Another year around the sun

Reflecting on turning 31
Jun 23, 2026
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Another year around the sun:

Another year around the sun.

Turn 31 tomorrow.

Weird time.

Now definitely in my 30s.

Yet still feel so young.

I guess this is what our parents meant when they said they were young in their 40s.

Your mind pretends you’re still a teenager.

Meanwhile, your body says otherwise.

Thankfully, my body still feels good.

But that’s also because I’ve pushed.

I’ve pushed harder than most.

Since my 30th birthday, I’ve…

Finished an Ironman.

Completed a Hyrox event.

And climbed the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro.

Not bad for a 30th year.

Learned a lot this year.

Lived a lot this year.

So grateful for the struggle.

So grateful for the journey.

So grateful for the moments.

Here’s what I learned.

Be grateful for your body.

But push it.

Challenge it.

Challenge your mind.

Push yourself.

You are not getting any younger.

You are so much more capable than you think.

There are transition moments.

Transition seasons.

Transition years.

All good.

Enjoy them.

You can’t be on top of the world in everything at all times.

Some parts of your life will suffer.

That’s part of the journey.

Find something you enjoy doing for work.

But most importantly, find good people.

People you can trust.

People you like.

People who work hard.

People who don’t play games.

People you enjoy working with.

Forget about office politics.

Better not to participate in them.

Unless you’re at a big org.

In which case, good luck.

I hate office politics.

Startups are the way to go.

Especially when you’re just out of school.

You’ll learn a lot.

Be exposed to a lot.

Forced to do a lot.

I like that.

That’s my personality.

Be sure of yourself.

Be aware of yourself.

Don’t apologize for who you are.

Trust your gut.

It’s ok if people don’t want to spend time with you.

Or be with you.

It’s their loss.

Not mine.

I am the prize.

Not them.

I have SO much more to offer than the average person.

I am not average.

Don’t be average.

Be exceptional.

Have high standards for yourself.

But get ready to work.

Get ready to suffer.

Rejection is two people who weren’t meant to be together.

Love is more than a feeling.

It’s timing.

Two souls ready to commit to each other.

If one is not in it, leave.

Immediately.

Don’t waste your time.

It’s the most important asset of your life.

Find someone to do life with.

It’s literally the most important decision of your life.

Have fun.

Enjoy the ride.

Be present.

Stop and smell the roses.

Remember why you work so hard.

To enjoy and experience life with those closest to you.

That’s it.

That’s the whole point.

To enjoy life with family and friends.

To love and be loved.

That’s some of what I learned this year around the sun.

'Keep Going You're Doing Great'

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