Dear Younger Fred…you took your health for granted — and now…
You think if you just push a little harder… sleep a little less… grind a little longer… you'll finally "get ahead."
But one day, your body will tap you on the shoulder… and whisper:
Enough.
Growing up, no one ever talked about prioritizing physical and emotional health the same way they did career success.
The message was clear — work hard now, take care of yourself later.
And so… every time you had to choose, you picked "later."
You'd work late hours.
Eat more takeout.
Cook less.
And exercise? Always on the backburner.
Sure, you'd still drag yourself to the gym — but only for what you'd call a "glam day."
Chest and arms, of course.
A few curls, some bench press… just enough to look like you had it together.
As for your relationships? They'd always come last — because the people you loved would understand, right?
When challenged, you'd say things like, "I'm doing this for the family," or "I promise I'll slow down next year."
But you never did.
You'd skip doctor visits because you felt fine — convincing yourself you were young and could afford to push a little harder.
Then one day, the doctor looks at you and says:
"Fred, you've got pre-hypertension and sleep apnea."
And it hits you like a truck.
You think… "I'm in my 30s. How did I get here?"
That's the moment everything shifts.
You realize… this body — it's the only vessel you've got.
It doesn't matter what you achieve if you can't stay healthy enough to live it.
One of your mentors will remind you of something you already knew deep down:
"If you want to be wealthy, study wealth.
If you want to be healthy, study health.
And if you want great relationships, study relationships."
And that's where it all changes.
You start prioritizing your health and relationships like your career.
You work with a fitness coach and a relationship coach — people to guide you, keep you honest, and remind you that you matter too.
You make both a scheduled priority, not a side project.
And suddenly, you notice something wild…
How you handle one area of your life starts to transform the others.
Structure replaces chaos.
Clarity replaces guilt.
And a new definition of responsibility takes shape.
Because responsibility used to mean grind harder, earn more, achieve faster.
Now it means rest, recharge, and protect your energy — so the best version of you can actually show up for others.
I guess that's why they tell you on airplanes:
"Put your own mask on first before helping others."
Turns out… they were never just talking about the oxygen.
Baaaaam — that's it for today!
See you next Thursday.
Stay curious,
Fred
