From time to time we interview an amazing warrior, and as a bonus we will give him/her a title in the hall of warriors.
You won’t believe me, but I met a ninja. Ok, to be completely honest it was my dear friend Kathy who pointed me in the right direction. After a wonderful comment left in her blog, she pointed me to Izzy’s blog. I couldn’t believe it.
As soon as I read the title I knew he had to be in the hall of warriors. Izzy is the 30 Year Old Ninja, he made a drastic lifestyle change to go after his dream, to become a ninja. After talking a little bit with Izzy and exchanging emails, it was clear that he isn’t fooling around, he is putting his whole heart and soul to the task.
Let me introduce you to my ninja friend Izzy’s interview.
What are you most passionate about? And why?
I am passionate about travel, martial arts and pursuing my childhood dream: to become a ninja. I quit my job in America, moved to Japan, and train in martial arts.
Why is this my passion?
Well here is the formula:
Travel + Martial Arts + Unknown Variable = Ninja
In other words, I don’t really know why… Who knows? It just is.
What was your inspiration or motivation to begin your project?
Like most people, I completely forgot about my childhood dream. Then at the ripe old age of 27 I landed a job that made me want to punch myself in the face. My stress levels sky rocketed and my happiness plummeted. In short I was a stressed depressed mess.
About halfway through that year I began to battle with the question “Is there a better way to live?” Long story short, I discovered there was. I would follow my childhood dream: to become a ninja.
What is the biggest reward you have received while working on your project?
I guess I would call it a “loosening of the chains”. The deeper and deeper I get in trying to become a ninja the farther away I get from the traditional “get a job, move up the ladder” philosophy.
Even when I first came to Japan, I thought this would be a short little project then head back to the “real world”. Well, that has completely changed. I don’t ever want to go back to a traditional job. I want to find a way to make this my life. I want to travel, train in martial arts, and find a way to make money doing it.
If you had the ability to change the world in any way, would you? And if so, how?
Yes. I would make it international law that all convenience stores in the world have power bars. This would benefit everyone from the American economy to every human being in the universe. If you haven’t tasted a power bar lately you won’t understand. Do yourself a favor and go buy one. They are AWESOME! Can you tell I kind of miss power bars (Japanese energy bars do not make me happy!)?
Other than that, I’m just not smart enough to come up with something that won’t have some crazy unexpected domino effect.
What advice can you give to someone who is struggling to find happiness?
Start doing something different. It doesn’t matter what, just something. Join a book club, do community service, volunteer at a food kitchen, learn how to salsa dance, just change it up.
Be open to the doors these open: new friendships, new careers, and new insights. Then run with it! The worst thing you can do is sit around all day and think “What will make me happy?”
Who is the most remarkable person you have ever met? And why?
Hands down, my 67 year old father! Over the past year of his life he has last lost over 50 pounds and has the energy of a 25 year old. He is the most optimistic person I know.
As of late (like the last 12 months) he has become heavily involved with powerwalking. He has developed a habit of challenging local athletes to “walking races”. He likes to find the best athletes at the school then he throws down the challenge:
“You think you can beat me in a walking race for a mile?”
Thus far he is undefeated, no one has even come remotely close.
What are some of your future goals or aspirations? Do you have a plan to accomplish them?
I want to take my childhood dream to the next level. I want to travel the world, train in martial arts, and make money doing it.
I love Excel, outlines, and organization systems… So yes, I have a plan. In time I hope to develop products to inspire other people to follow their dreams.
That being said, I know that my plan will likely change as I move forward with my dream. I welcome this change.
I think it is important to have a plan but even more important to adjust as I learn new things.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced during your life?
Right out of college I joined Teach For America. Teach For America is an organization that places future leaders in the lowest performing schools in low-income communities.
My first year teaching was definitely the biggest challenge I have faced in my life! Most of my 7th grade students couldn’t multiply or divide. I would simultaneously teach 7th grade content while teaching them skills they should have learned in 3rd grade.
It was the most difficult, challenging, and rewarding experience of my life.
Tell us about your biggest success in life, perhaps something you struggled with that you were able to overcome above and beyond your own expectation?
Making it through my first year of teaching was the biggest success I have had in my life. It often felt like I was sprinting on a treadmill. I spent nearly every night working until 8 or 9 pm. Every night I had to figure out what worked and what didn’t, then head back to the drawing board.
Over the course of that year little successes started to show up. I developed relationships with students, and saw them grow academically and as people.
