Today’s guest is Jan Raeder, a woman whose life reads like a masterclass in discipline, reinvention, and radical self-responsibility.

Jan spent 35 years as a martial artist and karate instructor, earning a National Gold Medal, running a successful martial arts school, and teaching thousands what it means to embody strength, focus, and personal accountability. But life, as it does, introduced moments that demanded reinvention—injury, autoimmune illness, loss, and profound grief.

Rather than surrendering her identity, Jan chose to redefine it.

She returned to school in her 50s, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in wellbeing education in just four years, went on to teach at the collegiate level, authored a science-based wellbeing book, and delivered a powerful talk at MIT—a moment made even more meaningful by personal loss woven into her story.

Jan’s work bridges discipline and compassion, science and lived wisdom, and grit and grace. Her message is clear and unwavering: You are responsible for your life — and that responsibility is your greatest source of freedom.

This is a conversation about identity beyond labels, the courage to rebuild when the body changes, and what it truly means to live well — not perfectly, but intentionally.

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Connect with Jan:

Website: selfcaresensei.com Email: jan@selfcaresensei.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jan.h.raeder/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-raeder-48799b26/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selfcaresenseijraeder/ Jan's Official Bio: Jan Raeder is an internationally recognized Wellbeing Educator, keynote speaker, and author committed to helping people create healthier, more purposeful, and more resilient lives. As the SelfCare Sensei, she blends 30+ years of martial arts discipline, behavior change science, and positive psychology to teach people how to find clarity, stay grounded, and thrive professionally and personally. With over 10,000 sparring rounds and deep roots in Okinawan and Japanese karate, Jan understands what it means to stay centered under pressure. She brings that same discipline, clarity, and heart into every keynote, workshop, and coaching experience. As the author of Strive for M.O.R.E.: What Wellbeing Really Means & How You Can Achieve It, Jan introduces her powerful M.O.R.E.TM Framework Meaning, Optimism, Relationships, Engagement an evidence-based roadmap for sustainable wellbeing in a post-2020 world. A National AAU Karate Gold Medalist, lifelong educator, and former senior karate instructor, Jan has spent decades teaching people how to lead with purpose, build meaningful connections, and cultivate emotional resilience. Through the SelfCare Sensei brand, she helps individuals and organizations work better, live better, and feel better starting from the inside out. #wellbeing #self-care #scienceofwellbeing #janraeder #striveformore #karate #leadership #teambuilding