Cory McGowan is an American by birth who has made the mountains of Minakami, Japan his forever home with his family. He is a coach, husband, father, and a bear dancer. In this week’s episode, FocusCore Podcast host, David Sweet chats with Cory about his coaching business, Adventure Partner, which he launched in November 2020, and how Covid and past career trauma has led him to this new career path.

If you have ever wondered about coaching and what it can do for you and for your career, you wouldn’t be alone.  Cory shares his experience of being a coach, what it involves, and the benefits. They also discuss coaching benefits for organizations, why organizations shouldn’t shy away from using coaching as a development opportunity, and how it can elevate not just people but organizations to reach their potential. 

In this episode we discuss:

• The difference between training and coaching 
• How Corey transitioned from working in the corporate world to running his own business, Adventure Partners, and why he doesn’t see himself as an entrepreneur 
• Why a coach also needs their own coach
• Taking the jump with his family from Japanese city life to the Japanese mountains and living in Minakami
• Community development in Minakami, setting up the Relocation Concierge Programme for Minakami and his vision to make a positive impact in his adopted town for his family 
• Japan’s social issue of rural depopulation and how he contributes to addressing this problem
• Cory’s first-hand experience of bear dancing, how it led him to discover bears are an endangered species in Japan, and how he is active in their conservation 
• The routines and rituals that keep him focussed and are non-negotiable for his well-being

About Cory McGowan:

Coach, Husband, Father, Bear Dancer. After decades of searching, Cory found his true home in the mountains of Japan.

Professionally trained transformational coach and experienced adventurer. He uses both to support leaders and other humans around the world to express their fullest potential and co-create the lives they want for themselves. 

He supports his hometown, Minakami, Gunma Prefecture as the first foreign relocation concierge and is actively creating a vision for community development with the hopes of being a leader in solving the problem of rural depopulation in Japan. 

Connect with Cory McGowan:

Website: https://www.adventure-partner.net/ 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/coryadventurepartner/?hl=en 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-mcgowan-328b2b5/?originalSubdomain=jp 

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Kumamori

Minakami Relocation Concierge

Connect with David Sweet:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidsweet/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp 

Facebook: :

Hello and welcome to the FocusCore Podcast with your host David Sweet. In this episode, David speaks with Hideo Goto, Country General Manager of Henkel Beauty Care Japan and Korea.

Hideo has a long career history in beauty and personal care spanning over 20+ years and has been in senior management roles at Henkel Beauty Care since 2017 where he has accelerated business growth by strengthening brand portfolios through innovation and building high-performing teams. By focusing on a strong organizational culture and innovation, Hideo has led Henkel to be a leader in the consumer and professional haircare industry in Japan. 

In this episode we discuss:

• Hideo’s career journey that has led him to Henkel Beauty Care
• The growth of Henkel, in particular, the haircare business in Japan and their path journey to becoming a powerhouse of hair
• Key challenges for growing Henkel and how to sustain growth over the next 10 years
• Innovation including digital innovation and product innovation
• The company culture of Henkel and how it attracts employees and how Henkel’s strong culture values differentiate them from their competitors
• How leveraging collaboration from within the business to create solutions is key
• Sustainability and how Henkel is adapting to reach the 2030 UN sustainability targets and the importance of sustainability embedded in a company’s values to attract employee candidates
• The impact of Covid-19 on Henkel’s beauty care business and how haircare is thriving due to the pandemic

Hideo Goto Bio:

Hideo Goto is Country General Manager of Henkel Beauty Care Japan and Korea, a position he was promoted to in 2021 having joined Henkel Beauty Care in 2017 as GM of the Professional Division. In 2019, Hideo was promoted as Country GM of Henkel Beauty Care Japan and led both the professional and consumer businesses. In 2020, he successfully turned around consumer business and, in 2021, accelerated the growth and achieved the historically highest market share. 

Hideo has more than 20 years of experience in health and beauty industry, and a strong track record of driving results.  Prior to Henkel, he started his career at Johnson & Johnson in 1996 in sales and marketing.  In 2005, he joined L’Oreal and spent 11 years there, where he turned around several businesses and scaled the growth.  He held various leadership positions throughout his tenure including GM of Active Cosmetics Division in Japan, GM of Consumer Product Division in Taiwan, and GM of Professional Product Division in Japan.  

Hideo earned an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management in the U.S. in 2003 and a BBA from Meiji University in 1996.

Links of things mentioned in this episode:

Henkel Japan Career Page

Connect with FocusCore:

Website: https://www.japan.focuscoregroup.com/ 

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/focuscoreasia 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/focuscorejp 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focuscore/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focuscorejp/ 

Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you download podcasts.

Doin' the Uptown Lowdown," used by...

“Playing dance music for the old at heart”, my latest Barefoot Lunch Podcast guest is Christopher Davis-Shannon. 
We will get to hear firsthand why I think Christopher is such an outstanding musician as he plays a song. We'll also talk about 

• Christopher’s favorite book and standard food regime 
• His fascinating background going from clarinet to bass, guitar, and ukulele, and then coming to singing much later in life.
• The business of music marketing and his newest side hustle, ukulele strings. 
• The exciting release of his newest album 

I think you'll understand why I think Christopher is not only a distinguished musician, performer, and teacher.

