🏃‍♂️🇰🇪➡️🇺🇸 From Barefoot in Kenya to 5 Olympics: Bernard Lagat’s Immigrant Story 🥇✨

Welcome back to Interviews with Immigrants — the podcast that cuts through the politics and celebrates the heart, humor, and humanity behind real immigrant journeys. I’m your host Andrea Szew, immigration attorney and the face behind Szew Law Group, where thousands turn each month for U.S. immigration guidance — but this show is about life, legacy, and the stories that deserve to be told.

In this episode, I sit down with Bernard Lagat, one of the greatest middle- and long-distance runners of all time. Born in Kenya, Bernard takes us from barefoot runs to wearing a used pair of Nikes from his sister Mary — the woman who changed everything — all the way to five Olympic Games, World Championship titles, and representing two countries on the world’s biggest stage.

🎙️ In this episode, we talk about…

👟 Growing up barefoot in rural Kenya and receiving his first pair of Nikes from the sister who changed everything
🏡 Life as the 5th of 10 children and the values of family, faith, and community that shaped him
🇺🇸 Arriving in America with big expectations — and being picked up in a beat-up Ford Bronco instead of a limo 🦌
🎓 Buying into excellence at Washington State University and learning what it really means to be “all in”
🏁 Going inside his mind during the legendary Athens 2004 Olympic finish against Hicham El Guerrouj
📄 Winning the Diversity Visa lottery and becoming a U.S. permanent resident and citizen
🇰🇪➡️🇺🇸 Representing two countries on the world stage and navigating identity, belonging, and pride
🔥 Defying age and expectations with a 52-second lap at the U.S. Olympic Trials at 41 years old
💬 Rapid-fire fun: rivals, getting lost on a run in Madrid, and who should play Bernard in a movie
💛 The legacy he hopes the next generation of immigrants takes from his journey

⏱️ Key Moments in This Episode

00:00 Running as culture, tradition, and way of life
02:24 Growing up as the 5th of 10 kids in rural Kenya
04:40 The first pair of Nikes — and the sister who changed everything 👟
19:04 Expecting a limo… arriving to a Ford Bronco and deer crossing signs 🦌
33:42 Bernard “calls the race” — inside the Athens 2004 Olympic finish 🏁
38:06 Winning the Diversity Visa and becoming a U.S. permanent resident 🇺🇸
46:48 The iconic 41-year-old, 52-second lap at the U.S. Trials 🔥
51:18 Rapid-fire fun: Denzel vs. Chris Rock, getting lost in Madrid, and more 😂
53:05 The legacy Bernard hopes immigrants take from his story 💛

If this episode made you laugh, reflect, or see immigration a little differently, please share it, leave a review, and subscribe so you don’t miss the incredible voices featured this season on Interviews with Immigrants.

🎧 Behind every immigration story is a celebration of humanity.

🎧 New to the show? Start here:
Brazilian comedian Jade Catta-Preta 🇧🇷🎤 — https://youtu.be/m5rP4HL-FgA
Mexican-American chef Aarón Sánchez 🇲🇽🔥 — https://youtu.be/iF2gwzmaQJ4
Hong Kong-native fashion creator Leo Chan 🇭🇰🗽 — https://youtu.be/X7UwahYAQtc
Argentinian-born actor & restauranteur Guillermo Zapata 🇦🇷🍷 — https://youtu.be/cYFrMfsgL3I
From India 🇮🇳 to Michelin: Chef Sujan Sarkar on Reinventing Indian Cuisine in America - https://youtu.be/9lvVQfmdMTY

📧 Need Immigration Help?
Email: info@szewlaw.com
☎️ Call: (310) 477-0047
💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/message/YRQOCMEPEULUL1
📅 Schedule: https://szewlaw.com/contact/

#InterviewsWithImmigrants #BernardLagat #ImmigrantStories #Olympics #Kenya #TeamUSA #TrackAndField #Running

DISCLAIMER: This video and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information in this video should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. the information presented in this video does not create an attorney/client relationship nor is it a solicitation to offer legal advice. You should seek legal advice from Andrea Szew directly by contacting her through email or other means noted above, or from another attorney before taking any legal action.

