In this episode of The Transformations with Jayne Podcast, I welcome guest Raven Takahashi to discuss their life in Japan and being "neurospicy".

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including why performance reviews are nonsensical, the impact of societal expectations and the importance of being true to yourself.

Raven shares some interesting stories about being labeled confrontational from a young age.

Raven and I also the importance of not being an 'ass'—to others or oneself. Tune in for an insightful discussion about navigating professional and personal life in Japan.

I'm brining you my latest life lessons, while it's still fresh in my mind. I initially thought that this kind of episode would not be "useful", until a friend reached out to tell me that listening to my last episode gave her the push to get out of the winter holiday gym funk and she'd gone back for her first work out. THIS is why I take the time to podcast. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me on these episodes and how they have helped you. It really means a lot!

This episode I riffing on uncovering an assumption I have had about myself that I found to be no longer "true", how I discovered the "relaxing gym visit" and "fixed scheduling" have been winning strategies so far. Listen to hear the challenge I set for you, too!

Time Stamps

00:00 Welcome Back to the Podcast

00:58 Reflecting on the Last Episode

01:10 The Power of Starting Again

01:58 Pairing Habits for Success

03:12 Questioning Assumptions

04:09 Challenging Exercise Assumptions

08:13 Discovering a Relaxing Gym Routine

14:28 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Hi! We are back!

I'm making my "triumphant "return after a lengthy hiatus...I know the cliché of starting in January is not lost on me! But I'm also like - so what cliché! I'm going to do my thing.

We're kicking off the new year talking about restarting the podcast and my personal fitness goals.

I candidly discuss:

• the challenges of consistency,
• the importance of outer accountability, and my past struggles with gym attendance
• an eye-opening visit to a gym I first joined 20 years ago
• the power of just showing up, despite past failures

Tune in for a heartfelt and motivating story about transformation and resilience.

00:00 Welcome Back to Transformations with Jayne

00:43 New Year, New Beginnings

02:05 Fitness Journey and Accountability

05:17 Gym Hunting Adventures

12:27 Overcoming Mental Blocks

14:07 Embracing New Opportunities

16:42 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Jayne chats with Jacqui Miyabayashi about the intensive nature of afterschool activities, or 'Naraigoto,' in Japan and how to be more successful as a foreign parent.

Jacqui and Jayne share their experiences with their children's involvement in activities like swimming, baseball, volleyball and violin, discussing the challenges, costs, and the importance of choosing the right coach.

You'll hear practical aspects of supporting a young athlete, including managing schedules, providing nutrition, coping with injuries, and navigating team dynamics. Both Jayne and Jacqui offer insights and tips for parents navigating this journey, emphasising the importance of organisation, involvement, and supporting children's passions.

Jacqui mentions:

Kazoku Wallet: https://www.smbc-card.com/prepaid/kazokunoosaifu/index.jsp

Coke ON: https://c.cocacola.co.jp/app/wallet/

In this enlightening episode of the Transformations with Jayne podcast, guest host Brittany Arthur takes the reins to delve into the complexities of navigating public education in Japan, particularly for foreign mothers. Jayne, usually the host, steps into the guest role to share her experience as a foreign mum guiding her children through the Japanese school system. From kindergarten selection strategies to the financial and emotional investments of compulsory education, this conversation is a must-listen for any parent facing the challenges and opportunities of raising bilingual and bicultural children in Japan. Tune in for invaluable insights and practical tips that will empower you to make informed decisions for your family's educational journey!

Was this episode useful? We'd love to hear from you and your insights from your part of Japan. You can find us on Instagram @transformationswithjayne and @_brittanyarthur

In our latest episode, Jo and Jayne provide an end-of-year check-in for 2023. They discuss their personal transformations, from Jayne's newfound love for baseball and her refreshing "inner old lady" approach to life, to Jo's pursuit of her artistic passions and the importance of balancing work and leisure.

We talk about:

The health challenges that Jayne overcame in 2023, are going to mean 2024 is much better!

Jo's awesome triumphs with her art!

Work styles and how we are owning our "obaachan" power more and more

See you in 2024!