About Christopher:

As a multi-Instrumentalist, songwriter, and educator, based in Philadelphia, Davis-Shannon maintains a steady tour schedule with his own music as well as a sideman for various acts. He brings to the stage not just the pure joy of music, but a vast knowledge of the history behind the songs that he holds close to his heart. His intricate instrumental work and plaintive vocals are infused with soulfulness which cannot be faked, and a respect for his predecessors which is rarely equaled.

Links: 

Website: https://www.thetinman.co/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cdavisshannon 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdavisshannon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banjoleletinman/ 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6UluNSdIUTkvPzt4Yrw3dw 

Twitter: ​​https://twitter.com/cdavisshannon 

Starting the New Year off right with the international bestselling author of  "Time Off: A Practical Guide to Building Your Rest Ethic and Finding Success Without the Stress."

Max’s  ideas have been featured in Fast Company, Financial Times, Thrive Global, Entrepreneur Magazine, and other publications. After receiving his PhD in Quantum Information Theory from Imperial College London and working as a postdoctoral research fellow at Tokyo University, Max got involved in several tech startups, focusing on the intersection of AI research and product design. He has been particularly interested in the applications of AI and deep learning to creativity, design, and music, and most recently started applying this knowledge to another passion we both share: optimizing human performance and wellbeing.

This talented gentleman also composed the music for our lunch today, aptly named, Happily Ever After. 

https://maxfrenzel.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-frenzel-60597361/ 

https://www.instagram.com/mffrenzel/ 

https://www.yudemon.com 

Shift your BRILLIANCE….with Dr. Simon T. Bailey!

An American speaker, author, life coach, and entrepreneur.  Bailey is the author of Shift Your Brilliance: Harness the Power of You, INC and Release Your Brilliance: The 4 Steps to Transforming Your Life and Revealing Your Genius to the World. Bailey was inducted into the National Speakers Association's CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame in 2015

One book you recommend everyone should read

When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead: Useful Stories from a Persuasive Man, by  Jerry Weintraub

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7720207-when-i-stop-talking-you-ll-know-i-m-dead

• What’s your favorite lunch?
• If you could invite anyone to lunch, living or dead, who would you invite. Inspired by Mother Theresa .
• You are brilliant! The story of your life:

I was born in the ghetto of Buffalo, NY,

“Nineteen years ago, I walked away from a job as Sales and New Business Development Director of the world-renowned Disney Institute based at Walt Disney World Resort (#Disney).* I had a guaranteed paycheck and benefits galore. I didn’t want for anything and was on the fast track to a bright career future. 

In the midst of living my own version of the American dream, something was missing.”

• “Brilliant Living”! You are amazing in all that you do! Why are you passionate about what you do? How do you do it? What are some routines or resources that help you?
• “Simon Says:” What advice do you have for people who are trying to find their purpose?
• What brings you joy? 
• You’re my inspirational guru for marketing! I just wanted to tell you that :-) 
• What do you wish you knew before starting your career?
• What's next for you?
•  Where can listeners sign up for your course or purchase your product?

http://www.simontbailey.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BrilliantSimonT
https://twitter.com/simontbailey
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simontbailey/

Music on this episode is The Sheik of Araby performed by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra. 

Thomas Dorsey Jr. (November 19, 1905 – November 26, 1956), an American jazz trombonist, composer, conductor and bandleader of the big band era. He was known as the "Sentimental Gentleman of Swing" because of his smooth-toned trombone playing. The Sheik of Araby, is a song that was written in 1921 by Harry Smith  and Francis Wheeler, with music by Ted Snyder. It was composed in response to the popularity of the feature film, The Sheik, staring Rudolph Valentino.  

Jennifer Shinkai is an amazing and varied person with so many insights. 
In this podcast, she'll lovingly dislike all the questions that I ask her and still share:

• Favorite authors and why mini-giraffes are perhaps a bad idea 
• A delicious meal at Vaccinara Mukojima , sitting on Tom Hiddleston's lap
• Rediscovering art
• Making March Matters
• Podcasting:  https://ikigai-with-jennifer-shinkai.captivate.fm/listen
• Shakespeare Saturdays

And much more. 

Please follow Jen:

https://jennifershinkai.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifershinkai/

https://www.facebook.com/jennifershinkaicoach/

Podcast:  https://ikigai-with-jennifer-shinkai.captivate.fm/listen

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzhMsnrS6JkrFDVvf7PIQFQ

Make March Matter https://www.facebook.com/groups/makemarchmatter2020/

Open Events https://peatix.com/group/6888946

Music is "Brazil" from the Belgian born French jazz guitarist, Django Reinhardt  (23 January 1910 – 16 May 1953). He was one of the first major jazz talents to emerge in Europe and has been hailed as one of its most significant exponents, being known for his gypsy jazz. You'll often find him paired with  violinist Stephane Grappelli.  In 1934, the group was among the first to play jazz that featured the guitar as a lead instrument.  He died suddenly of a stroke in 1953 at the age of 43.

