About Izzy

Izzy is living, breathing proof you can pursue your dream. no matter how crazy it is. Izzy's a former teacher who lives in Japan. He's pursuing his childhood dream: to become a ninja. Check out The Ninja Tool Kit – resources, books and tools to inspire, encourage and educate you to follow your dreams.

Author Archive | Izzy

Why Gratitude Will Save Your Life (& 7 Ways to Increase It Starting Today)

By Izzy 26

I took a moment. I could feel my chest. My heart was racing. What’s wrong with me? It didn’t make sense. I was 27 years old, healthy, had a good job, loving parents, great friends, involved in the community, and the list keeps going.

Yet, as I lay on my bed at 2am, overwhelmed by my life, I knew something was wrong. It was as if, the world had been handed to me, and I had no soul. From a logical standpoint my life was great, but my heart showed otherwise. Why can’t I appreciate? Why do I feel this? Why do I hate my life?

How to Live a Meaningful Life

By Izzy 30

It was a hard thing to admit – that I’d done everything I was told to do… and felt empty. Western culture tells us “Get a degree, get a job, get a home, make a lot of money, and happiness is yours.” I’ve tested the theory… It doesn’t work.

I used to be a teacher in the inner city. Every morning I would wake up at 530 am to go teach in the poverty stricken neighborhoods of Los Angeles, California. On some level it felt good. On paper, it looked great. Here I was – in my mid 20’s giving my heart and soul to educate america’s underserved youth. But if I’m honest, with you, with myself – I did it for the wrong reasons.

How to Use Fear, Pain, and Sadness to Create Massive Fuel For Your Dream

By Izzy 38

It was hard. Really hard. I’ve seeing my mother cry 2 times in my lifetime… Now it’s 3.

“I don’t want you to go.” I didn’t know what to say, how to respond, what to do. So I did nothing. She hugged me, tried to hold back her tears, her emotions. But I’d already seen it, felt it.

How I Quit My Job, Moved to a Foreign Country, and Became a Ninja

By Izzy 65

Sometimes people say strange things, odd things, things that make you do a double take. Do you ever think about quitting your job, moving to a far away land, and pursuing some crazy dream? Me too, a few times.

Sorry, I’m being melodramatic. Let me rephrase that. It crossed my mind about a thousand times. Notice the past tense. So I did it. I quit my job, I moved to Japan, I am pursuing my childhood dream: I’m trying to become a ninja. Today I want to share my story in hopes of inspiring and encouraging you to follow your dreams.