Stephan Buob was swimming in the pool of this building when he saw, through an open curtain, four people training. He was thirty. A late start.
Way of Life #10, “Beyond the Comfort Zone”, is a portrait of Stephan Buob (5-dan · President, Swiss Kendo Federation) at Budokan Lausanne. What follows is transcribed from the subtitles of the film — Stephan Buob’s own words, in the order they are spoken, under the chapters of the film.
Because life is not made of comfort — but of limits and challenges.
Through the pool window
It began right here, in the pool of this building — I was swimming. The curtains were open — and I saw a training. Only four people — I just watched them.
And I saw the values, the discipline, the spirit of kendo. Everything in that training — and what came out of it — drew me in. The movement and the spirit took hold of me.
And it continues — it's a life, it's a way, a path. That's why I began — and why I keep walking.
Starting at thirty
I was thirty years old. A very late start. It's harder when you start late. But I've tried to fill the gaps.
Swiss kendo today
Here in Budokan Lausanne we're about fifty-five. Fifteen to twenty-five come to training, twice a week. Across Switzerland, roughly 635 kenshi.
Kenshi keep increasing. We've poured our strategy into juniors. In Geneva, dedicated training for juniors five to fifteen.
We're lucky — about twenty-five juniors. Zurich has more than forty. A huge group — and they're really keen.
Last year our men's team took second on the podium. Proof our training and structure can build an outstanding national team. And we can't wait for the World Championships in Tokyo next year.
Always something to gain
Something surprised me on my last stay in Japan. I met Japanese people who don't practice kendo. They were surprised that we Swiss love their traditional art and culture.
So I'd say this to everybody — not only Japanese, but worldwide. Kendo works not only on the body — but the mind and spirit. Grounded in the spirit of kendo — it's absolutely worth trying.
At a certain moment you push your limits — and you gain. There is always something to gain — for yourself, and with others. It's not just personal training — it's group training. You can work alone — but you work better with a partner.
Beyond the comfort zone
Young people today talk a lot about the comfort zone. Knowing the words is fine — but... Better to go beyond it — and discover other limits.
That really matters. Because life is not made of comfort — but of limits and challenges. If you start something, do more — overtake your limits.
That is what matters most.
About this series
Way of Life is a series of short portraits of people who live the way, filmed by KAIDO Inc. in dojos across Europe and Japan. One person, one word, a few minutes.