I didn’t notice the change right away. Exercise wasn’t a practice in my family. We went to church together. We ate together. We attended sporting events together. But outside of sports, physical activity was not a priority. It wasn’t woven into the fabric of our family principles and dynamics.
The statistics have always lingered in my mind: one in eight. That’s how many women in America will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. My mother, Requitta, was one of them—the one in eight. I don’t remember much about her journey with the disease. I was only around four or five when she was diagnosed.
Ever since I had my first baby, the gym has been part of my life. Back then, I went because I wanted to look fit. Now, I go because I want to live to be healthy, strong, and full of energy all the way to 90 (yes, 90!).
The walking partners emerged from their vehicles, greeted each other, and decided on their route for the morning. Would it be six to eight loops on the trail inside the park? Would it be one loop on the trail and then the trek to the coffee shop? Would it be a straight trek to the coffee shop? Visions of coffee, chai tea, and pastries dancing in their minds might have had something to do with the final decision!
Your 30’s are a building decade. You’re chasing opportunities, trying to prove yourself and beginning to lay the groundwork for your future. But here’s the thing: the choices you make in your 30’s don’t just shape that decade, they show up in your 40’s. It’s not about hustling harder or being booked and busy. It’s about alignment, relationships, smart money moves, and knowing when to pivot. Here are 10 things you’ll learn in your 30’s that will make your 40’s better.
