What if your life took you from performing in a circus at age ten…

…to delivering medical supplies in war-torn Ukraine…

… to leading nonprofit projects with indigenous communities in the Amazon jungle?

Today’s guest this week is Noah Chon Lee, whose life is pretty much the definition of Beyond Curious.

I’m talking…

• 🎪 Growing Up in the Circus: How being a third-generation circus performer ignited Noah’s adventurous spirit.
• 🌍 Global Adventures: His travels around the world, including living with indigenous communities in the Amazon jungle and intentionally facing poverty.
• 🏥 Frontline Courage: Delivering critical medical supplies in Ukraine and the profound moments he experienced with families in bomb shelters.
• 🛠️ Building Communities: The vision behind his company, viaPrize, and how he’s empowering communities to come together and support one another.
• 🧠 Curiosity and Purpose: How his relentless curiosity drives him to explore, learn, and make a tangible impact.

Noah’s story is a testament to the power of going Beyond Curious, embracing uncertainty, and making a difference wherever you go.

Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!

Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Noah Chan Lee

In this episode of Beyond Curious, host Brandon Fong introduces his audience to the remarkable Noah Chan Lee, a true explorer whose journey spans continents, ideologies, and challenges. Noah, co-founder of VIAPRISE, has taken on everything from delivering medical supplies in war zones to juggling as a third-generation circus performer, and is building innovative communities. With a spirit fueled by curiosity and service, Noah’s work aims to connect people and foster resilience in ways that are often overlooked in modern society. This episode dives into Noah’s diverse experiences and the powerful lessons they bring.

Show Notes

00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and Noah Chan Lee

• Brandon introduces the show and today's guest, Noah Chan Lee, sharing a brief but intense glimpse into Noah’s life-threatening experience in Ukraine delivering medical supplies amidst bombings.

01:52 - Meet Noah: Circus Performer, Marine Corps Trainee, and Community Builder

• Brandon highlights Noah’s adventurous life story, from growing up in a family of circus performers to leading projects with indigenous communities and working in AI startups.

02:41 - Noah's Philosophy on Curiosity and Community-Building

• The discussion shifts to how Noah’s life aligns with his deep curiosity, from his nonprofit work in the Amazon to experiences in war zones, ultimately shaping his vision of community through his startup, VIAPRISE.

05:13 - Inside Ukraine: Bombs, Families, and Community Resilience

• Noah describes an unforgettable night in Ukraine, huddled with a family in Kyiv during a bombing. He reflects on the vulnerability of the family, especially their young son, and the stark juxtaposition of innocence and war.

08:16 - Community Healing and the Power of Belonging

• Noah explains his inspiration from Tribe by Sebastian Junger and how the need for community and shared purpose can support healing and resilience in traumatized societies.

10:34 - A Frontline Journey with Victoria the Combat Medic

• Noah recounts meeting Victoria, a former banker turned combat medic in Ukraine, and her bravery despite intense challenges. This encounter helped shape his view on humanity’s courage under pressure.

12:33 - A Teen’s Early Quest to Understand Humanity’s Darkest Corners

• Noah shares his journey beginning at age 14, driven by his religious upbringing to explore humanity’s harsh realities and understand suffering. This path led him to global travels and philosophical shifts.

16:22 - Breaking Boundaries and Building Resilience: Street Performing and Self-Sufficiency

• Noah recalls his teenage solo travels, where he supported himself through street performing in Hong Kong and became comfortable with uncertainty, frugality, and self-sufficiency.

18:02 - Training with Martial Arts Masters and Defying Boundaries in Asia

• Noah shares stories of his intensive training with a Muay Thai Olympian and others across Asia, pushing his limits and learning from unique encounters that strengthened his resilience.

24:39 - Life Lessons from Juggling: Learning to Balance Skills and Curiosity

• Both Brandon and Noah discuss how foundational skills like juggling taught them discipline, adaptability, and the ability to tackle new challenges with a creative mindset.

26:06 - A Humble Meal in Chile: Finding Hope in the Face of Adversity

• In Chile, Noah shares a dinner of a single piece of bread with a group of street performers, a moment that deeply impacted him, showing the strength of human connection even in hardship.

31:30 - Finding Family in Ecuador: Noah's Story of Connection and Belonging

• Noah recounts his serendipitous connection with a family in Ecuador who became like kin to him, and how their values inspired his work on community-based projects in South America.

36:59 - The Odd Jobs That Kept Noah Moving: From Circus to Personal Assistant

• Noah details the various jobs he took on, including an unusual stint as an assistant to a mathematician and, briefly, to an adult film star—each experience bringing its own unique insights.

42:21 - The Pop-Up Villages of Zuzalu: Noah’s Vision for Intentional Communities

• Inspired by his time at Zuzalu in Montenegro, Noah discusses these temporary communities that create a space for tech innovators and community-driven experiments, fueling his aspirations for future community projects.

47:21 - Imagining New Ways of Living: Network States and Dunbarian Civilizations

• Noah explains his vision for a “Dunbarian civilization,” inspired by the concept of network states and the human need for close-knit, value-based communities, and how it aligns with his work at VIAPRISE.

52:21 - Building VIAPRISE: The Next Steps in Noah’s Community-Centric Vision

• Noah shares his goals with VIAPRISE, a venture that aims to empower communities to meet their own needs and foster collaboration, building a future of supportive, self-sustaining societies.

Links & Resources

• Noah Chon Lee’s LinkedIn Page
• viaPRIZE - Noah’s startup focused on community building and empowering local initiatives.
• Zuzalu Community - An experimental, pop-up village initiative that promotes innovative collaboration.