What happens when you arrive in America with no roadmap, a bold culinary vision, and a commitment to do things the right way?

In this delicious episode of Interviews with Immigrants, Michelin-starred chef Sujan Sarkar opens up about reshaping how America understands Indian cuisine—one restaurant, one region, and one flavor profile at a time.

From growing up near Kolkata dreaming of fashion school…
To cooking in London’s elite kitchens…
To moving to the U.S. on an extraordinary ability O visa and building restaurants across the country…

Sujan’s journey is a masterclass in reinvention, cultural pride, and the immigrant hustle.

We talk about:
🇮🇳 Why he calls himself “an Indian chef cooking in America” — and not an “Indian-American chef”
🍽 The birth of “new Indian” cuisine and why diners embraced it
🌶 How food, like people, “immigrates” to the U.S.
🧑‍🍳 The immigrant roots of restaurant kitchens — and doing things legally & ethically
🌱 Vegan & vegetarian Indian cuisine and why it matters
🏆 Earning a Michelin star and redefining what Indian dining can be in America

This episode is thoughtful, flavorful, and packed with cultural insight. Whether you’re a foodie, an immigrant, or someone who’s ever had to build a life from scratch—this one’s for you.

🎧 Also available to listen everywhere:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19YtPoXvb47f1M9aGpA6FJ
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/interviews-with-immigrants/id1792940158?uo=4
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/db753d20-2dff-4a26-87a6-7721e442d9ec

⏱ Episode Chapters:
02:02 Chef Sujan’s journey from West Bengal to London
07:55 Why America wasn’t the original plan
09:48 Culture shocks & the immigrant kitchen reality
11:40 Doing immigration & hiring the right way
13:58 “New Indian Cuisine” — familiar ingredients, traditional flavors
17:03 Introducing Americans to Indian food
20:21 Regional Indian flavors & vegan menus
24:18 Why he keeps his Indian identity strong
27:14 Indienne vs. Nadu — modern vs. regional Indian cuisine
31:17 Indian coffee culture & expanding the brand
33:01 Cooking across continents
34:07 Advice for immigrants coming to America
35:33 Assimilation vs. losing your roots
38:16 Who inspires Sujan
42:18 Why Indian food will explode in the U.S.
44:59 The taste test: khichdi & comfort food
48:11 Final thoughts & gratitude

📍 Visit Chef Sujan’s Restaurants:
Indienne (Chicago) — https://www.indiennechicago.com/
Nadu (Chicago) — https://www.naduchicago.com/
Bar Bar (Los Angeles) — https://www.baarbaarla.com/
Sifir (Chicago) - https://www.sifrchicago.com/

📲 Follow Sujan: @chefsujans

🎧 New to the show? Start here:
Brazilian comedian Jade Catta-Preta 🇧🇷🎤 — https://youtu.be/m5rP4HL-FgA
Mexican-American chef Aarón Sánchez 🇲🇽🔥 — https://youtu.be/iF2gwzmaQJ4
Hong Kong-native fashion creator Leo Chan 🇭🇰🗽 — https://youtu.be/X7UwahYAQtc
Argentinian-born actor & restauranteur Guillermo Zapata 🇦🇷🍷 — https://youtu.be/cYFrMfsgL3I

📧 Need Immigration Help?
Email: info@szewlaw.com
☎️ Call: (310) 477-0047
💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/message/YRQOCMEPEULUL1
📅 Schedule: https://szewlaw.com/contact/

DISCLAIMER: This video and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information in this video should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. the information presented in this video does not create an attorney/client relationship nor is it a solicitation to offer legal advice. You should seek legal advice from Andrea Szew directly by contacting her through email or other means noted above, or from another attorney before taking any legal action.

