Greg Phipps is a shining example of how beneficial Kendama can be for your mind, body, and soul. We recently heard his story from him and how he's used Kendama as a substitute for addiction. We felt that his message was so powerful, we had to share his Kendama Story. Read it below!
There were a lot of other reasons why I decided to get clean that don’t pertain to Kendama, but it was a huge factor in me learning to do things for my overall mental state, and helped me realize that I didn't need a substance to be happy.
At the beginning of the pandemic, when everything shut down and we were required to quarantine, I felt hopeless and questioned the future - pretty much like the rest of the world was feeling. I had always been all party, all the time, but I started drinking more than I ever had because I was trying to forget and get through the endless days.
My friend Phil sent me a couple of Kendamas to try out to help with the boredom of being stuck at home. I had seen him play before, but never thought about playing myself. The ones I got from him were full natty, and I knew nothing about the game or how hard it would be to play. I began watching Sweets Tutorials on YouTube and started trying tricks like Around Japan, Earth Turns, and Airplanes. I was hooked.
The first painted Kendama I bought was the Coop Mod and I then started landing more cup and stall tricks. As I was learning to play, I was drinking less because I found myself playing for hours on end. The patience and focus required were more intoxicating than the feelings I would get from alcohol.
I quickly became well known in the community. The love and support I still get daily helps me stay sober so I can continue to get better, provide content online to help others realize that they’re loved, show that Kendama is for everyone, and that I’m here to put a smile on faces. I love Kendama more than most things in this world and I hope to play the rest of my days. It’s saved my life and I hope it, and my story, can help others too.
Has Kendama changed your life for the better? We are looking for impactful, meaningful stories from players of all walks of life who would like to share the life-changing experiences they've gained through Kendama. Fill out our Submission Form HERE with your Kendama Story for a chance to be featured here on our blog!
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