Underwater Transformation About Face Underwater Transformation About Face

Sardines

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You may find it hard to believe, but I’m an introvert. When I made my 2016 resolution to speak more and do a TED talk one day, it shows how far I’ve come speaking to others and how much further I want to take myself. When I moved to the U.S. from Japan in 1989, the language barrier created enormous anxiety.  Words frightened me.  I excelled at sports and math (except word problems!) but English classes instilled so much fear in me that I started talking less and less.  Eventually I turned into a shy child, unlike my former self in Japan. But, at age 40, I decided it was time to turn that around.  While I am comfortable behind the camera and interacting with clients one on one, I decided to transform that shy child into a bonafide public speaker.  Thanks to Underwater Transformation, I’ve been lucky to have been interviewed by many media outlets all over the world.  Trust me, it’s isn’t easy.  Every time I speak, my stomach feels like I have those little sardines you see swimming in swarms at the aquarium in it (you may call them butterflies, but as a child of water they are fish to me!).  Just last month I was interviewed by Helpsy, and even with all the interviews I have done, I still got nervous. I sometimes find myself asking the interviewers to send their questions via email.  It not only gives me more time to answer the questions, but it helps...

Looking to 2016

Underwater Healer About Face
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It’s unbelievable to think that 2016 is less than 10 days away!  Last week I looked back at 2015 and some of my most dear moments.  This week, I want to look forward to 2016 and what I aim to accomplish. I’m setting a personal goal to speak more in 2016.  Two of my three most favorite 2015 moments were speaking engagements and I want to continue to grow myself as a public speaker.  Not only do I want to reach people at the far corners of the world - inspire them with stories of courage, strength and beauty - but I also want to challenge myself.  I want to grow as an orator.  I have met with a speaking coach and am excited to push myself to overcome any nerves and polish my presentation style.  I love talking to groups and want to speak to even larger audiences.  Whether it be an Apple Store presentation, speaking at a university or organization, I am enthusiastic to see what keynote opportunities arise and seek them out even more in 2016. My biggest goal that I am working towards is to present a TED talk.  It’s not an easy feat, only 50 speakers are chosen each year at the conference, but I believe in myself.  I know that with practice and preparation I can share my story of Underwater Healer and the transformation of the survivors to a global audience.  I’m optimistic that in 2016 I will present a local TEDx talk, a...

2015 in Review

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I can’t believe 2015 is almost over!  This year was full of amazing events, strong survivors, and beautiful clients.  And while each one is special to me, I wanted to remember three especially poignant moments from the last twelve months. First, I receive so much joy when I think back to my trip to Boston.  Not only did I have four underwater shoots with four lovely women (one of whom is now a beautiful mommy and one of my biggest supporters!), but I also gave a presentation at the Apple Store on Bolyston Street.  The turnout was incredible and you could feel the emotions as I spoke.  The crowd was so enthusiastic about my project and spoke with such excitement - my heart was, and still is, full of happiness from it all. Second, the San Francisco Apple Store event in October was truly unbelievable.  So many friends, supporters and About Face cancer survivors came out to support my presentation.  It was awe inspiring to have so many survivors share their testimony unasked and unexpectedly.  It was by far my most emotional event to date.  It meant so much to me to not only hear your kinds words of how much your life has been positively impacted by the Underwater Healer project, but to also share them to a crowd.  Thank you with all my heart. Last, but certainly not least, would be my supporters over the year who have booked maternity, engagement, or just fun underwater portrait sessions.  Every single one...

Sponsor an Underwater Shoot for a Cancer Survivor!

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Since I started my project Underwater Healer About Face I’ve been blessed to work with 23 cancer and trauma survivors.  For over two years I’ve been amazed by watching their transformations - fears being overcome, emotional scars being healed and a renewed beginning for their lives moving forward.  It’s a magical time spent with these fighters and survivors and I cherish every bit of it. I would love to keep working on this project because underwater portrait is very effective for cancer survivors. They feel freedom and it gives them courage to challenge themselves to try new things. There is a waiting list of survivors who would like to experience the underwater portrait session just like everybody here and I need your help!

