Today, we are joined by Dr Minako Abe, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Tokyo Cancer Clinic, where she leads clinical operations, regenerative medicine, and advanced cancer immunotherapy. A U.S. board-certified physician in both Emergency Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Abe has over 15 years of clinical experience in New York and New Jersey.
After returning to Japan in 2014, she joined her father’s cancer clinic in Tokyo, where she blends immune cell therapies, regenerative care and evidence based lifestyle coaching to support patients. She has also stepped into a business role within her father’s clinic and talks about the discomfort and value of learning these business skills.
Her mission is to help cancer patients thrive—not just survive—by combining cutting-edge therapies with evidence-based lifestyle strategies. Dr Abe is a published researcher, international speaker, and community builder.
Key moments in the podcast:
01:42 Walk with a Doc: Origins and Impact
05:04 Cultural Reflections and Personal Influences
10:03 Forks in the Road: Career Choices and Inspirations
17:50 Emergency Medicine: Experiences and Lessons
25:36 Introduction to Chapters and Personal Journey
26:20 Transition to Japan and Family Influence
27:26 Innovations in Oncology and Lifestyle Medicine
29:26 Personal and Professional Shifts
31:13 Reflections on Life and Career
33:16 Community and Support Systems
40:37 Business Challenges and Growth
48:39 Final Thoughts and Advice
Here is what stays with us from this conversation:
Cultivating a Purpose-Driven Life
* Prioritise what truly matters: Major life decisions can be guided by core values like family, showing the importance of understanding and prioritising personal anchors.
* Discover your 'Ikigai' (reason for being): Reflect on what provides meaning and purpose, such as striving to help others and make a positive impact on the world.
* Live without regrets: Recognise the brevity of life and strive to live fully, enjoying each moment and making choices that leave no room for regret.
Navigating Change and Embracing Personal Evolution
* Be open to transformative career shifts: Acknowledge that career paths may involve significant pivots, moving from one specialty to another to achieve a broader impact or pursue new areas of interest.
* Learn from unexpected challenges: Profound insights can emerge from significant, even tragic, events, shaping understanding and reinforcing the necessity of one's chosen field.
* Step beyond your comfort zone for growth: Taking on new roles, especially those outside your previous experience, can lead to significant personal and professional development in areas like management and business.
* Embrace discomfort as a catalyst for development: Growth often occurs when one is willing to be uncomfortable and challenge existing mindsets, such as the business aspects of a profession.
Empowering Health and Well-being
* Promote self-empowerment in health choices: Understand that personal control over lifestyle—including nutrition, movement, sleep, and avoiding harmful substances—is crucial for health outcomes, rather than solely relying on external interventions.
* Recognise the power of small, cyclical steps: Even minor lifestyle adjustments can initiate an upward spiral of improved energy, physical activity, and sleep, leading to an enhanced quality of life.
* Integrate holistic approaches into modern practices: Acknowledge the critical role of lifestyle medicine, including mindset and exercise, in preventing and managing illness, and mitigating treatment side effects.
The Indispensable Role of Connection and Community
* Draw strength from human connections: Understand that "no man is an island" and that connections with colleagues, patients, and the wider community provide strength, meaning, and inspiration.
* Value mentors and supportive relationships: The guidance of mentors and a strong "tribe" or community are vital for support throughout one's life and career.
Cultivating Compassion and Fairness
* Develop empathy through diverse experiences: Biculturalism or living in different countries can foster the ability to relate to various backgrounds and perspectives, which is crucial in caring professions.
* Maintain calmness and kindness in high-pressure environments: Even in stressful settings, remaining composed, kind, and giving are vital qualities.
* Understand the lasting impact of genuine care: True empathy and kindness can profoundly influence others, leaving a lasting positive impression.
Connect with Minako Abe
Listen to this podcast on Spotify or Apple or subscribe to it on Substack. We would love it if you would leave us a comment, screenshot the episode and tag us on social, and share this episode with your community so that they can better navigate their forks in the road.
This is an original podcast by Flyntrok. We help organisations, communities and individuals change and adapt to a new world. You will Find Flyntrok on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.
Hosted by Stephen Berkeley and Anne Boland
Produced by Rajeev Nedumaran of Studior.
Music by Damian Smith of Bespoke Music.
Art work by Ben Tibbin of Mozmo Creative and
Social Media Creations by Alana Rauert of Muse Communications.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode were those of the hosts and the guest, not of any entity they work for or with.
