The Inspiring Story of a Cambodian War Survivor – Dallas Frisco Photographer – Me Ra Koh

We are so honored to share Channy’s Rising Phoenix Experience with you! It starts a little different than most. Channy was only three years old when her family fled Cambodia wearing only the clothes on their backs. Living in a foreign country, she then became her family’s primary interpreter and is a true testament to living the ‘American Dream’. She embodies the inspiring story of a Cambodia War Survivor.

STARTING LIFE DURING WAR

Channy Salazar is a child of the Cambodian Civil War. The Khmer Rouge killed over 2 million souls with their occupation of Cambodia, one of which was her biological father, during which time Channy’s family fled for America. At the age of three years old, Channy’s family fled with her parent’s dream of finding safety in a foreign country. By 5 years old, Channy was her family’s primary interpreter, assisting in bridging the culture gap between her parents and the country she now calls home.

Channy’s life represents what it means to live the American Dream. A true, ‘from rags to riches’ story, her family worked tirelessly to provide for her and establish her future in a country where ‘anything is possible’. One of her besties, Lasoy Katie Singleton, a fellow Rising Phoenix, gifted her with a surprise FIORIA gift certificate to celebrate her 50th birthday with this experience. It was timely as Channy reflected back on the life she’s lived.

A LIFE WORTH LIVING

Channy was raised with a fierce tenacity most could never understand. She attributes her tenacity to so much of her successes in life. She and her husband recently launched a brand new institute (more amazing details on that below). Channy decided to have these displayed in her office at work, to be filled UP before she pours into their students!

“To come in and see these beautiful portraits of me is inspiring because I see a very accomplished woman who I dreamed to be! It’s amazing how hard work and determination create a life I love and career to help others now. I became the woman I looked up to for years, as a young girl navigating this world of who I wanted to be when I grew up.”

Through tears, Channy shares with us how one of her greatest joys in life is seeing other people happy and being a part of it. She’s always been empathetic to other’s needs; she listens and picks up on the things that matter, even when they don’t see it. She finds rising within her an amplification of qualities that have been cultivated in her over time. As a child of war, she sees the world through the lenses of hope and optimism. No matter how bad it gets, there is always hope for a better future and brighter tomorrow. This is one of the many reasons she is such an inspiring story of a Cambodian war survivor.

Her parents placed a lot of emphasis on education. They believed it was their only way to get ahead and encouraged Channy to continuously be growing and learning and chasing her dreams.

TIGER MOMS

I love how Channy joked that she has a Tiger Mom but is also a bit of one too! It’s a balance between her Asian and American culture. Resilience is ever rising within her. She also feels a greater faith rising too. Without God, and His grace, she wouldn’t be here today and raising her beautiful, blended family.

GAINING WHOLENESS IN THE MOST UNEXPECTED PLACE

A mission trip to Cambodia shifted her perspective in the most beautiful ways! Returning to her birth country, she was brought back to where it all began. She had the sudden realization that all the stress in her life was truly, ‘first world problems’. Everything fell into place as her perspective shifted and she gained a wholeness she hadn’t known for a long time. She was back in the land she fled from. This trip to Cambodia gave her EVERYTHING she felt she had lost. She was able to find peace and a humility to continue to do God’s work, with no expectations gaining anything in return.

Channy found herself standing in Angkor Wat’s Echo Room, and felt like she’d been there before. Angkor Wat is a temple complex located at Angkor, Cambodia, and considered to be the largest religious structure in the world. There, Channy felt a stirring; an awakening in her soul. Suddenly, she knew she had a bigger purpose. She was born to do GREAT THINGS. She heard God say, “Child, you’re not going to fail!” She was born to overcome. And will continue to overcome! (scroll down to see photos of Angkor Wat’s amazing rooms)

PORTRAITS TO REMIND HER OF IT ALL

When we asked Channy what these portraits would mean to her, her response brought tears to our eyes. “These would be a symbol of peace, to know I belong here. To look at them say “Look at all I’ve done and become in my 50 years on earth. I may have left Cambodia with nothing at 3 years old, but since then, I’ve gained everything!” These will empower me to be the best I can be to serve the Lord. My desire is to be used daily in serving God’s purpose. I want these portraits to say, ‘I did it!’ They are a reminder of all I’ve been through over the past 50 years.”

