Ikigai with Jennifer Shinkai Jennifer Shinkai

On the latest episode of Ikigai with Jennifer Shinkai we have a truly inspirational guest for you. Steve Judge is a professional speaker, author, and resilience coach, who in 2002 experienced a near fatal car accident and due to his injuries was told he may never walk again. But he decided to fight that prediction and found a passion during his rehabilitation that motivated him. 
Throughout his rehabilitation he kept setting goals for himself and achieving them, from standing and walking, through to running, cycling and Power Triathlons. Eventually Steve became an elite athlete, and in 2011, in Beijing, he crossed the finish line to become world champion in the power triathlon! So if you are looking for motivation and inspiration, especially through setbacks and challenges, this episode is for you.
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. 
In this episode you’ll hear:
About Steve’s autobiography, Don’t Lean on Your ExcusesThe near fatal car accident that Steve experienced in 2002How anger and thinking of his future self motivated Steve throughout his rehabilitationHow Steve became an elite athlete and two time world championWhy Steve now wants to empower others through motivational speakingWhy Steve wears a 5 yen coin, or “go-en”, around his neck
About  Steve:
As a professional speaker, author and resilience coach Steve’s mission is to deliver his story that took him from wheelchair to world champion and beyond. His journey starts with a 5 Yen (Go-En) coin that he was given by a Japanese traveler in 1996. Steve tells his story of how he used this coin and the Japanese concept of Kintsugi to mend his badly broken body and how he feels that he is now on the path to fulfill in his life in relation to his Ikigai.

Things mentioned in the episode:
Sustainable Wellness and Ikigai with Saori Okada
Don’t Lean on Your Excuses book

Connect with Steve:
Contact: i.nspire@steve-judge.co.uk
Website: https://www.steve-judge.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SteveJudge 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevejudgegold
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevejudgegold/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-judge-908293b1/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SteveJudgeGOLD
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user118912033

Connect with Jennifer
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifershinkai/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifershinkaicoach 
Website: a...

Welcome to the latest episode of the podcast. This week I am talking to Alison Mowbray, former Olympic medal winning rower in the British Rowing Team, and current leadership development consultant and coach. Alison initially pursued an academic career in microbiology, got her PhD, became a science teacher… and then tried out for national selection in the British Rowing Team. She’s competed at the Olympics twice and won silver as part of the quad sculls team in 2004. 
After retiring Alison continued to set and achieve her goals that included ultra-marathons, an autobiography, becoming a rowing coach, hiking, dancing tango, and more! Phewf! Join us to hear more about how Alison pursues her goals and what she has learnt about ikigai and her life’s purpose along the way.
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. 

In this episode you’ll hear:
How Alison pursued an academic path in Science, getting her PhD and becoming a science teacher before making the British Rowing Team at the age of 27How Alison decided what to do next after retiring from international rowingWhat marathon running taught Alison about how we can limit ourselves by the goals we setAbout the importance of doing things for yourself rather than always waiting for an external motivationAlison’s advice on not judging what gives your life purpose, or comparing it to other people’s


About Alison:
Alison was on the British Rowing team for seven years and competed in five World Championships and two Olympic Games. Not being particularly sporty at school and having not even stepped in a boat until she went to Liverpool University at the age of 18, Alison then kept rowing on the back burner for many years while she pursued an academic career. Having achieved a 1st Class degree in Microbiology from Liverpool and a PhD in Molecular Microbiology from Cambridge University, Alison moved to London to train as a science teacher and attempt National selection. She made the British Rowing team that year at the age of 27. Two years later, she achieved last minute qualification for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where she finished 10th in the single sculls event. 
Alison worked part-time as a science teacher while training full-time towards the Athens Olympics and in 2004, at the age of 33 and in the last race of her career achieved an Olympic silver medal in the final of the quad sculls. 
Retiring from international sport, Alison was a science teacher for several years alongside a developing career in Inspirational Speaking. She now works as a Leadership Development Consultant and Coach, hikes long-distance trails, runs marathons and ultra-marathons, dances tango and sings in a local choir. Alison also still coaches rowing, including to local children in Zambia in 2022.
Alison wrote and published her autobiography: Gold Medal Flapjack. Silver Medal Life in 2013 and is currently finishing a Science/Lifestyle book called The 10 Healthy Habits.

