More Than Just a Desire to Feel Good

Starting a Year of Transformation for Better Health and Longevity

When I started sharing the idea of this project with others, one of the most common questions they asked me was: "Why are you doing this?". The answer is as simple as it is complicated: I want to feel good. But there's more.

I'm a father, a husband, a professional. But who am I, really? My journey isn't just about changing habits; it's about evolving my identity.

You might think "Ah, classic midlife crisis.". Maybe. But it's also about a future we often overlook. Will I be a burden to my daughter in old age? Will I be able to play with my grandchildren? How do I want to spend my final decades? How do my body and mind's health impact my happiness quest? These are the questions I started asking myself.

Longevity is a hot topic today. Many believe a magic pill from technological marvels will let us live to 150. But here's the truth: I don't care about living longer. It's not about extending my life (lifespan) but improving the quality of what's left (healthspan). No magic pills here, just a realisation that comes from changing bad habits and embracing new ones we often ignore.

Taking care of myself is the best gift I can give my family and myself (and hey, the national healthcare system too). That's enough to get me moving.

The Objectives

Long-term thinking is tricky, especially when the benefits aren't immediately visible. However, working on my healthspan offers immediate perks: being more present for my family, excelling in my professional life, and dodging as many health bullets as possible.

So, what's my game plan? I've laid out five key objectives for what I initially thought would be a year-long challenge, but I'm now viewing as a lifetime pursuit:

1. Get in Shape: It's about building a body that's strong, resilient, and prepared for the years ahead.
   

2. Prevent Diseases: Steering clear of potential health issues before they even have a chance to surface.
   

3. Enhance Physical Performance & Combat Aging: Aging gracefully isn't just a saying; it's about keeping my body agile and my mind sharp.
   

4. Boost Mental Sharpness & Slow Age-Related Decline: Mental health is as important as physical health. I'm on a mission to keep my mind as active and engaged as my body.
   

5. Nurture a Sense of Presence and Purpose: It's about finding and holding onto that spark that makes life worth living.
   

Setting these goals isn't just a task; it's a critical step in guiding the decisions I'll make throughout this journey. Each practice I adopt must align with and contribute to achieving these goals. I promise to share more insights into each of these objectives in my upcoming posts.

The Journey

If you love travelling, you know the drill: pick your starting point, destination, and travel dates. My journey isn't much different.

My starting point is a brutally honest look at my current physical and health status. I've identified key metrics that literature suggests are vital in tracking progress against my goals.

The destination? It's not just a far-off dream. It's a well-defined, ambitious, yet achievable state of being, marked by intermediate milestones to ensure I'm heading in the right direction and maintaining enough flexibility to adapt as needed.

And the dates? Well, I've opted for a one-way ticket. The journey starts now, with the understanding that sooner would have been better, but it's never too late.

The Protocol

I've immersed myself in a sea of knowledge, using AI to analyse hundreds of scientific papers, podcast transcripts, and videos from longevity experts like Peter Attia, Andrey Huberman, Michael Easter, Dave Asprey, David Sinclair, and authors like James Nestor and James Clear.

This isn't just about academic research; it's a personal deep dive into these themes, respecting their complexity and diversity. My approach involves developing sustainable practices that naturally integrate into my life. It's about commitment and dedication, minus the obsession. Being data-driven in my professional life, I've decided to monitor my journey with objective metrics – medical tests and assessments. But I'm equally attentive to the subjective, emotional aspects that will, ultimately, be the true measure of happiness and health.

Don't Lie

I'm not an influencer or a medical professional. Just someone keen on making a positive change. I vow to be honest, especially when things don't go according to plan. This honesty extends from me to you, my readers. I'll do my best to steer clear of biases, though enthusiasm might occasionally cloud my judgment.

This isn't just a project; it's a transformative journey, and I'm excited to share it with those who want to follow or join in. Your criticisms and suggestions are welcome. They, along with your encouragement, will fuel my journey.

In the upcoming posts, I'll dive into my routines, the baseline tests, the reasoning behind each practice, and the science backing them up. I'll share my mistakes and, hopefully, the successes I achieve.

It's about enduring a bit of hardship to feel better, to be better.And remember, it's never too late to start.

Stay tuned, stay well!