Ms. Lan Thanh

This birthday feels a little different.

On September 16th, instead of throwing a traditional birthday party, I’m inviting you into something much more meaningful to me.

I’ll be celebrating my birthday AND opening up What the Mud Made Me for an intimate virtual pre-launch gathering.

We’ll spend the evening together with a live reading from the book, conversation, connection, and a few stories I haven’t shared publicly.

And I have a special birthday bonus planned for everyone who attends live. 🎁

So many of you have encouraged me while I’ve been writing this book, building toward this moment, and sharing pieces of the journey along the way. I would genuinely love to celebrate this milestone with you.

The party is September 16th on Zoom.

♍️ Comment VIRGO below and I’ll send you the registration link.

Come celebrate with me. 💚

I think sometimes we get so focused on healing that we forget we’re allowed to have fun, too.

This weekend reminded me of that.

I took some time off, spent the weekend with a friend, danced until I was sweaty, listened to music I love, soaked up the sunshine, and felt completely surrounded by people who just wanted to move, laugh and enjoy being alive.

And then, at the beach, the fireworks started.

The moon was reflecting off the water and for a moment I just stood there thinking, this is exactly what I needed.

Not another lesson.
Not another breakthrough.
Just joy.

I’m grateful for the people who remind me that healing doesn’t have to happen alone. Sometimes healing looks like dancing, friendship, music, a beautiful night, and being completely present for it.

We need joy, too. ❤️

For years, I thought being a good woman meant being understanding.

Be patient. Don’t ask for too much. Give another chance. Keep the peace.

I didn’t realize how often I was disappearing just to make other people comfortable.

Then I started asking myself a harder question:

Why was I so afraid of disappointing people who had no problem disappointing me?

I’m still unlearning that.

But I know this now: my no matters. My needs matter. And love shouldn’t cost me myself.

That’s a big part of why I wrote What the Mud Made Me.

If this feels a little too familiar, comment FIRST and I’ll send you Chapter One for free. 🌿

WE MADE IT TO THE QUARTERFINALS. 🥹🔥

Every vote, every share, every person who has rallied behind me got us here.

I can see the finish line getting closer, and I’m not ready to stop now.

Thank you for believing in me. Let’s keep going. 🤍
runway

WE MADE IT TO THE GROUP FINALS!! 🎉✨

I’m honestly so grateful. Every vote, every share, every person who has cheered me on has helped get us here. Thank you. ❤️

We’re getting so close to the finish line, which means your support matters now more than ever. Please keep casting your free daily vote, and if you feel called to give us an extra push, you can also donate for additional votes. Every contribution supports the Rise Foundation and its work with survivors of sexual assault, so your support reaches far beyond this competition.

We’ve made it this far together. Let’s rally, keep the momentum going, and see if we can take this all the way. ✨

Group Finals, here we come! 🔥

Vote here:
https://nextrunwaystar.com/2026/lan-thanh-nguyen

WE MADE THE TOP 10!!! ❤️🔥

And when I say we, I mean it.

Every single person who voted, shared my post, sent the link to a friend, or came back day after day to vote again helped get me here.

Thank you. Truly.

What started as me entering a competition has become something that feels so much bigger.

I’m doing this to create more visibility for the work I believe in, to amplify conversations around healing and resilience, and to help create opportunities and resources for women to reclaim their well-being and their lives.

And now… we’re going for the TOP 5. ✨

If you’ve been voting, I’m asking you to keep going with me. Your daily vote matters more than you know.

And if you haven’t voted yet, this is your invitation to join us. ❤️