Born and raised in Los Angeles with an ability to speak, read, and write Japanese, 63-year-old Steven Munatones self-funded his college by starting The Holy Grille, a food delivery service at Harvard University. In 1984, Munatones received the John B. Imrie Memorial Award as “an individual whose interests are not bounded by academic or institutional structures. A joyous, deeply-rooted affirmation of life, disdain for the purely conventional; a love of adventure and desire to learn by experiencing, the ability to respond creatively to difficult situations” - which is an appropriate description of his life.

 

After graduation, he worked in Japan for 8 years in an R&D complex as the sole foreigner among 6,500 Japanese employees.  Over the last 12 years, he has led KAATSU Global in its overseas expansion to 70 countries after serving a 13-year mentorship under KAATSU inventor Dr. Yoshiaki Sato and a team of cardiologists at the University of Tokyo Hospital.  KAATSU remains his focus and life’s mission.