From Home Recording During the Pandemic to Losing 30 Pounds and Becoming a Model

Regarding my occupation, I do various things. First, I am a model, then an announcer, also a seminar host, a home recording narrator, and I do some office work online as well. I do a variety of things.

For announcing jobs, I often read announcements or news for videos on YouTube. As for hosting, it's for large seminars, like at Tokyo Big Sight or Makuhari Messe, where I act as the host for seminars inviting top companies in Japan. For modeling, I often appear in before-and-after shots for products related to skin concerns, age-related issues like white hair, spots and wrinkles, or belly fat. At home, I work as a home recording narrator, setting up recording equipment, reading scripts sent to me, editing, and delivering the finished product.

It was during the COVID-19 period when work wasn't going well, and I thought, 'Isn't there any work I can do from home?' During my 20s, as a flight attendant, I was good at in-flight announcements, and I even got the chance to host flight inauguration ceremonies. I had confidence in my voice. However, while raising children and reading books aloud, various characters emerged, and I thought, 'Can't I turn this voice into a job?' During the COVID-19 period, I started recording at home and began applying to places recruiting through websites, which led to more work.

I was in charge of manga-like videos where my face didn't appear, but the channel owner thought it would be better if I showed my face, even if it was just from the neck down. I wasn't showing my face at the time, so I sent videos of just my lower body, doing lip-syncing with gestures. Viewers of those videos gave harsh comments about my wrinkled hands, old-looking neck, and being overweight. From there, I thought, 'I can't do anything about the wrinkles or my hands, but I was about 14 kg heavier than now, so I'll lose weight.' I kept losing weight, and the channel owner incorporated comments like 'I lost 5 kg' or 'I lost 10 kg' into my narrations, turning negatives into positives. I ended up losing 14 kg, and then I thought, 'Why not become a model?' I started applying for face-showing gigs, which led to modeling work.

You need to promote yourself, so I update Instagram, X, and model registration sites with photos every time I get a job, showing 'Today I wore this fashion, with this makeup,' to show that I'm always active. Clients who see these updates may reach out to me.

For video manga, I did about 9 roles by myself, like an old man, an old woman, a sister, a child, you name it. When I did 9 roles by myself, I thought I did well, but recently, I do a lot of news reading or hosting, so I record a lot of calm, solid voices for things like shareholder meeting videos.

Modeling jobs and hosting gigs. Narration can also pay well if a company makes a large request, but it varies by job. However, there aren't many people who can make a living solely from modeling. I probably couldn't live on modeling alone, so I do a variety of jobs. I do everything because I can't make a living with just one job.

Hmm, it's hard to choose. I like them all. I feel great joy when my talents, abilities, and strengths are recognized and I get hired. I want to give my all in every job, so I enjoy them all. It feels like I'm using all of myself to the fullest.

Showing myself in videos. I like performing, showing my voice and appearance, because that's what led to my success as a cabin attendant and my current situation.

First, money. I took on cheap jobs to build up my resume. As a freelancer, my position is weak, so when asked for a quote, I don't know what to say. I want to charge a bit more, but I worry about not getting hired. I've also struggled with the quality of my voice not being satisfactory at times, leading to retakes and a decrease in my hourly rate. That was a tough period.

For announcements, I have to avoid reading or saying things wrong, so I read the script at home more than 10 times. I write 'one' 10 times if I read it correctly without mistakes, then 'two,' and so on, until I finish. I prepare thoroughly. For modeling, it's about body maintenance. I have to diet and resist eating, even though I love sweet things and alcohol. I've lost 5 kg in a month by dieting, but my hair fell out and became thin. Now I have jobs for thinning hair, where I take medicine to make it grow.

Yes, there are plenty of narrators. For home recording narrators, many people apply on platforms like Crowdworks, and only one person gets the job. The same goes for models. There are many models of the same age, so it's tough to stand out.

Yes, when I was sleep-deprived, my body, mind, and mental state suffered. I used to work in caregiving and do studio recordings after night shifts, then collapse into bed when I got home. That was a tough time. I realized how important sleep is.

In-flight announcements gave me a turning point. I use sample voices for PR, like 'Everyone, we will be taking off shortly. Please fasten your seatbelts low and tight,' and I've received requests for in-flight announcements.

I want to continue this job for as long as possible. As I age, some job opportunities decrease, so I want to acquire skills and qualities to survive in this field and meet any needs. I'm 50 now, so I'm past the halfway point in life. Some modeling jobs are only for those under 40, but if there are jobs for those up to 50, I'd like to keep doing them. The jobs might change to roles like an elderly person with a wig or a cane.

Working in caregiving and listening to the stories and lives of elderly people was very educational. Even in the same environment and time, people's perceptions differ greatly. Some are grateful for what they've received, while others are dissatisfied and stuck in their own molds. No matter how rich someone is, if they're constantly complaining, they're unhappy. I learned that longevity doesn't equal happiness. Some grandmothers said, 'I didn't plan to live to 90, I was just kept alive,' and 'Now I just wait to die.' Hearing such stories and attitudes made me think I should live fully now, so when I reach that age, I'll have done everything I could, making my life valuable.

I want to work hard, build assets, continue modeling and announcing jobs, and have a happy family life. It's an ordinary goal.

Accumulate achievements one by one and build them up as numbers. As you do, they will expand, connect, and come back to you. Don't give up; keep moving forward.