an endless battle with inferiority complex – your challenging spirit is vital
18 months after my move to Chicago. I am at a point where daily Judo Coaching is part of my routine. However, doing something different than when I was competing, I question myself “Am I showing any progress?” This article talks about my mind and coflicts with my daily life. I hope this could be a message to those who are struggling with their lives abroad, or those that are looking forward in a professional career in a different country.
(1) Conservative and Aggressive
One thing I understand to be important is when to be conservative, and when to be aggressive. As I have written in past articles, United States is a country where everyone is responsible for their one lives. With that in mind, in my daily life, I believe being brave to be conservative is important.
On the other hand, in my judo coaching and clinics, even if I am a novice coach, I am responsible for everything. There are no “Do’s and Don’ts”. No manuals or bible from past experience exist. The freedom is great, but I need to prepare everything and have confidence in what I do. If the content of my plan is not great, students are not shy to complain.
I am getting used to this atmosphere so I need to always question myself. “Is this routine, am I showing progress?” I am very conservative when I drive to downtown Chicago as well as when I take my 6 month old son out. However at the DOJO, I need to be aggressive and enthusiastic. Some actions that would excite the kids, how to bring up kids that are not so positive.
I always talk to myself that I need to do something different each day. Being positive all the time. Easier said than done.
This is the dojo I go to in Chicago!!
There are many national flags on the wall and it is colorful!!
Warm up with Kids
I try to enjoy this so that kids would too.
I want the kids to feel that they enjoyed the class – I make sure it doesn’t become “routine”
If words are not enough, I use my entire body.
Grab is best.
If I grab I can further teach them.
(2) Accepting Diversity (another “Easier said than done”)
United States is a country with people from all around the world. Different race, nationality, religion, etc, etc, – diversity exists everywhere. My dojo consists of 200 people from roots of 20 different countries.
I had a case where I really “felt” it. Doug Tono, the Dojo owner took a vacation and I needed to take care of the classes for that day, alone. (It does happen once in a while)
Just about when the class was about to start, Kaelyn, a 17 year old girl came with her mother and said “I want to learn Judo here”. She was blind. I was about to panic, but I took her hand and brought her into class. My concern was just in vain. Kaelyn had done Kick Boxing, Taikwondo and she wasn’t a Judo beginner. She would move around as it really didn’t matter if she could not see. She was aggressive to ask many many questions. Kaelyn was an aggressive girl and she took the lead for the entire 90 minutes.
This wouldn’t have happened in Japan. People with disabilities live together – we help out – that’s common sense. This is the true world accepting diversity.
As a result, due to her capability she will not join the Women’s class but will be joining the regular class. I need to brush up my skills to be able to convey Judo Waza’s with words, simple words.
She was very strong and was a very fast leaner.
Powerful ladies from the Women’s Class
(3) Lastly … Enjoy!!
When I first came here, everything was “the first” for me, but now with a little bit of experience, I need to step is up a bit. Some of the things include:
Judo Clinic Caravans across the US.
Relocation of Tohkon Judo Academy (to 3x of a facility)
The 2nd GKJN Cup.
Living in the US with my son, expanding Judo in the US, acquiring more sponsors…Can I do all this? It does make me worry, but that’s fuel for the challenge.
Conflicts makes me a better person – I wish to pay forward the fruit I gain from my conflicts. Everything, positive!!
The Tohkon Kids I love from the bottom of my heart, let’s get better together!!
