Mind Your Mind Speaks: S6EP7
In this episode, Irene Barton sits down with Yang Vang, Miss Global Hmong 2026.
What does it mean to advocate for mental health in a community where conversations around it are often stigmatized or misunderstood? Yang Vang shares her personal journey into mental health advocacy, shaped by cultural expectations, generational differences, and her own desire to create change.
Together, Irene and Yang explore how mental health is viewed across cultures, the challenges of opening up these conversations, and why representation and storytelling matter. Yang reflects on how pageantry has helped her find her voice, build confidence, and step into a platform that allows her to make a meaningful impact.
She also shares how she balances the demands of being a chiropractic student with her role as Miss Global Hmong, and what lies ahead as she prepares to compete in the Miss International pageant this September in Thailand.
Meet the Guest: Yang Vang
Yang Vang is Miss Global Hmong 2026 and a passionate mental health advocate. She connected with Cobb Collaborative to explore ways to make a meaningful impact in the community through collaboration and outreach.
Originally from North Carolina, Yang is currently pursuing a degree in chiropractic studies at Life University. She began competing in pageants in 2021 and has since used each experience as an opportunity for personal growth, helping her find her voice and recognize the influence she can have in her community.
Outside of her academic and pageant responsibilities, Yang enjoys playing outdoor volleyball, spending time in nature, and being with her family.
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