Welcome

Hi and Welcome,

We began living in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2018. I’m a Japanese-Canadian, having migrated from Canada in 2011. This blog started from my passion for self-improvement, which is deeply rooted in the Japanese concept of “Kaizen.” The word “Kaizen” is widely used in Japan, where I was born and raised. My husband affectionately calls me a “bookworm” because I always read. Every Sunday, I post about whatever projects or thoughts I’m currently focused on.

There are two contributors to this blog. My husband will post a blog every other day, sharing his journey. Just before turning 35, he suffered a severe stroke that left him mostly paralyzed. After intense rehabilitation, he made a remarkable recovery, regaining full mobility. Today, he can run even better than before. His story reminds me constantly of how essential it is to practice “Kaizen” in everyday life. Last year, I invited him to share some of his personal journals here, and his perspective has enriched our content.

Blog

Chronic stress and muscle recovery: How Hidden Stress Sabotages Muscle Growth and Recovery

Day 65 of 100 Days Muscle Resistance Workout Challenge Focus Topics: Chronic stress and muscle recovery. Learn how chronic low-level stress keeps the body in fight-or-flight mode, slowing muscle recovery and growth. Learning Material  Most people think of fight-or-flight as something dramatic: a tiger jumps out, your heart races, and you sprint for survival. But …

Appointments Galore: Living with Thalassemia and Kidney Disease

Brian’s fitness journal after a brain stroke Mother Nature, apparently not done with her little games, has turned the thermostat down again. Because of the weather, my morning runs will once more be pushed to the post-breakfast slot next week. As if cold weather weren’t enough of an ambush, my calendar is also staging its …

Stress vs. Strength: How Cortisol Affects Muscle Growth, Recovery, and Fat Storage

Day 64 of 100 Days Muscle Resistance Workout Challenge Focus Topics: Learn how cortisol affects muscle growth, recovery, and fat storage. Learning Material: Cortisol Affects Muscle Growth Your muscles don’t grow only from what you lift; they grow from how you recover. And one of the biggest influences on recovery is cortisol, the body’s primary …

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