Meet Triathlete Akemi Akutsu
Our interview this week with Victoria Triathlete (TriNerd) Akemi Akutsu is authentically impressive. Love and gratitude are just a small part of her drive to survive. She discusses her perseverance and dedication as a single mother working 7 days a week to conquering triathlon. I will honestly say that her life story has something for everyone to learn from. We are super honored to introduce you to The Princess of Power Akemi Akutsu.
Akemi: What a lovely introduction 💖😘
Yes, I'm THE Princess, and forever will be😅✨In Japanese, it would be "Yamato Nadeshiko". Samurai Spirits!!
You are a rock star triathlete with a heart for doughnuts. What's your favorite doughnut and how did you get into triathlon?
Yes, I'm THE Rock Star 😅💖 Love it! Donuts love for everyone 😍
I love simple yet (so particular) lightly fried, perfectly coated w/cinnamon sugar (no lumps) or thinly grazed w/ icing (no cracks!!) They are found at local Sidney Bakery, Henry's 24/7 donut shop in Mukilteo WA. USA and every bakery in Japan. The latest discovery is Berliner Pfannkuchen w/ plum jam or marmalade in Berlin Germany 🍩😍💖😘 O..M...G...🤤🤤🤤🍩
Donuts = motivation
I started cycling out to Sidney and back, and I needed a purpose to do that. Then I found Donuts at the Sidney Bakery! Not to mention, it's easy to stack them up on tri bars too 😁 It's a reward in many ways. I can eat a limitless amount of donuts during a training session when, usually, people in my age would have a guilty pleasure with one bite😁
I tried my very first Standard distance,(I didn't even know the distance) in the late '80s. It was absolutely terrible. I didn't know how to ride a road bike (which I borrowed that day before the race), I fell in the middle of every intersection and got lost on the course. Not to mention I raced in my bikini 😅
I thought I'd never do that. 20 years later, a triathlete (past) friend had told me that I would never do or understand triathlon because it's too hard. WHAAT?!
That set a huge fire in me 🔥 and within my heart.
I continue to train as a triathlete to be a role model for my kids. Akemi Akutsu
Well, look at me now. I AM a triathlete. Most of all, I continue to train as a triathlete to be a role model for my kids. If I can do this crazy thing, they can do anything they wish to do. Set a goal and challenge it. Live in the moment and enjoy the process and friendship +Donuts.
You've competed in many different races, one of those being Ironman Japan in 2018. What are some of your favorite races?
I come home with interesting stories and experiences from every race I have enrolled in.
In Japan, I got typhoons and jellyfish attacks. In Cozumel, I got E.Coli after the race 😅 I loved Cozumel because it was my honeymoon with Steve and I got to race with 4 other Nerds.
The best category was the bike course in Calgary in 2017, my very first Half Ironman Race. It was a flat and fast course and I was on fire🔥. Still the fastest time of 2hr 30min. I sure will go back to Calgary again.
Many triathletes get a little nerdy when it comes to gear. What is your favorite gear you are using now for training and racing?
Oh! I totally suck at techy toys😑 So I have Nick, Vince and Steve to deal with that part😅 My favorite gears are anything Pink and Hello Kitty items💖 I just got another Hello Kitty thing for Hawaii.
Oh! Pink Kask helmet from Fort Street Cycle w/custom Hello Kitty (they branded as Goodbye Kitty for me) on the helmet.
Do you have any races on the list for 2020 and any big goals to manifest there?
This year of 2020, I have one big race on my mind. I'll challenge Hawaii Honu 70.3 in May. I love Hawaii, and it'll be so cool to race there with Nerds.
I want to focus on times a bit less and give my full attention to my intuition to chase/challenge young Nerds. Just be free to go get them!
The game is ON! Then I'll continue to train for the very first Full Ironman race in Japan, June 2021. So this year will be a humbling training year.
My training time is "Just about ME time". It's very important and precious. Akemi Akutsu
You are a mother and you work full time how do you find the time to train and do everything else?
Discipline and Set priorities in order. Find time! I could use kitchen work as another workout. I was/am always busy but my training time is "Just about ME time". It's very important and precious.
I raised 2 kids as a single mother. I had to be both a Mom and Dad. On top of this, I juggled 4 to 5 part-time jobs and work 12-16 hrs 7 days a week in different restaurant kitchens. On top of that, time focused keeping house/kids just to survive.
It wasn't easy to find time and money to do anything for myself. Now, both kids are independent, and I'm grateful to have more of "Just Me Time". Not to mention the great support from my husband Steve. I can spend more time outside of the kitchen! How wonderful is that!!
Where can our Nerdy fans follow your adventures on social media?
Instagram and FB 😁 I don't post a lot but enough to know what I love 💖😁 or find me where you see Donuts 😁
A post shared by Akemi Akutsu (@akemiakutsu) on Oct 7, 2019 at 10:07pm PDT
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