Initially, I had no intention to ever do the full IRONMAN. I’ve completed the half IRONMAN 3 times and found it to be very manageable and the training wasn’t bad. But, I knew the amount of training and what it would take for the full would be wild; and honestly, I didn’t have time for that shit. 2.4mi swim, 112mi bike, and 26.2mi run - a total of 140.6 miles. That just sounded insane.
Then, I visited a close friend of mine who I would consider one of my biggest inspirations. When we were younger, he was one of the smartest, fittest, and buffest dudes I knew. I owe him a million favors bc he got me one of my first real paying jobs, let me crash on his couch, and his mom practically fed me daily as a broke ass college kid. A few years back he was diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia, which in short, is when a part of your brain shrinks and you lose your motor skills. Seeing him in his current condition compared to where he used to be really fucken hit me. It just got to me that I can’t ever take my health for granted and that tomorrow isn’t promised. That was pretty much my drive during the last year of over 500 miles of running, 2600 miles of biking, and close to 250 hours of training — all while running a business, not missing a single one of my kids’ bball practices or games, and trying to be a good husband (sometimes)😆😆😆.
I never told my family, friends, or anyone why I wanted to do the full but this was why… Just because you aren’t able to do the same things you did before physically and I know you don’t want to be a burden on us but nothing has changed bro. You will never be forgotten. I love you bro, this one’s for you Hieu. WE ARE IRONMEN.
Thank you Business Concepts for covering our story. The garment industry isn’t new to me. This wasn’t something I just “fell” into. My mother made her living in the fashion industry as part of the supply chain as a “sewer” who sewed together garments. Beginning at 4 years old, I spent my childhood literally hanging out in a sweatshop.
At an early age I understood exactly what went on in the PRODUCTION side of apparel. From being the son of a factory worker who didn’t speak any English, getting paid 20 cents per garment, to being an important part of the industry… You can say my success now is pretty much full circle and I couldn’t be more blessed.
To buy the magazine…the link is in my bio! #santaanaboyz #theleverage
Immigrant parents, boat people, refugees, growing up on welfare… I grew up with a huge chip on my shoulders. My childhood literally taught me how to hustle when I started my 2nd life working for my own.
When Lee and I first started our business, we lived from a suitcase spending weeks at a time overseas, spending long nights traveling, and eating shitty ass food. I was away from my kids and wife for periods at a time. I missed out on every moment of Jordyn and Ryder’s growth from their first words, steps, to even going to school — and why the fuck did we do this for? To build a legacy and not have them ever grow up seeing and living the way I did. I never gave a fuck about recognition because we never got that. How many people believed in us? Not many. The ones that did, I love you. I’m here because of your support. My wife, family and close friends....you’ve always been my riders.
You’ve seen my social, it’s composed of highlights; but, you’ve never seen the amount of money we’ve lost, the people we’ve helped that turned around to either steal or take advantage of us, or even the amount of pressure it was (and still is) to run a business self-funded.
This has been a long ass time coming. We literally went down to our last dollar and spent every cent we had to build this company. Honestly, to actually be recognized by @Forbes is not only a win for me, it is a win for all of you inspiring to make it; and when I say you, I mean every immigrant that was forced to try and make it with no handouts, no help, no nothing… I hope I motivate you all. To all my minorities, asians, Viets and everyone in Santa Ana… We fuckin did it. Today, no one can tell me shit. Thank you also Joseph and John for the write up! Check the write up on us, link in my bio. #forbes #santaana #theleverage @theleverageshowroom
5 70.3’s and 1 full @ironmantri in 3 years.
This one? Different story.
Chain popped on every climb…ended up walking up every hill. Barely made it off the course. Definitely not my best race—but finishing was the goal, and we got it done.
Lowkey felt like this one might’ve broke me…had me thinking retirement for a second 😂
…but nah, I still got something left in the tank.
Taking the summer off though…strictly tequila season 🥴🤣
#UntilNextTime #6ofem
“You have to work at a high standard… and be a psycho.” Chris
Most people won’t admit it. The ones building something real already know.
@theleverageshowroom x @mutuals
We’re giving one of you a curated Leverage merch package, handpicked by @chris_theleverage .
To enter 1. Follow @mutuals and @theleverageshowroom 2. Like this reel 3. Comment who you’d share this with 👀
Winner announced April 13.
I finally get to announce this…
I’ve been casted to play Chris Ngo, the founder of @theleverageshowroom in Leverage University, a series where entrepreneurs and brand owners connect to learn about fashion…
I pitched this idea as a producer but somehow ended up casted as the main act. I never thought my entrepreneur journey in fashion and love for content creation would lead to this opportunity.
thank you to the @netflix executive production team and casting crew who trusted me on the rollout to show up as myself. you all know who you are.
thank you @chris_theleverage and the @theleverageshowroom . we up.
#leverageuniversity #netflix — see ya
