This year I turn 35,
I am the fittest, sharpest, and happiest I have ever been. If I am an outlier, its not because I am built different or discovered a secret formula. The truth is far less glamourous:
It’s a few small choices, compounded over a decade.
Here are some of them:
- Walk 15km a week, even if you do other exercise. Humans are built to move slowly over long distances – it’s critical to longevity.
- Develop a writing practise. It’s the single best way to sharpen your mind. And remember you don’t have to be a good writer to write. Start with 5 minutes a day.
- If you have a positive thought about someone, don’t keep it to yourself – share it immediately. Encouragement defies the laws of physics. When you give energy, you also receive it.
- Get sunlight regularly. Moderate sun exposure (without sunscreen) is hugely important for overall health.
- Explore minimalism (a lifestyle centered around intentionally living with only the things you truly need and love)
- Set boundaries on toxic relationships. We tend to cling to relationships past their expiration date, and it takes a bigger toll on our health than we recognise.
- Get 8 hours of qualify sleep each night.
- Let go resentment. When you forgive someone, you release the prisoner, and the prisoner isn’t them…it’s you.
- Eat real food. Not too much. Don’t eat garbage. Binge occasionally. Fast occasionally. That’s the diet.
- Say no. protect your time and energy like it’s your most precious asset…because it is.
- Do hard things. Chose courage over comfort. Everything you want is on the other side of fear and hard work. Remember “hard choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life”
- Stop drinking cold drinks and sugary energy drinks. After a few weeks you won’t miss them, and a few months later they will seem disgusting. Refined sugar causes inflammation, which is the root of most diseases.
- Develop a morning routine and follow it. Win the morning, win the day!
- Curate your inner circle carefully. Surround yourself with people you admire and who challenge you to grow. Remember we are the average of our 5 closest relationships.
- Be the fittest version of yourself. Your body is your only vessel for experiencing life – so treat it as such. Fitness isn’t working out a few times a week, it’s a lifestyle. The older you get, the more time you need to devote to your health.
- Make your own decisions. We live in an era where most of what society tells us is wrong. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain – if people say you are crazy, it’s a sign that you are doing something right.
- Whatever you want to do or achieve in life, start NOW. Don’t fall victim to ‘someday thinking’ because ‘someday’ never comes.
- Find your purpose. People with a strong sense of purpose are happier and live longer. Lack of purpose sucks energy and magnifies depression.
- Be a lifelong learner. Your brain is just like a muscle – if you don’t feed and flex it regularly, it will fail.
- Become addicted to water – you are what you drink!
PS – if you enjoyed this, drop me an email to tell me which number you enjoyed best.
Wishing you a prosperous 2026!
