Padee Khang

Peer Mentor(She/Her/Hers)

SPECIAL INTEREsTS: YOGA | racial trauma | generational trauma | C-PTSD | betrayal trauma | depression | anxiety | body dysmorphia | suicidal ideation

Padee (Patty) Khang, a Hmong American native of Wisconsin, embarked on a journey shaped by the trauma her parents endured during the Vietnam War.

As a second-generation Hmong American, she found it challenging to embrace chasing the American Dream and Western culture along with accepting the patriarchal traditions, beliefs, and customs of her own. Growing up with this duality, she endured and compartmentalized the discrimination she occasionally faced and shelved her frustrations with the gender stereotypes and religious biases in her own community. 

Her resilience, empathy, and patience were honed as a second-generation Hmong American but it ultimately conditioned her to silently endure toxic behaviors and abuse within her marriage.

Despite reaching a crisis point in 2022, Padee embarked on a healing journey, incorporating yoga, therapy, and self-help materials. She is learning to acknowledge and heal the repressed parts of herself and reach for healthier coping mechanisms to navigate emotions and negative thoughts. Her partner's accountability for his past behavior and his willingness to grow has also been instrumental for her healing journey.

Padee became certified in teaching Yoga in May of 2023, a practice she had always found strength and solace in.  She now channels her experience into empowering others who have faced similar challenges, advocating self-worth, strength and courage on their healing journey.