An American Bodybuilder in Japan
Some of you know my story, but I have gotten several PMs here since my “return” and thought I’d write up a post on what my experiences have been like.
I’ll start at the beginning of this particular Japan tenure, but skip over a lot of stuff. In 2007 I was looking for an opportunity to work in Japan as my daughter being ½ Japanese (ex wife a Japanese national) I thought it would be nice for her to have some time to experience that side of her heritage. I ended up getting a job in an international finance firm at their Tokyo office. This was right before the subprime crash. I can't imagine someone being hired sight-unseen now for such a position. Things have changed.
I had lived in Japan before and knew it would be great, especially with a solid job. Almost zero crime, no violence, no politics or religion, great healthcare (my daughter has issues) and all-around cleanliness, order, and good manners. Downside is earthquakes and nasty neighbors in China and NK, but overall life is worry-free. My bodybuilding was maintenance, so I wasn’t worried at the time about gyms, etc.
We packed our stuff and moved to my ex’s home in Kamakura to get started. This marriage exploded about a year later, but I’ll get into that later if asked.I sold our home in Massachusetts a month later for a tidy profit. I was set to start work a week after landing so I went up to Tokyo to check things out and fortunately found my gym within one train stop from the office. I thought myself very lucky.
Being a bodybuilder at heart, finding a gym was paramount, and food of course was a concern. At first food wasn’t ideal; there were no good sources and I was living with my in-laws so I could not just buy/cook as I wanted. I had been using prohormones on and off at this time and brought them with me to Japan.
Around this time I was using Epistaine and noticed I started getting a little gyno. Blood work showed my test was very low (after being off a while). Later tests showed it being still low, so I sought self TRT. I hadn’t seen anabolics in many, many years. It was a bit later that I found how easy it was to get gear in Japan as it isn’t controlled. 12 years later, I still have the same “source”. Our families are friends and we greatly enjoy each other’s company when they come back and visit Japan.
Things being easy to access was a great comfort, as legal risk was part of why I stopped use in 1991 or so. Around this time I separated from my ex and moved to Tokyo. I was now very close to the gym and work and had access to a great market that supplies restaurants with meats and other foods. Being effectively single and still mid-30s, I decided to see what I could do and ramped up the training, food, and drugs. Results were pretty good, especially after I tried GH.
My gym was /is a great place. Spotlessly clean with really nice staff. I befriended the owner who lived in the US for a while and has his own muscle beach stories. I’m often the center of attention at the gym when I take the time to notice. The place is full of Japanese celebrities, rich people, pro athletes (including Sumo), upper-end office workers, and Yakuza. Some funny stories there...
In 2008-09 I spent my weekend evenings out with a friend who owned several clubs in the Roppongi district of Tokyo. I don’t drink, but I had all the Redbulls I would want to keep me awake. This friend took good care of me knowing I was going through a tough time and tried to entertain me. I met and befriended “hostess” girls, but wasn’t looking for a relationship. I got a LOT of attention in his clubs. People would gawk and comment (always favorably). I was often outright groped by people who were too drunk to even consider it was a bad idea. I’m good-natured and laughed with them. I later met my current wife by chance when she joined our firm and happily left the nightclub life.
Everywhere I went I would get comments in Japanese. I understood, but didn’t let on. My daughter and current wife are always entertained. My daughter often is mystified, especially when she catches a gay guy looking at me. I just laugh.
One of the nicest things is I have never, ever received a negative comment, either in public, or in the office. People are amazed/amused and I am very positive and easy to laugh about things. One of my favorite situations is when on the train a girl will be looking at me, and then turn to her boyfriend and start poking and pinching him, teasing him while trying to find some muscle.
I could go on, but I’d rather try to answer questions anyone has in the thread and write for you guys, not myself.
.gif "IP Gear")
www.vice.com
www.foodbeast.com
