Lion on the Mat

Plot

This insightful short documentary explores the journey of Mai Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American martial artist, as she gears up for a pivotal Jiu Jitsu competition. Viewers witness her rigorous mental and physical preparations while she juggles the challenges of everyday life—balancing her job and responsibilities as a single mother. Through her story, we uncover the deeper motivations behind her dedication to martial arts, revealing how it serves as a powerful means of healing from the scars of her abusive childhood and tumultuous past with her ex-husband.