Maite Japon: From Overcoming Cancer to Conquering the Half Marathon in Tokyo
REAL STORIES
Publicado 18 Mar 2025
/
Por
Ona Canales
"Some people radiate an infectious positive energy that makes you want to move, leave, and dare to try new things. They remind us that the intensity with which we live is up to us—and that fear can sometimes hold us back. Maite is one such person. Born in Soria and previously living in Madrid, she decided to leave everything behind and start afresh in Tokyo with her husband. Why not? Now 42, she is known on social media as Maite Japón. She works as an influencer, consultant, and freelance journalist—having been a correspondent for Telecinco and now for Antena 3—and is also a mother of two. Recently, she has taken up running."
"She tells me that she has always loved sports, but that Asia captivated her in every sense, causing her to put exercise on hold for a few years. However, she had played tennis as a child, and after a long silence, one day she thought: “I want to get back to it.” After some time, a post-workout shower revealed a small lump in her breast. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, and within fifteen days, she found herself on a flight back to Spain. The diagnosis was confirmed on 23rd December, and she underwent surgery on the night of Epiphany—two Christmases ago. “I never thought I was going to die,” she confides. Calm and grateful to have received prompt treatment, she reflects, “If I had been born in another country or on another continent, I probably wouldn’t have had that opportunity. For me, everything was positive.” She did not require chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and after two months of recovery, she returned to her home in Japan. And to tennis."
"Last year she missed out on a spot to play tennis, and it was then that she considered starting to run. "I had already tried many years ago, but it seemed incredibly boring, soporific, mentally destructive," she confesses to me. I believe you, Maite. “But I said, look, something needs to be done. I get on the internet, search for ‘races in Tokyo’ and see ‘Tokyo half marathon in October’. This was in April. And I signed up, just like that, out of nowhere. Just because.” From not being able to run for even twenty minutes straight to completing a half marathon. Through five months of effort and discipline, of believing in oneself and having trust. And with the help of sports and nutrition professionals, she achieved it. “I was very happy, because above all, what I wanted was to run the half marathon seeing my children and for them to see me run it. And it was impressive.” Crossing the finish line was further proof that she could do whatever she wanted, but she’s clear that she wouldn’t have failed if she hadn’t finished. “For me, the success was simply in signing up for a half marathon at 42 and preparing for it. And however far I got.” Now she continues to run. She says she loves this sport because it doesn't depend on anyone else, and it has strengthened the disciplined and self-committed Maite through running.
“When I manage to finish the training sessions. Enduring running. What I feel before, during, and after. For me, it's already a lifestyle.” She tells me that nothing has ever stood in her way, she sees no obstacles. I don't know her, but I agree with her. I hope her enthusiasm for living out loud always triumphs over the comfort of not stepping out of the comfort zone. After all, this article wouldn’t exist if Maite had never dared."
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