A New Beginning

I’ve lived in the United States for over 30 years now. It all began when I pursued my childhood dream of becoming an astronaut and enrolled at the University of Wisconsin. I couldn’t understand the lectures at all, and even though I studied nearly every night until dawn, my grades were at the bottom. Still, driven solely by the desire to become an astronaut, I kept studying with everything I had. Looking back, it’s a fond memory.

In 1998, Japan announced an open call for astronaut candidates. I applied with great enthusiasm and, thanks to luck and physical stamina, made it to the second round. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass. Yet through that experience, I met many people who shared the same dream - kindred spirits, really.

After graduation, I wanted to work in a role where I could speak directly with the people who use technology. So, I joined a Japanese auto parts manufacturer in Michigan (now Niterra North America, Inc.) as a sales engineer. It was a completely different world from my student days spent in labs, but I was fortunate to have supportive managers and colleagues, and I enjoyed every day. Of course, I never let go of my dream of becoming an astronaut. I eagerly awaited the next opportunity, and in 2008, it finally came. I was fired up - I even told my company, “I'll pass and quit!” I gave it everything I had, but was heartbreakingly eliminated in the first round.

That blow hit me hard. I nearly spiraled into despair. But thanks to my strong-willed wife, the support of my family, encouragement from my workplace and friends, and the pure-hearted students I met at the Japanese weekend school, I found the strength to move forward again. The astronaut dream had come to an end, so I simply focused on climbing the mountain in front of me - one peak after another. Thankfully, my company entrusted me with a wide range of responsibilities, allowing me to gain valuable experience.

Eventually, a new thought began to take root: “Instead of doing what I have to do, what is it that I truly want to do? I want to find that and become independent.” Though the idea was still vague, the desire to move in that direction grew stronger. In 2024, I took the leap and left the company. After some time off to recharge, I gradually began to see what I truly wanted: I love teaching, I love meeting people, and I want to share my experiences as my work. With that in mind, I launched a solo business offering training, consulting, and coaching.

When you turn what you love into your work, your hobby becomes your profession. It’s the ultimate form of play - something you can devote yourself to for life, constantly refining and mastering. There’s no retirement. And when independent professionals who love what they do share their strengths with one another, I believe even more exciting things can happen.

Of course, I do feel anxious about whether I can really make it work. But you never know unless you try. More than anything, the spirit of adventure keeps bubbling up no matter how much I try to suppress it. This strange mix of anxiety and hope feels a lot like the thrill I had when I was chasing the astronaut dream. Living with that feeling now makes every day incredibly fun.

Looking back, I’d call the time when I was charging toward my dream of becoming an astronaut my “first life.” The period after that, when I kept climbing the mountains before me, was my “second life.” And because I had both of those lives, I now find myself at the start of a “third life.” It makes me realize that no experience is ever wasted, and I’m truly grateful for that.

Now that I’ve found my direction, I want to enjoy each step forward. I hope to live each day starting with excitement and ending with gratitude.

Thank you for reading!

Excerpted from the Relay Essay column in the June 2025 issue of “Views,” the newsletter of the Japanese Business Society of Detroit.