May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and I thought I'd introduce you to some Asian Americans with whom I've had the pleasure of working with via Kimbop TV. Each of their journeys inspire me in different ways, and I hope their stories motivate you too.
Eunice Kang - Author
I met Eunice in January 2019 and created a video for her first children's book just days later. She is a mom, a wife, an adjunct professor, a podcast host, the list goes on. What I noticed the most about Eunice is that she's very driven. Her perseverance and tenacity led her to set up her own publishing company and create a children's book series called "Mama, What If?" that other Asian Americans can relate to.
Jenn Ernsberger - Fitness Instructor
I met Jenn just a few weeks ago via Zoom. I had been looking for TurboKick workout videos on YouTube and came across her channel. Her upbeat attitude and words of motivation helped me to get off of my couch during Covid stay-at-home and throw a few punches and kicks in my living room. I got to know Jenn a bit better when we made this video together. I learned that she has (and still is) overcoming many life challenges including a heartbreaking divorce and quitting smoking.
Matthew Shima - Therapist
Matthew Shima is the first male Japanese-American therapist that I met. He went over grounding exercises with me which helped me to feel less anxious during Covid-19. He also wrote a blog that helped me to manage stress in healthier ways while staying at home. Matthew's gentle tone and his ability to relate to other men give me hope that perhaps therapy can become more acceptable and sought after in Asian communities.
Davin Fukumoto - Snack Addicted
I met Davin last October in Honolulu. Meeting him became one of the highlights of my trip to Hawaii. Not only does he make delicious beef chips (they're like crispier beef jerky), he has a big heart for people. Davin works countless hours fulfilling orders during Covid-19, and it's really inspiring to see him working so hard with few resources so that he can make others happy. Davin shared that he has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and he's learned to channel his chronic condition in a way that can be beneficial to his work.
Eric Sasaki - My Father-in-Law
My father-in-law (who I call Papa Sasaki) redefines what it means to be a good dad. I didn't grow up with one, so it's bittersweet for me to see the strong bond that my husband shares with his father. Papa Sasaki is a strong Christian who truly walks the walk when it comes to loving his neighbors. I've never seen an Asian man so selfless and generous to others.
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