From Barefoot in Kenya to 5 Olympics: Bernard Lagat’s Immigrant Story 🇰🇪➡️🇺🇸
🏃♂️🇰🇪➡️🇺🇸 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
🏡 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 💛
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.
🎧 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.
