Sambo Kim, born in Cambodia, found his connection to an ancient Khmer tradition not in his homeland but 8,000 miles away in America. It was there that he discovered Bokator, a martial art with deep roots in his heritage. Like many young people, Sambo’s initial exposure to martial arts came through Hollywood films, but what began as a childhood fascination quickly grew into a lifelong passion. Returning to Cambodia to train and being mentored under the guidance of Master Kenya Prach, Sambo has been entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and promoting a tradition that spans over 2,000 years. His mission now is twofold: to pass Bokator on to a new generation and to bring it to the Hollywood screens that first sparked his journey.

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Music: Summer of 1984 by RKVC

At the bottom, there's only one direction to go: up. When Matthew Nola left the Nong Khai refugee camp and boarded a one-way flight to America with his family, he could only have imagined that his return ticket would come in the form of an unexpected game: pickleball. Now recognized as the fastest-growing sport in the world, pickleball has transformed Matt into one of its most passionate advocates. From playing in tournaments, developing future stars to building a brand that would help put his ancestral homeland of Laos on the map, Matt has become a key figure in the sport's rise. When we spoke with him in 2022, pickleball was barely known in Southeast Asia. Today, courts are springing up across the region and Matt is leaving a lasting impact by spreading America's latest sports craze and changing lives along the way. Music: Summer of 1984 by RKVC Nong Khai refugee camp photo by John Burgess

Life is a journey filled with highs, lows, joy and pain and no one knows this better than Anna Ounoutha. Raised by refugee parents from Laos, she experienced the devastating loss of her brother to gang violence and became a mother during her teenage years. Instead of succumbing to these challenges, Anna transformed adversity into motivation. She pursued higher education, established a successful career in criminal justice, raised a family, and even excelled as a drag racer. Her resilience and determination not only shaped her personal achievements but also inspired her to give back to the community. Through our interview with Anna, one profound lesson emerges: despite life's hardships, every day is a precious gift meant to be cherished.

Music: Summer of 1984 by RKVC