Episode 24: Kanya Sesser - No Legs. No Limits. Anything Is Possible!

0:07 Hello, beautiful humans. Welcome to another episode of Role Models juicy conversations with beautiful humans. I'm Jennifer Norman founder of the human Beauty movement and your host, this podcast thrives on your support. So if you like what you hear, follow us, latest reviewers and share this episode with everyone, you know, across all of your network, okay? So everyone Once in a while, someone comes along and just shatters all expectations. My guest today is the absolute phenomenon. Kanye assessor Konya is a skater Surfer, skier, activist, motivational speaker, model-actress the list, just goes on and on, and on. She was born without legs in Thailand and she was found at three months old, then brought to a local hospital where she lived until entering foster care, she was then adopted around.

1:00 Here's old and brought to the United States now. I don't know how, but Kanye seems to always have this hell yes, Invincible. Can-do. Attitude. That has propelled her to try just about everything with the motto. No legs, no limits. Anything is possible. Get ready to be inspired. Welcome, Kanye. I thank you so much for having me. I am so thrilled to be talking with you. Now we have something in common, they were both adopted. Opted through Holt International Children's Services which in my opinion is the most incredible. Adoption. Nonprofit organization in the world? So you have to fill in the details of your origin story.

1:41 Oh my gosh. Yes. Holt is such an amazing like actually that's where my parents my adopted parents about me and adopted me. It was through hole and I went to whole camp out ever since I was adopted until I was like old enough to like not go anymore but it's so cool. See all of my friends, I grew up with that whole camp out and just see them, like just grow up and be such a beautiful human being, and just having their own family, and doing their own careers, and whatever. And it's really amazing. So, that's so cool that we're both from like the whole, like, it's still, like mind-blowing that the universe is connects us so much. I really feel that they are doing God's work.

2:23 It feels like there's just angels that work there angels that are than I like bringing people together and Finding love in unique places and you know, our lives were changed. We were touched by grace and compassion, I believe it's covered. So you were adopted at 5 which you know I have an adopted brother and sister they were adopted at 5 and 6 years old and it was not easy for them at all. They already learned Vietnamese, they had already had the culture in them and then to be plucked up and then plopped into a completely different family, a different culture, different language and straight into Cool? I remember how tough it was. Was it like that for you too? Oh, my goodness.

3:04 Okay. So when I was, you know, adopted around age five and a half or five years old, my mom told me. I already had the Thai language and the funny story was when they adopted me and my family adopted me, they went all the way to Thailand to get me, and come to America. And my mom was warned and like my caseworker and all the nurses and tie like I told her to learn a little bit of Thai words, that's very important. And so that way, she can understand what I wanted because I did not know English at all. I know, was Ty. And the most important word that my mom had to learn was who bathroom.

3:47 I need to go to the bathroom or like, I want to eat because it's very important. Okay, we need to understand what she wants and it's important if I need to go to bathroom, if I'm hungry. But I remember my dad says Just pointed at everything. I do a lot of like, less verbal more like physical communication and that's how my parents understood what I wanted and we were on the plane one time and I was like, ooh, as I get to go to the bathroom and then I know this is like, it's funny and my moms like, are you okay? Like you know, what's going on but she totally forgot that. He's, I need to go the bathroom and so then she like it, she like smelled. I was like, oh, oh, bastard.

4:30 And she rushed me into the bathroom and everybody loved and everybody's like, oh my goodness. And I'm like thanks Mom, like it was your job to me. You had one job. Embarrass me because you had forgotten certain type of an important emergency Thai language like Thai word majority of time when you bring a child home from a different country and their first language is their own native language, and they have to learn English and English and Thai are two different vocabularies two different like grammars and all that stuff, too. So it was really hard to kind of like you know, understand certain words because like let's just say by the time that you're five-and-a-half to six years old.

5:17 You know around like maybe like thousands couple thousands of words or a couple hundred 500 or something of words. But me learn from from a different language to an English I probably know like a couple hundred. It like - like less than that of the word that is written for, you know, people that was born and raised in America. So it was like really tough for me because I feel like vocabulary and like understanding certain comprehension trying to talk and trying to say something of what I have in my mind. But I can't really explain it or like shorten it with certain type of words out loud you know speaking it so it's like really hard.

6:00 And I had to go to had to be in like LL class. I had to, like, do a lot of like, you know, language classes and it was kind of really tough. And my mom told me that I had so much like, not anger, but, like, frustration kind of like, you know, had a lot of, like annoyance and like, you know, this is tough when and she said that I was like, kind of like crying because like, I didn't, I want to understand. I want to learn what this means and How to say this stuff and how I should say, right? But it's so hard and like my mom saw that and she was a teacher, as well. So it was good to have like, a mom who was a teacher and she, we would like, go over different like Spelling's different like, you know, comprehension and grammar and vocabulary after squat home. So that way, I can understand it, but it's so hard because, you know, when I got home, I had to do that. I like I just got done with school. I have to do school home school again. So that way like I know the Wage and it was just so frustrating. Because, you know, I was see, kids outside, having fun, but I have to be inside and learn this language and it was like really hard because like, I was very fluent and smart in my native language, but this is a whole different, you know, it's like coming in a whole new world and I think that was like the toughest part, you know.

