Reflecting on my experience as a professional athlete and former top player in kendo, a non-Olympic sport, at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris
As I watch the Olympics, the display of compassion, resilience and confidence among the athletes brings tears to my eyes. It reminds me of the personal growth journey I have been on for the past two decades. Witnessing their compassion towards each other and themselves has fueled me to continue on my own path of growth.
Simone Biles’s teachings during this Olympics, Adam Grant: overcoming adversity takes time. Resilience is not about bouncing back, it’s about how fully you recover. You can judge people strength when they fall. Their fortitude is visible when they rise.
This journey has seen me navigate through adversity in toxic and unhealthy environments, always believing in my philosophy of life as 田原弘徳 sagely championed me in the past.
Over the past five years, I have mentored non-traditional students, including kids, teenagers, and women, teaching them leadership skills through kendo, after spending more than two decades within the conventional system.
I feel grateful for my communities, 田原弘徳, Iwatate sensei, Sumi sensei and other sensei in the EU to support my growth up till now. I express my gratitude to 全日本剣道連盟 All Japan Kendo Federation sensei for sponsoring the Kitamoto seminar. It’s a privilege to extend my gratitude
to the 62 Kendo leaders who, like me, have come from 45 countries worldwide.
Our collective contribution has enriched the global Kendo community and her legacy.
What is next? It is about pursuing a fulfilling path with confidence, consistency and perseverance no matter the DO. This path can take many forms, whether within or outside the system or even transitioning into another system. And, always remember, work hard, but gaman has its limits when it impacts your mental and physical health. What’s more toxicity impacts your performance through your self confidence.
The key is to be honest with yourself and others, take the high way, have ethics, and most important surround yourself with people who want your success.
The world needs centered leaders who inspire organisations to be more humanistic than ever and to dare to have courageous conversations in the exponential age.
I recognised the valuable wisdom I have gained from my past experiences, and their impact on over 12,000,000 leaders across various EU national sports teams, kendo national teams, windpower and regenerative corporate organizations, as well as national and international governments, AI trusted advisors, EU ministers and policymakers, humanitarian NGOs… I have achieved this impact through my work as an executive coach, facilitator, and leadership consultant. And this is just the beginning!
Are you ready to explore how we can help you with your current challenge? Get in touch today.
AWARD WINNING! Women in Sports, WYDE 2022, TOP 15 coaches in Brussels, Influence Digest Media 2023 & Impact leader bridging Brussels, Women100 If you work with me, foresee you are experiencing disruption, strengthen your purpose, embrace adventure, be centered and ride the waves of the future. Follow the flow, follow Tombo! www.tombotribe.com
