Profile

1991

Born in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture

 

2007 (Age 16)   First trip abroad

In my freshman year of high school I traveled to the United States where I enjoyed a sister-city homestay in Anaheim, California as a student ambassador of my hometown. This first direct experience of American culture left such a deep impression on me that upon my return to Japan I found it difficult to fall back in step with my old life. Though I had always been an engaged student at the center of things in class and at school, I withdrew from others and soon became completely isolated within myself.

 

2010 (Age 18)   Untethered in Tokyo

Though I managed to graduate high school, I failed my university entrance exams. I moved to Tokyo to attend cram school for the next round of tests, but that summer I fell ill with the stress. My condition worsened as I went on a downward slide with episodes of hypochondria, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, depression, and mental illness. I was no longer able to attend classes, and was barely able to lead any semblance of a normal life, despite the medications I had been prescribed.

 

2011 (Age 19)   Campus life with mental illness

Upon my acceptance to college I moved into a dormitory. Because of my depression, and the side effects of all the psychotropic drugs in my system, my speech was slurred, I was unable to think rationally or convey my thoughts clearly, I had little recall, and I struggled to process what others were saying.

 

2015 (Age 23)   Graduation and first employment

I graduated with a degree in English Literature and accepted a position in housekeeping at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi. Although my depressive symptoms had gradually improved, I still suffered memory lapses and continued to struggle with other cognitive issues.

 

2017 (Age 25)   Workplace struggles

From housekeeping I was transferred to guest services as a doorman and bellman, but was unable to keep pace with this work due to my lingering depression and cognitive difficulties. My colleagues, too, were at a loss as to how to deal with these concerns. Unable to cope in this work environment, I resigned.

 

2018 (Age 26)   Professional development in Switzerland

With my acceptance to the International Hospitality Program at Les Roches in Switzerland, I embarked on a new chapter: living, eating, and studying with aspiring hoteliers from 100 countries around the world.

 

I was successfully off medication and had received a clean bill of mental health after my eight-year struggle. And thanks to those experiences I now had a dream that was beginning to take shape: One day, I wanted to become a motivational speaker to assist others who struggle with mental illness.

 

December 2018   Ending a year in Switzerland

I received my Postgraduate Diploma in International Hospitality Management from Les Roches.

 

2019 (Age 27)   Employment in the US

I moved to the United States to assume a management trainee position at the Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center in Virginia. As assistant front office manager I became the top enroller for the hotel’s loyalty program and the top upseller for room sales. As assistant executive housekeeper I led that department’s successful bid at being named best of the year in the hotel’s internal performance awards.

 

March 2020   An unexpected turn of events

As the coronavirus pandemic spread worldwide, I was given notice of dismissal.

 

April 2020 (Age 28)   A new start in Japan

I returned to Japan and accepted a new position on the opening team of The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko as assistant front office manager and night manager.

 

2022 (Age 30)   Career success

With my promotion to a leadership role as front office manager I initiated workplace improvements, contributed to operational reforms across the Rooms division, and received an employees’ award for best manager.

 

March 2023 (Age 31)   Stepping into the unknown

Making the tough decision to step away from a fast-growing and promising career in the hospitality industry, I resigned from The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko to begin preparations for what I feel is my true calling: Yuki Kuwabara, motivational speaker.