 Every single underwater portrait session for cancer and trauma survivors is FREE! In order to continue to work with survivors on the waiting list I rely on all you wonderful supporters.  There are three ways you can make a difference in a survivors life with Underwater Healer: 1.)  Donate!  I’m not 501(c)(3). 2.)  Schedule a shoot for yourself! Do you have a fear of water? Stress due to work?  Or are you a fan of my work and want your own underwater portrait shoot?  I would love to work with you as well and give you an experience of a lifetime.  Please reach out to me and I’m happy to set up a location (within the San Francisco Bay Area).  You can get more questions answered about what...

Palm Springs Trip Report

about, Travel, Underwater Healer About Face, uw portrait
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Palm Springs Trip Report September 18-20, 2015 Underwater Healer About Face in Palm Springs! This is my first time traveling to Palm Springs! I was super excited to find out about this new place! A little about PS trip: A 3 time cancer survivor and my good friend Nancy is one of the supporters for this project. When I approached her for this year's photos shoot, she was happy to do it! But she wanted to pay her own session and take me to her best friend, Don's house in Palm Springs because he has a beautiful pool! And I can reach out to other survivors. Thank you so much for this opportunity, Nancy!   I can't believe she designed this house!! http://www.homteamdesign.com/modern1--palm-springs-ca.html 今月は忙しい日々が続きました!これからパルムスプリングスで3人のサバイバーと水中撮影をしにいってきます。今回のアバウトフェイスの旅は少し違って、 3人の中の一人は私の親友なんです。3回のがんから克服したとてもパワフルなファイターです。今年の水中撮影プロジェクトの誘ったとき、自分の分は払いた いと言ってきました。しかもパルムスプリングに住んでいる彼女のベストフレンドの家のオリンピックサイズプールでやりたいとの事。私の飛行機代も払ってく れました。彼女は私にもっと他のサバイバーに会えるようにと願ってお金をきふしてくれたんです。この家は彼女がベストフレンドの為にデザインしたそうです。本当映画にでてくるような家でした Beautiful friends, delicious dinner, tasty drinks and full of love! It's my dream land to wake up and swim everyday... Photo shoots with beautiful survivors went really well! Photos are coming soon! DATES!! I bought dates from Palm Springs for my co-workers! They are so...

Boston Trip Report

about, art show, Travel, Underwater Healer About Face, uw portrait
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Boston Trip Report This was my Boston office for few days!! I'm missing it! I met Chien-Chi, a breast cancer survivor at 7:30-8:30am We connected in the water instantly! I met Katie at 8:30-9:30. She had her own mermaid tail from Hawaii! She did a beautiful job in the water! I met Kim at 9:30-10:30. She was nervous at first but look at this! She looks so natural! ' Next day, I had a presentation at Apple Store on Boylston street. I was super nervous as always. I had a different speaking coach this time and I practiced a lot before I left for Boston! The event was successful! It was the most emotional and impactful presentation I've ever had! It was so nice to hear everyone talking about this project. My heart was full with happiness!     I made these cranes for Boston people to wish them good luck and feel better. Next day, I had a maternity photo shoot with Vicky and Charles. They came from NY to support for my project. They helped me so much when I had a ABOUT FACE project in NY in 2013 We had lunch at The Neighborhood Restaurant in Somerville. I came here twice and I really liked it! I was recommended to go to Spanish restaurant, Dali. I was introduced to delicious wince, La Cana. I stopped by at this normal looking Sushi place. AND they were amazing!! So fresh! I always walked by at this local bar with bunch of alcoholics at...

