Hi, I’m Maya.
I bridge the gap in environments where you can’t stop to check a phone. From rolling boats to open-water courses, I provide communication that is immediate, intuitive, and grounded in the field.
My foundation is built on a global perspective. Having lived in the United States from the age of 14 through the start of my professional career, I possess a native-level understanding of both Western and Japanese cultures. My thirst for exploration led me to spend my late 20s backpacking solo through Southeast Asia and Central America, an experience that sharpened my adaptability and resourcefulness in unpredictable environments.
I don’t just interpret sports; I live them. As a two-time Age-Group Triathlon National Champion and a dedicated ESL coach, I bring a unique blend of athletic discipline and pedagogical clarity to every project. I train six days a week, often with double sessions, allowing me to support athletes with genuine empathy and a calm, resilient presence.
My passion for connection drives me to push my own boundaries. Beyond English and Japanese (with Spanish coming soon), I am an avid learner of Italian, French, and more. Whether I am coaching a student, navigating a maritime mission, or mediating cultural nuances, my goal is to ensure that language is never a barrier, but a tool for connection and performance.
No battery required—just a constant drive to challenge the status quo (and, eventually, some food).
Expertise Backed by International Standards
My work is grounded in professional expertise and a deep commitment to the global sporting community.
Pre-Mission Logistics & Concierge Support
Based on your team’s specific budget and needs, I secure and coordinate your ground logistics months before you arrive in Japan—from researching and booking ideal hotels and transportation to managing local arrangements. Whether assisting with your planned itinerary or offering a warm welcome with an optional airport meet-and-greet, I handle the details so you can arrive with complete peace of mind.
Specialized Field Interpretation & Safety-Critical Communication
Immediate, intuitive language support tailored for marathon swimming, open water missions, and multi-sport events. Unlike general interpreters who may struggle in extreme outdoor environments or severe sea conditions, I am thoroughly battle-tested on the field and water. Through extensive experience—including demanding crossings like the Tsugaru Strait—I build deep trust and rapport with local vessel captains, drivers, and officials. This unique connection allows me to proactively extract vital, unspoken insights (such as subtle shifts in weather, currents, or local rules) and deliver calm, precision updates to your team when every second counts.
Real-Time Performance Tracking, Media & Observer Support
During your swim or event, I shadow official observer logs hour-by-hour, tracking vital environmental and performance conditions in real time—including current speed, wind, water/air temperature, and pace—to share with you immediately post-session. To capture your milestone, I provide live social media updates during the mission and create custom recap videos afterward. Furthermore, as an IISA Certified L1 Observer, I offer the official authority required for ice swim record ratification in extreme environments.
Cultural Mediation & Executive On-Site Assistance
Operating in Japan involves navigating unique social norms and local expectations. I act as your cultural bridge across all sports and regions—proactively managing communication with local facilities, authorities, and organizing bodies. Beyond interpretation, I offer high-touch executive assistance: from pre-event briefing translations and last-minute restaurant bookings to licensed driving support and local guidance, keeping your focus 100% on performance.
Athlete Mindset & Multi-Sport Expertise
As a two-time National Champion and active multi-sport athlete, I understand the physical and mental demands of high performance. Whether supporting Oceans Seven swims, cycling tours, or triathlon camps, I bring genuine empathy and intuitive foresight—anticipating your needs in timing, nutrition, and mental focus before they are spoken.
Note on My Role:
I am not just an interpreter who shows up on race day—I am your end-to-end partner in Japan. From early logistics, local bookings, and personal ground assistance to real-time performance & environmental tracking, safety communication, and post-event media, I manage the complex operational details behind the scenes. Built on first-hand understanding as a national champion athlete, my goal is to eliminate all stress and friction so you can execute your mission with total confidence.
Why Human Connection Matters
Interpretation is often seen as the mere exchange of words, but in high-stakes environments, words are only the surface. True connection is found in the shared breath between an athlete and a coach, the unspoken tension before a storm, and the mutual trust required to push past physical limits.
