Known for her short temper and even shorter patience, Yuna has always compensated for her lack of formal musical training with raw stamina and brute force. But after a humbling live show where her voice cracked during a critical power note, she made a silent vow to her bandmates—and to herself. She would return stronger. She would return unbreakable .
What separates Mitake from masochists is her intellectual approach to suffering. In her 2023 manifesto, The Beautiful Grind , she writes:
In 2015, Yuna set her sights on the Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Run, widely considered the most grueling ultrarunning event on the planet. This 3100-mile journey, which takes runners through the streets of New York City, would test her physical and mental limits like never before. Coach Takahashi and Yuna meticulously prepared for the challenge, developing a bespoke training plan that would ensure her optimal performance.
Extreme physical loads are meaningless without an equally robust mental framework. Yuna practices —a hybrid of mindfulness and kaizen (continuous improvement) that she describes as “seeing every footfall as a decision point.”
While most of Afterglow sleeps, Yuna is already lacing up her muddy running shoes. Her training doesn’t start in a soundproof studio—it starts on the steep, unforgiving slopes of .
Mitake's influence extends beyond her impressive athletic achievements. As a role model and mentor, she has inspired a new generation of athletes and enthusiasts to explore the world of extreme training. Through her social media presence and public appearances, she shares her experiences, offering guidance and encouragement to those seeking to push their limits.
