I get that question often. So, training for Dancing With the Stars was different and very, very difficult. Julianne Hough was my first training partner and, going into that show, I had no idea what I was in for: the show’s production level, that millions and millions of people watch every single weekend, and that I’d be wearing these crazy outfits with sequins and v-neck shirts that were basically a vest. It was interesting. I learned a lot, and I had a lot of fun. The training itself was difficult, but look, at the end of the day I am an Olympic athlete, and the physical pain associated with these projects... you can’t compare. It was hard, don’t get me wrong. It was incredibly hard. I have a whole new found respect for ballroom dancing and all those dancers, and I became really good friends with all of them, as well as all my friends at ABC and the show. They are amazing human beings, they put on a great show, and it’s really tough. Any celebrity or any star who’s looking at trying to become a part of that show, it’s the real deal. It’s not easy. It is produced, but at the end of the day, it requires you to put yourself out there, and I think that’s why people like it.

What has your experience been like when interacting with Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans. Do you feel accepted or do you feel like an outsider?

Look, Japanese Americans are very different than people that live in Japan. That’s very clear. For sure I’ve been accepted. I’ve been so blessed, Alex, in my life to receive such an incredible amount of love from communities of people all over, whether they are Japanese, Chinese American, Peruvian American. I’ve been really blessed and lucky in that respect, but the Japanese American community has really, really given me support and love throughout my career as an Olympic athlete, and even post. I’m forever grateful for that community. I think it’s a beautiful thing. Now, when I go to Japan, am I accepted? I’m accepted as an American. People recognize that my father and my grandparents are Japanese, but they know I don’t speak Japanese. I don’t look typically Japanese, but there’s a sense of pride that I have Japanese blood running through my body, and I was able to accomplish some really cool stuff in the Olympic space, so I do feel accepted there.

Cool. So I see that you’re an extensive traveler. What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited, and what’s your favorite meal you’ve ever had?

That’s a very difficult question to answer because I love traveling so much. It depends on my mood. I would say I love Asia as a whole because it’s so fascinating. There’s so much depth and texture associated with Asia, and the history there is remarkable. I love traveling to China. I love traveling to Southeast Asia. Japan, though, is incredibly unique because the culture there is rich and has been so preserved. It mixes this incredibly hyper-modern kind of neophyte realism associated with the world with a very traditional Japanese feel. I always tell people if you’re gonna do an Asia trip, finish your trip with Japan. That’s the best way to do it. I think if you go to Japan first, the rest of Asia will be incredible and fun, but it will change your perspective. Japanese people are so incredibly clean, stoic, polite, and organized. You know that culture... and those are just a few of the small attributes associated, right? I would say Japan is one of my favorite places to visit. I feel a sense of calm when I’m there. And for some reason, no matter how much I eat when I’m in Japan, no amount of carbohydrates make me fat. It’s weird. I don’t know what it is.

I think we put a lot of chemicals into our food here in America versus other countries. I’ve noticed the difference as well. I’ve never been to Japan, so I will take that advice.

You have to go! It will change your view on the world. Go to the Olympics! Go to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics!

A bunch of us are kind of playing around with that idea, so we’ll see.

I would say plan ahead.

Fingers crossed it works out. So what’s the best meal you’ve ever had?

There’s no one single meal, because I appreciate food so much. I live to eat. I train and work out to this day so that I can eat. I don’t really drink, so one of my happiest pleasures is when I can share food with friends, and even strangers. I love hosting meals. I love just breaking bread with local people and getting really deep into a culture, so I’m willing to eat anything and everything, as long as it’s not on the endangered animals list... which I’ve been presented with in Asia before. I politely declined. I’ve traveled everywhere from Japan to Slovakia to Ireland, all over Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. All the meals are fun and exciting.

I’ve had some incredible meals in Japan. There’s a man who has a beef restaurant. I don’t know if you eat meat, but it’s a one-chef, one-person owned restaurant. He’s only open three days a week and there are about four seats. So whenever we go, we book in advance and try to rent out the whole space because it’s so small. It’s like a three-and-a-half hour meal. This guy goes to the market each morning so everything is super fresh. I think the quality and care that these individuals put into their craft is real art and they truly personally care about the product. When you personally care about the outcome of something, that raises your awareness to a degree that you normally wouldn’t have. It’s, “Oh, order some lettuce. Grab some of that type of beef” versus looking, touching, feeling, and asking questions about the history of the particular food source. We don’t have that here in the States, although the concept of farm-to-table is becoming a little more popular. So, when I have the opportunities to do things that special, it’s very memorable.

That place sounds amazing. Do you drink boba tea, and if you do, what’s your go-to?

Haha I do drink boba tea. My “go-to” is probably taro, quarter sweet, and if they have coconut jelly, I’ll ask for that. I love boba tea, whether I’m in Taiwan or walking around California. When I was younger I used to drink it all the time. It’s just got a little too much sugar for me now.

It does have a lot of sugar. OK another question, do you get Asian glow?