In this nostalgic and inspiring episode, we sit down with Stephen Lai (91-95), a former boarder from Hong Kong. Now the Managing Director of the Hong Kong Poker Players Association, Stephen shares his remarkable journey from school days in West Yorkshire to the misunderstood world of professional poker. 

Stephen reflects with fondness on his time at Woodhouse Grove, sharing memories of teachers, academic life, sports, lasting friendships, surprisingly good gourmet options and integrating into boarding life as a foreign student.

Stephen speaks about how Woodhouse Grove fostered key character traits, what he calls “the Bourgeois Virtues”, sparking a curiosity that drives him to connect dots between logic, mathematics and the arts and condense it all into a fulfilling life with strong relationships, healthy risks, sharp strategies and integrity. 

Stephen shares his deep connection with England, in particular the North. He lived in several different places after leaving the Grove and England’s North left a deep and lasting impression, instilling a love of music, wry sense of humour, a culture of toughness and endurance and many fond memories of match days at Goodison Park. 

That resilience forged in the North perhaps served him well as he entered the misunderstood world of professional poker. We dive deep into the psychology of poker, the resilience needed to navigate risk and the disciplined routines that keep him sharp.

Listen now and be inspired by a story of friendship, passion, resilience and the power of saying "yes".

Your Host: Eve Corry, Development Officer at Woodhouse Grove (st24-)

Studio Technician: Jay Sunley at Woodhouse Grove (st23-)

Music: Paul Corry

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