- 2022.11.30
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We are Kochi-ke: Violet Pacileo
Celebrating uniqueness
“After working in finance for more than 15 years across some of the world’s largest metropolitans like London, Los Angeles and Tokyo, I was coming to a point where I wasn’t certain anymore. I wasn’t certain that this life was actually what I wanted. The city life and success all seemed perfect from the outside, but in reality, I felt exhausted all the time, drank too much to cope with everyday pressures, and most importantly, missed out on time spent with my husband and three kids. At the same time, I wanted to be closer to my mother who lived alone on our ancestral lands among the deep Kochi mountains. So two years ago, from Tokyo, an economic megacity of 14 million where everything is happening all at once, to Otoyo, a tiny town of 3,000 where we only recently got cell service, we officially made the move.”
“As someone who has dedicated a career analyzing financial data, and essentially, the circulation of money in society, I saw a good challenge in answering the question…how does one find a business opportunity in a place where the population is rapidly declining, the vast majority is over the age of 65 and projections indicate the town is “likely to disappear”? There was only one way, which was to open my own doors. So I built a detailed business plan with 10-year projections in an excel sheet, raised capital over two challenging years and won a government subsidy with persistent effort to construct my CrossFit retreat; the very first of its kind in Shikoku.”
“It’s interesting to think back now on the fact that what originally came from my own desire to find a healthier balance in life eventually manifested into a drive to help others on their journey. CrossFit is more than just a high-intensity conditioning workout to gain muscle or “get fit”, whatever that may mean to you. It’s about being brave with what you perceive as your limits, leaning on others to achieve your best, embracing your unique pace one rep at a time, and so much more. CrossFit also doesn't discriminate against gender, age, physique, and athletic experience, not only because the workouts are customizable, but also, built on familiar, functional movements we already perform every day like squats, pushing and pulling. This all-inclusive aspect of CrossFit is a really important reason why I love it so much. It reflects my value on equal opportunity and not pushing anyone down for being different.”
“Although my husband and I jointly manage the CrossFit facility now, I was the sole breadwinner of my household for years. Still, I come across moments where my ideas and abilities aren’t taken as seriously, for I am a woman. In the past, I’ve had men question whether it is responsible and acceptable for a mother to work as many hours as I do. I understand that these comments are not intended to be hurtful, but simply come from the reality that female stereotypes haven’t been challenged for hundreds of years, especially in the countryside. That’s why my passion project has been to teach unconscious bias at local schools and share tools to identify, understand, and then eventually question the deep-seated prejudices we all have. I figured, if we can change the kids, we can change the world.”
“So, at the core of my CrossFit retreat, lessons on unconscious bias, and hundreds of hours I put into my work, I dream to help create a more equal world where we not only accept but celebrate uniqueness.”
“We are Kochi-ke (Kochi family)” is all about highlighting the stories of the people who make us proud to call Kochi our home. Whether you are living in Kochi now or have only visited once, you are part of the Kochi family
Under an hour from Kochi City by car, Violet’s CrossFit retreat in Otoyo Town (@Otoyo Strength) is the perfect place for an active, rejuvenating and mindful escape to Kochi’s serene countryside! You can book their beautiful little guesthouse equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, fully-stocked kitchen, and many other amenities perfect for a short or long stay
CrossFit Otoyo Strength: https://www.otoyostrength.com/
Yutorisuto Park Otoyo is another scenic spot to visit in the area! Learn more: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/activities/10115
“After working in finance for more than 15 years across some of the world’s largest metropolitans like London, Los Angeles and Tokyo, I was coming to a point where I wasn’t certain anymore. I wasn’t certain that this life was actually what I wanted. The city life and success all seemed perfect from the outside, but in reality, I felt exhausted all the time, drank too much to cope with everyday pressures, and most importantly, missed out on time spent with my husband and three kids. At the same time, I wanted to be closer to my mother who lived alone on our ancestral lands among the deep Kochi mountains. So two years ago, from Tokyo, an economic megacity of 14 million where everything is happening all at once, to Otoyo, a tiny town of 3,000 where we only recently got cell service, we officially made the move.”
“As someone who has dedicated a career analyzing financial data, and essentially, the circulation of money in society, I saw a good challenge in answering the question…how does one find a business opportunity in a place where the population is rapidly declining, the vast majority is over the age of 65 and projections indicate the town is “likely to disappear”? There was only one way, which was to open my own doors. So I built a detailed business plan with 10-year projections in an excel sheet, raised capital over two challenging years and won a government subsidy with persistent effort to construct my CrossFit retreat; the very first of its kind in Shikoku.”
“It’s interesting to think back now on the fact that what originally came from my own desire to find a healthier balance in life eventually manifested into a drive to help others on their journey. CrossFit is more than just a high-intensity conditioning workout to gain muscle or “get fit”, whatever that may mean to you. It’s about being brave with what you perceive as your limits, leaning on others to achieve your best, embracing your unique pace one rep at a time, and so much more. CrossFit also doesn't discriminate against gender, age, physique, and athletic experience, not only because the workouts are customizable, but also, built on familiar, functional movements we already perform every day like squats, pushing and pulling. This all-inclusive aspect of CrossFit is a really important reason why I love it so much. It reflects my value on equal opportunity and not pushing anyone down for being different.”
“Although my husband and I jointly manage the CrossFit facility now, I was the sole breadwinner of my household for years. Still, I come across moments where my ideas and abilities aren’t taken as seriously, for I am a woman. In the past, I’ve had men question whether it is responsible and acceptable for a mother to work as many hours as I do. I understand that these comments are not intended to be hurtful, but simply come from the reality that female stereotypes haven’t been challenged for hundreds of years, especially in the countryside. That’s why my passion project has been to teach unconscious bias at local schools and share tools to identify, understand, and then eventually question the deep-seated prejudices we all have. I figured, if we can change the kids, we can change the world.”
“So, at the core of my CrossFit retreat, lessons on unconscious bias, and hundreds of hours I put into my work, I dream to help create a more equal world where we not only accept but celebrate uniqueness.”
“We are Kochi-ke (Kochi family)” is all about highlighting the stories of the people who make us proud to call Kochi our home. Whether you are living in Kochi now or have only visited once, you are part of the Kochi family
Under an hour from Kochi City by car, Violet’s CrossFit retreat in Otoyo Town (@Otoyo Strength) is the perfect place for an active, rejuvenating and mindful escape to Kochi’s serene countryside! You can book their beautiful little guesthouse equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, fully-stocked kitchen, and many other amenities perfect for a short or long stay
CrossFit Otoyo Strength: https://www.otoyostrength.com/
Yutorisuto Park Otoyo is another scenic spot to visit in the area! Learn more: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/activities/10115