7:22 Yeah. It harder to learn when it's not something that you inherently go into and yeah, yeah. Whenever you want to speak, Unless, you know, like, you know, how to say it and write a there, they, you know, where to put the herbs in twos and different like, you know, places and stuff like that. And to be honest like I better now but sometimes it gets to me and I would like, you know, put those in like different areas and all that stuff. But like I think that's the only hardest part Coming to America is like you know the different type of learning cultures and different type of like language and English, and specially math. I don't like math and That stuff. So I really feel like it's all different.

8:03 Many different people have how they were like taught were teaching and all that. But for me, it's just like my mom's, like, you have like a learning disability. I'm like, quote-unquote, what is a learning disability? Because I was very fluent and smart doing my Thai language is how I came to this language and like I don't like the word learning disability because I feel like that's just like that's kind of like limited of like who you are as as a person and it's just like, no, I just have my own way of thinking. I have my own ways of like understanding comprehension and like if people can explain it a little bit more, I would understand. Because of the words, you know, back then, yeah, that is such a good point.

8:46 People learn in different ways and when you're thrust into a completely different culture and a different language and a slightly later points in life, it's going to be more difficult. So totally understand that. But aside from that, this is the It where I just want to profess my love to your parents for a moment because they had to have their own boys. One of which I understand is autistic, right? And then what opted, holy smokes I mean it's just like I just want to hug them. So freaking hard right now. They do sound like the most incredible human beings with very, very big hearts. Oh my goodness, thank you so much. Yes, my mom, James, Lester. And my dad, David sister. And I have two older brothers.

9:27 I'm the youngest of course. Course my mom is such an amazing Mom Mother to have. And to be honest, I'm very blessed and fortunate because there's a lot of kids that I've did speaking with and like learn their part of the story. It's not like they never got to have the blessings that I have so I'm very blessed and I'm very like you know just like I'm happy that I have the adoptive family that treated me really. Well you know since today and all that stuff and they've been there for me, not a lot of like Kids have that and kind of sad because of, like the way how they were growing up or raise and everyone's different. So, my life would have been different if it was like, you know, going to another home where it's like, not accepting or like, kind of like uncomfortable now that so I'm very happy and fortunate that I got to be raised in a really nice neighborhood.

10:21 I got to go to like a five-star like all like highest rank in Oregon school and I got to have the opportunities because if I didn't have those opportunities, I wouldn't be calling. Yes Esther today. No legs. No limits. Anything is possible. So, I feel like, growing up or putting yourself in the right category with other people that also helps and builds you, that makes a village, you know, takes a lot of people to make a village and create you and, you know, and yourself, you create yourself. I create myself but with good helping and people around my life, I feel for me, it impacted me. For the better and greater, you know, goods. And that's my mom because she is such an amazing woman. I know that her and I had our like, you know, times in the past where like, we don't agree on a lot of things. And we don't really, you know, it's hard to understand Mom, sometimes.

11:19 But the thing is, I loved her at the end the day, but, you know, it's really hard, you know, like having a racing a child of your own, who's from birth, that's Static, you know, that's more of like I feel like also, you know, mental I would say, you know, mental disability and adopting somebody who is like having a physical disability, without any legs and stuff like that, you know, having those two together and like the three kids, and just doing a whole lot, just like, it's a lot. She also works with a lot of kids and stuff like that, and I don't know how she managed to raise me, because I was stubborn. I did not like any help. I got myself ever since I was like, nah.

12:00 I have my own perspective and I like to do things my own way. Ever since I was little and so it drives my mom nuts. She's like, oh my gosh, and I remember my mom would tell me that, you know, you always like just do things on your own without asking when you were little. You just do it without even like asking and I'm like, I did. I just like yeah. And we thought that, you know, that's not good because you should ask before you do something, when you're a kid. And so, So I was like it makes sense but she's like, but you always wanted to have your own way. And my mom was also telling me that she had a friend and we were going with her and some house have an episode where I wanted my own way and like wanted to do my own things. I think this has to deal with a lot of like, I know I'm different but like there's certain things that I how I want to do things and I don't like it. Maybe when I was younger I had a lot of people do things for me, the nurses and the doctors and everybody that light help. Raise me probably did a lot for me, where I maybe took that as, like as an advantage, when I was younger, and just like normally, like, adopted be like, okay, I want to do this or maybe it's just me, you know, we don't, we don't know. But, like my mom and the nurses, and even the nurses told me, and the doctors and my caseworker and my I called T and t0 grandmother.

13:23 And grandfather told me I was very, very difficult to handle Well, I'm sorry about that to whether or not that was something that was in born and you just had this like independent Spirit despite any kind of limitations that, you know, physically that you may have had you've almost over compensated for it with your will and your desire and your curiosity. I actually had the opportunity to interview gave Adams Wheatley recently, and he was born without arms and legs and a family of 11 kids, he was adopted into and part of his upbringing that like there was no pity party for Him like they had way too many other kids to deal with, and so it was like, if you want to climb those stairs, you got to learn on your own.

