Student Testimonial ② Emi

Emi started classical ballet at the age of four and was active as a dancer in musicals and on stage. Based on her experience of ruining her health due to extreme dieting and stress during her active career, she is now developing a 'Fasting Project' that proposes fasting, 'while-doing' exercise, and workouts tailored to each individual.

We asked Emi, who was struggling with 'how to live her life' after becoming a mom, about the encounter that became a turning point for her, what motivated her to take the course, the key things she learned, and how her confidence has changed.

What motivated you to take the course?

I met Terumi-san for the first time at an event I attended two months after giving birth. I already knew about Terumi-san through Instagram, but I was so overwhelmed with joy at finally meeting her in person that I poured out everything I could do all at once (I was so excited I don't even remember it, haha).

While talking, I realized that she was someone who had already brought to life everything I had vaguely thought, 'I want to do something like that someday.' I decided intuitively that I wanted to learn from Terumi-san and signed up for the notebook course immediately.

Since then, I have been seeing various sights and having various experiences at a speed that surprises me.

The number one thing you learned?

I used to think that 'all I have is dance,' so I felt like I was 'raising my child while having dance taken away from me.' It wasn't that I disliked parenting, but I was struggling with the question, 'Is it okay for me to stay like this? Is this really okay for me?'

However, through the course, Terumi-san believed in me more than I believed in myself and drew out my potential, which allowed me to get to know myself more deeply. I am learning the most important feelings and passion as a human being—what it truly means to be close to someone and walk alongside them.

Now, instead of thinking 'I can't do it because I'm a mom,' I feel like 'I want to realize what I can do because I'm a mom,' and I am able to take on various challenges with a positive attitude.

What has changed?

Since I was in a world of competition when I was on stage, I was afraid to trust people. But after meeting Terumi-san and the people at Les Amis, and being treated so kindly and warmly, I feel like my blocks have been removed, allowing me to live honestly, rely on others, and show my weaknesses.

Above all, being given an environment where I can experience for myself that there are things I can do has increased my 'confidence' and my sense of 'I can do it.'

I used to have a personality where I couldn't push myself to the end and would give up at the last minute. Now, Terumi-san pushes me by saying, 'If you work hard up to this point, you will definitely make it work!' so I am also able to experience 'working hard until the very end.'

I feel that there are people who look at me and support me, and I hope to one day return the favor to people who are stuck or struggling just like I was.

What kind of person is Terumi-san to you?

I just love her so much!!!!!! More than anyone else, she looks at those around her and sees how things could be better, and she makes me realize what is most important. As a second mom, she is the person who found my potential and guided me on how to make my way of life bloom in my own way.

And she is the first person in my life I have ever thought, 'I want to be like this person.' I am grateful that it feels like a miracle to have met someone I can think that about—someone whose life I want to emulate and someone I want to work hard under.

If I hadn't met Terumi-san, I think I would have spent my time happily enough given my personality, but I don't think it would have been this much fun.

Future prospects

By leveraging what I do in my daily life, which helped me naturally lose 17kg after childbirth, as well as my experience from my days as a performer when I 'ruined my health due to failed dieting,' I have been able to launch a 'Fasting Project' and work as a supporter.

Furthermore, things I wrote down as 'goals' in the notebook course—such as walking the runway with my children, teaching them dance and having them dance with me, and holding charity performances with a dance team I created to make donations—are coming true one after another, which even surprises me.

I want to pass on the experience I learned from Terumi-san—that 'if you don't give up on your dreams, they will definitely come true'—by helping others 'shine from within' through 'beauty and health.' I look forward to continuing to support those who participate so that they can shine even brighter.