We were lucky to catch up with Manami Toda recently and have shared our conversation below.
Manami, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience has always been a strength I aspired to cultivate—a way to remain flexible yet firmly connected to my inner core and strength. It’s only recently that I’ve begun to feel I’ve truly embraced resilience. As I continue to nurture it, I’ve taken the opportunity to reflect on how I’ve developed this ability so far.
The most significant factor, I believe, has been the commitment to deeply, thoroughly, and compassionately understand myself. I’ve dedicated time to exploring my vulnerabilities—why I’m easily hurt, triggered, or affected—and learning to recognize the roots of my reactions. Alongside this inner work, I’ve also focused on balancing my nutrition and lifestyle.
We often hear the phrase “you are what you eat,” and many associate this with physical health—stronger bodies, better energy, and improved immunity. However, what we eat also has a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being. The nutrients we take in and the state of our gut health influence our thoughts, emotions, and stress levels through the gut-brain connection. This relationship directly shapes how we respond to challenges, regulate emotions, and build resilience.
By caring for both my physical body and mental well-being, I’ve learned to approach self-understanding holistically. This integrated perspective has been a transformative key to unlocking my inner strength and building lasting resilience.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the founder of Good Things For Us and co-owner of Kopa Kauai. My work spans functional medicine, nutrition counseling, and small-batch soapmaking—two very different yet deeply connected areas of my life. At the core of everything I do is the desire to help people feel their best, both physically and mentally.
With Good Things For Us, I focus on holistic health and self-care, emphasizing the connection between the mind and body. My journey into functional medicine started as a personal one, seeking answers to my own health challenges. Over time, I realized that true health comes from understanding and addressing the root causes rather than just symptoms. What excites me most is empowering others with knowledge about their bodies and guiding them toward sustainable, transformative changes. I also host workshops, offer consultations, and share educational content to make functional medicine and wellness more accessible.
On the other hand, Kopa Kauai is a family-founded soap brand that I had the honor of taking over to continue its legacy. It was originally founded by Jenny, my partner’s aunt, in Kauai, Hawaii, as a small-batch, artisanal soap company. We specialize in sea salt soaps, often called the “ultimate shower soap,” for their luxurious feel and benefits for the skin. Each bar is handmade with premium ingredients, reflecting the same dedication and artistry that Jenny envisioned when she started the brand.
One of the most exciting aspects of Kopa Kauai is participating in markets. Seeing regular customers return, connecting with vendor friends, and meeting new people fills my heart with joy. These moments of connection remind me why I do what I do—they bring a sense of community and warmth that’s hard to find elsewhere.
What makes both ventures special is their focus on authenticity and care—not just for the products and services, but for the people who use them. Whether I’m helping someone on their health journey or creating a soap that helps people connect with themselves, I feel grateful to be able to share what I love and make a meaningful impact.
If you’re curious, I’d love for you to explore these worlds with me—whether through a soothing bar of soap or by learning something new about how to care for your body and mind.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three qualities have been essential in my journey, and while I’m far from having “achieved” or “completed” anything, these are the values I continue to cultivate as I grow:
1. Aligning with My True Self
One of the most important things I’ve learned is the power of alignment—truly understanding myself and staying connected to my inner values and passions. This alignment allows me to serve the world authentically, with a sense of purpose that comes from within. It’s about listening to the quiet fire that burns inside and letting it guide my actions.
2. The Art of Listening
Listening has been a transformative skill for me. At times, I struggled with being introverted, feeling self-conscious about not being the one to speak up. But over time, I realized that my ability to truly listen—to the wisdom of others, to their stories, and even to what’s unsaid—has shaped me in profound ways. The insights I’ve gained through listening have become the foundation of my growth and understanding.
3. Seeking What’s Truly Meaningful
I’ve learned to approach every situation with the intent to uncover its essence, even if the answers aren’t immediately clear. It’s not always about finding a solution, but about asking the right questions: “What truly matters here? What will genuinely serve the other person?” Maintaining a posture of seeking meaning and depth has been a guiding principle in both my personal and professional life.
Advice for Others:
I’m still on my journey and learning every day, but if I could offer advice, it would be this: Take the time to understand and align with yourself—your passions, values, and what makes you feel alive. Embrace the power of listening; it’s a skill that opens doors to wisdom and connection. And always strive to see beyond the surface, to the heart of what truly matters. Growth isn’t about perfection; it’s about staying open, curious, and committed to moving forward, one step at a time.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I’ve realized that focusing on my strengths brings me the most joy and fulfillment. There’s something deeply rewarding about leaning into what you’re naturally good at, and it often feels like the most authentic way to make a meaningful contribution. At the same time, I believe it’s important to recognize and acknowledge areas where we’re not as strong—not with the goal of perfecting everything, but to understand how we can complement our strengths and collaborate with others.
In the past, I was hyper-independent. I felt the need to excel in every area and handle everything on my own. I equated self-sufficiency with perfection and pushed myself to succeed even in things that didn’t come naturally to me. Over time, I’ve let go of that mindset. I’ve come to realize that, as humans, we grow and thrive through connection—with others, with our communities, and even with ourselves.
These days, I try to focus on the things that feel uniquely mine to contribute—the roles and efforts where I can make the most impact by being true to myself. At the same time, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the value of receiving support, inspiration, and the unique gifts that others bring. It’s not about striving for perfection in every area; it’s about embracing your strengths while recognizing that we’re not meant to navigate everything alone.
For those who find joy in overcoming their weaknesses, I find that an admirable pursuit. Personally, I feel like I’ve had plenty of experience with that during my school years and early life, where I constantly pushed myself to tackle areas outside my natural abilities. Now, I believe in finding a balance: addressing weaknesses only when they’re essential to my goals but ultimately focusing my energy on building and celebrating my strengths.
In the end, it’s all about personal preference—there’s no universal right or wrong answer. For me, leaning into my strengths, staying aware of my weaknesses, and building a life where I can collaborate with others feels like the most meaningful path forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://goodthingsfor.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manami_goodthings/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sottoyorisouradio
Image Credits
Photo of me taken by Yumi Saito, illustration by AYAKA FUKANO.
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