There are many different dreams floating around in my mind. Some are more prominent one week, low priority the next. I’ve never sat down and really hashed out what I want for myself, and so I’ve decided to solidify my thoughts by putting them in writing. The way I’ve done this is by asking myself where I see myself in 6 years. I say 6 years because I will turn 40 then, and that seems to be a big milestone age. To help organize my thoughts I’ve split things up into a few domains, and they are listed in no particular order.
Children: By the age of 40 I would like to have at least one or two siblings for Luca. Meredith and I definitely would like one more kid for sure, and depending on how that goes, we will decide if we go for the third. The third child threshold is an interesting one because that is when the kids outnumber the parents. I do think that lends itself to more chaos, but also possibly more fun. As the eldest of four boys, my bonds with my brothers are some of my strongest social ties. We don’t get to see each other as often as I’d like, but I would do anything for my brothers, and I know they would do anything for me. I would like Luca to have the same sibling love in his life.
Meredith: I hope at 40 Meredith and I are still making the time and putting in the effort to build a life together that we both love. I could not ask for a better partner in life. I hope we are still going out on occasional date nights so that the two of us can take a moment for ourselves and revel in each other’s company. There is no one’s company I appreciate more.
Career: I love that I am able to offer a valuable service to my patients. As an anesthesiologist I have been able to shepherd patients through challenging times. But, I also know that this is not the only way that I can help people. In my true dream of dreams, I would love to be a functional medicine or longevity medicine physician. Someone who coaches and teaches motivated patients to prevent chronic illness and then build the absolute best bodies and minds possible. I would love to have a practice where I offered body composition scanning (DEXA scanning), VO2 max measurements, and blood testing, all in an effort to guide my training and coaching strategy. I am not sure quite yet how I will manifest this dream, but it has been on my mind for some time now and I needed to come out and just say it.
Writing: I would like to publish a book by the age of 40. In it I would like to share my personal philosophy on life and health, and offer a basic roadmap on how one can achieve the body and mind of their dreams. Part of me writing on this substack is an effort to force myself to get some of these ideas out of my head and onto paper (so to speak). After writing the book I would like it to be a New York Time’s Best Seller and then be invited on Oprah, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. (I know she doesn’t have a show anymore but you get the point)
Body: I would like to be even more active and more fit at 40 than I am now. This past year has been the fittest I have ever been in my life, and I plan on being even more fit next year. After I finish this half marathon in May, I will proceed with a more intensive strength training regimen. I will use the same level of focus as I did for the half marathon training. I think it will yield better results than my strength training in the past. When playing with my children I want to be able to run, chase, climb, and carry to my hearts desire.
Finances: At 40 I would like to have a higher net worth than I do today. I would like to achieve financial security in two ways. The first is through continued investment to my retirement funds. This is easy and I will continue this, but the second is harder. The second way is my dream, and that is to open a business. I think America is uniquely supportive of entrepreneurship, and if I die without hanging my own shingle on a business to call my own, I will never forgive myself. I don’t know for sure what will take off, but I am working multiple angles. Maybe I will in fact open up my own functional medicine or longevity practice. Maybe my book will really take off and lead to speaking opportunities. (I would LOVE to deliver a keynote address at a conference or deliver a TEDtalk) Or maybe my fatherhood lifestyle instagram will take off and I will become a daddy influencer, who knows! (For those interested I’m NorthForkRadDad, feel free to follow). I would even be happy if I ran a successful laundromat, all I know is I need a business to call my own.
It felt good to write this out and “verbalize” them to you. I’ve decided to stop looking at my dreams as impossibilities. I’ve had a number of “impossible” things happen to me these last few years, and I’ve learned that many barriers in life are in my mind. My next step will be to figure what actions I can take that will support my achievement of these dreams.
I’ve been writing for the better part of a year now and many of you have been steadfast readers. I think you appreciate my writing for what it is. An honest reflection on the life of a man trying to fulfill the calling of fatherhood. My writing is genuine and from the heart, and while it has gotten better over the year, I hope it will get even better as the years come. I plan on continuing to write about real topics and being 100% honest and transparent with you guys, and I would love to be able to reach more people that may appreciate it. So please do me a favor and share this newsletter, I would really appreciate it.