Sometimes we have to look backwards to move forwards.

In 1949 Kihachiro Onitsuka began manufacturing basketball shoes in attempt to help improve the self esteem of young Japanese men after the war. 

SEVENTY years later I am sat in the ASICS European Headquarters in Amsterdam, an amazing modern building softened by its bamboo panels and decorated with models of its training shoe as it has evolved over the decades. An interior that gives a real sense of history, growth and forward thinking. 

I have been invited here to work with people I have never met before, to create a programme that encourages people to Move for Mental Health. And yet despite not knowing these people, within minutes we have all introduced ourselves sharing a little about our personal experiences of mental health, and how it has shaped our passion and expertise for the work that we do. Not all of us are “runners” but we all share a passion for helping people to make changes to their lifestyle that considers the body AND mind. 

And despite the seventy years that have passed since the vision of ASICS founder came to light, we all immediately connected with his goal because it remains as pertinent today as it ever has. Right now, more and more people are suffering with anxiety, stress, burnout and depression. And yet we know movement helps reduce this. More specifically, we have evidence that moderate mindful movement that allows us to reconnect with nature and our bodies in a non pressured way, helps reduce this.

By looking back at the ASICS vision, drawing upon personal and professional experience we worked together to build a ground breaking evidence based programme which will be grounded in peer reviewed published research. We’re not finished yet though. This is just the start but I feel it is huge step towards changing the culture of running for those who do not need nor desire, to add training stress to life stress. Something I truly believe has been 70 years in the waiting since Onitsuka strived to improve the mental health of young Japanese men through movement. Sometimes we have to look backwards to move move forwards. And in doing so we can reconnect with why we want to move and how we want to feel when we move.

Thank you ASICS for the opportunity to be part of this Movement for Mind to help people have a “sound mind in a sound body”.

Onwards.