When people hear “retirement readiness,” they usually think about finances, investments, and people much closer to retirement age than me.
At 42, I may not fit the typical mold, but I’ve always believed preparing for the future is about more than money — it’s also about your health, energy, and overall well-being.
As someone who has coached at a kickboxing club and is passionate about workplace wellness, I’ve seen firsthand how small healthy habits can completely change how people feel, both physically and mentally. And the truth is, you don’t need to be perfect to make progress. You just need to keep showing up.
Some days that might mean a great workout. Other days it’s simply taking a walk during lunch, drinking more water, or getting to bed a little earlier. Wellness doesn’t have to be extreme to be effective. The small choices we make consistently are often the ones that matter most over time. Likewise, when we pivot to preparing for retirement, it’s not about stashing away thousands at a time, it’s about working within your budget to put small amounts away consistently for a healthy retirement outcome.
Many of us spend more time at work than anywhere else, so creating a culture that encourages movement, balance, mental wellness, and healthy habits can make a huge difference. When people feel better, they show up better — for their families, their coworkers, and themselves. That’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about workplace health and well-being.
I also think we sometimes fall into the trap of believing we’ll focus on our health “later” when life slows down. Or how many times have you said “Oh, I’ll start saving for that later.” But life rarely slows down on its own. Just like saving for retirement, building healthy habits works best when you start early and stay consistent.
And let’s be honest — wellness and saving for retirement should still be fun.
For me, kickboxing is never just about fitness. It is about confidence, stress relief, energy, and community. It reminds people that taking care of yourself can actually be something you enjoy instead of another item on your to-do list. Similarly, saving for retirement can start with a fun challenge, like setting an annual goal of where you want to see your account at and doing what you need to do every week to hit to that goal … maybe it starts with not hitting that “buy now” button online!
At the end of the day, retirement readiness isn’t just about having enough money to enjoy life later. It’s about being healthy enough to enjoy it too.
So, what are you waiting for?