COOOL! EnsonInoue&TheFightNation

Heres a really good write up on Enson’s Walk Across Japan in service of Tohoku, Japan, and mankind.

http://www.thefightnation.com/tfn-exclusive-enson-inoue-takes-on-japan/

 

Two words, Enson Inoue. Enson is a man of many traits. Many know him as the Pride fighter who won over the hearts of millions with his “kill or be killed” spirit. “Yamato Damashii” or “The spirit of the Samurai” AKA “The spirit of never giving up” is a way of life for Enson. In and out of the ring Enson has faced many challenges in his life. From the ring to recent world troubles, Enson has made it a point to face himself with daily challenges.

Most recently he has taken on the difficult task of helping the dolphins in Taiji. His passion for life and helping others has landed him his most recent mission. Enson will walk from the north part of Japan to the south end of Japan. This journey is based around the tsunami that hit Tohoku in 2011. It devastated the whole area wiping out everything, killing thousands and leaving tons of people without homes and jobs.

Ever since the tragedy occured, Enson has made it a point to help out and make sure people can continue a stable way of life. He has visited Tohoku multiple times bringing supplies such as food, clothing, water and other necessities. This particular mission will place Enson in the shoes of those who lived through the devastation. He will walk from one end of Japan to the other with only the help from others to keep him alive. Since the people of Tohoku had to rely on the help of others to survive, Enson will place himself in the same situation. The walk is a mission many have deemed impossible. But if one man can do it, it’s Enson Inoue.

TFN had the opportunity to speak to Enson on this mission.

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TFN: Tell us a little about the journey you will be starting next week.

Enson: Its a journey from the North side of Japan to the South. We are going to walk from Sapporo to Fukuoka and we are going to do it all by foot. The reason I’m doing this walk is to raise money for people in the north who were devastated by the earthquake and tsunami back in March of 2011. I’m having people promise pledges to my email destinyforeverorders@gmail.com Say they pledge a penny a mile, approximately we are walking 1,360 miles so a penny a mile would entitle them to donate $13.

The next reason why I am doing the walk is for inspiration to the people of Tohoku. I want them to know that they’re not forgotten. We’re trying to put ourselves in their situation. They are in an impossible task but they need to rely on help from others to continue. The third reason I’m doing this is to bring awareness that the people of the north are still in a dire situation and need help.

TFN: Why did you choose this particular journey?

Enson: I chose this particular journey because there was this one day I was sitting at my computer and I was checking the map of Japan and this wild idea came upon me to walk the length of Japan. What attracted me to it a lot more was when I saw the route and saw the distance, it literally seemed impossible. That turned on a little spark of a challenge in me. Also what attracted me to this walk is most people don’t think its possible. My ultimate goal is of course the reasons I listed before but also for a big Christmas mission I’m doing on December 28th. It has become a personal challenge for me to complete something that seems merely impossible for a human being to do.

TFN: Will there be anyone joining you on this journey or will you be going solo?

Enson: On the journey we were planning to have 3 guys. Two other students from Purebred Guam were going to join us but had to pull out due to obligations so now it is going to be me and Roman De LaCruz. I’ve known Roman for about 15 years and he’s like my little brother. When I decided to do the walk, Roman did a bunch of phone calls inquiring about it and I was wondering why. The final phone call he said just two words to me, “I’m in.” I was like whoa! It is going to help because doing it alone you will have to battle a lot of emotional distress but we’re gonna battle physical together and probably mental stress but emotional will be easier with someone to walk with.

TFN: Your other missions have been mostly solo. Why do you choose to do your journeys alone?

Enson: I personally want to see where every penny goes. I want to be the one to bring the money and supplies to the people personally so I can see where it’s helping. I guess a part of that is selfishness. I want to be the one collecting all the appreciation and gratitude. As I said before, I believe in two types of happiness; the happiness of giving and the happiness of receiving. I believe true happiness is the happiness of giving. Doing solo missions, I thrive to feel the happiness of giving.

TFN: Exactly how do you plan on surviving this mission?

Enson: I have two terms of rules. 1- We can only eat and drink what we carry or what is offered to us. Also, we can’t spend any money for sleeping quarters. I brought a few water purifiers with me and dry food where you just add water and it turns into a meal. I am bringing two pairs of shoes, a sleeping bag, just things I learned on the 850 mile pilgrimage I did before this.

We’re bringing minimal baggage, clothing, two pairs of shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of socks and were just going to wash clothes everyday somewhere. Other than that, we’re just going to try and keep hydrated with water. With food, maybe thinking of one meal a day. Depending on the rations maybe one meal every three days. We’re just going to go by feel on that.

TFN: Do you hope that this trip will inspire others to help?

Enson: I am not going to do anything out of the ordinary especially to inspire people. I am just hoping that the journey itself and the rules that I have set will inspire people in itself. It interests me to think that when you look at the journey right now, even with the help that we’ve been committed to so far form others, it is impossible to finish it. It is simply impossible to finish it with the amount of help we have right now. It’s exciting for me to start an adventure that at this present time is impossible to do.

The only way it will be possible is ultimately with the help of others. It’s the same situation the people in north Japan are in. For some of the people it’s impossible to continue if it weren’t for supplies from volunteers and inspiration that they haven’t been forgotten.

TFN: Ultimately, how do you think others can help?

Enson: I’ve heard that you and the Groundslam team have been making annual trips up north. Hats off to you guys. I’ve met Jin Hirano of GRAACA MMA. About a month after the tsunami hit we brought some shirts and supplies and stuff to them. I hear you guys are doing missions and stuff to help him. This year I’m pretty booked but next year I’d definitely like to do a mission with you guys.

What can we do to help? Exactly what Groundslam is doing. Bringing out supplies and talking with the people. I’ve done 26 missions up north. I’ve brought supplies to make their living a little easier but as I have done the missions I have realized its not necessarily the materials that we bring but what we bring emotionally. I’ve had ladies cry to me thanking me for not forgetting them. I’ve had an old lady hold my hand and not let go just thanking me that we haven’t forgotten them. The suicide rate is high and I’m sure that just letting these people know that they’re not forgotten is probably the biggest thing we can do. My feelings about Groundslam and Katsumura is 100% respect. I want to let you guys know that if there’s anything I can do to help by all means I will do anything I can.

Ways you can help!

Make a pledge to destinyforever@gmail.com

Check out his website destinyforever.com and purchase a bracelet or necklace -All bracelets are handmade by Enson himself and all proceeds help fund his missions.