WHAT KATIE SEES RISING IN CHANNY

Channy’s bestie, Katie, is the reason we connected with Channy. Katie sees a fierce Rising Phoenix in her friend and encouraged her to have this experience with us. We asked Katie what she loves about Channy: “She’s classy and sassy! She’s vulnerable, yet strong. Channy is unapologetic for who she is and where she wants to go in life. Her superpower is boldness! She’s not afraid to say what’s on her mind. She owns it, claims it, and makes no apologies. She also calls other females to be bold as well.”

A couple of years ago, their bond was tested through vicious and sad rumors spread by a mutual ‘friend’. But in true soul sister fashion, they reached out and talked about the confusion and planting of horrible seeds. They both saw what was actually happening and vowed to not let it get between them. They connect on a deep, soul level and love and appreciate each other for exactly who they are. That experience grew their friendship and reminded them that it’s not just about what ‘you’ say but what ‘you’ do that matters most.

Katie hopes Channy’s Rising Phoenix portraits remind her of who she is. “To hold her head up high, to relish all of her well-earned accomplishments. I hope she looks at these and says, ‘Wow, I am proud of that girl who has come so far.’ I hope Channy can look at her portraits and just be proud of herself and love herself for exactly who she is. Because even the imperfections make her who she is and that’s the beauty of Channy. Her heart and what she’s done and accomplished shines through. She should be proud because it is a beautiful reflection of HER.”

WHAT UYEN LOVES ABOUT CHANNY

Friends for over 7 years now, Uyen loves Channy’s resilience, thoughtfulness and her giving spirit. “No matter what kicks her or drags her down, she always gets back up!”

We asked Uyen what Channy’s superpowers are. She said, “There isn’t anything Channy doesn’t think she can do. The more you tell her she can’t do it, the more she goes out and does it. She doesn’t like people telling her she can’t do something. She doesn’t pay attention to people who question her – she just does it!” We love this so much!

WHAT KENNEDY LOVES ABOUT HER TENACIOUS MOM

Kennedy, Channy’s daughter, loves her mom’s adventurous spirit, ambition and tenacity. “She’s had this firm grip on life. When she sets her sights on something, she’s going to figure out how to get it done.”

Kennedy says she got to see her mom in a different light. Channy was a single mom for 7 years, prior to marrying Adrian. Channy was and is a tenacious mother and would do anything for her children.

“Now she’s going into this whole new business venture. As scary as it is, she’s still tenacious and putting in the work. She knows that with all of the experience that she has under her belt, she’s gonna get it done. My mom knows it’s not an easy thing, it’s competitive. But because she’s tenacious she’s ready for the challenge.”

WHAT QUALITIES HER MOTHER IS PASSING ON TO HER

We asked Kennedy what qualities her mom has cultivated in her (we always love this question!). She said, “Ambition and independence. While I was growing up, she actually had to read a book on how to raise a strong-willed child because of how independent she made me. She’s also a first-generation Asian American who moved here in the ‘70s at the age of three with nothing. To see her live out her American dream has been really inspiring to me, and why I push myself to be the person that I am. If my mom can do it, why can’t I? Also, compassion, from growing up in Texas, and in a Christian household. Compassion for others that may be different from us – she’s taught me not to judge a book by its cover. You still owe them the same amount of respect, and need to respect their boundaries, etc.”

Kennedy said her mom’s superpower is how very selfless she is. “I would say she has a very big heart. Being a child of war and coming from nothing, and now being able to give back to the community, when she sees someone in trouble, or if someone needs comforting, she’s that person that will step up and be like, ‘Hey, I’m here for you. How can I help?’

