Chasing the Dream: A Conversation with MLS Player Hosei Kijima
“If you only do what’s normal, you’ll only get normal results.” – Hosei Kijima
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At Discover Your Star, we usually feature innovators in STEM—scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs pushing boundaries in their fields. But today, we’re taking a different approach.
This time, we’re spotlighting a professional athlete: Hosei Kijima, a professional soccer player for D.C. United in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Why a Soccer Player?
You might be wondering: Why are we interviewing an athlete on a blog that focuses on STEM?
Well, if you’ve read our profiles and past blogs, you already know we’re passionate about soccer. As we prepare for college, we’ve been eager to talk to a player who successfully navigated both academics and athletics at a high level. Our former coach introduced us to Hosei, and after months of anticipation, we finally had the chance to meet him over Zoom.
Hosei isn’t just a pro—he’s a key player for an MLS club. Just last weekend, we saw him on TV, making an impact on the field and scoring a goal! As soccer players ourselves, we couldn’t be more excited.
Yet, beyond the thrill of speaking with a professional athlete, we noticed a familiar theme emerging from our conversation: Success comes down to mindset—relentless curiosity, problem-solving, and pushing past failure. It’s the same drive we’ve seen in the scientists and entrepreneurs we’ve interviewed. That’s why we wanted to share his insights on soccer and life with our readers.
Who Is Hosei Kijima?
Before diving into our conversation, here’s a quick profile.
Hosei, a 22-year-old midfielder for D.C. United, grew up in Japan before training at IMG Academy in Florida in his high school years. He then played for Wake Forest University, one of the nation’s top college soccer programs.
His first professional team was St. Louis City SC, where he spent 10 months before transferring to D.C. United last December.
Our conversation covered everything from soccer tactics to the evolution of formations in the Premier League. But in this blog, rather than diving into all the technical details, we wanted to share the core themes of success and mindset that resonated with us—not just as soccer players but as students exploring our career paths in STEM.
Key Lessons from Hosei
A few of Hosei’s insights left a lasting impression on us:
🔹Go all-in on everything
🔹Focus on your growth, not others’ opinions
🔹Find your driving force, which comes from self-awareness
Let’s break them down.
⚽ Go All-In on Everything
When we asked how he balanced school and soccer in college, Hosei’s response was clear and unwavering:
“I didn’t try to balance them. I just went all-in on both.“
He didn’t see academics and athletics as competing priorities. Instead, he embraced the challenge, fully committing to both without excuses.
⚽ Unconventional Training Methods
Hosei’s training went beyond the standard drills.
🐰He trained at 1 AM in complete darkness, even after team parties, while his teammates rested.
🐰He practiced blindfolded to improve his touch.
🐰He used mental visualization techniques to prepare for games.
His philosophy?
“If you only do what’s normal, you’ll only get normal results.”
This mindset helped him stay ahead—even when he wasn’t the biggest or fastest player on the field.
⚽ Overcoming Setbacks
Hosei’s freshman year at Wake Forest didn’t go as planned—he lost his starting spot early in the season. Instead of dwelling on it, he doubled down on training.
By sophomore year, he had earned his place back in the lineup.
“It wasn’t about proving anyone wrong. It was about proving to myself that I could do it.”
⚽ Game-Day Strategy: Stay Cool
Unlike many athletes who hype themselves up before a match, Hosei takes the opposite approach.
“I just relax. If you’re too hyped, you lose control. I trust my training and go with the flow of the game.”
For him, preparation eliminates the need for nerves.
⚽ No Motivation Needed—Just Love for the Game
When we asked how he stays motivated, his response was immediate:
“I don’t need motivation. I just love the game.”
From our conversation, it was clear that he dedicates far more time and effort to improving his game than most. Yet, he never feels like he’s forcing himself to work hard—because he loves soccer so much, training and pushing himself to improve come naturally.
⚽ Advice to His Younger Self?
To that question, his answer was just one word:
“Nothing.”
We were puzzled, so Hosei explained what he meant. He believed that growth happens through experience. Every mistake, every struggle, every challenge—they all shaped him into the player he is today. And he has no intention of changing any part of it.
What We Learned from Talking to Hosei
Hosei knows exactly what he wants. As a soccer player, he strives to improve every day, with his ultimate goal being to get selected for the Japanese national team.
As I imagine my future in my 22—whether in research, engineering, or business— I see a structured path: four years of college, internships, projects, maybe a publication (if I pursue a scientific track), or my first experience in the business world.
Hosei, on the other hand, is already competing at the highest level of professional soccer. At just 22, he’s in full control of his mindset, constantly pushing himself forward.
Talking to Hosei reminded me of my conversation with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. When I asked him what he looks for when hiring people, his answer was short and precise: drive. When we asked what motivates him, he said discovery. His answers were quick, short, and precise.
Hosei and Sam are in completely different fields, yet they share the same self-awareness and discipline. They know what’s important to them, and they build their lives around that awareness—focusing relentlessly on their goals, improving bit by bit every day.
The Key to Success? Strong Self-Awareness
Our biggest takeaway? Success isn’t just about efficiency or talent. It’s about mindset, commitment, and a willingness to push beyond the ordinary.
Because in the end, true power comes from knowing what you want and pursuing it with everything you’ve got.
Craig and I were absolutely hyped after our interview with Hosei, getting to talk about our favorite sport—soccer—with a pro!
Though it’s become clearer that I won’t be going pro, seeing the level of commitment and mindset required, I’ve realized that my soccer journey has been invaluable. It has shaped me in ways that will stay with me, no matter what path I choose.
Coming Up Next
In our next blog, we’ll report on our interview with Mr. Takashi Hamazaki at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Talk to you soon!
Thomas
