AKIKO
YOSHII-JOHNSON
Hi, I'm Akiko
I help women bring out their INNER warrior so that they can be courageous, resilient, and strong. My work is holistic, focusing on the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of women's lives to create balance, peace & joy. I help my clients reconnect with their destiny who they were born to BE.
WHO IS THAT GIRL?
A Little BIO
I was born and raised in Hayama, Japan. I moved to Canada in the late ‘80s for college and had a successful corporate career in Vancouver, BC in the building industry. I moved to Olympia, WA in 2004 to continue my career. However, due to the recession in 2008, I lost my job. That was the turning point of shifting my career to the fitness industry as a personal trainer / group fitness instructor something I was always passionate about for my whole life.
Growing up in Japan, I was teased and bullied in grade school for being a chubby girl with thick eyeglasses and a mouthful of braces, which was very rare back then. I learned to take care of my body through small daily routine of exercise and nutrition through high-school, and I earned athletic physique, but somehow I was not fitting in. I decided to move away from Japan and enrolled in college in Canada. That was when I started my journey in martial arts (Shotokan Karate). Just like anybody else, my life was full of ups and downs being away from home. Thanks to my martial art training and my adversities, I learned and gained the spirit of BUSHIDO (Japanese style of warrior's way of life in courage, tenacity, and resilience).
Some Credentials:
Certified by National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) in various specializations since 2012:
Master Trainer (MT), Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Behavior Change Specialist (BCS), Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), Virtual Coaching Specialist (VCS), Weight Loss Specialist (WLS), Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES), MMA Conditioning Specialist (MMACS), Group Personal Training Specialist (GPTS), Senior Fitness Specialist (SFS), Fitness Nutrition Specialist (FNS)
EVERLAST F.I.T. (Functional Integrated Training) Master Instructor, train a trainers program in workshops
Machida Karate Self-Defense Instructor since 2017
The pandemic in 2020 opened opportunities for me as a in-person personal trainer to virtual trainer / coach. Currently, I am transitioning to virtual wellness & life transformational coaching to help more clients.
Personal Stuff:
I have been training Karate for over 30 years, love Downhill Skiing (former Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance Level 1 Instructor), Hiking, Camping, Motorcycle Dirt Riding, Wildlife Watching. Today, I am happily married for 18 years, live with Ron and our 13-year-old rescued beagle, Lucky. I have just celebrated my 52nd birthday and US citizenship (yey!!! I get to vote finally.)
七転八起。Shichi-Ten-Ha-kki
This Japanese proverbs directly translates: falling seven times and setting up eight times. Its meaning: life is full of failure and learning happens by moving forward.
RESILIENCE. That is what my life has been about. I have FAILED so many times. I am in my 50's so the more I live, the more I fail. The good news is, I am still here standing!!! I failed in school as a child growing up in Japan not being so academic like my smart sister. I failed my driving test (hahaha), I failed my black belt exam for Karate, my first marriage failed (got dumped), I failed with my corporate job (laid-off), I failed my auditions for acting, etc. You name it! My life has revolved around a whole lot of failures. The biggest one is the divorce from my last marriage. That was REAL BAD. After enduring almost 10 years of mental abuse, he left me for another woman. Everybody knew about his infidelity but ME. I fell into a very dark place , and at one point, I tried to end my life. Thank goodness for my doctor who prescribed me counseling instead of anti-depressant meds, and I came back. It took over an year to finally be in peace and joy.
Accept: It is okay to fail as long as you get back up and learn from it to do better in the future. Disappointment, let-down, set-back, regrets, etc... (whatever you call "failure") make you stronger and wiser. Simply be a better person by letting go of negativity. Take it as a set-up for improvement - make a comeback like a superhero!!! As I get older, I feel more that way about life. And I have been sharing that with my clients. We are all human. We make mistakes. The trick is, pick yourself up as soon as possible and move forward. Don't waste your time by looking back. If you waste or lose money, there are ways to earn it back. How about time??? Once it is gone, it is GONE forever so don't waste your time in the pity-party. You deserve a brighter future ahead. I believe in YOU!!!
