Japan’s New Care Workers: Bodybuilders, Wrestlers and M.M.A. Fighters
Young athletes are being recruited to plug a staff shortage in Japan’s nursing homes.
www.nytimes.com/2026/04/25/w...
what‘s interesting about this to me is how it reimagines the relationship between work and ”passion”— how can your work be connected to what you are passionate about without “your work being your passion”
Bodybuilders, mixed martial arts fighters, and sumo wrestlers are helping solve a caregiving shortage at nursing homes in Japan. See the unconventional caregivers in action.
As close to utopia as we're gonna get here on Earth: gainful employment, stereotype-defying caring roles, free time to pursue a hobby or passion, cycle-of-life dialogue and interaction. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/25/w...
This makes perfect sense. Our seniors and elderly must keep their bodies moving and maintain a positive outlook to push through the rough days till the end. If there is one single group of individuals who know how to do that and will share and help, they are polite, male athletes. Love you, guys.
Such a lovely story and a great way to solve the problem of not enough workers to care for older people. Male caregivers are so needed: www.nytimes.com/2026/04/25/w...
This makes perfect sense. Our seniors and elderly must keep their bodies moving and maintain a positive outlook. If there is one single group of individuals who know how to do that and will share and help, they are polite, male athletes. Love you, guys.
www.nytimes.com/2026/04/25/w...
They get paid in money and gym time. BRILIANT. Caring for the aged is backbreaking - so many people who are just too weak to move. I wish more men would go into geri nursing. It takes some serious upper body strength.
Japan’s New Care Workers: Bodybuilders, Wrestlers and M.M.A. Fighters
Young athletes are being recruited to plug a staff shortage in Japan’s nursing homes. The results are reshaping elder care.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/25/world/asia/japan-care-workers-bodybuilders-sumo-mma.html
"The unusual arrangement has given steady work to athletes, who typically have short careers and struggle to find high-paying jobs. They also get perks like free housing, gym memberships and protein supplements."
www.nytimes.com/2026/04/25/w...
