I have debating sharing this but here we go.
At 35 years old i had to start completely over.
I went through a painful divorce that involved 2 young kids.
I struggled deeply with depression which led to me ultimately closing the business that I worked 7 long, hard years to build.
Both of those things led me to essentially have to start completely over financially outside of my retirement and kids' college savings.
It took me a good year just to get my life back going in a positive direction and not long after that COVID hit which sent me backward again mentally and financially.
Last month was the first month since the start of COVID that I have been anywhere near where I was prior.
Oh yeah, despite having close to perfect numbers at my twice a year check-ups, being a non-smoker, a pretty good diet, and higher than average activity level. I have had 2 minor heart attacks due to a genetic clotting condition. Those experiences have made me reassess my priorities more than anything.
I share this not for pity, I am a big believer that the world doesn't owe you shit, and it's up to you to create your own path.
I am far from perfect and have made my fair share of mistakes and will probably make a few more before its all said and done.
I share this because time and money are the biggest reasons I hear from prospective clients for not wanting to prioritize their health and wellness and I get both are tight for a lot of people, especially these days, myself included.
But regardless of where I have been in my life, I have always made sure to prioritize a few things:
1A)My mental and physical well being.
I will always have a place and make the time to workout
I will always invest in professional help for my ongoing mental health struggles
Golf will always have a place on my life as it is a true source of happiness for me
I will always prioritize positive social interactions
1B) My kids. Why 1B because if I am not in a good place then I can't be the best father i can be
My kids will always know they are loved and supported
I will always make time for them even if that comes at a cost somewhere else
They will always be fed, clothed, sheltered and educated
2) My professional development. I have sunk everything I own into this business of Golf, Fitness, and Health. It is my passion and without those things in my life I would not be where I am at today, so my goal is to help others maximize those areas of their lives as well.
I will always seek growth as a coach, PT, business owner, and leader
I will always invest in ways to better help and support my clients
I will always seek help from others in and out of my field who have succeeded in the right ways
Why share all of this you ask?
A lot of people shop for fitness and healthcare like they shop for toilet paper.
If you are looking for the lowest cost then you are generally gonna get what you pay for when it comes to the quality of care.
That doesn't mean that you have to pay unreasonable amounts but if you dont want to be just another number in the healthcare machine then it takes some outside of the box thinking and investing in yourself.
So if you have made it this far in my post, I have a few questions for you.
What do you prioritize in life?
And are you truly putting your time and money to invest in those priorities?
If not then why?
Have a great Friday.
Dr. JP Guidry DPT CSCS TPI
Comments