Meet Momoko Uno

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

Momoko, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

First of all, I’d love to clone myself—not because I think I’m amazing, but because it’d be convenient to have another version of me slacking off or doing something my cautious self would never dare, like skydiving. That way, if anything went wrong, I wouldn’t be the one splattered on the ground. But the truth is, surrounding myself with clones who look, think, and act exactly like me wouldn’t help me grow. It wouldn’t challenge me to see the world from other perspectives—like those who think jumping out of a plane with nothing but faith in a folded sheet of nylon is not just safe, but fun and necessary.

Even though we may look different or come from vastly different backgrounds, I believe we share many of the same emotional experiences. We’re all human. We all go through loss, heartache, fear, anxiety, anger—and also joy and love. I try to remind myself of this when I meet people. We’re more alike than we are different, and I aim to connect with others in a way that makes sense to them, from where they’re coming from.

As an Asian person living in a predominantly white society—and then going back to Japan only to find I don’t quite fit in there either—I’ve spent much of my life being “othered.” It’s frustrating how narrow-mindedness and xenophobia still separate people, often stripping away that basic human need: a sense of belonging. We deprive others of that safety when we fear what’s unfamiliar.

For me, being different has often meant having to work twice as hard for half the trust. Being a minority can sometimes be interpreted—wrongly—as being less competent or less credible. Even with a medical degree and nearly thirty years of clinical experience, I’ve been told that the information I give is “unscientific.” My go-to response? “Google it.” Sometimes, if I’m feeling especially snarky, I’ll say, “I also have a degree in Voodoo, but your co-pay won’t cover that. You’ll need to bring me three bushels of gold.”

Honestly, having a sense of humor and not taking things personally has probably helped me more than anything else. Because if I had to prove myself to everyone, every time, I’d need more than one clone—I’d need an entire army.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’ve got several books slated for release in the coming year—thankfully with a publisher involved to catch all my creative punctuation choices and comma-related rebellions.

First up is Hello Humans, a science-fiction comedy about aliens inviting humanity to join the Intergalactic Committee. It’s the first in a trilogy, and yes—aliens have strong opinions about Earth’s social habits.

Next (likely coming out next year) is a metaphysical fantasy inspired by Michael Newton’s work on the afterlife. It’s thought-provoking, playful, and, well… perfect if you’re into dead people with a lot of personality.

In a totally different realm of creativity, my business partner Marilu Perez (a personal chef) and I will be launching a pureed food line designed for individuals with dysphagia, or swallowing difficulties. The food is pureed but crafted to look like regular meals—nutritionally balanced, delicious, and dignified. Because everyone deserves good food that looks and tastes like food. Edesia Gourmet pureed meals will be available for customers in the coming year.

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

Dream Big — With Patience and Perseverance

We all need goals—both internal and external. Let’s say your external goal is to make the best banana split on the planet. That’s great. But the real magic lies in your internal process: how you deal with disappointment, failure, and the countless imperfect attempts along the way. That inner resilience is what gets you from idea to reality.

Dreams take time to manifest. If you give up too soon, all you’ll have is a green banana and chalky ice cream. No one does anything perfectly on the first try. Success is 99% hard work and a sprinkle of grace or luck. Talent doesn’t even guarantee success—because you could be overflowing with talent, but if you lack patience and perseverance, you’ll still fall short. But if you’re willing to learn, to keep going, you’ll outlast and outperform those who rely solely on raw ability.

And one more thing: your goals should align with your passion and purpose. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing—or if it doesn’t feel meaningful—it’ll lose its appeal faster than memorizing a phone book. Passion fuels perseverance. Purpose gives it direction. Together, they’re unstoppable.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

Believe it or not, one of the best things my parents did was let me figure things out on my own.

To some involved parents—myself included, to a degree—that might sound like neglect. And at the time, it did feel that way. It seemed like they didn’t care, or just weren’t paying attention. But maybe it was a generational thing. Baby boomers didn’t have time to hover—they had cocktail parties to attend. We were simply told to come home when the streetlights turned on.

Looking back, I realize the greatest gift they gave me was space: the freedom to fail, to fall, and to learn how to get back up. There’s no better teacher than disappointment, and no better confidence builder than solving your own problems. Yes, supportive parents are wonderful, but sometimes too much support can lead to dependence and self-doubt.

I wouldn’t say I ever felt particularly confident—but I always had a quiet sense that, somehow, I’d figure it out. It wouldn’t be perfect. There would be plenty of failed attempts, scraped knees, and a trail of Band-Aids. But I’d get there, eventually.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.momokowrites.com, www.edesiagourmet.com, www.omniwellnessnyc.com