Oh, hey! There you are. I love ice skating. And if you love ice skating too, you'll love our newest GZM show, Ice Lions. It's a brand new story coming out weekly on our Imagination Amplified feed, inspired by the remarkable and heartwarming true story of the Ice Lions, Kenya's first and only national ice hockey team. And it's the only ice hockey team in East Africa. Now, I'm not even being dramatic when I say that Ice Lines is one of our most unique-sounding GCM shows we've ever made.
Most of our cast is from Kenya and we had to have recording sessions at like four in the morning with all of them all on zoom all the way from Nairobi We even flew Chris one of the show creators out to Kenya to record all the music. How cool is that? We're dropping the first episode of Ice Lions here in this feed for you to listen to. But when you're done, search for Imagination Amplified to listen to episode two out right now.
And be sure to click that follow button on Imagination Amplified so you get every episode of Ice Lions as it comes out weekly. It's an amazing show that sounds so good, you guys. Almost as good as this triple axel. Ow! Okay. Well, okay. Well, at least I tried. And you should really try episode one of Ice Lions coming up next. It's like no other GCM show you've ever heard before. But I promise that, unlike my triple axel, Ice Lions is gonna stick the landing.
Okay, now go listen to Ice Lions right after this ad break while I ice my body. Not on the ice, like with an ice pack. Ice Lions is inspired by a true story and recorded in Nairobi, Kenya. This is not a story about a team of underdogs who come together to defeat a mighty No, Champions. Not yet. ¡Arambé! Dawad means In Swahili, Kenya's National League. It's our moment. tradition. For me, it's always very My name is John G. But you can call me John. Somehow. other ideas. Bak ben.
dream as almost every boy. Ahsoka. or as fierce as a strong one most of our matches as the loudest cheerleader on Then one day when I was 15, during the league championship month, big moment finally arrived our best player kobe went down i can still play right coach how you can barely walk no but we're only down one go Who's gonna replace me on the field, John? Yes! Yes! I can go in, coach. This is the whole season, Kitumaini. Are you sure you're ready? I'm ready.
I'm the first one on the field and the last one i even had my mom make mandazis for the game mandazi are like delicious sweet donuts famous in kenya and my mama made the Fine. I do logo. I promise! With Kobe Hut and the game in extra time. Yes, this is it John. Your moment to inspire and unite. It was huge in front of me. The coach was horrible. Shoot! I can do it. I won't let the team down.
Best shot on goal when I... from behind and tackle you to the ground but that meant i would get a penalty kick With no time left on the clock the game came down to me. A goal could save us the championship. All the stupid in my future was one Nice. and easy. Oh boy! slow down for more. The ball left the ground, taking with it all my hopes and dreams, joining the Harambe stars, playing in the World Cup, bringing people together, not just in Kenya, but all over the world.
every player on that beach watched as my kick just sailed through the sky like a flaming comet spinning and spinning of the crossbar and into the referee's hat. Oops! Sorry guys. I never Didn't know it yet, but my destiny An original audio After the game, my teammates and I hopped on Amatatu. A public bus that rode through the city with its doors open. Kobe and the others were still laughing at me for my unlucky penalty kick.
He thought it was going in and then maybe the wing took it or... Next time stay on the bench where you belong. Hey, leave John alone or I'll kick you off my bus at the next door. Owiti. Owiti was the Matatu conductor. He is too. next to the bus driver and he knew everyone with his
stylish clothes and wise words. When he talked, we listened. Thank you, Owiti. And may I say we should all look at this as an opportunity to learn about ourselves. We ought to be supporting each other through this loss. Growing as a team. Or you can learn how to kick a football That's it! I'm getting off! Where's the togetherness? City of spirit. OVT, hold the bus. John, you know I love a dramatic exit. But this is not your stop. Your house is nowhere close to here.
Find my way home and I'm taking my money A bustling metropolis with a wild safari park right on its doorstep. Move. Gracias. the skyscrapers, the shops and But as they turn in I started to wish I had What was I thinking? How am I going to get home? Toxitoxie! No wait, please! It's fine. Nice night for a walk. Where is that coming from? I followed the sounds into a crowded sports cafe in the heart of my life. Wow!
That's definitely not football. On that television screen, never seen huge men moving so yet with such elegance on a smooth white surface. Flat ball. Faster than my eyes could keep As I watched them skate around in celebration, I knew being on the boring old ground would never again. i had to be where they were i had to be
Ah buwana, could you please change the channel back? What are you doing in here kid? But I was the only one who wanted to watch the game. And the manager told me I needed to go. Sorry, do you know what that game was called? Oh, that. It's not western sport, ice hockey. But you're too young to be here alone. I know I look young, but... SHIT! I walked the God's thrown out of each one. I convinced the owner to let me use a computer for important research which meant watching every ice hockey video.
