas also reassured me in her recent horoscope. Are you subscribed to her yet?!
xx,
Huyen
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I adore...
Solne's photography and especially her recent photobook.
Lindsay Gibbs newsletter challenging sexism in sports Power Plays. Subscribe!!!
adrienne maree brown's Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good
(I am reading this right now :)
Faith's article on Fly Fishing on The Recreationalist.
Issue 3 of Zine While Running.
Kilomet109 - sustainable fashion innovation from Hanoi, VN.
Deem Journal's first print issue.
Connecting Afro Futures Exhibition here in Berlin.
Mayowas's Comedy Show Kween Kong.
This NYT article by Jenna Wortham on Black Women Artists.
Dear Younger Lauren letter by Lauren Fleshman.
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