The 'Never Give Up' Way of Life I Learned from the Sport of Rugby

Nice to meet you!
Through rugby, to which I have dedicated so much of my life, I wanted to share information that might be useful to someone, so I started this note.
First, let me briefly introduce myself.

■ From a childhood full of lessons to a life dedicated to rugby

Born in a rural town in Osaka,
in my early childhood, I did soccer, swimming, basketball, piano, art classes...
I was allowed to take countless lessons, but the sport I started while thinking, 'What the heck is this ball?!' was 'rugby,' which ended up becoming the centerpiece of my life.

Starting from elementary school, through my working life, and into the professional world.
Honestly, I never thought I would continue this long, but
rugby has helped me grow significantly as a human being.

■ Dorm life that taught me 'independence' and overseas study that broadened my world

What particularly built my foundation was the seven years of 'dorm life' during high school and university.
The time I spent away from my parents, living and eating with my teammates, and spending time in a disciplined group environment, fostered 'independence,' 'compassion,' and 'patience' more than any study could.

Also, because of rugby, I was able to take on the big challenge of 'studying abroad.' The experience of clashing with others through the common language of rugby in an environment with different languages and cultures has become the source of my broad perspective and the courage to jump into unknown environments today.

■ Balancing work and rugby as a corporate athlete

After entering the workforce, I first poured all my energy into balancing work and rugby as a 'corporate athlete.'
As a corporate athlete, I experienced two teams.
A team in the Top East and a team in League One.
Days spent doing sales rounds or sitting at a desk from morning to evening, and then heading to training.
How to achieve results within limited time.
I learned 'teamwork' and 'strategy' that are useful in work through rugby, and I learned 'preparation,' 'time management,' and 'responsibility' that are useful in rugby through work.

■ The resolve to turn 'professional athlete'

After that, aiming for even greater heights, I threw away my stable status as a corporate employee and chose the path of a 'professional rugby player.' The background to this was that I suffered a major injury, couldn't play for a season, and was told I was no longer needed.
I had a strong desire to repay the many people who supported me, and while looking for the next team, I was introduced to a team where I could sign as a professional. A life centered on rugby.
By placing myself in a harsh world where I had to produce results, I was able to feel firsthand what it means to have professional awareness and the true meaning of 'what it means to be a professional' in terms of self-discipline.

■ Sharing the 'light and shadow' I have experienced

In this note, I plan to condense and share all the 'joys and sorrows' I have experienced in my over 20 years of rugby life.

• The realistic differences between corporate athletes and professional athletes

• Setbacks and crawling back from them (the challenge of tryouts)

• Overcoming major injuries

• The stage of League One and the sudden notice of being cut

• Struggles with a second career and new challenges

• The perspective as a leader (coach)

• Others

People often say my life has been smooth sailing, but
that is not the case.
I would like to write about the gritty experiences and how I overcame setbacks behind the scenes, using real, honest words.

■ In Conclusion

I hope this note serves as
a positive catalyst, even if just a little, for the following people.

• To current athletes
  The time you spend giving your all to the play right in front of you will surely become an 'unbreakable core' that supports your future self. Please let me share the 'reality' that only I can convey, having experienced both the shadow of being cut from a team and the light of being a professional.

• To those fighting in the business world
  The spirit of 'One for All, All for One' that I learned in rugby, as well as the ability to make decisions in the face of adversity, can become powerful weapons in your work. Let's think together about how to turn the wisdom of sports into business results.

• To parents of children working hard at rugby
  Having experienced dormitory life, studying abroad, and setbacks, I have deeply felt the gratitude for the support of parents and family. Rugby is the best textbook for cultivating the 'power to live.' I hope this provides some hints for all of you who believe in and support your children's growth.

To everyone who loves rugby,
and to everyone who wants to apply their rugby experience to life.
I look forward to connecting with you from here on out.🫶🏿