National Hockey League highlights. Event tournaments for kids my own age. I was so amazed by what I saw. I completely lost track of time What? But it's only 10 o'clock? Oh no, my parents. Thank you! As I walked home, I imagined myself as one of those hockey players on TV. He scores! And there are his proud parents in the stands. It was getting later and later when a bus pulled over next to me.
That Motatu bus? Is that? Still looking for our way home, eh? OIT! Do you know how late it is? It's not my fault taxi drivers don't want to be paid in Mandazi. Can you drive me? Okay. Hey driver, let's go. They skate on ice and they shoot a flat ball called a park I want to find a ring on you. Max, I'm glad to see you're inspired. But there are no ice rings in Nairobi, man. Hey, we are here. Thank you for the ride, OBT. Of course. And John. If this ice hockey is your destiny, it will find you.
the things we are meant for. how we're finding us no matter where we are off the bus. My parents were waiting and they did not look happy. son who thinks he is a grown man now. Stay out as late as he wants! Mama! Baba! You were just deciding on how long you would be grounded for. Grounded? Please! How are you? Let's see. One week. Two weeks. A month. A month is a round number. Kola muka te nyo ba nene kose
Once I was finally allowed to leave my room, I took OVT's advice. I wasn't about to wait for ice hockey looking for it There was no ice rink to play on, but I found the next best thing. Over here! Yeah! Can you imagine? And I don't Wings or ice? the game. Aleta was waiting for me. Why would I write you a letter? Someone must have left it here on the bench for me. I didn't see anyone. Okay, let's see. Don't keep to mind if you want to be an ice hockey player to the Nairobi Lux Hotel. 7 PM.
and bring chapter The snack mix? if I'm being recruited by some kind The Lux Hotel is full of rich tourists from Europe and America. Why would someone come all the way to Nairobi to recruit for their ice hockey team? No matter where you find it. You're not actually going to go are you? I'd never do something that crazy. oh okay okay so i would in fact do something that crazy but only in the name of ice hockey The Nairobi Luxe Hotel was one of the most luxurious in all of Kenya.
I approached the front desk. The hotel worker gave me a big smile. Welcome to the Derobi Lux Hotel. Um, my name is John Kitomaini. I found this letter inviting me to come here. Do you know who it's from? Go to the room with five more than the most schools in history. What? The room with five more than the most goals in history. That's what he asked me to tell you. Who? Who asked you to tell me that? May I help you? Ms. Bakari! Kelvin! Who is this young man?
His name is John. Are you a guest of the hotel? John? No, I was invited here, madam. Invited? By who? He made me promise not to tell. Oh, so he is your boss now. He is the one that signs your paychecks. No, Miss Bakari. You are my boss. But he, he scares me. He scares you? I'll deal with you later, Kelvin. As for you, young man, the only thing you'll find following this lesson I suggest you go home. The Nairobi Lax Hotel is no place for nonsense. But, madame, excuse me.
May I speak with the manager? I'm the manager, Ms. Bakari. How may I assist you? John! Five more than the most goals! Five more? Right! When the manager turned her back I sprinted to the open elevator where a couple of tourists were headed out Do you wanna go to the pool first thing in the morning? I tried to figure out the riddle. Five more than the most goals in history. Five more than the most golds in history. the most
Are you talking about Wayne Gretzky? Are you a hockey fan? Do they have hockey fans in Kenya? Sorry, I didn't mean to. Wait. Are you from America? Close. We're from Canada. Canada. This must be a sign. Do you know anything about when Gretzky's goals? Of course. at the most of all time. But I don't remember the exact number. I got it! I figured out the riddle. Floor 8. The riddle? Thanks for the help. I'll see you in Canada when I'm a hockey player. What just happened? 899
Please don't be a criminal. Please don't be a criminal. Yes. Um, hi. Did you write me this letter? My name is John. Um... You must be here for my idiot brother. Sam! Sam, does your brother want to put me on an ice hockey team? Ice hockey team? What? Are you... Please stop talking to my guest Marcy. We have important business... I'm asking Baba for your birth certificate. I need proof you're my brother. You're a kid? I'm Samuel. My friends call me Sam.
I have plenty of friends. You've passed the first test John. 899 Wayne Gretzky set the all time record with 894 goals plus 5 equals 899. Well done. Did you bring what I did? Here's the chapter. What's it for? My favorite snack mix. Congratulations! You've passed the second test. You may call me Sam now. Follow me to my bedroom office. We have much to discuss. These rumors like hockey heaven. Even a framed hawk is dead. Whoa, red. Many of the tourists who come through the hotel are hockey fans.