#ChefSujanSarkar #IndianCuisine #MichelinStar #IndienneChicago #NaduChicago #ImmigrantStories #ImmigrantJourney #AmericanDream #InterviewsWithImmigrantsPodcast #IndianFoodUSA #ModernIndianCuisine #ChicagoFoodScene #VeganIndianFood #FoodCulture #ImmigrantChef #FromIndiaToAmerica #RestaurantLife #FoodImmigration #ImmigrantHustle #GritAndGrace #IndianChef #CulturalCuisine #FusionFood #FoodiesOfYouTube #FineDining #MichelinChefs #IndiaToUSA #FoodStorytelling #ChefInterviews

What happens when an immigrant story includes Wall Street spreadsheets, GQ features, and a side of chicken feet? 🧧👟🇭🇰

In this episode of Interviews with Immigrants, host Andrea Szew sits down with fashion creator and first-generation immigrant Leo Chan — who moved from Hong Kong to Queens at 10 years old, learned English through cartoons and basketball, and eventually traded a career in finance for full-time content creation.

They talk about the power of immigrant hustle, redefining Asian masculinity in Western media, and what it means to grow up as a “third culture kid” straddling two very different worlds. Plus… Andrea tries chicken feet for the first time. Ever. 🐓👀

🧧 Topics covered in this episode:
👟 From Hong Kong to NYC: What Leo’s family risked — and why they came at the last possible moment
📚 ESL, Game Boys & Culture Shock: The surprising things that made assimilation easier
🏙️ Finance to Fashion: How Leo left Morgan Stanley for GQ — and brought his heritage with him
📸 Asian Representation: Why Leo is challenging old stereotypes through fashion, media & creativity
🥟 Dim Sum & Identity: The family rituals that keep his roots strong
🐓 Andrea tries chicken feet for the first time — and what food can teach us about culture
💬 Advice for first-generation kids: What Leo wishes he knew sooner, and why his story is just beginning

Whether you're into fashion, culture, storytelling — or just want to see Andrea panic over a dumpling with claws — this episode is an honest and inspiring look at immigrant identity, reinvention, and pride.

Check out more about Leo on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/levitatestyle/?hl=en

🎧 Also available to listen everywhere, including:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19YtPoXvb47f1M9aGpA6FJ
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/interviews-with-immigrants/id1792940158?uo=4
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/db753d20-2dff-4a26-87a6-7721e442d9ec

02:11 – Growing up in Hong Kong and why his parents took the leap
06:45 – ESL, Pokémon, and the power of cartoons in learning English
09:58 – When fashion became a survival tool
15:22 – From accounting classes to the GQ feature
21:40 – How Leo defines success as an Asian man in America
25:00 – Chicken feet: the moment of truth 😬
30:17 – Dim sum and father-son traditions
34:33 – Advice for immigrant creatives trying to break out of the 9-to-5
38:19 – What Leo still carries from Hong Kong — and why it matters

🍽️ Missed Episode 1?
Check out our hilarious and heartfelt interview with Brazilian-born comedian Jade Catta-Preta 🇧🇷🎤: https://youtu.be/m5rP4HL-FgA
🍽️ Missed Episode 2?
Check out our delicious and deeply personal conversation with Mexican-American chef and TV personality Aarón Sánchez 🇲🇽🔥 — as we talk heritage, hustle, and take a surprise tequila break.
https://youtu.be/iF2gwzmaQJ4

📧 Need Immigration Help?
Email: info@szewlaw.com
☎️ Call: (310) 477-0047
💬 WhatsApp: Message Szew Law Group Inc. - https://wa.me/message/YRQOCMEPEULUL1
SCHEDULE CONSULTATION - https://szewlaw.com/contact/

Check out Szew Law Group and Andrea on social media
👉Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/szewlaw?lang=en
👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/szewlaw/
👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/szewlawgroup/
👉Website: https://www.szewlaw.com/

DISCLAIMER: This video and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information in this video should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. the information presented in this video does not create an attorney/client relationship nor is it a solicitation to offer legal advice. You should seek legal advice from Andrea Szew directly by contacting her through email or other means noted above, or from another attorney before taking any legal action.

