In this deeply personal episode, Mae shares two pivotal Kizukis that helped her unravel a lifelong pattern of striving to earn her worth. Beginning with the childhood wound of questioning her very right to exist, she uncovers a second, subtler layer: the longing to be truly seen and met by her father. An invitation to examine our deepest longings, reclaim our innate worth, and discover the freedom that becomes possible when we finally stop waiting.

Mae Yoshikawa

Mae Yoshikawa is the creator of the Kizuki Journaling®︎, a powerful tool for self-awareness and transformation. A pioneer in wellness and personal development, Mae was the first Japanese woman authorized by the founding school of Ashtanga Yoga in India in 2006. Her work bridges Eastern and Western traditions, shaped by profound life experiences—including the loss of her mother, the sudden passing of her husband, and her ongoing journey as a mother to two sons. Mae’s upcoming books share her path of healing and becoming, and her online community, MAE Y, continues to support a growing circle of those on their path of inner growth. She has served as a global ambassador for adidas since 2015.

Kizuki Journaling®︎ Website: KizukiJournaling.com

Personal Website: https://maey.live/

Instagram: ⁠@collectingkizuki

After a three-and-a-half-hour date with a Japanese man leaves her completely bewildered, Mae discovers that even growing up in Japan doesn’t mean she understands all its romantic rules. From the ritual of kokuhaku to the nostalgic tradition of the second button, she explores the surprising contradictions of Japanese dating culture—and what they reveal about the assumptions people bring into love.

Mae Yoshikawa

Mae Yoshikawa is the creator of the Kizuki Journaling®︎, a powerful tool for self-awareness and transformation. A pioneer in wellness and personal development, Mae was the first Japanese woman authorized by the founding school of Ashtanga Yoga in India in 2006. Her work bridges Eastern and Western traditions, shaped by profound life experiences—including the loss of her mother, the sudden passing of her husband, and her ongoing journey as a mother to two sons. Mae’s upcoming books share her path of healing and becoming, and her online community, MAE Y, continues to support a growing circle of those on their path of inner growth. She has served as a global ambassador for adidas since 2015.

Kizuki Journaling®︎ Website: KizukiJournaling.com

Personal Website: https://maey.live/

Instagram: ⁠@collectingkizuki

Returning to her childhood school as a parent brings back an unexpected memory for Mae: a track coach who tried to recruit her year after year, despite her repeated refusals. What once felt like an awkward encounter takes on a profoundly different meaning thirty years later, and Mae explores the lasting impact of letting someone know that they mattered.

Mae Yoshikawa

Mae Yoshikawa is the creator of the Kizuki Journaling®︎, a powerful tool for self-awareness and transformation. A pioneer in wellness and personal development, Mae was the first Japanese woman authorized by the founding school of Ashtanga Yoga in India in 2006. Her work bridges Eastern and Western traditions, shaped by profound life experiences—including the loss of her mother, the sudden passing of her husband, and her ongoing journey as a mother to two sons. Mae’s upcoming books share her path of healing and becoming, and her online community, MAE Y, continues to support a growing circle of those on their path of inner growth. She has served as a global ambassador for adidas since 2015.

Kizuki Journaling®︎ Website: KizukiJournaling.com

Personal Website: https://maey.live/

Instagram: ⁠@collectingkizuki