14:04 And so, they essentially helped him find his independence, by teaching him that, but it sounds like yours is quite different if you had that, and I think everybody was trying to pull in the rain. Actually, there's a video of VCR. I know, right VCR tape of me, actually, the nurses video of me climbing the stairs, climbing the shelves, climbing, everything. They're like we didn't talk for you that she learned that on her own. And that's why I'm saying, I'm like, what do you mean a learning? Disability, I obviously did that all on my own because my common sense of my mind of, like, I just put everything in technical terms of thinking, we're like, it's common sense.

14:47 I don't have any legs. So what should I do with it? And this is how I should do things because like you know who else is going to teach me, everybody else has legs. And The thing is, when I look at other people with lids, I don't think anything different. I was just like cool. Whatever I'm like well this is me. So let me figure it out and kind of like navigate my life on my own of physically going through challenges. What I need to do, what do you do when you don't have legs? Like, okay, I'm guessing I should walk like this. I mean, this seems like, you know ideal. Oh cool. I can climb through this. Maybe I was very curious as a kid. We're like, pretty sure I could climb Up that and I was very smart, obviously, because I've learned and taught myself all this just like skateboarding. Like I taught my own trips without legs on my hands and I see what tricks is comfortable and what I can and cannot do. But I feel like there's always possibilities of like different ways.

15:47 I can do things same with like many other sports that I have done, you know. So like yeah, I feel like it's all about you. It's not really about like you know, well my people that taught me it's like At myself, you know, like a lot of stuff. And it's funny because my mom says, I was independent. But when I was younger, I cried when she left, like, I didn't want to be alone, like I think that has to deal with some type of like childhood situation. Where like, you know, people coming bands and men's. Yeah, yeah. And I think that's why I like and not just that, but she's but a lot of people said that like, I didn't like men, like, when I saw my dad, I just didn't want to be around him. I was scared around him.

16:28 Guess I didn't want to be around him. I was just like he has that like masculine energy. And I think the reason is because most of the people that raised me were women, so I don't know. I learned to like, you know, except my dad threw out like it was more time for me to really be comfortable around my dad than my mother. And I think like I had most of like motherly feel around me and men. So I think that's my but it's weird because Was my caseworker says, I always work with doctors. I would go to the nursery and prepare mothers for their birth or be in like being the first like, you know, the birth area, and kind of like, watch the men doctors do their thing.

17:13 But if they messed up, I'll be like, no, no, that's not how you do it. That's what they told me that I do is, I would be like watching them and see how they're doing with procedures and like, make sure only judging them. Yeah. All the woman that's about to get birthday. Said I was like an angel to them to like welcome, like kind of like Comfort them, I guess. Hmm, I don't remember that. But that's what my caseworker is. The nurses told me in Thai. Yeah, so it seems like your curiosity and your desire to, you know, do these different things. Like all of a sudden, escalated into almost like this adrenaline rush for you, where it's like, you just wanted to try anything and it's nice that you apparently seems to be okay with it after a period of time, they might Have been like oh she's so defiant but let's let her be let her do her thing so you know you got into everything from surfing to Mono, skiing wheelchair rugby, basketball hiking swimming.

18:10 I mean the list just goes on its mind boggling I don't think I've tried half of these things that you tried like what do you think it was that made? You want to be exploring all of these different kinds of sports? Yeah. So I one day, I was like an elementary schooler or like like sixth grade or something. Or middle school. I was like, Mom, I want to do something like I want to do Sports. I want to like, be a part of something, because I was very extroverted. So growing up, you know, I had a lot of friends, I was popular, a lot of people really want to know me of who I am and like want to be my friends and all that. And also my mom created a playground for people with disabilities because she saw me going up the hill on a bark.

18:55 Dust to go play with my friends. Be like that. Seems kind of like a lot of hard work and there's like other kids in wheelchairs that like rarely to go up there and so she's like, you know what, I'm going to raise money with the city community of Tualatin to build a playground to play Grounds, one of each side of the areas and kind of like everybody play wherever they want to play. So that was like wow that was crazy. I have a picture of me, cutting the ribbon on the newspaper of that like, opening up the playground in my elementary school. And I think like a lot of kids up Are you know, where you grow up? Really defines, who you are too because where I grew up. It's like everybody was so cool. Like I mean like I never I wasn't bullied or anything like that. I was never bullied.

19:39 I had a lot of kids like be curious and when I come into confrontations with kids, that's like staring at me or they're like why don't you have any legs? I don't like judge on The People's. You know how they talk. They're like how they're curious because everyone's different No, they grew up probably never seen somebody like this before. So I was like, oh, I was born this way, but I do this and do that and like that's why probably I became friends, a lot of people because like, wow, like he's so cool and, you know, engagement to conversation and like there are going to be rude. People were like, well then how do you do that? Well, I don't understand. And then they're trying to get understand it.