Sometimes they leave things behind. Sometimes I make trades. in this hotel. My father works. I know the lack's better than anyone. you get benefits. As long as Miss Bakari, the manager, doesn't catch me. Johnny Oduya was a professional hockey player. And one of my heroes. His story gave me hope. His father. Don't touch that! I don't know where your hands have been. Sorry. So, why am I here?
I've been watching you play. And you think I'm a great hockey player? No, but you're not terrible. And I can tell you love the game more than the others. Why don't you play with us? Because I... Look, I asked the questions. You should know I'm the president of an exclusive club. How many members do you have? Just me at this moment. But I've been considering inviting you to join. Really? I mean, I would love that. patience i need to take We'll start with an easy one.
Who's the greatest hockey player? Ever. When Gretzky? Of course! was Johnny Oduya's first team. No one cares, Sam. He's not Wikipedia. Please leave my room, Marcy. I'm just grabbing a water bottle and heading down to run on the treadmill. Continue with your whatever this is. Look, I don't know every hockey statistic, but I promise I love the game. What do you love about it? Well, I believe it's the most fun spot there is. It takes some teamwork and dedication. Did I mention fun?
You know, I don't think you are good fit to be a member of my club. What? Why not? To me, hockey is a lot more than some fun game. I thought maybe... Never mind. You should go. Fine. You're not what I was expecting either. My hopes were crushed. I walked through the door. head hung low. But just as I was about to leave, I spotted the Johnny Odoya and it made me stop. but I needed to say since the day I first saw What a house ceiling. Every night in my room, and I'm in a real ice hockey game.
I'm always daydreaming about it. We like to skate on the ice. ¡Suscríbete! If it is, con el champú. You're in. What? There's something I want to show you. But first, I have Blindfold. And why do I That's the point of a blindfold! I'm taking you through the boat Misdirection? Boardroom? Are we in a wedding? Just keep going. What is this? This is your final test. Smells like the
Swimming pool? Just passing through. The place we are going tonight is closed. But I know the way in. But we have to hurry before Miss Bakari finds us. Hey, children, stop. Uh-oh. I told you not to follow that letter, young man. You don't belong here. I was just giving my cousin John a tour. Why have you blindfolded your cousin?
I can explain that. I'm sorry. I didn't want to help you do this. Please don't call my father. Your father is a practical man, Samuel, and a valuable employee of the Lux Hotel. Which is why we generously allow you and your family to live here. And we couldn't be more grateful. But what would happen if one of our guests were to post a negative review because of this tour of yours?
What if, say, a bride and groom were to raise a fuss about teenagers in blindfold disrupting their wedding ceremony? We didn't! How might that reflect on your father's prospects within the hotel? You mean his job? Mama Bakari! Mercy! What are you doing down here? Looking for my brother. Samuel! Papa said to hurry back with the shampoo. Shampoo. The rooms on the club floor are running low. He sent Sam for a new container. No more games, Samuel. Papa is counting on you. Bye.
Cousin John and I will take care of it right away. You do that. Mercy. Tell your father I'll see him tomorrow. Yes, Mama Bakari. Good. バイバイ Oh, thanks for saving us, Mercy. I had a feeling you were up to no good. You owe me. You both do. Yes. Come on, John. Hurry. You owe me some. Alright, now I'm getting nervous. Shh! We are here! Gracias. ほほほほ Why? Why is it so cold? You can take the blindfold off now. Finally!
It can't be. It's... A brand new ice rink. It was just completed. The only one in all of East Africa. It is meant for the tour. I wanted to show you. What are you doing? Getting on the ice of course! John! You don't even have skills! Cold and...sleepery! Like...sob! it's even more amazing than i imagined i can't believe i'm here from nairobi kenya kenya kenya kenya in his first national hockey league Please welcome the Rookie Center, number 4, John Keto. おまえ
Are you okay? We need to go before Miss Bakari figures out we are here. I'm never getting off the ice! Come, join me. It's not allowed. It's not allowed. I just wanted you to say it. It's an ice rink, Sam. billions of miles away. right in front I'm begging you to get on. Okay, fine. I'll get on. Tim! What? The first ever ice ho- in Kenya. Did you hit your head on the ice? Most people in Nairobi Something like isn't possible. We just have to find others. Only if I get to be there.
probably learn how to skate fast. Oh, oh, oh And what Hardly a team. but some One day we would share them Kenya with the world. But on that night, Bang! long ways away Wow! Hi, my name is Katyn Zenzambu and I play John in Ice Lions. For more great shows, visit gzmshows.com.
Hey, me again. Now that you're done with episode one of Ice Lions, go to Imagination Amplified and listen to episode two right now to find out what happens next. And be sure to hit that follow button so you don't miss any new episodes. You go do that while I go work on my triple axel.