Connect with Alison:
Autobiography: Gold Medal Flapjack. Silver Medal Life
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alison-mowbray-33b36a13
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alisonmowbray.feelinginspired/

Connect with Jennifer
Linked In: a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifershinkai/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

On the latest episode of the podcast I chat to the multi-talented James Nepaulsingh. James is a lawyer, executive coach, painter, music producer and host of the Plus Future Podcast! James joins us to discuss his ikigai and we have a great discussion about his approaches to life and to pursuing new hobbies and learning new things. Listen to the episode and get inspired to treat life as an experiment and break out of any box you feel you may be stuck in!
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. 
In this episode you’ll hear:
How to do more of the things you enjoyWhat led James to pursue abstract artThe importance of protecting yourself from negative peopleWhat being remarkable means to JamesJames’ advice to listeners for 2023
About  James:
James is a multipotentialite: a lawyer, executive coach, painter, music producer and podcaster. He graduated from Oxford University and the Royal College of Art and was awarded a coaching certification from Cambridge University. He holds two board positions in Japan and lectures law part-time at Japan’s top-ranking universities. 
He is Senior Legal Counsel at one of Japan’s best-known institutions. He uses his fine art background to approach the corporate world through a creative corporate design lens. In the art world, he regularly holds exhibitions in Tokyo and London. His works have recently been displayed at a virtual exhibition that took place during a private event organised at the National Gallery, London.
James is accredited as an Associate Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation and a Mediator by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution.
James is British and is of Trinidadian origin.

Things Mentioned in the Episode:
If you want to see James’ art for yourself you can purchase your own copy of James’ art book, All Of Me, with half of the proceeds going to Refugee Empowerment International. Check out the links below!
Japan: https://amzn.asia/d/fvWWPYn
UK: https://amzn.eu/d/2IwLBl4
US: https://a.co/d/4zvkI9s

Connect with James:
James’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nepopublic/
Plus Future Coaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plusfuturecoaching/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nepotek1
Plus Future Podcast: https://plusfuturepodcast.com/

Connect with Jennifer:
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifershinkai/ 
Facebook: a...

Trigger Warning/Content Warning: 
In this episode of the podcast, we talk about mental health, mental illness, as well as suicide ideation. We don't go deep into the topic, but we just wanted to let you know that that is what is coming up in case it is something which might trigger you. So, I hope that you will enjoy the episode today and if you are struggling in any way, please do reach out to your local provider of mental support services.
Show Notes:
This week on the podcast I talk to Maurice Rabb. Maurice is a member of the Tokyo English Lifeline Japan Executive Board, he’s also a California licensed attorney, professional development and strategy consultant, diversity and inclusion strategist, career coach, and a legal tech evangelist. 
In the episode we discuss the work TELL Japan has been doing for the last 50 years and how it has been helping people through these times of increased stress and anxiety, especially during the pandemic. We also discuss some personal instances of mental health challenges and Maurice has some great advice on becoming Mentally Wealthy!
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. 
In this episode you’ll hear:
How Maurice’s involvement with mental wellness services started in junior high through a peer to peer program called the Natural Helpers ProgramWhat led Maurice to become involved with TELL, Tokyo English Lifeline JapanThe sorts of challenges people are facing over the pandemic the TELL has been helping withHow mental health is a continuum with many different layers of varying degrees, and you don’t need to wait until things get really serious to reach out for helpHow to access resources for mental wellness at work and why leaders should educate themselves on what resources are available for their team membersAdvice to parents about looking after your own mental health

About Maurice:
Maurice L. Rabb has been a TELL Japan Executive Board Member for several years. He is a California licensed attorney, professional development and strategy consultant, diversity & inclusion strategist, career coach, and legal tech evangelist.
He has been living and working in Asia for more than 15 years. During his time in Asia, Maurice has worked for U.S. and Japanese law firms as an international business lawyer and human resources professional and for a global education Non-Profit Organization. 