A TRUE RISING PHOENIX

“I think it was really funny to hear that this experience is called, The Rising Phoenix,” Kennedy shared, “because in a sense, that’s how I see my mom! And now in her new business venture, I tell her all the time, ‘You have lived so many lifetimes. You need to write a book!’ My mom IS a Rising Phoenix! She is strong! She’s one of the strongest people that I know. And that’s me being biased because she is my mother. But in that sense of watching her grow, and being able to see her grow and knowing that if she can put her mind to something, and if she is willing to do the work, then she can become whoever she wants to be. And yes, she’s turning 50 but in a sense she’s still young… she still has the rest of her life, right?”

WHAT LUCAS LOVES ABOUT HIS MOM

Counter to Kennedy’s verbose answers, Lucas was ‘short and sweet’ in his responses about his mom. We loved every minute of talking to both of her kiddos! We asked young Lucas what his top three favorite qualities of mom are and he said, “She feeds me. She’s a very good mom. And my mom is my biggest cheerleader! She supports me. Her superpower is her cooking!” THE BEST!

We also asked him how his mom has helped shape him. This blew us away! Lucas said, “She has taught me not to get pressured but to just walk away. I got my mom’s sweetness and kindness and being helpful to others. Just like when she went to Cambodia to help the kids. She’s a GREAT person and I hope these pictures remind her of that. She’s confident and she’s always so happy (well, most of the time).”

And then he added, “I want my mom to know she’s really beautiful. She’s the BEST!”

WHAT ADRIAN LOVES ABOUT HIS RESILIENT WIFE

Adrian shares with us that during the time in which we contacted him, Channy had been on a birthday cruise. “She’s been on a cruise with Katie this week and I really miss her! I can’t even sleep. We’ve been texting like we did when we first met! When I met her, I knew she’d be my wife! We became a blended family and raised our girls together.”

“Channy is a tough woman. I can be tough on her at times because I know how strong she is. She’s VERY strong. She’s also intelligent and very savvy. She’ll always figure things out! If I’m not around, she holds her own.”

We asked Adrian how he hopes her Rising Phoenix portraits impact his wife. “She needs to be reminded of how STRONG she is. Even as a child, she survived the war in Cambodia! She can do anything and everything she sets her mind to.”

EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE!

After selling their tinting business, Channy and Adrian decided to focus on empowering young people. They recently launched the North Texas Tint Institute. Students have the opportunity to “unlock the art of window tinting at North Texas Tint Institute, where expertise meets innovation. Led by industry veteran Adrian Salazar.”

With Adrian and Channy’s network, they are able to not only teach their students the business but often help them land full time jobs after! Absolutely incredible!

Over 10 years ago, our family had the opportunity to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The rooms, specifically the windows, spoke volumes to me. CLICK HERE to see some of the beautiful rooms in Angkor Wat that Channy talked about.

ARE YOU A RESILIENT WOMAN BUT STRUGGLE TO CELEBRATE YOU?

8 out of 10 Rising Phoenixes feel SELF-CONSCIOUS about APPEARING conceited or vain. They struggle with feeling worthy of an experience like this.

To have a big portrait of themselves in their home office, their bedroom, even their front entry, they don’t want people to get the wrong idea.

Cherie came from TN. We interviewed her friends and family. They all said she is STRONG! Every single one of them used that specific word to describe her resilience, what has risen from the ashes.

But she said, “I feel like if I put photos of myself on the wall, people will think I’m conceited.

I know people say I’m strong, I guess I just don’t see myself that way.”

YOU GIVE TO EVERYONE

You’ve most likely given to everyone else. The time has come to give something transformational and lasting to you. Just read the following stories.

Have you achieved a weight goal like Tannis or Jamie? Read Jamie’s inspiring story of never going back after significant weight loss.

Maybe you need deeper healing from childhood trauma. You’ve done the counseling but still struggle to see the truth about who you are. You may relate to Tiffany’s story.

