2023: The Nightmare - Part 3
To be at your best, you must not neglect the physical aspect of your well-being.
Back in March, I began a series on the lessons I learned in 2023, which was an abysmal year. (Read part 1 here, and part 2 here…)
Today, I'm back with part 3 of 6. I'll be releasing these over the next few months, so be sure to subscribe!
You Can't Separate the Physical from the Mental
The Challenge:
I tore a ligament in my hip and was hobbled for nearly 6 months.
The ripple effect of this one shocked me. After all, I sit (or stand) in front of a laptop most of my day.
But I tell you what: the pain, frustration, lack of sleep, feelings of inadequacy, concerns if recovery would ever take place, etc., were shocking. And talking about it felt like just an old guy complaining about getting hurt "doing something he was too old to be doing."
And the most disturbing part of the whole thing: I turned into a miserable husband and father. Grouchy, overly-sensitive, listless. I felt weak, vulnerable, embarrassed, and, well, anything but masculine. (Can you say "masculine" in 2025? Is that word even allowed anymore?)
The Lesson:
Physical health matters significantly for all of us, and for those of us choosing to lead teams or organizations, staying in top physical condition is one of the most important things we can do.
I discounted this big-time prior to 2023.
What I Do Differently Now:
I've doubled down on consistent workouts, modifying them to account for the reality that I'm in my mid-40s. At this age and beyond, balance, flexibility, and core strength should be the focus.
Additionally, completing two rounds of Whole30 has reduced my "resting" weight by approximately 5% and eliminated certain foods from my diet that didn't make me feel very well. (Gluten and, eventually, alcohol among them). I'm in the best shape of my life, and the percentage of waking hours I spend feeling good is dramatically higher.
But here's the deal, this is more than just a "get your ass in shape post." We don't need that. This is a warning, one I'm saying to myself as well: your family and your team deserve the best you. And without attending to the physical side, you can't be at your best, plain and simple.
Today, join me in making the next good decision for your health. Say "yes" to the goodand "I'll pass" to the bad. Get "that thing" checked out by the doctor that you know needs to be addressed. Go ahead, do it today.
Those who love you will thank you.
Thanks for reading this post. I appreciate you. In return, please share this with those you know who may be interested.
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