Things mentioned in the episode:
Tell Japan website: https://telljp.com/
Mental Health Pyramid video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aXFzDyuALI

Connect with Maurice:
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricelrabb/
Website:  http://www.mauricelrabb.com/

Connect with Jennifer:
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifershinkai/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifershinkaicoach 
Website: https://jennifershinkai.com/ 

This week on the podcast we have a returning guest, Nicholas Kemp, who we interviewed back in Season 1 Episode 18. Nick Kemp is a podcast host, Japanologist, Ikigai expert, solopreneur, and now author of the wonderful book on ikigai called IKIGAI-KAN: Feel a Life Worth Living.
Join us as we discuss Nick’s journey of writing the book and pick Nick’s brain on all things ikigai!
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. 
In this episode you’ll hear:
What Ikigai-Kan is and how it differs from IkigaiHow writing the book taught Nick to embrace his limitationsNick’s ideas around self-actualisation and self-acceptance and how they relate to being an authorThe importance of celebrating your achievements within yourself first, before waiting for external validationWhat to do when your ikigai is challenged by other people
About Nicholas:
Nicholas Kemp is a father, husband, Japanologist, researcher, solopreneur, and author of IKIGAI-KAN: Feel a Life Worth Living. He is the founder and head coach of Ikigai Tribe, a small community of educators, psychologists, coaches, and trainers who serve their personal communities using the ikigai concept. 
Links of things mentioned in the episode:
Jess Wade Wikipedia editor 
Season 1 Episode 18 episode with Nicholas

Connect with Nicholas:
IKIGAI-KAN book: https://ikigaikan.com/
Ikigai Tribe website: https://ikigaitribe.com/
Twitter: @NicholasKemp

Connect with Jennifer
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifershinkai/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifershinkaicoach 
Website: https://jennifershinkai.com/

On this episode of the podcast, for the first time I interview a family!
The Kumagai family are an amazing and inspirational family that believes strongly in family togetherness. Through individual projects and family projects the Kumagais are bringing their philosophy of togetherness, inclusion and connection to their neighbourhood and wider community. This conversation is a great example of how ikigai can be found in family and how family can help individuals find and pursue their own ikigai.
If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. 
In this episode you’ll hear:
Susana talk about her philosophy that the family is where community startsHow their role in their family helps motivate the Kumagais as individuals to pursue their own projectsAbout all the different community projects the Kumagais have founded and are involved in, including The Family Project, Book Swap Japan and Our Living Room CafeHow the themes of togetherness, inclusion and connection are practised by the Kumagais at work, school, in the neighbourhood and the community at large

About the Kumagais:
The Kumagai family is based in Chofu in Japan. The four Kumagais are: Susana (raised in Venezuela with Japanese heritage), Antonio, Sara (age 16) and Daisuke (age 14). As a family they launched The Family Project aka Oyakodon Project (named after a Japanese chicken and egg dish representing parent and child) to encourage families to work together for social change. Each member of the family has their own role and own projects which are linked below.

Connect with the Kumagais
The Family Project
Twitter: @OyakodonProject 
Website: https://contactoyakodon.wixsite.com/home

Book Swap Japan 川の図書館　(The Library by the River) - Sara
Twitter: @BookSwapChofu
Website: https://bookswapjapan.org

Our Living Room Cafe 無料カフェ - Daisuke
Twitter: @livingroomchofu
Website: https://ourlivingroomcafe.mystrikingly.com


Connect with Jennifer
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifershinkai/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifershinkaicoach 
Website: https://jennifershinkai.com/