Meet Amiko

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amiko a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Amiko , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

**Amiko on Finding Her Purpose**

*”I found my purpose at the intersection of my passions—music, soccer, and playfulness. Growing up, I always felt a deep connection to movement and rhythm, but I didn’t fully understand how they could coexist until much later in life.

I was born on a military base in Japan, and from that unusual birthright of learning English and Japanese as a very young toddler, I see it as a launching pad to where I am today. Soccer gave me discipline, teamwork, and joy, while music allowed me to express emotions in a way words alone (as in my lifelong commitment to writing poetry) never could. But it wasn’t until I embraced my identity as the ‘world’s first singing soccer coach’ that I realized my true mission: to inspire people to embrace their creative and playful side as a way to unlock their fullest potential—whether on the field, on stage, or in life.

I’ve always believed that purpose isn’t something you find; it’s something you create by following what makes you come alive. For me, that’s the beautiful harmony of music, movement, and mentorship.”*

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

II’s been an incredible ride! I’ve always believed in breaking boundaries, and blending music with soccer felt like the most natural evolution for me. My single “Reckless” has been such a milestone—watching it climb the charts and gain recognition has been surreal. And with the Sean Finn remixes, the reach has been even bigger, bringing my sound into the heart of the international dance music scene.

Seeing “Reckless” gain traction, hearing it played on radio stations in less than one year in the music industry, and watching people connect with it—it’s all been so rewarding. I always envisioned my music as something that could inspire energy and movement, just like soccer. So, to know it resonates with people on dance floors, in clubs, on playlists, and streaming charts in the Top 10-Top 40, including my first chart, which was UK Music Week—where “Reckless” peaked at #7 on the Commercial Club Chart last September 2024—is a dream come true. Getting listeners all around the world is just incredible.

Amiko: I love that I can exist in multiple spaces, adding fashion, my first podcast with Clarity Media Life, music, and a soccer lifestyle approach. It all fuels me, and I see them as deeply connected. Whether I’m on the field coaching, in the studio creating, modeling for a photography session, figuring out how to pitch my cooking skills, or taping a podcast with three other women, the message stays the same—playfulness, passion, pushing limits, and living your best life should be the goal at every age and stage in life. Like they say, one should reinvent themselves every seven years, right? The success of “Reckless” is just the beginning, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next. Having my fans and new followers support me as an artist by checking out—and hopefully buying—my merchandise on my website at officialamiko.com is a big part of this journey. Most of the merchandise reflects my artistic vision and design. However, I did collaborate with Kii Arens in Miami, FL last year. He was my photography art director for that shoot, and we last met in Hollywood, CA, to listen to my singles at his studio. Kii has been a longtime friend, artist, musician, and creative who has been a custom graphic artist for top musicians like Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, Madonna, Dolly Parton, Ringo Starr, and Elton John—you name it, Kii’s done it! Hometown friends, we met in the early days before our respective careers, so it’s helpful to have that grounding as well!

As I lean into my achievements I see music, more soccer, and work on live performances to get ready for events starting in May of 2025 getting ready for the 2026 and 2027 FIFA World Cups. To do that, I am seeking sponsorships and talent management to make it happen. It is my number one objective right now, so that my community-based commitment to youth soccer development still has time on the pitch.

I would also be honored to be an ambassador for youth soccer, music, fashion, and lifestyle around the globe and perform at the 2026 and 2027 FIFA World Cup events, which are already gearing up in 2025. I am sure as I grow more into this music and soccer creative and entrepreneurial space, I will find more ways to merge these two worlds. I have some exciting projects in the works, and I can’t wait to share what’s next with my fans when it happens!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Great question! I would say the three most important qualities and skills that have been instrumental in my journey are resilience, adaptability, and creative vision.

Resilience is crucial because this industry—whether it’s music, sports, or fashion—is full of highs and lows. You have to be prepared for setbacks, rejections, and moments where things don’t go as planned. What has helped me is staying focused on my purpose and pushing forward despite challenges. For those just starting out, I’d say: don’t let temporary obstacles discourage you. Keep your passion alive and trust the process.

Adaptability is another big one. The ability to pivot, learn new skills, and evolve with the industry is essential. I never imagined I’d be merging soccer, music, and fashion, but here I am, finding ways to make them all work together. If you’re just beginning, be open to new opportunities and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.

Lastly, creative vision has been my guiding force. Having a clear sense of who I am and what I want to bring to the world has made all the difference. Whether it’s through my music, branding, or storytelling, I stay true to my artistic identity. My advice to anyone starting out: take the time to understand what makes you unique and lean into that—your authenticity is your superpower.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

It’s funny you ask that because in my perfect world Steve Aoki, who is Japanese American is ideal! Amiko is my name given to me by my elder Japanese care giver before I was one years old, so I come by the name authentically! He has massive success, ranking in the Top 10 and partners with Red Bull and EA Sports, which is exactly how I wrote in my journal about my path! Happily when I read about Steve, his values align perfectly with mine, so I would love to work with him to create some music that would get us to Japan as ambassadors for music and soccer!! Not only is Japan my birthplace it has incredible soccer from grassroots to professional, but also has great small music venues all over Tokyo, skiing in Sapporo, which I used to do on my Dad’s back evidently, haha and is home to Yamaha, which is where my music journey began for me as a little girl. My parents had a Yamaha stereo component system that literally changed my trajectory and helped me start writing my stories of life!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Versace Pink Dress and Sun on a soccer pitch in Miami by Photographer Giano Currie
French Bustier shot by Photographer Giano Currie

Cover Art for Reckless Sean Finn and Klubjumpers Remixes are by Kii Arens and Amiko

Black and White Headshot by Fujiko, McKinney, Texas

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