Podcast Summary
Becoming UnDone
Episode 140 | From Refugee to CEO: Quang X. Pham's Journey of Grit, Toughness, and Effort
Date: November 1, 2025
Host: Toby Brooks
Guest: Quang X. Pham
Episode Overview
This inspiring episode of Becoming UnDone, hosted by Dr. Toby Brooks, features Quang X. Pham, who shares his extraordinary journey from being a 10-year-old refugee fleeing Saigon to becoming a U.S. Marine Corps aviator and now CEO of a promising biotech company. The conversation explores how grit, clarity, and relentless effort can turn profound setbacks into remarkable comebacks, highlighting themes of duty, sacrifice, and the power of ownership over one’s story.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Defining Moments: From Refugee to American Underdog
- Quang’s family escapes Saigon: At age 10, Pham’s world was upended by the fall of Saigon (April 1975), and he immigrated to America with his mother and sisters while his father stayed behind (04:03).
- Quang:
"That night in Saigon, I was about to become a country-less boy. Going to America without knowing anybody in America, without knowing the language, the culture, the temperature." (00:03)
2. Early Struggles and Mindset Shifts
- Survival, Integration & Sports: Initial years in Arkansas were about daily survival and hunting for news about lost family. Sports (baseball, basketball) became his bridge to American culture and forged a belief in meritocracy (06:32–08:03).
- Quang:
"Success looked like lining up for a meal each day... 1977, I became a starter, hit the game-winning hit. Sports was such a big part of my early years in America. The playing field was equal... didn’t matter what color you were—can you play? Can you produce results?" (06:32–08:03)
3. Duty, Sacrifice, and Grit
- Father’s sacrifice: Quang’s father sent the family to safety but stayed behind, separated for 17 years. This act shaped Quang’s sense of responsibility, pride, and the value of duty (05:11–06:13).
- Military Drive: Inspired by his father's example, Quang pursued a career in the U.S. Marine Corps, honoring his new homeland and his family legacy (09:38).
4. Becoming a U.S. Marine and Cultural Challenges
- Journey to the Marines: Despite not envisioning himself as an American officer, Quang emphasizes how effort and action are keys to breaking through barriers—race, resources, or culture (09:38–11:19).
- Mindset:
"I've never been a dreamer or a visionary. I was all about the mindset, which means taking action." (09:38)
5. Overcoming Fear, Prejudice, and Self-Doubt
- Fear as the Dream-Killer:
"Fear kills more dreams than failure. Fear of safety, even just the fear of failure or the fear of trying... The opposite of fear isn't courage. It's action." (15:30–16:00)
- Adversity in the Military: Faced skepticism as a Vietnamese-American in the military, but was motivated by a “chip on his shoulder” to excel and honor his family and heritage (16:57).
6. The “ER” Principle: Effort and Results
- Ownership & Accountability: Quang introduces his “ER” (Effort and Results) philosophy, developed through introspection and observing others’ careers (23:14).
"Just go back and look at your effort and your result... Did the seed have been laid to the success? But begin by defining what success meant—to you." (23:14)
- Brooks adds:
"Don't give a 2 effort and expect a 10 result... Sometimes you give a 10 effort and get a 2 result, and that's okay." (25:26)
7. Embracing Repetition and Preparation
- Practice Under Pressure: Quang discusses the importance of situational training in sports, sales, and military life—preparation breeds confidence and performance (29:18–31:05).
- Kobe Bryant Reference:
"Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong." (30:27)
8. Love What You Do Until You Can Do What You Love
- Earned Passion: Quang counters the popular “follow your passion” advice, advocating for mastering your current role before the next leap (32:47–36:12).
- Career transitions: Each job became a sturdy platform for the next, reinforcing the importance of excelling in the present.
9. Resilience & Navigating 'Purpose Storms'
- Life transitions: Health, family, and adaptability are paramount. Quang’s advice for those feeling stuck: prioritize well-being, keep learning, and excel where you are while preparing for the next step (37:04–40:22).