Jajuan flew from Seattle for his Rising Phoenix Experience! He wanted his daughters to see not only who dad is but where he’s come from. Sony spotlighted Jajuan’s Rising Phoenix story as one of the Best Of portraits in 2022! See Jajuan’s powerful story.

Or maybe you’re turning 40, 50, 60 or 70+ and want to reflect and celebrate who you are and the possibilities of what this next season of life holds? 

The first step is to fill out our Rising Phoenix inquiry; CLICK HERE.

MICHELLE FOUND COURAGE TO STEP BEYOND GRIEF

Meet Michelle. She is definitely someone who has known great courage. At one time, she was an interrogator for the US military in the Middle East. This 5’4 woman knows confidence. But the loss of her mom swallowed that confidence.

There are some seasons in life when we feel unshakeable courage and other seasons that leave us feeling lost. After great loss, it takes great courage to step forward. Maybe you relate to Michelle’s story.

MEET OUR OLDEST RISING PHOENIX

She was in her 80s and never had her makeup and hair done. I’ll never forget the giggles we had over watching Oma that day in the studio. This beautiful 4’9 woman came to the United States with Opa when she was only 23 yrs old and pregnant with her first baby. All they had was $50. Leaving behind family and all that was familiar in the Netherlands, they boarded a cargo boat and set out to make a new life.

Krista, Oma’s granddaughter, had a FIORIA family experience with us last year. When she saw us launch the Rising Phoenix Experience, she thought of her grandma. Oma is the heart of their family and lived eighty plus years as a rising phoenix.

Click Here to meet Oma, our oldest Rising Phoenix!

CRYSTAL DROVE TO US FROM LAS VEGAS.

A single woman who has always been known for being responsible and quiet, yet there is another side of her that wants to come out. A side that is brave and takes risks—that believes she is worthy of doing something special not just for others but for herself too. A year after her Rising Phoenix Experience, she sent us photos of her traveling solo in Europe! She told us how much her life has changed from seeing who she is every day when she looks at her Phoenix portraits!

What truth do you need to be reminded of daily to unleash your purpose and potential?

MEET OUR YOUNGEST RISING PHOENIX, A MIRACLE PHOTO SHOOT!

CLICK HERE to see the most miraculous Rising Phoenix portraits!

This is the first time Isabella has ever looked at the camera and smiled. This was a miracle photo shoot.

I’ll never forget my first Discovery Call with Isabella’s mom. She wasn’t sure this was a good idea because Isabella is very sensory sensitive. Photo shoots have never gone well in the past. She felt very hesitant to believe this photo shoot could be a success.

I felt her words on such a deep level. I didn’t want to set them up for disappointment either. But I just knew that there was something so special about this whole thing. I told her, “There are many doubts and fears I can struggle with, but this is something I am confident I can do.” She borrowed that confidence, and we witnessed a miracle photo shoot.

ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON, THEY WERE READY TO …

Rise above the ashes of what other people have said
Rising above their fear and doubts
Own their Rising Phoenix within.

Through our Rising Phoenix Experience, they not only did something special for themselves but also experienced transformation.

We invite you to experience the transformation too!

YOUR RISING PHOENIX EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

• Signature Phone Calls with You and Loved Ones (collection of words that give you life)
• Professional Hair & Makeup
• Wardrobe Consultation & Vision
• Rising Phoenix Photo Shoot with Me Ra Koh (Sony Artisan, Disney Host, and Live with Kelly & Ryan Guest Expert—You’re in good hands. I will pose you, and Brian will drop shadows and light on you in the most flattering way that radiates your Rising Phoenix.)
• Same Day Cinematic Reveal & Custom Design Session with our In-House Design Specialist
• Beautiful Artwork of Your Rising Phoenix, Custom Designed for the Best Place where it will Speak Truth to You Every Day.

CLICK HERE to fill out the inquiry and begin your Rising Phoenix Experience!

I can’t wait to speak soon! Still we rise!
Me Ra

GEAR USED

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