20:19 And I don't judge them because I'm like, well, let me just like, you know, show you and just I still live my life and just like, give them a happy positive thoughts. A smile and like that. And then they come around. Be like, wow, you know what? I was really rude earlier, but like I thought that's really cool how like, you open my eyes and mine site of that. It's like. Yeah. And I like, yeah, come in, like join in stuff like that, you know? So I always like include people instead of like excluding people just because they have a different mindset than me, they have a different growing up situation to me. So I always liked think about that. I think about putting myself in other people's situation. So that's how I make friends. And also I'm just very extraverted and maybe because of my appearance, may be a, my personality my personality, definitely engage into like an attraction for a lot of people female and male, you know, perspective and stuff like that. So I feel like now's will has to do with a lot of how I am as a person starts off with you pretty much. I love myself unconditionally ever since day one. I liked was, you know, born so I don't think I had a problem with like, you know, with all that.

21:27 So I think that's Probably helped a lot with my socializing and school. And I had my first crush and first grade and like we just, you know, my first kiss was first grade to the sky Peter that that I found out that was wrong to do in first grade. But during Teachers Conference or like parents conference that him, it was so embarrassing. My-my parents and his parents had to sit down. Be like telling us that we can't kiss at the playgrounds. It was really embarrassing but they laugh. Afterwards. So I'm like, hmm. Okay, Moving on. But that's how like, you know, my personality, my characteristics and how active I am kind of like, interests me and doing things like, sports, and being very active. And me, engaging in people's like, Life Storage like hi - Esther, what's your sign?

22:19 What's your name? Like, I'm just up there. You know, so I'd my mom's like yeah, it's going to sports because I had all these energy. I always liked woke up at O'clock, six o'clock in the morning, go outside. Play outsides tell, it's like too late. So I'm down and I would sneak out my dad said, but they would always hear my wheelchair, you know, sticking out work and also the window. It creeps with the my dad told me that like, you know, you always had so much energy that you want to be outside all the time. You don't have any break, you want to play foot cat, like capture the flag football tennis and like you just want to be outside. Like? Yeah. Because I don't like TV. I never Watch TV when I was a kid.

22:59 So I rarely watch TV probably the only time I watch TV was like, when like my friends, you know, but mostly I was just out skateboarding. That's how I found. Skateboarding was age, nine years old, and I was just hanging out like my friend Leah. And she had a skateboard, and I want to try it. And I wrote on it, and I loved it ever since. So, my mom got me a skateboard and I just wrote like went to the skate park and Talton skate parks. And that's how I found surfing as well. So the connections that I have Ym of sports as well. Kind of got me into all these Sports and my mom went to Shriner's Hospital. That's where I got like, you know, surgery on my hands because I used to be born with a wet finger right here, and they had to cut it. So I can wear gloves.

23:41 And then I have three fingers here, but I used to have a fourth finger here that was connected and they had to surgery like surgically remove that. But Shriner's Hospital also have a connection with Oregon adaptive Sports. So that's how we found sports for Track wheelchair. Basketball and just Get connected into adaptive community and all sports. And once you find that you find other people be like, oh you should try this, you should do this. And it's so cool to be in that Community because we all help each other. We all like, show people, people with other disabilities can join two and become a paralympian athlete. Like, I was right? Right. Gosh. Well, I was going to say like it seemed like you were an adrenaline junkie but you're really an endorphin junkie, I think. And so if I think about kids these days that don't get enough exercise, As you know, they're sitting in their video games and there brooding and watching Netflix all day. It's like, no wonder.

24:32 They're so sad. It's like, you know, get outside and do something and your endorphins will take over and you might actually really like things. Like, hey, I didn't have an iPhone or an iPad back then, you know, and I wasn't really like interested. I'm just sitting and watching something all day so boring to me. Felt like being outside is like so much fun especially when you have bility and like the opportunity to with like, you know, a big Big, you know again girl, like where you grow up, really does affect your lifestyle. I grew up in a house, really nice house. And like we have a big backyard where I can have my own playground, we have our own playground and like enough. A big backyard where like, my mom can plant like be a farmer and all that stuff, and we have a tree house. So it's like, again, I'm blessed to have that lifestyle like, that was like there and like, it's so cool and like, that's why I like, you know, I never, I tried to like, okay, you know what?

25:28 And I had this life and like, never try to kind of, I never try to think about lifeless like something that like be limited and like even if things don't work out, just know that there's other outcomes in life. Yeah, that's absolutely true. And so I'm curious about what your thoughts are on inclusion and diversity within Sports in particular, but also because you've become a model. And so you have a real point of view on the beauty industry as well. I do Yes, so actually, I was even thinking about being a model, I was like an athlete. I was like in high school. I was actually acquire in middle school and middle school and high school was in choir. I was doing cheerleading but not a whole lot because I'm like, this is so boring to me.

