The Journey of Former Athletes at Tamiya Home
In the ever-evolving landscape of career transitions, Tamiya Home, a Japanese company specializing in demolition and construction, has carved a niche for itself by actively hiring former athletes. Featured in their web media, "ATHLETE WAY," this innovative initiative showcases the stories of two remarkable individuals who have successfully made the leap from sports to business.
ATHLETE WAY - A Platform for Real Athlete Stories
"ATHLETE WAY" dives deep into the authentic second careers of athletes, exploring their struggles, aspirations, and the realities they face after leaving professional sports. This web media is produced under the supervision of Tamiya Home with the operational support of Zenken Co., Ltd., which focuses on hiring assistance through web marketing. The platform aims to offer a beacon of hope and support for athletes considering their future post-retirement, expressing Tamiya Home's commitment to providing value to second careers.
Featuring Inspirational Interviews
The publication includes compelling interviews with two former athletes who joined Tamiya Home in late 2025: Yui Sakai, a former speed skater, and Yoshimi Horie, a former professional volleyball player. Both have transformed their lives and careers, now thriving in new environments.
Yui Sakai: Overcoming Challenges
Yui Sakai's journey as a speed skater is nothing short of inspirational. Starting at just three years old, she achieved significant accolades, including medaling at the Asian Winter Games and being the first Japanese woman to win in the individual 1000m category in World Cup history. Despite the highs of competing in the Olympics, her career was punctuated by hardships, including disqualification at Olympic qualifying events. It was her sister's encouraging words that helped her push through these tough times.
Post-retirement, Yui didn't only focus on her past glories; she aimed to support others, engaging with para-athletes and those with hearing impairments. Yui chose Tamiya Home for its inclusive culture, looking forward to contributing positively beyond her previous identity as an Olympian. Using her strategic thinking, she emphasizes to current athletes that life extends beyond competitions and urges them to plan their careers early. Her interview can be found
here.
Yoshimi Horie: A Path of Independence
Yoshimi Horie, another incredible story from "ATHLETE WAY," highlights her evolution from a top-level volleyball player to an industry leader. She started playing volleyball in the second grade and quickly rose through the ranks, leading her high school team to victory and representing Japan in international competitions. After four successful years in the V League, Horie stepped away from sports, longing for a more balanced lifestyle.
She turned to various jobs, including working at a supermarket, embracing challenges as a means to grow. Now at Tamiya Home, she stresses the significance of self-reliance, aiming to inspire young athletes to take charge of their futures. She believes that every athlete must cultivate the skills necessary to thrive independently and is eager to share her journey through "ATHLETE WAY." Read more of her story
here.
Why Tamiya Home? A Supportive Environment for Former Athletes
Tamiya Home's approach to recruiting former athletes is deliberate and strategic. An impressive 90% of their sales positions are filled by ex-sports professionals, reinforcing the company’s belief in the strengths these individuals bring from their sporting backgrounds. The company values sportsmanship, equipping employees with an environment conducive to growth and collaboration, qualities honed through years of competitive sports.
The sales team, predominantly composed of individuals new to the field, undergoes a tailored training program that empowers them to excel. This program spans an entire year, including hands-on learning opportunities where they accompany experienced colleagues on sales calls to absorb real-world knowledge and skills. Tamiya Home emphasizes work-life balance, backing this with incentives for performance, a flexible schedule, and ample holidays—aligning with the needs of modern professionals.
This supportive culture within Tamiya Home feels reminiscent of a sports team environment, fostering camaraderie and healthy competition among employees. As they support each other in achieving personal and professional goals, a continuous cycle of growth is generated, further enhancing the company’s productivity and prosperity.
In conclusion, Tamiya Home illustrates how companies can benefit from the unique backgrounds of former athletes. As they continue to recruit and nurture talent with diverse experiences, they assert that the courage, discipline, and leadership skills developed through sport can lead to remarkable success in any field.
About Tamiya Home
Founded on June 26, 1997, Tamiya Home provides demolition, construction, real estate solutions, and vacant house revitalization services. Their mission centers on enhancing community welfare by delivering optimal solutions tailored to customer needs.
For more information:
Company Name: Tamiya Home Co., Ltd.
Office Location: 2-17-17 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
CEO: Akihiko Tamiya
Services: Demolition, construction, real estate solutions, vacant house revitalization, renovation
Employee Count: 70 (as of December 1, 2025)
Website:
tamiya-home.com