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Most Malaysians grow up with a football at their feet, but few take it as far as turning tricks into a form of art.
For Jason Lee, freestyle football became more than just a teenage hobby—it became a way of expressing himself, even as he pursued a demanding career in pharmacy.
Today, he is a fully practising pharmacist with the Ministry of Health (KKM). But outside of the clinic, he’s known for his swift feet and flashy tricks that have wowed audiences and football legends alike.
Discovering a passion that became a lifeline
Jason’s love affair with freestyle football began at 14 when he stumbled upon YouTube videos of players juggling and spinning the ball in ways he had never imagined.
One move, called “Around The World”, captured his attention instantly. He practiced endlessly, failing hundreds of times before finally landing it.
It looked so simple on video, but in reality it took me so much time of trial and error,” Jason recalled.
That breakthrough moment sparked a fire that never went out, in which Jason recalls spending hours kicking the ball for hours in open spaces after school in his worn-out shoes.
What started as a fun way to pass the time soon became an obsession. He recorded his first homemade video with a few tricks he managed to master, largely inspired by global stars like Ronaldinho, Sean Garnier, and Andrew Henderson.
Freestyle gave him something ordinary football never could: confidence and a voice of his own. He wasn’t the best on the futsal court, but with freestyle, the stage was his.
From hobby To opportunities
By the time he turned 17, freestyle had gone beyond a pastime. Jason started performing at small events and competitions, slowly carving out his place in the community.
The sport took him to unexpected heights in April 2020, where he was selected by Astro to perform in front of Ronaldinho—a dream come true for any football lover.
That same year, he won the Monsta Award for Most Talented Youth and walked away with RM5,000 in cash as the champion of the Milo All-Star tournament.
He also won the Safawi Challenge, which earned him a five-day sponsored trip to Spain to witness the legendary El Clásico match—a reward that cemented how far freestyle had taken him.
Over the years, Jason has showcased his freestyle skills in front of well-known figures including squash legend Nicol David, former Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq, current Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Adam Adli, singer Daniel Lee, and entrepreneur Dato’ Vivy Yusof.
Balancing pharmacy & football
When Jason isn’t sharpening his freestyle football skills, his academic journey was just as intense.
After completing A-Levels at Taylor’s, he pursued a Bachelor of Pharmacy at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). It was here that he truly learned the art of balance.
Studying pharmacy was marked with endless exams, memorisation, and long study nights. Jason admits there were moments, especially during finals, when the stress almost broke him.
I thought about giving up freestyle altogether. The syllabus was massive, and the pressure was crushing,” he said.
But instead of abandoning his passion, Jason leaned into it further. Freestyle became his therapy, his release valve. Training, he said, wasn’t a distraction — it was the very thing that gave him the strength to keep studying.
Freestyle helps me break through feelings of disappointment and stress. Even in pharmacy, we learn that exercise releases endorphins. It really kept me mentally sharp.”
By his third year, Jason had developed a system: strict study hours, fixed training slots, and the discipline to sacrifice social events when necessary. It wasn’t easy, but it worked.
Making a living & chasing a dream
Today, Jason earns around RM5,000 a month as a pharmacist. Freestyle, meanwhile, is less predictable.
On some months, he earns nothing. But when performances during major events are involved, it does bring in some side income.
But to him, freestyle was never about money. “Pharmacy is my stability, but freestyle is my passion.”
His dream is to see freestyle football recognised in Malaysia the way other sports are. With proper governing bodies, competitions, and professional structures, he hopes the next generation of freestylers won’t have to choose between passion and stability.
Like most non-traditional careers, Jason faced his fair share of scepticism. People often questioned why he was wasting time on football tricks when he could be focusing solely on his degree.
Coaches were nonexistent, and training alone was mentally tough. But each failure taught him persistence.
You fail a hundred times before you land one trick,” he said. “That mindset taught me resilience — in football and in life.”
He also refuses to accept the notion that young people must choose between passion and studies.
“Start small, be consistent, and don’t wait for validation. One focused hour a day can build a skill. And remember — chasing your passion doesn’t weaken you academically. It makes you stronger because it keeps you motivated.”
As he continues his dual journey as pharmacist and freestyler, Jason hopes his story inspires others to find courage in their own balancing act — proving that with discipline and heart, it’s possible to pursue two dreams at once.
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