26:16 I was a cheerleader and then I became more like, you know, doing sports like filter track. So, I raced against a lot of like, big names and I was classification of a t53. And an IPC transfer me to a t54 because of like my disability. And so I got to race in both, I guess. But I got to go to Switzerland for the World Cup and I got first place in the 100. 200 400 800 meters. We got second place in the 4x4 woman's relay. I got first place in the 5K, second place in the 3K and I don't like long distance so it takes forever. I don't like it. I'm more of a spinner. So I was just like, wow. I'm like an athlete.

26:57 So yeah, I'm gonna An athlete. It's funny. Because when my mom before my mom adopted me, she loves Jesus and God, and so, do I. But like, she, she had a woman that came out to her and was like, your daughter that you're going to like, have she's going to have a beautiful voice. I'm like, you know, I'm not a singer. Like, I don't know what she means by beautiful voice, but like, maybe she means I have a big spoken out, loud voice, because I am a speaker. So maybe that's what she meant and all that stuff. But I'm like, no, I was born to be an actress. D. So I found my calling. Thank you but like it came out differently than that. So I'm so happy that like you know, I got to have my amazing time of trying to qualify for the 2012 Paralympics. I was one second off of, you know, I was one second off the 100 meters and I did make it or qualified, but a lot of people didn't at that time, to be honest. So, I'm like, oh, well, the only like, you know, like So it makes sense but I had fun but I retired from track and all that stuff but that's how I got into modeling as well. I think my sports got me into modeling I had somebody come up to me and they're like you would be a really good model. I'm like oh thanks really Oregon Dream Factory ask me what three wishes I wanted first.

28:22 Wish I wanted was actually a car with 16 and I had my permit at the time. Like I was like, I want a cart and basically figure out another dream like I'm like, okay, I want to get a whole waii. I don't know. Like, I don't know, like out but they're like, okay, what's your third dream? I was like, I don't know, maybe be a model because like this person thinks like I could be a model and so they like, okay, so they kind of like got a photographer which is James photography and they got me a makeup artist and they just it's like pretty much did this whole collaboration of having everybody together and do my makeup and pictures and stuff in.

29:05 And I think that's how I start modeling because of Dream Factory of Oregon because of my wish but I was like that was my wish I could have just done that later on him. You know why it happens for a reason. I made that wish back then for a reason and it put me here today. So I guess like it all worked out. I felt like my wish back then if I That known was like, oh I want to like start a big film of but modeling actually connected me in acting. So yeah, my mom and dad during the Summers like I didn't have a normal summer like everybody else. Well, I kind of felt like I was traveling for sports all the time.

29:47 I was traveling for track all the time but also I was also going to school. Yeah. I was going to summer school and Christian summer camp. And it's cool because my mom No. Put me in these like communities and activities for me and my brothers to do. But for me, my mom, besides going to Christian summer camp with my older brother hers and our church. And all that was really fine with the whole week long. It was like, you know, it was fine and all that but he put me in a musical and acting class like acting school. So I went to school during the Summers for film and acting. And I got to be my first independent film I guess when I was like in high school, A middle school.

30:29 So I've learned a lot, you know, through theater and stuff like that, which is great because like, I always loved it and stuff like that, and I feel like that was like so fun because it was acted, like, acting and active and all that stuff. I don't see, but like, I did my best on that. So, yeah, my mom got me into wheelchair, basketball as well every weekend. It's like training seven days a week. I would go to Seattle Washington to do wheelchair basketball, but the sonics basketball team. And then on the weekdays, I would train for track. Act and train for the Paralympics and all that stuff. So I was going to school waking up, going to school, come back, do my homework and then I would have track practice or training and all that stuff. And then it's all over again until the weekend. And then I go train her wheelchair basketball. It was funny because I was very active and stuff like that. So, that's how I got into sports and that's also how I got into modeling because of the, you know, Oregon Dream Factory. And I just love my body because of how active. I And I was like super in shape.

31:29 So I was always taking selfie in myself and just like posing in front of the mirror. My mom said I did that ever since I was a kid, like look at myself in the mirror and maybe I should see I love myself ever since day one. So and I would just take random pictures selfie. I created the selfie of like taking pictures of myself and I would print it and like put myself on the wall and and then that's just how I start modeling was. You know, and I love my bikinis and swimsuits because I don't care showing off my body. ADI, I'm not shame of like having no legs doesn't mean I need be ashamed of like my body and there are going to be critics, I'm saying, well because you have a nice body and like of course you wouldn't be ashamed of it. And I was just like, listen, I love my body. I don't like even if I wasn't you know physically in shape and stuff like that, I still love myself and then you know there's going to be that negative people but I always blocked those people out because they're just want to have reason to put Other people down who loves themselves. So I'm like you do.

32:33 I'm gonna do me over here because I have something to do that. I'm getting in life. Absolutely. And I think that it's so wonderful because you are truly that embodiment of representation and what it means to love yourself and to have that incredible self-esteem and then look how its manifesting out into the world and all of the joy that you're getting from all of your activities. And all the things that you're doing in so many people that you're inspiring. This is what it's all about. Another work with Abercrombie and Fitch is like the company's situation and then now they're like doing you know, inclusivity and all that.