Underwater Healer About Face in BOSTON 7/17/2015

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Underwater Healer About Face in BOSTON 7/17/2015 Underwater Healer = an underwater portrait photography as a form of healing About Face = a complete change in attitude 180 degrees Help cancer survivors rediscover their beauty through underwater portrait photography. July 16, 2015 we are meeting 3 cancer survivors to do an underwater healing photography project, Underwater Healer About Face in Boston! Also giving a talk at Apple store on Friday the 17th. We want to thank you who signed up for underwater portrait session in 2014 and 2015 to support our project moving forward. A partial portrait session money is going to be used for the Boston trip. Flight, transportation, Airbnb, pool rental fee and all other expenses. The rest of the money is for the Bay Area survivors (approximately 3) in August, 2015. It's never too late to sign up for an underwater portrait session to support cancer survivor project! Please let me know if you have any questions. Since 2013, I've met 14 survivors. And now, I'm adding 3 more mermaids to my underwater healer map! Chien-Chi HuangSurvived from triple negative breast cancer (stage 2). She was diagnosed at the age of 40 in 2005. Katie Shute Survived from breast cancer (stage 2). She was diagnosed  at the age of 40 in 2013 Kim Santagata Survived from triple negative breast cancer (stage 2). She was diagnosed at the age of 26 in 2014 . I'm really excited to meet these beautiful ladies and see them transform into mermaids through underwater portrait photography! Please come hear the story and...

Apple store underwater healer event in Santa Monica

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Apple store underwater healer event in Santa Monica It was such an amazing experience being in Los Angeles to give a presentation on our campaign, Underwater Healer About Face, help cancer survivors rediscover their beauty through underwater portrait photoghraphy. I've done this last year at SF Apple store location but I still have a fear towards public speaking! practice practice... Ok, time is up! I'm going to do this! I was happy to meet new people, see old friends and co-workers! I showed some of the creative underwater shots. This is an underwater BJJ. The images were featured on Fightland, VICE and printed on the February and March Issue. I also want to thank Fightland for the contribution to support our future underwater healer project to help cancer survivors! Thank you! I shared a story of one of the 13 cancer survivors, Amber from Hawaii. She survived from Thyroid cancer when she was 20 years old. Chelsea is a pediatric cancer survivor. She was diagnosed brain cancer when she was 8 years old. She shared her story and an underwater experience to inspire the audience. The presentation was successful! For the Q&A session, I asked them what they thought of our campaign. Erin is a professional underwater photographer. She gave us positive comments and encouragements for the future project! It meant so much to us. Thank you so much for your support, Erin! Diane is a BJJ practitioner (purple belt) and a medical school student. By hearing from a future doctor, her opinion meant so much for all...

BaySpo Japanese Local News ベイスポ新聞

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BaySpo Japanese Local News ベイスポ新聞 Thank you so much for featuring my work on the Bay Area Residents section. My picture is so big on the printed version! You can view the web version here but it's only in Japanese. ベイエリアの新聞、ベイスポ新聞に載せて頂いて有り難うございました!プリント版は結構大きな写真でした。ウェブ版で日本語が読めます。 more images on the printed version....

Sport Diver Magazine 2014 July Issue

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Sport Diver Magazine 2014 July Issue スポーツダイバー7月号ページ21に載りました〜!! I was interviewed by Sport Diver magazine few month ago. Somebody emailed me that I'm on the Printed July issue!! This magazine was hard to find in San Francisco! One of my friends suggested to try calling Smoke Signals  They had 3 more left!! I bought them all! (I was too excited:) スポーツダイバーの雑誌に何ヶ月か前にインタビューされて7月号に良い記事で載ってるよいうメールが読者からきました!この雑誌は結構見つけにくいのでサンフランシスコにある本屋に電話をしまくりました。親友がスモークシグナルはあるはずとの事で、朝7時オープン直後連絡したら、3冊残っているとの事。興奮して3冊とも買ってしまいました! Sport Diver magazine July 2014, page 21! Click here to enlarge the...