I spent 3 more years teaching. Those experiences completely changed how I approach my life to this very day.
What is something that you wish you knew before you started your path?
Just start! I spent a long time thinking I needed to have the perfect idea. The true power is in taking action. Action gives experience and experience gives learning. Quit wasting time thinking and just start!
If you were a cat, which type of owner would you choose?
My owner would feed me power bars, enchiladas, and listen to country music non-stop.
For his answers, huge willpower and a small dose of healthy craziness to complete the most amazing tasks, we give Izzy the title of:
The Childhood Dream Warrior
It’s easy to forget about our dreams claiming that the real world is the most important part of our life. Izzy is the living proof that you can mix both, there is no need to leave your dreams behind if you can start living them. Is it hard? maybe, but the rewards on the other hand are amazing.
Izzy has proved his status as ninja and warrior here in Enso Journey by following his dreams and staying true to himself. He shares the ups and downs of his journey in his blog The 30 Year Old Ninja, and I bet we will be reading his amazing feats in the near future.
Do you want to meet a ninja? Just leave a comment here and he’ll share his experiences with us. 
About 
To Izzy, that’s amazing. Not only becoming a Ninja, but simply following a dream that’s been returned to you after so long!
Thank you for your kind words Colleen. I really appreciate it.
Izzy recently posted..Turning A Dream Into a Reality
Izzy, If i saw you right now i would punch you in the face and hope Eli felt it through your spirit connection.
Neal,
When I eventually do become a ninja, I will make sure to find you because it will be excellent practice dodging random punches at my face…
Izzy recently posted..Turning A Dream Into a Reality
If this were about anyone else I’d say, “This guy is crazy, he’ll never be a ninja.” But I’ve met Izzy. He’s a different kind of crazy, and that’s why he’s going to be a ninja.
Haha! Thanks Idin! I guess, time shall tell
Izzy recently posted..Turning A Dream Into a Reality
I love it. Keep doing what you do Izzy.
Thanks Ryan! I will certainly keep on “doing what I do”
Izzy recently posted..Turning A Dream Into a Reality
Dude, that’s awesome – becoming a ninja – “but the one from my 8 year old imagination!”
Part of the reason I became an acupuncturist was my romanticized image of imperial China from all the kung-fu movies and lore. I might have to follow your lead and finish my dream by building my mythical martial arts/ meditation temple in high in the mountains.
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Hi Doug,
Your comment made me smile. That is awesome that you were able to use your romanticized image of imperial China as a bridge to your career.
I for one, am all for you creating some crazy “mythical martial art/meditation temple high in the mountains”. We could become a duo – I’ll pay you to give me acupuncture, then train in martial arts, and then we can both blog about it
Thanks for commenting man.
Izzy recently posted..Turning A Dream Into a Reality
Izzy, you are rad! I’ve been so touched by the stories of different people’s life journeys lately, and yours is no exception. Perhaps the universe is trying to tell me something? I give you the utmost respect for abandoning “the grind,” and following your dreams. So courageous! Your strength is truly motivating. Great shout out to Ron by the way! You speak the truth, he is an extraordinary soul
Thank you Amy
I say if you think, the universe it trying to tell you something than run with it.
I guess, the tricky thing is trying to decipher that strange language the universe speaks
.
I’m a believer that, like learning any language, the more you listen to to it the better you will understand it…
Izzy recently posted..Turning A Dream Into a Reality
I think what you are doing is awesome bro. Talk about living your dream! Very inspirational. I went a through a metamorphosis in the last year too…you probably remember i was a mess last year. Happy for you brother.
Yo Rich Kostas!
I’d be interested in hearing more about your metamorphosis. I think its a big deal that you recognized that something needed to change.
If you got a minute check out my blog The 30 year Old Ninja. I go in more detail about the experiences of going after a dream. Some of it might speak to you, or maybe not
Thanks for adding to the discussion
Izzy recently posted..Turning A Dream Into a Reality
I love this!!! I am so impressed & so proud of you little brother……and I love the article…..your all kinds of weirdness:-)
Thanks sister
Your support and love is always appreciated!
Wow Izzy, this is some hardcore dedication to a dream!
I’d always thought you either learn martial arts as a kid or forget about becoming good at it, but you just blew that misconception out of the water.
Kudos to you for seizing your dream and running with it. Liberating, innit?