Kumiko Nakajima Ekstedt and I are discussing the differences between life in Japan and Sweden where Kumiko has lived for more than 14 years. I am interested to learn more about where in the world women have the best life and are able to live the life they want, be a mother if they want, have a career if they want. Full disclosure, I was having a very difficult time when I recorded this episode. My perimenopause symptoms were really giving me trouble and I may have gotten quite passionate about the summer holiday tooth brushing calendar. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Kumiko, @transformationswithjayne and @kummy_in_sweden.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Kumiko shares her time between Japan and Sweden with her sons
• Some of the things that she found surprising even as a Japanese person when putting her sons into Japanese elementary school
• Some of the differences between Sweden and Japan that support women to have an independent life whatever their circumstances
• Jayne gets very passionate about summer holiday homework

About Kumiko

Kumiko is dedicated to a passion for empowering women and fostering cross-cultural understanding. Originally from Japan, Kumiko has been living in Sweden for the past 14 years, where she has built a life with her Swedish husband and two boys. Currently, she serves as a valued member of the management team in a sales organization.

Kumiko's mission is to support women in Japan by sharing her experiences and insights gained from living in Sweden. She believes that exchanging perspectives can bring about positive change and inspire women to pursue their goals and aspirations. Kumiko's deep understanding of both Japanese and Swedish cultures allows her to bridge the gap between the two, fostering greater understanding and cooperation.

Connect with Kumiko:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kummy_in_sweden/

Helen Iwata, the Less Effort More Impact Coach, is back on the show after five years! Helen has done quite a few transformations herself since 2018, and I can’t wait for you to hear how she is helping international and Japanese women in Japan to have more ease and joy in their lives. Now that is something we all want!! 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Helen has transformed since she was on TWJ 5 years ago
• Some of the top things that Helen sees in the women who come to her for coaching 
• Jayne overcomes not one but three interruptions 
• The #LessEffortMoreImpact movement and how it’s already helping both Japanese and international women 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Helen, @transformationswithjayne and @heleniwata or send us a message here.

About Helen

Helen is the founder of The #LessEffortMoreImpact Movement for Women in Business. 

Born in the UK, she's an award-winning, bilingual coach with a 3-decade career in Tokyo, including 10 years with McKinsey & Company.

She has helped thousands of business professionals in Japan and beyond to see new perspectives and possibilities and discover how to make meaningful changes in their work results and relationships, confidence and communication, health and happiness - to do brilliant work without sacrificing their personal lives.

Helen is the author of Eigo no Shigoto-jutsu (英語の仕事術), published by Shogakukan, a Nikkei Woman Smart columnist, host of the Sasuga! Podcast, a karate world champion, wife, and mother.

Connect with Helen:

Website: sasugacommunications.com/movement

https://sasugacommunications.com/ 

Links: 

Episode 15 with Helen Iwata https://transformationswithjayne.captivate.fm/episode/episode-15-an-interview-with-helen-iwata- 

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting

We are talking about all things peri-menopause and menopause in this episode with Menopause Energy Expert, Miyako Hazama. It’s a topic of discussion almost everywhere I go these days, even Oprah is talking about it! I really want more women to be aware of things they may be putting up with, not realising that it is something that we can get help for and we can get our energy and health back. Miyako shares her knowledge and some of the other options for people who want to use natural ways to manage symptoms.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @transformationswithjayne or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Jayne’s update on her symptoms and how they got waaaaay worse before starting to get better
• How Miyako came to be helping women with their peri-menopause and menopause symptoms
• We all know about hot flashes, Miyako shares some of the lesser know symptoms
• What natural options we have living in Japan and the kind of wome Miyako helps

About Miyako

Miyako Hazama is a Menopause Energy Expert, and the creator of Energenic

Life Design(TM). She helps busy professional women in perimenopause and

menopause relieve their challenges naturally. Miyako learned these secrets and little-known Asian Energenic fountain of youth for over thirty-five years from her Master mentor, Kozo Nishino, a Japanese Ki (energy) expert.