33:18 And I think that's really cool and then if you think about it, like I got to work with Sweaty Betty like Sweaty Betty. It's like a big company from like, you know, UK and all that I got away. With like, oh my gosh, I got to work with so many. I got to work with like so many other like big Brands and coming. Oh yeah, tomboy acts. And like, I don't know. I've done so many that I'm like wow, okay like see what's meant for you is my for you block out what other people doesn't what they don't see in you and you know put that negativity onto a side. I don't like to look at - I like to just like okay thank you but no thanks. You're killing my vibe. I'm going to go to my vibe. Of what manifests me that's why now that I'm like 29 turning 30, I know what I want in life, who I want to life, who benefits me in life and who doesn't benefit me in life.

34:08 So true. And I think that the issue with a lot of people's woes is that they care too much about what other people think of them. And so the wonderful thing to do is you've got those healthy boundaries where you're like, I don't really care if you like me or not. I like me and that's really all that matters and it really is just Such an energy zap to waste your time, worrying, about what other people think and you're spending all of your energy doing and being and living and loving. So yeah. Bottle, what you got girl, that would be it, we have a long ways to go because even though we are putting inclusivity out there, I feel like there's still like companies and people that say that they're inclusive but they're also limiting who's should be in in, you know.

34:57 No, in part of it, and that's not inclusive. You're not being exclusive. If you're limiting. All the other wonderful unique, disability, people out there and you're closing door, who can come in and who cannot come in. I just feel like that's still happening right now, and that's like a issue even in sports, even in film, even in like modeling, like I just feel like they put up his face because it's a whole new generation and whole new business type of Nowhere, like everybody's like, oh inclusive, you know, and everything like that. But then when you look into it and hold deeper perspective, it's like yeah, we're totally inclusive. Yeah, but like they have a whole different path that they want to go through rather than like, you know, they listen. But they, it's like they don't, they don't do the action, they don't walk the talk, and it's like, there's just showing something that, like, you know, they said that they, they want to help in like, you know, being Inclusive and all that but I just feel like we're still limiting certain type of people that, you know, it's wonderful out there and it's more than just someone in a wheelchair.

36:07 It's more than just somebody wearing Prosthetics, it's more than just somebody wearing like someone that's like, you know different. It's more than that, there's a whole more out there. But the thing is having other people, you know, whoever they are. We're doing it little by little and a little bit, goes a long, the way. And that's what I'm really Positive side of it is that like they're finally you know getting people in inclusion and stuff like that but we still have a lot of space to go. To be honest, we're just tired of able-bodied. People telling disability people what they should and shouldn't do especially in a skateboard. You know, industry, we want to have skateboarding in the Olympics. I mean paralympic skateboarding is already in the Olympics but like skate, adaptive skate in the penguin face, we already in the Dew Tour.

36:55 We're already in the X Games. I got second place. Base this year, the dude tour for woman Street, skateboarding and stuff like that. So I feel like, let's get it to the Paralympics. Yeah, yeah, your lips to God's ears, girl. I love that. And, you know, it's so true, because I think that a lot of companies they use it as a marketing tool, they use it as just something, that's really fun facing a look at how good we are. And then if you pull back the layers, you see in the company they don't necessarily have diverse boards or there's a lot of, you know, cisgender white males up at the top of the And not even very many women, let alone talking about the abilities or neurodivergent, see or what have you. And so, you know, that's one of the reasons why I feel like it's so important for me to even do this podcast because yes I'm a business owner.

37:41 I do live by inclusivity but I don't think that people would necessarily believe that if I just had a brand that showed people in wheelchairs or whatnot and I mean granted, you know, doing the podcast is just one small way of being able to invite people to the table to have Verse ations like this and so much more does need to be done and we will get there. I mean, I think that little by little step by step putting in the Paralympics. Yes. But you know what? I really see somebody like myself. I'm Asian American. Like I'm Asian. There's like barely any Asian like I seen like a lot of disabilities but like I rarely see much Asian American or Asian authentic we, you know, born and raised in Thailand like doing this stuff.

38:27 So, Like hello. Let's like have something new and let's like, get going for it because like how cool and ride to kind of like have somebody who's Asian-American skateboarder, but also like, you know, skating and without legs. Like, that's so cool. Like, she's all different, like, but like sometimes I just feel like, companies aren't just not ready for certain things. And it's kind of like, what's the most important of what we need to be on the Board. But like we're not ready for whole this yet. Like then when are you ever going to be ready? Yeah. Yeah, it's a I think that people will start getting the message is very, very soon.

39:09 Yes, for sure. But now I'm curious because now that you're in a motivational speaker and you are starting to get your story out, so the world like how has the reaction been have you had any good stories about people being converts or, you know, things that people have sent you as far as messages back of? You know, thank yous and things like that. You know, there's always gonna be haters and I feel like it's not you, it's them. Yeah, there's a lot of like sexual like very disrespectful behaviors, like, would you tap that or like would you hit that and stuff like that? And like I just ignore that but everybody gets a all the time but it's just kind of like gross to be honest. And I think also with groups of people that are in you know that amputee type of World or disabilities have a world where it's like, it's like sexualized in a very negative way. It's kind of like, like cringy to me, to be honest. I had someone a long time ago, was just like I posted a really sexy photo of me in lingerie because like I did a thing for People magazine and I was like, oh my God, I'm gonna be in People magazine and this back in 2015, and I posted on my Instagram and then, I delete, I think I do leave the comment. But what's this like girl?