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Thanks Otiti,
I used to think the exact same thing about martial arts… Then I got a job that sucked the life out of me, and it forced me to start questioning everything. In the midst of it all I decided something major needed to change. Then over a year period I decided to pursue my childhood dream.
If you got a minute, check out my most recent post on my blog (it is linked below). I talk about the transition that lead to me trying to “become a ninja”.
I also want to say “props” to you for recently going professional with your blog. That is very exciting
Izzy recently posted..Turning A Dream Into a Reality
Fantastic article…a genuine read, about an inspirational individual/ninja. I’m a fan of anyone who can relate Power Bars to world piece followed by valuable insight of getting started (“action gives experience and experience gives learning”).
Haha!
Thank you Grant,
I cannot (and will not) deny that I do truly love myself some delicious power bars
And trust me, if I can find a way to get all of the Japanese convenient stores to start carrying power bars… I expect world peace will soon follow after.
Thanks for commenting.
Izzy recently posted..Money and The Dream
I’m late to this party but I am delighted to be here now. I am thrilled to no end that you and my dear friend Alejandro connected. You are an inspiration and I look forward to see what a modern ninja will bring to the world. I don’t know about the power bar thing, I’m old school granola myself.
My Blogversary-apolooza concludes tomorrow so I look forward to having some time to read more of your work!
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Hi Kathy,
Thank you so much for connecting Alex and I. I appreciate it immensely
In terms of the “old school granola” I think you and I might have to agree to disagree
I hope your Blogversary-apolooza has gone great!
Izzy recently posted..Turning A Dream Into a Reality
wow incredible Izzy!! I remember you as a child! I’m so happy you are following your dream to become a ninja..!!!! Good luck and have fun doing it!!
Thank you so much Kirsten
I really appreciate your support. I’ll make sure to have fun the whole way through.
Izzy recently posted..Breaking News: The Best Way to Make Money.. EVER!
Izzy,
I have been following your journey online for the past couple of years. First I thought this MoFo is crazy. There is no such thing as a ninja. I thought to myself is this real life. Well you have made me a believer. You are an inspiration to me and others. I’m sure you have perfected the art of throwing a ninja star and swinging around numchucks. The main thing is your happy and your chancing your dream. I’m a big fan.
PS… Your Dad has not challenged the best athlete of all me. I will crush him make sure he puts new tennis balls on his walker. He will need them to keep up.
Thanks Mike,
Much appreciated man. I must admit when I first started playing with the idea to “become a ninja” I struggled with it. I would think “Is this crazy? Is this ridiculous?” I think after a while, I just stopped thinking about it and just started trying to make it happen.
I’ll be sure to inform my dad that he needs to put a challenge out to you… But I’m warning you, he is a crazy walker! He doesn’t play. Last year when I went with him on his “walks” I would always end up running because I couldn’t keep pace when I walked.
Izzy recently posted..Breaking News: The Best Way to Make Money.. EVER!
This is awesome Izzy!
Keep following your dreams. The Lord remembers your dreams, brother. Keep it real and keep me posted. One day Chuck Norris and you can have a death match. Hopefully you can appear before he round house kicks you to the face and round house kick him first. Is that even possible? Love sister.
Hi Ha
Thank you so much for your support. I think my eventual battle with Chuck Norris will be the pinnacle of my life. That will be my truly defining moment. Every moment of my life leading up to that very second… When Chuck Norris and I step in the ring and battle…
It makes me oh-so nervous.
Izzy recently posted..Breaking News: The Best Way to Make Money.. EVER!
So what does it take to become a ninja? Have you defeated any enemies yet? Is it anything like in the video games? What is the difference between a ninja and a samurai, karate master, kung fu master?
My questions might come off as facetious but I’m serious. To me a ninja is more of an actual bandit than someone who improves their mastery of a martial art purely for the sake of discipline and self-defense.
I have always had a lot of respect for you Izzy, and am glad to know that more of us down-home Redwood Valley folk are growing some balls and living life to the fullest. After all, we only have one!!! Respect and hugs from Brazil my friend.
Alex!
I love your question! It doesn’t come out as “facetious at all”. It is a very legit and important question that must be addressed.
Yes, a Ninja represents to me much more than simply training in martial arts. It is also a mindset and a lifestyle. I tried the traditional get a job, get a masters degree, move up the ladder route. It left me stressed and depressed.
I want to live life by my own rules and hopefully leave the world a better place because of it. I could go off on this for a while. But instead I think I will just leave it at that. I think you may have just given me an idea for another blog post.
Great comment!
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