Going Against The Grain: Kym Pham

April - Kym Pham

Photo of Kym Pham by Eskil Digernes.

Born in Paris, Kym Pham is a Wonder Architect + Experience Designer living on the road. Between summiting remote mountains in Kyrgyzstan, competing in 4,000km rickshaw races across India, and studying sacred plant medicine in Peru, Kym Pham has documented nearly 70 countries in her mission to reconnect humans to their child-like sense of wonder. One of her methodologies includes designing life-altering bespoke adventures for creatives, where transformation is imminent. 

The Huffington Post calls Kym an “Instagrammer who makes us want to hike and explore the planet” and her work has been featured by the BBC, The Guardian, AFAR, and Instagram, among other household names. You can join Kym on an adventure at: www.kympham.com / www.instagram.com/kympham

 

Full name:
Kym Pham

Hometown:
Paris, France

Current City:
Ōvre Årdal, Norway

Ethnicity:
Vietnamese French American

What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”

It means giving the grain no power over me. I respect it, but I respect my Soul’s voice more.

What made you decide to pursue a career in this industry?

I don’t consider it a career,  as I don’t think on those terms. But what resonates for me, is living a life following my curiosity, which leads me to everything I currently love. Adventure, wonder, transformation. What I’ve found is—when my curiosity and gifts and mission intersect, miracles become commonplace—from my wealth to my health. It’s a beautiful process to witness and build a life upon. 

To top it off, the more my curiosity evolves (by nature of being alive !), the more intersections there are, which then spirals into this playful, enriching life where everything feels connected.

What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?

“Because my business is fairly unique (for now), I’m fortunate in that I have had few challenges other than my own perception of myself and what I offer. I’m constantly having to rise above my desire to play small, and instead play from a place of courage.”

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?

“My life is my greatest masterpiece. Every decision—from how I prepare my tea to which mountain I climb—is intentional and done with heart. I hope to continue living like a beautiful painting.”

What’s up next?

“Writing a book. It’s a bit intimidating to say it out loud, and I don’t have a timeline for it, but it’s telling me it wants to be birthed.”

Quote to live by:

Matt Ridley: “What is the point of being conscious ?”
Nicholas Humphrey: “To impress the soul.”

Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac):

Boar + Aries

Passionate about:

Mama Earth

Favorite food:

A heaping bowl of homemade Bun Bo Hue

Can’t live without:

A view of the sky, mountains, or ocean

I Go Against The Grain #beCAUSE:

“I answer to my Soul.”

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