I believe that the most vital communication happens in the spaces between languages. When an athlete is exhausted or a captain is navigating a difficult swell, they don’t just need a translator; they need someone who feels the rhythm of the moment. They need a partner who recognizes that a tone of voice or a sharp glance can carry more weight than a full sentence.
Technology can translate data, but it cannot translate spirit. It cannot sense the onset of fatigue, the spark of newfound confidence, or the subtle cultural nuances that turn a polite conversation into a lasting bond.
To me, human connection is about being fully “in sync.” It’s about creating an environment where athletes and teams feel seen, heard, and understood beyond their vocabulary. I am here to bridge that final gap, ensuring that even when words are few, the connection remains unbreakable.
Because in the end, we don’t just work together; we strive together. And that shared journey is what truly defines performance.
Voices from the Field
Ger Kennedy, Ireland
Maya has been a massive help to both myself and the swimmers I have supported in Japan. From Tsugaru Strait crossings to translating tactical conversations with Japanese pilots, her expertise is invaluable.
She supported our Ice Swimming missions in Northern Japan in 2024 and our recent challenges in 2026. Maya is not only an exceptional Field Interpreter but also a certified Level 1 IISA Observer.
Many Thanks
Rob Lea and Caroline Gleich, USA
Working with Maya was one of the best decisions we made for our Tsugaru Strait crossing. From months before the trip through the day after the swim, she took the logistics off our shoulders — food, accommodation, car rental, calls, bookings, and inquiries. She answered all our detailed questions in the lead-up so we knew exactly what to expect and exactly what to bring on the boat. Attempting a channel swim halfway around the world comes with endless moving parts, and taking those decisions off our plate lowered our stress enormously. When you’re doing something this demanding so far from home, that’s the most valuable thing anyone can do for you.
Her translation was impeccable from the pre-trip meeting onward, and on the water her observer skills were unparalleled. She relayed the water temp, current speed, and conditions hour by hour, and when the current picked up ahead of schedule we realized Rob’s swim was going to be longer and harder than planned. Working between the captain, the crew, and us, Maya helped us adjust in real time — we advanced one feed and spaced the next from 30 to 45 minutes to get Rob through the worst of the current without losing ground, then timed his final feed to the finish. What set her apart is that she’s a national champion triathlete herself, so she understands the psychology of endurance, the nutrition, and the physical and mental demands like no one else.
Just as important, Maya helped us do this the right way. We strive to recreate responsibly, which means respect for both the natural environment and local culture. Having her with us meant we could navigate a Tsugaru crossing thoughtfully and show real respect for the community that made it possible.
We were both sad when our time with Maya ended. From setting up the trip to executing it flawlessly, she was vital to our success and our safety — and she made every part of our experience in Japan more fun. We can’t recommend her enough.
Grainne Moss, Irish-born New Zealand-based ultra-marathon swimmer
Maya was an outstanding interpreter and support person during my Tsugaru Strait swim. She is exceptionally professional, clear, and calm, with a very strong command of English, supported by having lived in the United States. Communication was seamless, precise, and reassuring at all times.
What truly sets Maya apart is that she is also an athlete herself and has worked with many swimmers. She understands the pressures, uncertainties, and mental load that come with long‑distance open water swimming. Her presence took an enormous amount of stress away — she anticipated needs, explained complex information clearly, and provided steady, thoughtful support when it mattered most.
Maya made a genuine difference to my experience. She combines technical excellence with empathy and confidence, and I would recommend her without hesitation to any swimmer or team needing a highly capable and supportive Japanese interpreter.
Steve Stievnart, France
A huge thank you to Maya from Beyond Words Japan for making my Ice Miles in Hokkaido and my 5 Ice Miles on Mount Fuji so successful! You’re a true professional and an exceptional interpreter. I can’t wait to work with you again.
Arigato