110 – How Ikigai Leads to a Life of Personal Excellence with Andriana Ubunuki – Kalfa

Seeking deeper personal growth?

In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Andriana Ubunuki-Kalfa about how ikigai can guide and inspire meaningful personal development.

Podcast Highlights

Andriana Kalfa-Ubunuki

Ikigai Coach - Andriana Ubunuki - Kalfa

Andriana Ubunuki - Kalfa is an Ikigai Coach with a unique focus on Performance, Executive, and Personal Excellence Coaching.

With over 30 years bridging Greek and Japanese business cultures, she blends traditional Japanese wisdom with modern techniques to reduce stress, enhance performance, and inspire growth.

Having coached Olympic gold medalists, she now helps individuals cultivate purpose, balance, and lasting happiness.

LINKS:

Andriana Kalfa 

LinkedIn

Having both Japanese and Greek heritage

Thanks to her Greek heritage, Andriana brings a deep appreciation for dialogue—rooted in the Greek word dialogos—and draws inspiration from the Socratic method, which encourages self-discovery through guided questioning. This method mirrors the essence of coaching: asking the right questions to help others uncover their true selves, values, and paths to growth.

From her Japanese background, Andriana integrates cultural practices such as mindfulness, flow, Kaizen, and the principles of ikigai into her coaching. These values guide her in helping clients find clarity in both personal and professional life.

Studying in Japan

Andriana studied in Japan as a European Union scholar in a program for executives at Sophia University. Alongside 36 professionals from across Europe, she explored the differences between European and Japanese business cultures. The experience was enriched by the opportunity to study Greek business culture from a Japanese perspective, all while supporting Hellenic-Japanese business collaboration through her work with the Greek Ministry of National Economy.

Consulting services with a focus on Japan

Andriana has been engaged in cross-cultural consulting since the early 1990s, starting with a special program by the Greek Ministry of National Economy to promote collaboration across sectors like economic development and cultural exchange. Over the years, she has contributed to various industries, including tourism, media, and exports. 

Notably, she worked as a researcher for the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun during the Athens Olympic Games. Today, she continues to provide consulting—primarily in an educational capacity—helping executives and organizations navigate cultural differences between Greece and Japan, especially before travel or business collaboration.


Curiosity around Ikigai

Andriana’s mother passed away suddenly from a stroke at age 74. Her mother, whose ikigai was rooted in serving others, became an organ donor, ultimately saving more than 10 lives. At her funeral, a Japanese friend described Andriana’s daughter as her mother’s ikigai, a statement that profoundly shifted Andriana’s understanding of the concept. 

It moved her beyond the Western framework of ikigai as tied to work and productivity, toward a more soulful, relational interpretation. This experience led her to research ikigai deeply, transforming it into her own source of meaning and a pathway to healing. Through this journey, she discovered the work of scholars like Professors Kamiya, Mogi, and Hasegawa—and eventually, Nick and his Ikigai Tribe.

Understanding of ikigai

For Andriana, ikigai can be anything—big or small—that gives life meaning and motivates us to keep going, especially during difficult times. Despite her busy months filled with coaching, travel, and supporting her daughter in karate competitions, receiving Nick’s ikigai course became a cherished source of inspiration. Rather than rushing through it, she chose to approach it with deep respect and intentionality, making it a meaningful part of her life. 

“Ikigai can be almost anything–little or big–something that gives value to our living, that fuels us to keep going with kokorozashi (the heart of a warrior), especially when life isn't easy.” - Andriana Kalfa - Ubunuki

Ikigai can be anything

Ways to describe ikigai

Andriana shares that ikigai can take many forms—ranging from small daily joys like a morning Freddo cappuccino to deep relationships with family members or loved ones. It can also be found in personal passions, acts of kindness, community involvement, and the meaningful impact of one’s work. For her, ikigai is both a source of motivation and a place of emotional renewal.

She recounts a powerful personal story: after losing her mother and being diagnosed with a brain condition, she took her daughter on a meaningful trip. During a ferry ride home, a friend urged her to step outside and witness a stunning view—a glowing harbor at sunset, with the full moon rising on the opposite side.

In that peaceful moment, she envisioned a future for herself. That mental image of returning to the harbor became her ikigai—a source of strength, calm, and healing.

Driving athletes toward success

Andriana shares that many of the athletes she coaches—including Olympic-level competitors—initially seek her support for stress management. Over time, this evolves into performance enhancement. She works one-on-one, with teams, and even coaches other coaches, acknowledging that stress affects all levels of sport.

Her approach incorporates Japanese principles like mindfulness, Kaizen, muda (waste) management, and ikigai, helping clients find their optimal path to flow. Visualization techniques are also used to enhance mental performance. Andriana applies a similar framework in her executive seminars and workshops, using coaching—not direct advice—to guide clients toward clarity, focus, and personal growth.


Defining kokorozashi

“Kokorozashi is translated as the fighting spirit of the warrior. But there is a spirit also there when not at war; a spirit that serves one's values, a spirit that brings clarity to the heart, to the mind, a spirit that reflects will, ambition and mission, and a spirit that aligns the intention with the direction.” - Andriana Kalfa - Ubunuki

The spirit of kokorozashi

In her coaching, Andriana uses kokorozashi as a guiding principle. While it is often translated as the ‘fighting spirit of a warrior,’ she explains that its meaning goes much deeper. Kokorozashi also embodies a spirit of purpose and service—a clarity of heart and mind that reflects one’s values, will, ambition, and mission. It aligns intention with direction, whether in action or stillness.

Reconnecting to your inner child spirit

Andriana explains that reconnecting with our inner child helps us return to our authentic selves, where true clarity resides. Approaching life with a beginner's mind and curiosity fosters openness, deep awareness, and self-reconnection. This process empowers individuals to make more conscious and confident choices, leading to meaningful growth in the areas of life that truly matter.

Childlike state

“We have our authenticity when we go back to this almost free–sort of childlike state–where anything's possible. That's where clarity lives; we get clarity, we forget about the stress and the things that don't matter, and we get this beautiful focus on what matters.” - Nicholas Kemp

Conclusion

Life often presents us with challenges and stress that can affect our overall well-being. Fortunately, there are ways to navigate these moments—and one powerful approach is through the concept of ikigai. By deeply understanding ikigai, we gain clarity on what truly matters in life and learn to find meaning and joy, even in the smallest things.

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