改善。"Kaizen" - My Core Value In Life Journey
Meaning "Improvement". There is no perfection yet seeking excellence for improvement big or small every day
Are you CREATING or SURVIVING? Creating is living life - joy, peace, excitement, happiness: acting from the heart and being. Surviving is dying - complacent, just getting by, having no purpose, being in hustle-bustle, fighting, acting from a mindset of doing. Whichever you are at right now, the first thing to do when you wake up in the morning, tell yourself "I am going to CREATE" instead of "I am going to SURVIVE". You get to decide. Of course, you are going to create the life you were born for... That will set your positive mindset coming from your heart. And then, make small changes or adjustments to improve. Celebrate every small improvement as a milestone, triumph. I have been a huge fan of that process all my life as an underdog and someone who is different and unique. I am 50 something years old so I've been there and done that just like you. And I am not perfect so every day I go through the process of KAIZEN. Let's improve a little day at a time.
CAN I HELP YOU TO "kaizen" (IMPROVE)
YOUR LIFE JOURNEY
Fitness & Wellness, Life
Transformational Coaching
It is like GPS. I guide you through your journey for joyful, confident, passionate life to prosper by recognizing where you are and where you want to BE. And set a goal and make a plan and take action with my accountability. Virtual or In-Person (limited).
One-on-One
Small Private Group
Corporate Team Coaching
Karate / MMA Conditioning / Self Defense
Training
This is my specialty as a trainer & instructor. Willing to learn martial arts striking technique, self-defense to get in shape physically and mentally. ...and BE courageous & resilient in life from the journey. My version of "Be a badass".
Online Course App (Coming Soon)
Small Private Group
Workshop / Retreat
Corporate Group Training
What Akiko's clients are saying....
"It was fate! After years of doing a mindless cardio workout at the gym on the elliptical I was ready for a new workout routine, and I happened to be at the gym the same time as Akiko. I'm so grateful for that encounter as it lead me to not only a better workout routine, but mixing in the MMA training works different parts of my body and forces me to focus giving my mind a workout too! Extremely qualified with diverse workout routines I highly recommend you mix up your exercise routine with Akiko, your mind and body will thank you."
Courtney D.
Realtor
“Akiko has a way of pushing you with positive encouragement and makes working hard really fun. I’ve been training with her for a year and a half and in that time I’ve lost fat, gained strength, and increased my endurance. Her martial arts and self-defense training has also helped boost my confidence and self-esteem. If you’re looking for someone to get you out of a rut and into shape she is the one to call.”
Maria W.
"Akiko has been helped me achieve my goals so far, and I enjoy our sessions. She makes it fun and enjoyable to train. She is encouraging and helps me to dig deep and keep going. I appreciate her dedication to her craft. Also, as a military veteran with injuries, it is important to have a trainer who can work within my limitations. If motivation, flexibility, and a personal approach is what your looking for in a trainer then Akiko is the one for you."
Rose H.
Family Councilor
“I would highly recommend training with Akiko! I went to her to learn self-defense and learned so much. She is so much fun to train with, keeping our sessions exciting, introducing new things each time, and always a lot of fun to talk to. I keep practicing the thigs I have learned, and it was very useful techniques. Definitely train with Akiko if you have get the chance! It is a once in a lifetime experience.”
Mariela D.
"Akiko is a wonderful trainer, coach, and mentor. Coming with zero self-defense or martial arts experience, Akiko made me feel comfortable and excited about learning an entirely new sport. Her positive energy and attention to technique encourages women to feel strong, empowered, and confident in their ability to protect themselves in vulnerable situations. Her classes are both challenging and extremely fun. The workouts leave you feeling strong as you learn self-defense tactics and strengthen your core."
Hannah M.
Client Care
“Akiko trained me in a manner that was cognizant of my personal abilities (or lack there of) and she was always sure to check in with me on my comfort level to help avoid injuries. She uses creative tools and personalized movements to aim you toward your goals And I appreciate all of the personalized attention and communication. Sign up; seriously, you'll be glad you did.”
Chris F.
“I have been training with Akiko online since the start of the pandemic. She is an amazing trainer, no matter you're physical fitness, age, or energy level, she will put together a workout that will work for you. No matter how you are feeling on the day of your workout, she can change what she had planned to accommodate you. I am very thankful to have her in my life.” - Susan F.
"Appreciate how rare and full of
potential your situation is in this
world, then take joy in it, and
use it to your best advantage."
- Dalai Lama
"If you are looking for a fitness class that is both challenging and practical, look no further! The class is designed for women & taught by women. No class is exact the same – each one features core strengthening, boxing techniques, and self-defense strategies. Akiko keeps it fun and fast paced!"
