Episode Details

To the outside world, Saori Okada was the picture of success: fit, wealthy, and climbing the corporate ladder in Toronto. But behind the closed doors of her 47th-floor apartment, she was battling a severe eating disorder and a crushing sense of emptiness. The pursuit of perfection had left her hollow.

In this episode, Saori joins Corissa to discuss her journey from hitting rock bottom to founding Mogami Wellness. She breaks down the ancient Japanese philosophies that saved her life, specifically wabi-sabi (finding beauty in imperfection) and the true meaning of ikigai, which the West has largely misinterpreted.

Corissa and Saori explore the intersection of Structure and Flow. They discuss why nature is the ultimate teacher of authenticity because it is "imperfect, incomplete, and impermanent." Saori also reveals how the practice of Japanese calligraphy acts as a "moving meditation" to bypass the thinking mind and access the state of mushin (no-mind).

In this episode, we cover:

• The Wabi-Sabi Cure: How embracing imperfection healed Saori’s perfectionism and eating disorder.
• Debunking the Ikigai Myth: Why Ikigai isn't about "what the world needs" or "what you can be paid for." It’s about finding joy in small, daily actions. 
• Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku): Why you don't need a forest to practice this, just a single tree and five minutes of sensory attention.
• Kotodama: The Japanese concept that words have spirit, and why auditing what you say and hear is crucial for spiritual hygiene.

Notable Quotes:

• "Nature is imperfect, incomplete, and impermanent... Do we say that there is a perfect flower? We don't." — Saori Okada
• "I was starving, but I didn't want to eat... I was lying on the floor of my apartment, and I just couldn't shake this feeling that... this is not the solution." — Saori Okada
• "Your writing never lies." — Saori Okada

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Saori Okada: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saori-okada/
• Mogami Wellness: https://www.mogamiwellness.com/
• Mogami on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mogami_wellness/

Connect with Corissa:

• Explore the Advisory. https://corissasaintlaurent.com/advisory
• Inquire for Keynotes. https://corissasaintlaurent.com/speaking

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