In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Wayne Hunter to explore his life, career, and remarkable transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a background in engineering, Wayne came to Japan at the age of 23 and has since spent most of his 37 years in the country working in private membership club management. He is married with two daughters and has had the unique experience of living in a four-generation household with his in-laws in Chiba.

Wayne’s running journey began as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At his heaviest, Wayne weighed 185kg, and after witnessing deaths within his work circle, he made the decision to change his life. Over an 18-month period starting in the summer of 2020, Wayne lost an extraordinary 54% of his body weight — around 100 kilograms.

He initially took up rowing, training for hours a day in his home which he credits as the foundation of his weight loss. He later transitioned into running, taking part in road races but finding his true passion on the trails. In this episode, Wayne shares his journey into running, his training, and his experience tackling the Nagawa Trail.

Whether you're looking for motivation, perspective, or simply a powerful human story, this episode delivers on all fronts.

Links:

Centennial — by James A. Michener

Nagawa Trail

COVID-19

Breaking Bad

Tokyo American Club Japan

Shōgun- by James Clavell

The Godfather

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Running and Rowing Towards Health: Wayne Hunter's Inspirational Journey