Chisato Iimori shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Chisato, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of the consistency and discipline I’ve built within myself. No matter how tired or unmotivated I felt, I never gave up — I showed up every single day, working on my weaknesses, going to the gym, and pushing myself to perform better. Pushing myself when I’m tired is sooo hard, but always worth it haha
I’ve fallen and faced rejection many times, but each experience taught me how to rise again, overcome challenges, and take control of my mental health. Even when no one else was watching, I kept believing in myself, and that courage became the invisible foundation I rely on.
Over the past few years, focusing on discipline and keeping my word has not only made me stronger, but also opened countless opportunities in both my life and career.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Chi 🙂
I’m a professional dancer, instructor, and choreographer. I’ve performed on tours, in music videos, and commercials. I dance many styles like hip hop, heels, jazz, and house, but my true passion is creating powerful and unique movement in heels.
What makes my work special is that I focus not just on choreography, but also on helping dancers find their own expression and confidence. For me, dance is love — a way to connect people beyond language. That’s why I always give my energy and love, whether I’m teaching or performing, with the hope of inspiring and encouraging others.
Right now, I’m working on two main things: performing on more tours to share my energy and love on big stages, and building my own artistic world — creating visuals, performances, and projects that reflect my vision and unique style.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I used to believe that success was only about hard work — that if I just worked hard enough, everything would come true. But I realized that it’s not only about effort. What truly matters is being true to myself, having the courage to keep challenging myself, and enjoying the process along the way.
When I focus on enjoying the journey, new opportunities naturally come to me. That’s why I keep pushing myself with consistency and passion, but I also remind myself to have fun with it. Life only happens once, and it’s too short to hold yourself back — so I choose to enjoy every step while pursuing my dreams.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me gratitude and resilience. I’ve learned to appreciate even the small things — my work, the people around me, and my family. Even auditions are rare opportunities, and I’m always grateful to those who introduce me. Hardships gave me chances to grow that success never could, making me stronger and a better person. Thanks to these experiences, I now feel happier and more grateful for every moment.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Hmm, I try to show my true self! but from my dance or photos, people sometimes think I’m serious or a bit intimidating. Actually, I’m super energetic, cheerful, and love spreading positive vibes! haha I might look like a city girl on the outside, but inside I’m easygoing. I also really enjoy being in nature and just chilling outside — it helps me recharge and stay inspired.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as someone who inspired even one person to chase their dreams, express themselves, and feel confident in who they are. I hope I have a positive impact on others’ lives through my journey, and I also hope to help people in need around the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chi_pote27/
- Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/chisatoiimori?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=699d23ce-2aa8-44ec-8eb4-c6931376f7eb
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chisatoiimori6262
Image Credits
Mimee photography
Aisho Nakajima/
Katapan