- Closing loops:
"If you have something that's open, it affects your life... Close that loop." (41:18)
10. Breaking the Mentorship Myth
- Diverse 'Admirables': Quang challenges the belief you need a mentor who looks like you; instead, find “admirables”—ethical, communicative, and successful exemplars from any background (20:31–22:05).
11. The Underdog Narrative & The American Promise
- America as Underdog-Nation: Quang’s new book, Underdog Nation, extends his personal story to a historical and contemporary reflection on why America remains the land of opportunity for outsiders (44:39–47:28).
"This is life, happiness, it's right here. But you have to earn it. And America asks very little of you." (44:39)
12. Current Work: CEO at Kadrena Therapeutics
- High-Stakes Leadership: Describes the complexity of leading a biotech startup and the weighty mission of developing life-saving drugs. Emphasizes teamwork, mission, and patient impact (47:55–49:55).
Memorable Quotes
-
On Action Over Intention:
"Don’t talk about writing a book. Write it. You want to be a pilot, go practice. It just doesn’t happen. You have to take action."
— Quang X. Pham (00:03, repeated in 09:38) -
On Fear:
"Fear kills more dreams than failure."
— Quang X. Pham (15:30) -
On Role Models:
"That’s one of the biggest myths... You have to have a mentor or a role model. I had none."
— Quang X. Pham (20:31) -
On the Underdog Journey:
"This is the number one country for underdogs. If you don’t have the name, culture, education, money... you could become whoever you want to become. If you focus on effort and results."
— Quang X. Pham (09:38) -
On Ownership:
"Don't give a 2 effort and expect a 10 result... Sometimes you give a 10 effort and get a 2 result, and that's okay."
— Toby Brooks (25:26)
Timestamps: Key Segments
- [00:03] Quang recounts fleeing Saigon, arrival in Arkansas, emphasis on action.
- [04:03] The turning point: Family escapes, father stays behind, sense of duty.
- [06:32–08:03] First American success: sports, finding equality & community.
- [09:38] The Marine Corps journey, action-over-dreams, American opportunity.
- [15:30–16:00] On fear as the barrier to dreams.
- [16:57] Overcoming prejudice in the military, the “chip on the shoulder.”
- [23:14] The “ER” principle: evaluating effort and result.
- [29:18–31:05] Training, repetition, mastery—sports, military, and business.
- [32:47–36:12] “Love what you do until you can do what you love”—how it played out in Quang’s career.
- [37:04–41:39] Resilience, navigating uncertainty, closing emotional loops.
- [44:39–47:28] About his new book, Underdog Nation.
- [47:55–49:55] What it's like to lead a biotech company.
- [50:09] Life soundtrack question—music as a reflection of growth and belonging.
- [51:23] What remains “undone”: professional goals and the quest for meaning.
Notable Personal Moments
- Meeting John Wooden: "Everybody gets scared, but you can let fear hold you back... most people are even scared of trying." (14:55)
- On Kobe Bryant’s passing: Shared experiences linking love of sports, aviation, and the impact of loss (13:09–14:08).
- Audacious career pivots: From standing in line for food as a refugee to running a public biotech company (14:08).
Closing Reflection
Quang X. Pham’s story is an inspirational testament to perseverance and the power of action. His journey illustrates that setbacks and adversity are not roadblocks, but the very crucible in which resilience and purpose are forged. Whether through sports, service, or enterprise, Quang’s core philosophy—action, ownership, and relentless effort—offers a practical blueprint for any underdog seeking to rise.
For Listeners Feeling “Undone”
- Prioritize health, family, and continual learning.
- Define your own success.
- Emulate “admirables,” not just traditional mentors.
- Close open loops in relationships and responsibilities.
- Always give your best, wherever you are.
Final Quote:
"The real journey is not where you come from, but where you're headed. Because it's behind you."
— Quang X. Pham (44:39)
[For more details, visit episode resources and show notes at undonepodcast.com/ep140.]