Nick is from the UK, spent several years in Asia as a successful entrepreneur.  He is an exceptional business leader and deep and caring individual.  He now chairs and invests in several companies and lives with his family in the UK. 

This Barefoot Lunch serves up: 

• Viktor Frankl's  Man's Search for Meaning and how  self-talk can expand or limit a person
• We talk about his grandparents and moving back to the UK
• The future of recruitment and his newest investments into the world of AI
• Sexy Beast
• Oinking pigs

Intro/Exit music is Tony Bennett (3 August 1926) "Putting on a Happy Face." Tony Bennett, one of Nick's favorite musicians, has  unfortunately just recently retired due to Alzheimer's. And a little known fact about him, he is also a painter.  

Swanny Davis is a DJ, electronic music Composer and Producer from Australia, who has been based in Tokyo, Japan for over 2 decades. 

He has DJ-ed at various high profile venues and events, including luxury hotels where he makes House, Pop, Rock, Retro, Soul and Funk mixes that create an inclusive, fun and engaging vibe for all. Swanny is currently the resident DJ at Andaz Tokyo’s rooftop bar. He also plays regularly at the Trunk and Pullman Hotels in Tokyo and at a selection of other quality local bars and clubs. 

Swanny composes and produces Deep House/Tech House music that has been described as ‘soulful and catchy’ and ‘accessible and smooth’ with ‘super groovy’ basslines that combine well with ‘soft and dreamy atmospheric pads’. He has officially released 3 songs so far that are available on all major online music stores and all songs have been played on InterFM897 in 2021. He plans to continue building his skills in this area whilst also exploring other genres that could complement and contribute to the ongoing development of his own unique style for future releases.

 In this episode

• Moving from Swanny’s corporate career to a musical career 
•  I am a DJ, I am an entertainer. That means you need to think about your audience first and make sure that they have a good time otherwise you don’t keep them.
• Swanny’s morning habits and work ethics
• The business of music
• How to make a better mix for your friends
• Do you know what an atmospheric pad is?
• Guidance to follow your passion
• Work versus finding that muse
• The importance of learning your craft
• Focusing on process instead of outcome
• The trap of perfectionism
• 60,000 songs a day being uploaded to Spotify!
• Surf skating
• Swanny’s music for your next BBQ?

Diving into new music...Just released! After This
Where to find out and listen to Swanny’s great music and mixes 

• Website: https://swannydavis.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkz82s40jIMHBKnqbpGV6SA/featured
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2zxWBf2ucnbMkI3xK6Pipe?si=OcG1A-Q5TBuXz_4rx0VTpw&dl_branch=1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swanny.davis/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swannydavis
• Bandcamp: https://swannydavis.bandcamp.com/
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/swannydavis

In this episode, I speak to the talented and insightful health and cross-cultural coach Katheryn Gronauer.  

We talk about entrepreneurship and how Katheryn made it from Florida, boarding school, to running her successful business, Thrive Japan. It was serendipity to meet Katheryn, and you'll hear a bit about how she's working with me and my team at FocusCore.

We chat about health, what it is and how to ease into it, eastern holistic health, and how to recharge.  Katheryn gives us some tips to get healthy. I get excited about her book recommendation as I too have it as a must read for anyone starting a business: Michael E. Gerber's "The E Myth".  Read it!  After the show, Katheryn made another nice book recommendation, Mike Michalowicz's The Pumpkin Plan: A Simple Strategy to Grow a Remarkable Business in Any Field

Links to find Katheryn: 

• www.thrivetokyo.com
• www.linkedin.com/in/katheryngronauer
• www.instagram.com/katheryngronauer

Links to find me:

• www.barefootlunch.com
• www.japan.focuscoregroup.com  

How lovely was it to catch up with author, speaker, and art gallery owner, Dr. Robert Tobin! http://drbobtobin.com/

Really enjoyed our chat of hearing how he ventured from Massachusetts to Japan, from late bloomer to giving TED Talks.

Some more bullet points of our barefoot lunch: 

• Bob’s venture around the world and landing in Japan
• Morning rituals (man, if you don't have one...get one!)
• Running the lovely Tobin Ohashi Art Gallery http://www.tobinohashi.com/en/
• How should artists market themselves on-line
• Courage
• Working through your shit
• Understanding Millennials (which I confess, I still don't understand)
• What can you see out of Bob’s window?

Bob's Books:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/s?k=bob+tobin&i=stripbooks&__mk_ja_JP=カタカナ&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

https://www.amazon.co.jp/s?k=bob+tobin&i=english-books&ref=nb_sb_noss

What book would you recommend?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/653396.Feel_the_Fear_and_Do_It_Anyway

Favorite Lunch 

Sushi Kumagai

https://sushikuon-kumagai.food-tenpo.com.  sushi Kumagai

Parmi. In Okinawa 

https://www.facebook.com/parmi.okinawa/

https://www.amazon.co.jp/s?k=bob+tobin&i=stripbooks&__mk_ja_JP=カタカナ&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

And the English books re here. Here’s the new cover. There are some kindle specials running on all books now.