40:25 And like I feel sorry for her. Like who the heck race you? But she liked commented on one of my pictures and she's like, this is one of the reasons why our world is dying out because people like you you should just go kill yourself and then I had so many people that was like, for me and be like I'm you should never tell people to kill yourself. I'm like and then I message back and I was just like, hey, you know what, I'm so you nothing but good vibes and I hope that your day gets better. And I'm just sitting you a lot of love and that's it. I don't have time for people that just like Has such a Negative to the world, sorry. But like, there's always going to be like negative things in life and all that stuff, but I just like, I don't be always like rainbows and sunshine, of course not.

41:09 We, you know, we have our moments for human at. We are human at times, all that stuff, but like I'm not really attracted to negativity. So for that say, is that like when there are people that tries to, you know, they have Jags on them and they try to like, you know, put some Jags on me and stuff like that. Always clear myself. I'm like, here have a hug. Oh, my gosh. And it just scares them because like, why aren't you mad that I told you this. Why aren't you upset? Because nobody got time for people but it's but nobody got time for you. At the moment you need to clear some jazz and then we'll talk. I think it's just funny to be honest, I just smile just smile passing along and I feel everybody's having their moment. Everyone is living their life.

41:57 You know, differently. Everyone's story is different, everyone. You know, they might have a bad day, they probably don't like themselves because what happened all that stuff. That's what they need to work on. But I don't put fire with fire because like, it's just, it's rude. Like I don't want to give them back. What they give me. No, I'm going to give you a lot of love and love and a lot of positivity and not a lot of people with disability can have a voice like that because, you know, a lot of like, my friends that are disabled and they cry because comments, I'm all You really like eat this up, that's what they want energies like this, they like vulnerability and they like to feel like you know they want to see you cry.

42:38 They want you to like video yourself crying about this comments. Like dude. That's not you. That's them, you know. And so it's like I don't have time for anything like that. So I just, you know what I do. I just keep succeeding my life and my own be happy because that's what they hate the most. So, So by don't really have a whole lot of haters anymore like I think? Yeah. So I think like down the road I think in my early like 20s and stuff like that, it's more of drama like that. But like I don't feed it so I guess it died out at like, when I got older also, it's just me. Well, I want to talk about lingerie for a moment because yay, for you.

43:22 Number one, being Asian American. I know have a fetish goes and so it's almost like a Matter what you do, somebody's going to try to sexualize something but that I love, love, love, love that you were, you know, there's no shame, there's a ready. It's beautiful, it's that it's lovely, and you are proud of it, and there is nothing wrong with that at all. And I love your lingerie shots, like, beautiful. I think that they are very tasteful. And so, yeah, I have nothing but love and appreciation and admiration for all. Thank you. Confident enough in yourself and your body to be able to express your sexuality and, you know, your Divine way. That's all I remember.

44:06 Yeah, I remember back 2015, I had an interview with many different interviews and they're like, so, you did launch your rig, like, they kind of comment it, like, it was like a sexual thing, you know? Like, so buddy to if this, like lingerie, like, you were, you didn't want your a, when you were like 17 or 18. I'm all like, no, I just posed, like, with my swimsuit or like, you know. Just like I know like, you know, I just love my body and myself, it doesn't mean I'm sexualizing myself doesn't mean that if I wore a crop top and like a short shorts because you only think that I can wear. It are short shorts and maybe I was feeling sexy with my body and myself with a crop top going outside. Do you think that like I'm trying to attract attention of like sexuality?

44:49 No, I do it because it's so nice outside. It's sunny this outfit looks cute by the way. Way, we didn't have closed a long time ago, we were all actually naked. And, you know, it's just funny to me that like, you know, I don't wear bras, I do my brows, like, I'm not wearing brown right now and like em. Girl, same are like crop tops t-shirts or his shirts in general just like loose shirts. Some parts of my like you know, like see like I'm not wearing a bra sometimes but it's not actual shown. It's just like, okay, whatever it's not like oh my gosh, you know, it was just like whatever like Right now, you know and it's like a problem to some people were like you should like we're wrong.

45:33 Like they look at me like no we're in La, we're in l.a. like you know and so happy free. It's like you know, just because we wear certain type of clothing does not mean that we're trying to show off some type of like promiscuous or like some type of perogative or or sexual. Well, and like, look at me, you know, it's like, no, it's like comfortable in this, like, you know, I'm not stuffing Everything In. It's like I'm comfortable in this and I feel good. I love my body, my gosh, like, you know, and nothing wrong with being sexy, I mean. Yeah. And I'm like why are you guys making a whole big like interview? The fact that I do want to re when you see all these other instagrammers and people literally like posing to with their bikinis and stuff like that. Like is it because I don't have legs like I feel like it's like subconsciously to them is a shock because I don't have legs. They don't say it.

