[From Walker to Runner] How I Transformed Myself #1

I am a researcher specializing in Ethiopian coffee tourism and the Asian Coffee Road, but for now, I’ve stepped away from academia to run a coffee business in Seoul, focused on Ethiopian coffee. As I grow older, I often reflect on things I wish I had approached differently—particularly in regard to my physical fitness. Transitioning from academia to self-employment has introduced new physical demands I hadn’t anticipated. Each day, I feel changes in my stamina and strength, constant reminders of how the body’s capacity evolves over time.

This quote struck me deeply. Without a strong foundation of physical strength, even the most resilient mind can be overwhelmed by life’s demands. Whether navigating the complexities of the coffee trade, enduring the toll of long-haul flights and field research, or maintaining focus through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, I’ve learned that physical endurance is key to staying grounded and pushing forward.

In the world of coffee, I’ve learned that no matter how ambitious my goals may be, physical fitness is a crucial foundation for achieving them. Running a business, conducting research, and traveling to expand into new markets require more endurance than I ever imagined. Now, I understand that true success requires harmony between physical strength and mental resilience.

“If there’s something you truly want to achieve, you must first build your physical strength. The reason people break down towards the end, the reason recovery from injury takes longer, the reason it takes more time to bounce back from mistakes—all of these stem from the limits of physical strength. When you’re physically weak, you seek comfort quickly, and before you know it, your patience wanes. If you can’t endure the fatigue, winning becomes irrelevant. To succeed, you must first build a body strong enough to endure your struggles. Ultimately, mental strength without the protection of physical strength is nothing more than an empty slogan.”

This realization brings to mind a line from the Korean drama Misaeng (Incomplete Life) that profoundly resonated with me:

Though I once disliked exercise, I slowly began to change. I used to be someone who could only manage leisurely walks and who rode a bike purely for commuting. Over time, however, I transformed into someone capable of integrating exercise into my daily life. While I’m far from being an athlete, I’ve developed a deep interest in simple, self-directed fitness routines and learned how small, consistent efforts can gradually improve my physical health.

For those visiting this blog because of their interest in coffee, perhaps some of you are also curious about fitness and self-care. In this series of posts titled From Walker to Runner, I’ll share my personal journey—how I started, what I’ve learned, and how I continue to grow.

To some, being able to do ten push-ups may seem insignificant—especially to those who can do 100 with ease. But for someone who struggles to complete even a single push-up, managing ten can feel like a monumental achievement. It’s with that sense of humility that I offer these reflections, hoping they resonate with anyone who is on their own fitness journey.

Note:

The drama Misaeng (미생) mentioned here is based on the Korean webtoon by Yoon Tae-ho. It gained immense popularity in Korea and is available on Netflix under the title Incomplete Life.