The thing about 40 is I feel amazing, but I’m godd**n aware it’s the second act. Even if I was not aware I have plenty of people and society letting me know on the daily. When I was in my 20’s I didn’t really give my 40’s much thought. I remember my father saying that “If I was not settled and financial stable by the time I was 40, 45 the latest, that I was pretty much screwed or that the back half of my life was going to be very tough.”
I now sit here at 40 and I’m far from settled and even farther from financially stable. In my 40 years thus far I have been a Physician Assistant, a bartender at the busiest bar in Los Angeles, a TV/Film actor, a celebrity trainer, a gym owner, a fitness “expert”, a chef and a life coach. I have spoken in front of hundreds of people on various topics, taught classes at TeD and TeD Active conferences, trained with elite level athletes, traveled the world and filed for bankruptcy. However, as I prepare to ship myself off to medical school (yes medical school in my 40’s) I can’t help but ask myself the question, “Was it all worth it?” My answer is yes and no. Yet, I’m insanely excited and ready to tackle this final adventure if you will.
I was not one of the fortunate ones who knew early on what they were meant to do. I had to go experience that world and find out. It came at a price though, mentally, physically and especially financially. I’ve had to explain and justify my life choices to many friends and family over the years, but the hardest critic has by far been myself. I’m the one who has doubted my journey the most at times, but I never gave up and kept moving forward.
I didn’t know at times where “forward” would take me, but it had to be better than where I was at. In the end, it always was better. It may have taken time to see that, but it was. That’s how I approach this second act. I just have to keep moving forward. WE ALL have to just keep moving forward. You don’t have to accept where you are in life, but you must acknowledge it. Just keep moving forward. This may be the second act, but I’m going to make it a good one with a surprise ending!
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