46:35 But you can tell by the way how they talk to me and interviews. Like you know, if you compare what's going on Instagram and like Facebook or like any social media of how other people, you know, in the mild eyes are like that Jamaica or Bahamas. And they're like posing but if I pose and stuff like that it's like different. Like because I don't have legs but I love my My body. I feel like, you know, balance is good and health. I'm not healthy all the time. To be honest. Like I like, you know, a little like soda, not like everyday but like, you know, once know, like not like once a while or like dairy free ice cream, you know? But I also love salad. I also love cooking for myself like chicken and stuff. So balance is good.

47:18 You read your body of like what you shouldn't shouldn't have. Like, you know, I went to the doctor, got my typos, I'm a type O positive so I see what my blood If you want, since I cool, I already facing me my blood type but also it's not just your blood type. But it's also what your body can process read your body, what you can and can't have and like live your life. It doesn't always have to be so strict all the time. It's like, I love healthy but some healthy stuff tastes like garbage, no offense. But this one is and pleasures of life is being able to enjoy food and exactly food. I love Asian food. I don't care about has a lot of light. MSG like noticing. I don't really know but seriously Thai food sent from God.

48:03 Korean food also sent from God, so actually I read your body what's new and what's healthy? Love your body, you know, stay active and also have a balance of flag, self care for yourself and mental health is very important. So I feel like, you know, when it's strict on to just run one road streets, kind of boring. But if it you have all different Type of streets a balancing it's like yeah. Whatever works for you. I'm not judging. What's up, girl? So what is coming next for you? Do you have any movies coming up, anything fun? Yeah, it is, I I'm in the movie it's short but like, I'm in a like, a 1880s like, dungeon with like some of the freak Show cast member in the movie Babylon. That would be out December 25th.

48:53 And I do a short thing in there and Tobey Maguire. I got to meet Toby. Wire the Spider-Man, and he looks very like so young, even though he's like, in his 40s, he's actually your age. He's right? I'm actually 52. Now, you are 40. Something. I was younger, I would use to watch Young and Reckless, Rob Dyrdek. You know, it's Fantasy Factory. And then years later, I'm a part with them. I get to party with them and I got invited to the prom and stuff like the prom parties and I got to be in the Young and Reckless Chris crops like podcasts back in 2015. He did a segment on me and he did a whole big party with me and all that stuff.

49:52 I'm like, oh my gosh, I saw you on TV when I was a kid and now I'm like your friend And and like Chanel West Coast, I got to hang out with her and like I had so much fun with them and then I'm not just that but like I get to meet all these amazing people and people that like has success and like do what they love doing in life. And that's the type of people that I want to surround myself with. I don't want to surround myself with people that are like, pulling me down. I want to surround myself with like, mentors coach it people that like, you know, have other success as well and just connect with them. And it's Great that I have this lifestyle and I'm so happy that like, to be honest, I was found on the side of the road and got to be adopted through Holt through amazing family, and this is the lifestyle that I have now.

50:40 So yeah, it's just such a. Yeah, and I have two other movies. Coming up, have a red carpet. I got invited to the film festival, red carpet, and the same night I have to head out into the plane to film another movie. I just got back from the Dew Tour. Like I said, I got second place and I have another gig that's going to happen next week. Actually with a big brand and I've been doing lots of with Abercrombie with. Oh my gosh with. Oh with Adidas I did run with dreams. I did New York. Fashion runway. Yeah and this girl doesn't stop. I am a book right now so it's cool. Children's book and I am adult books. Yeah. All teenaged coming-of-age kind of book.

51:24 Yes. Yes. Come of age. Like children's book. To and my life story. So I have a whole lot of like, those along the line that like I'm excited and spoke about. And I'm having a meeting this week on it. More. Excellent, excellent. Well, that that's / you rock. Oh my gosh, I feel like I could talk to you for hours of my God. We Can't Stop. We can't. But we must, but I wouldn't so much for being the role model that you are so much love to you and pepper back there. He's been roaming around, he's learning with me. I'm in that to what we do is that in October you can go on our website but project for we are will reimagine outdoor adaptive.

52:23 We do a lot of helping people with disabilities. Like, I just got my own Ward and Stuffs the next person after me, we're trying to pay board so the next person we're trying to pay for it to get their equipment for so bored or something for the next disability person and we're trying to raise money where I knew, we're a whole new company and it was my friend Danny, who's a woman that makes all these snowboards and all these equipment for adaptive and all that. She's an amazing person and we just want people, you know, anything helps, we're doing the 5K run. Either you're walking rolling, whatever it's also virtual, but its sights on the it's online, it's $50 for individuals, 154 package family deal. But everything profits go to project board, so it will be on Project, more Instagram, and yeah, so roar, oh I love that. Thank you so much for sharing that to. I'll be sure to put that information in the show notes as well.

53:20 Yeah, thank you so much for having me, guys. Thank you.