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Miyako’s page for TWJ listeners: https://miyakoprime.com/Jayne 

Connect with Miyako

Website: www.miyakohazama.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miyakohazama.bim 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/miyako_hazama/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miyakohazama/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUTvr99do4561rM8uVM-Gmg 

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@miyako_hazama  

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting

We last spoke to Violet in May 2021 as she was about to embark on a project to build an amazing CrossFit facility in the mountain town of Otoyo in Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku Japan. Two years later we check in to see how it went and what challenges Violet now faces with running a business day to day as well as being a mother of three and a consultant. 

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me and Violet, @transformationswithjayne and @crossfitotyo or send us a message here.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• What happened since we last spoke with Violet back in May 2021
• The challenges of running a business day to day
• How Violet has become a trainer for unconscious bias in Kochi, then Shikoku and now nationally
• What’s next for Violet

Connect with Violet:

Website: https://www.otoyostrength.com/ 

https://www.chihosousei-vpa.com/t-ja 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/crossfitotoyostrength/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/violet-pacileo-949b1815/ 

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting

I love meeting international women in Japan who are finding their way and creating things whether it is a new podcast or a bricks and mortar business like Blanka’s which actually does deal with things like bricks! Blanka shares how she came to be really enjoying running her family’s renovation company that helps foreigners get the services they need in English. She has certainly happened upon a niche, so this makes me wonder what other niches there are in Japan that could be explored! 

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Blanka came to be running a renovation company in Japan that provides bilingual services
• Things to think about when considering investing in a property in Japan that might be different from your own country
• Blanka’s recent projects which include a podcast on real estate in Japan, and helping children to learn about personal finances

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of yourself listening to the episode on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me, @transformationswithjayne or send us a message here.

About Blanka:

Blanka Kobayashi is multi-talented entrepreneur. She studied Finance, Marketing and Management in Czech Republic and International Relations at Charles University. She is working as a Marketing Director of Kobayashi Group Japan. She also founded the Tourism Department of the company, HBK Tours, because traveling and sharing her love for Japan is her passion. She co-founded HBK Naturalist with her husband in 2006. She studied Aromatherapy and Naturopathy in 2017-2018 to further her knowledge about natural medicine and herbal remedies.

She handles Brand Marketing and Market Research and social media marketing for the company. She also participates in the Blockchain Fintech Projects and new business project developments.

Currently she spends lots of her time managing ARK Reform Japan, bilingual renovation company based in Tokyo and Chiba, that the Kobayashi family founded in 2021. The company aims to help not already Japanese homeowners, but especially foreign home and business owners in Japan, to successfully navigate through renovating their properties. Blanka is in charge of marketing, sales and customer’s relationships.

Her strong suit is research, sourcing and execution of crucial task so her knowledge has been invaluable when offering advice to people on how to proceed with their pursuit of financial freedom. Together with her husband, they published The Beginner’s Guide to Financial Freedom to help people manage their finances and plan for better future. Their second book, The Beginner’s Guide to Side Hustles is about to be published next month, followed by The Beginner’s guide for Kidpreneurs.

Blanka is originally from a small town in Moravia, Czech Republic but lives in Tokyo, Japan with her husband and son. She serves as a cultural ambassador, helping foreigners to integrate in Matsudo area and the Japanese citizens to learn more about Czech Republic and to embrace foreigners, living in the prefecture. She is also an Advisory Board member for English Developmental Center at Cape Verde and Board member of L.E.A.D., Japan based educational program to empower young children in leadership and entrepreneurship. Blanka is passionate about helping others, especially children. Her big dream is for their family to establish foundation, helping children with proper education and living more fulfilled lives. That is why the family participate in many charitable projects in Japan and in Africa.

Things mentioned in the episode:

The beginner’s guide to financial freedom: https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Financial-Freedom-Achieve/dp/B0931X1NFG

https://www.amazon.co.jp/Beginners-Guide-Financial-Freedom-Achieve/dp/B0931X1NFG

https://amzn.asia/d/gYM49L9

Connect with Blanka:

ARK Reform Website: https://arkreform.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blanka-kobayashi-138954140/

Podcast: https://podcast05d680.podigee.io/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JapanRealEstate 

Connect with Jayne:

PodLaunch with Jayne: https://www.jaynenakata.com/podcastconsulting