Answer #2: Obstacles

"2) What obstacles do you see that you have to overcome to get to the point of being comfortable with winning Crown? Physical? Mental? Emotional?"


I'd be a fool if I didn't think there would be some obstacles. Here is what I think are the main ones...

Physical: I think the obvious one is that I'd like to be in better shape, including loosing weight and conditioning myself. It's not that I have to be in better shape to win the tournament, but I feel it's important that I get in better shape in general. And being in better shape can only help improve my fighting. I put on 75 lbs during my marriage. I'd like to loose most of that by Crown, if not all. If anything, I'd like to improve my stamina and general health.

Mental: If you know me, you know that I'm pretty shy around people I don't know at first. I don't like talking in public much, but I do it if I need to. So mentally, I think the biggest one is being able to talk to people without being too shy and introverted. Once I get to know you, or I'm comfortable in my surroundings, I can talk with the best of them. It's getting to that point that I need to work on. Being King will require me to be social, and talk to strangers.

The other mental aspect is my being over-critical of myself. If I am to be King, I can't be self-doubting and wondering if I made the right decision. I tend to blame myself for things that are beyond my control. And I want everyone to enjoy themselves. I need to convince myself that I will not be able to please everyone all the time. And people will be upset with me, and criticize me. I just need to be ready and prepared for it.

Emotional: The emotional hurdle involves me being Japanese and upsetting "the tribe". If I were to win this, I could be the first Calontir King to be Japanese. I'm not entirely sure how that will go over with the populace. I would not say that Calontir is anti-asian, but it definitely has it's strong roots in European culture, and is quite proud of it. I fully understand that, and do not wish to rock the boat. But if I do win, I have to expect some fallout. I think I have the patience, I just have to understand that I may upset some people, just by being Japanese, not who I am, or my love for Calontir.