Athlete Brains: Dai Tamesue's "Fluid Pacing" vol.19

A serialized interview column where Mr. Dai Tamesue freely discusses "things on his mind right now." The only set theme is "What is autonomy? What is tolerance?" Faced with unreasonable questions from a mysterious "interviewer," Mr. Tamesue shares his thoughts on various "things on his mind." Well now. What kind of stories will come out this time...? Stay tuned.

──This time, we're discussing the somewhat negative theme: "How should people confront aging?" We set this theme based on the hypothesis that "aging" might be the greatest enemy for athletes. The phrase "the limits of my physical strength..." uttered by that legendary Showa-era sumo grand champion at his retirement press conference—it stays with everyone, doesn't it? That feeling where a flood of emotions overwhelms you, leaving you speechless. There's a sense of accomplishment, yet also the frustration of unfulfilled potential. I think only truly elite athletes can truly grasp that feeling.

Tametsu: That's certainly true.

──What exactly are these feelings of defeat by aging, of being broken? How can one overcome them?

Tamura: While physical decline is unavoidable, I feel Japanese society is overly constrained by the social norm that one "should act their age." Starting a business in your twenties is perfectly fine, isn't it? Publishing artwork that looks like it was drawn by a young girl at seventy is perfectly fine, isn't it? Giving up because you're still in your twenties or because you're already seventy is the same thing in terms of "old age."

I heard that the founder of a global fast-food chain started his company after turning 60. When we talk about startups, there's this image that it's something young people in their 20s and 30s do, and that old fogeys shouldn't get involved, right?

──That's definitely the image.

Tamatsue: But I think the crucial thing is "how well you can let go of past models." Age doesn't matter there. Neither does gender or nationality. If you cling to models that were once considered correct, you just keep getting older. That's something I've felt deeply, both as an athlete and as a business leader.

──When it comes to the theme of "aging," perhaps we're all trapped by the shackles of age?

Tamura: I think so.

──Suddenly, we're hearing about "100-year lifespans." But then, how should I live, say, my 53rd year within that 100? There's no precedent. In Nobunaga's time, it was "human life spans 50 years." In a way, that was clear and perhaps even fortunate. You'd kick the bucket right around the time you got a grandchild. So, what about the next 50 years? Humanity still hasn't found the right answer for that.

Tamura: Exactly. What becomes crucial then, I think, is not dwelling on what you can no longer do as you age, but focusing on what you can do, what you've become capable of. In other words, don't look to the past; focus on the present. That, I believe, is the most correct attitude for dealing with aging.

──Speaking of facing aging, what is the mindset of athletes retiring from active competition?

Tamesue: Honestly, I think very few athletes retire feeling completely satisfied, thinking "I did it all!" Everyone retires with thoughts like "I could have done more," or "I just can't forget that mistake in that moment." But when they develop a "softer mindset"—different from the "explosive power" or "instinct" they relied on during their active careers—that's when the feeling arises: "Ah, I want to pass this feeling on to someone, to the next generation."

──Not about boasting about achievements or anything like that?

Tametsu: Exactly. I've heard that when people surpass 100 years old, they reach a "state of happiness." In terms of population, those over 100 are far fewer than Olympians. That means they've reached a kind of "utopia" that even top-tier athletes can't attain.

──An ideal image of aging, then?

Tamesue: Exactly. It's about facing everything with a calm mindset. I'm only 43, so I haven't reached that state yet, but athletes start feeling that way at a young age. They don't approach competition thinking, "I'll beat them," or "I'll defeat this guy." It's more like... a desire to deliver something wonderful, a kind of feeling.

──I think I sort of understand.

Tamesue: I feel like people strive relentlessly to reach that state, regardless of age. (Continued in #20)

(Interviewer: Web Dentsu Inc. Editorial Department)

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From Hibi, Athlete Brains Production Team

This is the second installment on "Aging." Rather than focusing on "What can't I do anymore?" as we grow older, it's crucial to consider "What can I do? What have I gained the ability to do?"

From my perspective, top athletes are individuals who have stood at the pinnacle of their respective sports in Japan. This experience of reaching the top equates to possessing extraordinary success stories. Yet, the key point was the importance of not being trapped by the past, but rather focusing on the present. I sense a remarkable height of perspective – the ability to view oneself objectively from above – that top athletes uniquely possess. This capacity to calmly observe from above and consider what can be achieved going forward is surely valuable for business professionals as well.

Athlete Brains Production Team: Dentsu Inc. / Akinori Hibi (3CRP) · Kohei Shiraishi (Business Co-creation Bureau)

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Athlete Brains, led by Dai Tamesue.
For details on this team that leverages knowledge cultivated by athletes to solve challenges in the world (for companies and society), click here.