Episode 64: #063 Roman Abasy

Keep Rolling with Jake Briggs

Roman Abasy was a national Taekwondo champion and human rights advocate in Afghanistan, until the Taliban made him a target. Forced to flee, he rebuilt his life in Australia, turning exile into purpose. We explore Romans powerful journey from athlete to refugee to community leader, using sport, discipline, mental health and advocacy to uplift others, fight for justice and the right to belong.
Timestamps added below if you want to skip to your juice.
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Timestamps
(00:00:00) Welcome

(00:03:23) Introducing Roman Abasy

(00:05:25) Growing up in Kabul during a civil war

(00:07:44) School under the Taliban regime

(00:12:27) Starting into Taekwondo

(00:14:40) Continuing on education

(00:16:20) Regime change in 2001 - freedom

(00:18:35) Life inside and outside of Kabul

(00:23:30) Living with threats

(00:25:10) The normalisation of war

(00:27:00) Disabilities in a war torn country

(00:32:45) Hope Wheels program

(00:34:01) Access to tech vs values

(00:37:45) Leaving Afghanistan - a chaotic time

(00:42:15) Getting help from the Olympic committee

(00:45:00) Making it to Pakistan

(00:46:03) Australia was not by choice

(00:48:16) Learning languages

(00:49:18) Arriving in Sydney & getting support

(00:56:10) Living under different politics

(00:58:05) First job in Australia as a sports coordinator

(01:03:42) The different communities and integration

(01:05:26) Working in the public service

(01:07:30) Addressing local needs

(01:10:35) Youth settlement worker's role - helping with adaptation

(01:16:15) Housing crisis issues

(01:18:40) Comms with people in Afghanistan is controlled

(01:22:15) You can't forget where you came from

(01:24:10) Hope for change in a war torn country

(01:31:02) Local Islamic community - the difference

(01:35:00) Thoughts on Palestine, Israel and Iran

(01:36:55) Thoughts on local support for refugees

(01:38:25) Little Kabul and food talk