From illusions to inspiration: One Wildcat’s journey of magic and motivation

Some people identify their true calling early in life, and for Central Washington University alumnus Nash Fung (’05), exposure to magic at a young age sparked a lifelong interest in the art form.

Growing up in Hong Kong, Fung remembers going to the shopping mall, where he would find himself captivated by a magician selling children’s kits and doing magic demonstrations. 

“I remember not wanting to leave because I was so mesmerized,” he says.

Fast forward to his teenage years, Fung came to the United States where navigating high school came with its challenges.

“In high school, the most important thing was to ‘be cool,'" he recalls. "I wasn’t athletic, nor did my appearance fit the ‘cool kid’ profile. So, I turned to magic."

Fung's love for the craft blossomed, and he found himself not only learning tricks but understanding the deeper art of performance and connection. Magic became his way of expressing himself, and as he pursued his undergraduate degree in philosophy at Central, he also gained the ability to craft compelling arguments.

Now, Fung is a keynote speaker who uses magic to inspire his audience. His unique talent of blending the art of speaking to large audiences and incorporating magic into his presentations has earned him spots on various TV shows and, recently, a TEDx Talk.

“In this talk, I use magic to illustrate two lessons I learned from volunteering on the crisis line, helping people provide better emotional support to their friends and families,” Fung said.

The TEDx Talk was picked up as the TED organization editor’s top pick, an honor that only 156 talks out of more than 200,000 presentations have received.

With many factors playing into Fung’s ability to deliver inspiring and compelling messages to audiences from large corporations to educational institutions, being an anonymous crisis line volunteer had a transformative impact on his career.

“There are so many illuminating lessons,” he reflects. “You learn so much about how to support someone in all kinds of crisis situations and realize many people are walking around with hidden scars. It makes you more compassionate on a daily basis because you simply don’t know what others are going through.”

Sixteen years after he first volunteered for the crisis line these experiences are still a cornerstone of Fung’s life. Though volunteering began as a means to strengthen a psychology grad school application, it became much more—a way of living with empathy at the forefront.

As Fung looks back on his journey to get to where he is today, he remembers key moments during his time at Central that he carries with him today. But it wasn’t just academics that shaped his time at CWU; relationships were key.

“Relationships matter. The most direct help from my CWU days would be the relationships I developed,” Fung says. “I met CWU Director of Orientation Robbi Goninan when we were both students at Central. The only reason I had the opportunity to bring my magic back to CWU was because she recommended me!” 

Over the last five years, Fung has had the opportunity to perform for Wildcats three different times.

“It just meant so much more than any other performances,” he says. “I stayed up all night practicing magic — while also studying! — at CWU. To be able to bring the magic I created back to SURC … it’s a magical full circle feeling that I cannot even describe.” 

Beyond his performances, Fung’s connection to the university extends to volunteering. In 2020, he returned to CWU as a guest speaker on an alumni panel, a moment that held deep personal significance.

“When I was getting my degree in philosophy, I remember Professor Cynthia Coe sharing so much knowledge with us,” he says. “When I returned to CWU on alumni day, I was honored to be invited into her class to share my magic and the lessons I’ve learned. 

Though his stages have changed, one thing has always remained constant for Fung: his love for CWU.

“Nothing changes. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat,” he says proudly. “It’s always a fun time when I run into fellow alumni. No matter where we are in life, we can immediately share stories that connect."