#InterviewsWithImmigrantspodcast #ImmigrantStories #HongKongToAmerica #ThirdCultureKid #ImmigrantJourney #FromFinanceToFashion #AsianRepresentation #FirstGenStories #LeoChanStory #DimSumAndDreams #StyleAndIdentity #ImmigrantPride #FashionJourney #CreativeCareerPivot #ContentCreatorLife #FromWallStreetToRunway #LevitateStyle #MensStyleInfluencer #AsianMenStyle #ChickenFeetChallenge #CulturalFusion #DimSumDiaries #EastMeetsWest #CantoneseRoots #AsianAmericanVoices #FoodIsCulture #ImmigrantHustle #PodcastEpisode #NewPodcastDrop #YouTubePodcast #ImmigrantExperience #DiversityInMedia #PodcastInterview #IdentityMatters

What happens when tradition meets ambition and is served with a splash of tequila? 🎙️🌮🥃

In this episode of Interviews with Immigrants, host Andrea Szew sits down with world-renowned chef, TV personality, and proud Mexican-American Aarón Sánchez. From his roots in El Paso and deep Mexican culinary heritage, to becoming a household name on MasterChef, Chopped, and Tasting Sabor, Aarón opens up about the immigrant journey that shaped his identity, on and off the plate.

We talk food, family, cultural pride, and yes… even sip a little tequila along the way. 🎙️🌮🥃

Here are some other topics we discuss in this episode too:

🌮 How Aarón’s Mexican roots shaped his culinary identity — and why preserving culture through food matters now more than ever

🧑‍🍳 Behind the scenes of MasterChef, Chopped, and more — what it’s really like being a Latin chef on mainstream TV

🥃 A surprise tequila tasting — and how tequila connects deeply to heritage and storytelling

❤️ His immigrant family’s journey — from El Paso to culinary stardom, with grit, love, and tradition

🔥 Advice for the next generation of immigrants — including what keeps Aarón grounded through fame, pressure, and purpose

Whether you love his cooking or are just hungry for a great story about resilience, culture, and representation, this one’s for you.

🎧 Available to listen everywhere.

Time Stamps

02:40 – Tequila & Mexican identity: why Jalisco is the cultural heartland

04:44 – Growing up bicultural in El Paso, Texas

07:45 – Redefining what it means to be an immigrant in America

12:28 – Kitchens as immigrant stories: “We weren’t just cooking. We were improving the value of our very culture.”

13:09 – Behind the kitchen walls: sacrifices of immigrant workers in New York

16:18 – Food as memory: “Eating a cook’s food is like reading a memoir.”

20:42 – Regional Mexican cuisines: the future of authenticity in the U.S.

22:43 – Discovering his calling during Día de los Muertos

23:56 – Mentorship and competition with his mother, Zarela Martínez

24:59 – Opening his first restaurant, Paladar, with a team of immigrants

26:54 – Pressure of being seen as an ambassador for Mexican food

29:27 – Tattoos, chefs, and the culture of kitchens

30:38 – Advice for first-generation immigrants: keep language, food, and culture alive

📚 Want more of Aarón’s story? Grab his bestselling memoir Where I Come From: Life Lessons from a Latino Chef 👉 https://www.amazon.com/Where-Come-Life-Lessons-Latino/dp/141973802X

Follow Andrea!

👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/szewlaw/

👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/szewlawgroup/

👉Website: https://www.szewlaw.com/

👉X: https://twitter.com/szewlaw?lang=en

👉Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/szewlaw/

IF YOU MISSED EPISODE 1 - WATCH NOW - with the hilarious and brilliant Jade Catta-Preta 🇧🇷🎤 — Brazilian-born comedian and actress — whose journey from Brazil to the U.S. is filled with laughter, resilience, and plenty of surprises. https://youtu.be/m5rP4HL-FgA

Need Immigration Help:

info@szewlaw.com

☎️CALL ANDREA'S OFFICE - (310) 477-0047

Message Szew Law Group Inc. on WhatsApp. https://wa.me/message/YRQOCMEPEULUL1

DISCLAIMER: This video and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information in this video should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. The information presented in this video does not create an attorney/client relationship nor is it a solicitation to offer legal advice.

Welcome to the very first episode of Interviews with Immigrants 🎉 — the podcast that celebrates the real stories, humor, and humanity of U.S. Immigration.

In this premiere, Andrea Szew sits down with the brilliant and hilarious Jade Catta-Preta — Brazilian-born 🇧🇷 comedian, actress, and host (you may know her from E!’s The Soup and her hit show Rivals). 🌎✨ Together, they dive into Jade’s wild immigrant journey from struggling with ESL to crushing it on America’s biggest comedy stages.

Jade opens up about:

📌 Growing up in Brazil and moving to the U.S. as a pre-teen 🇧🇷➡️🇺🇸

📌 Her culture shocks — from snowstorms in Virginia to Pop-Tarts overload ❄️🍬

📌 Using comedy to survive bullying and find her voice 🎤

📌 Performing comedy in both English and Portuguese — and how Brazil’s comedy scene is booming today 🎭

📌 The opportunities, struggles, and gratitude she carries as an immigrant chasing big dreams 🌟

👉 If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to start over in a new country, Jade’s story will make you laugh, think, and maybe even see immigration in a whole new light.

🌟 This is just the beginning! Make sure to subscribe for more incredible immigrant journeys every month.

Follow Jade Catta-Preta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadecattapreta/?hl=en

Time Stamps:

00:18 Weirdest questions she got as a new immigrant — “Do you wear shoes?” “Do you swing on vines?” 🙃

00:35 First Virginia snowstorm — shower caps as snow boots ❄️😂

05:20 Hot cocoa vs. “coco” mix-up — thought the neighbor was offering poop ☕💩

06:09 First Pop-Tart leads to projectile vomiting from sugar overload 🤢

11:53 First day at school — kids surround her like “The Walking Dead” & one girl literally smells her!

14:40 Being held back in school & thrown into ESL with a Russian teacher who barely spoke English

21:52 Using comedy as armor — making fun of herself before others could 🎤

24:52 Returning to Brazil to perform comedy after 20 years away — bombing, then finding her rhythm 🇧🇷

32:54 Brazilian goodbyes vs. American “tap tap” hugs — why she insists, “Just deal with the love.” 🤗

-

Follow Andrea!

👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/szewlaw/

👉Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/szewlawgroup/

👉Website: https://www.szewlaw.com/

👉X: https://twitter.com/szewlaw?lang=en

👉Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/szewlaw/

Need Immigration Help:

info@szewlaw.com

☎️CALL ANDREA'S OFFICE - (310) 477-0047

Message Szew Law Group Inc. on WhatsApp. https://wa.me/message/YRQOCMEPEULUL1

DISCLAIMER: This video and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information in this video should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. The information presented in this video does not create an attorney/client relationship nor is it a solicitation to offer legal advice. You should seek legal advice from Andrea Szew directly by contacting her through email or other means noted above, or from another attorney before taking any legal action.

Discover the heart, humor, and humanity behind immigration stories with Interviews With Immigrants. Hosted by immigration attorney Andrea Szew, this podcast takes a lighthearted yet insightful approach to celebrating the diverse journeys and contributions of immigrants. Through real stories, engaging conversations, and unique perspectives, Andrea shines a refreshing light on the positive impact of immigration. Join us as we explore immigration through comedy, culture, cuisine, and more—offering an inspiring and deeply human perspective on the immigrant experience.

Coming soon!