It started as a niggling pain – a dull ache on the left side of my hip that occasionally made itself known. I ignored it.
I told myself I needed to do more yoga, but I always found a reason to run or lift weights instead. I considered getting a standing desk, but, well… I didn’t.
Then, just before Christmas, my body decided it had had enough. Mid-deadlift at the gym, a sharp, searing pain shot through my lower back. I did what any self-respecting high achiever would do, I tried to push through. That was a terrible idea. Within minutes, I was hobbling like a toddler with a full nappy.
Still in denial, I thought, Fine, I’ll just switch to upper body. Tricep extensions? Nope. My back went into full-on spasm, like it was punishing me for every ignored warning sign. I left the gym furious, with myself.
The High Achiever’s Trap
We treat our prize possessions better than we treat ourselves. Our cars get oil changes, new tires, routine servicing. But when it comes to our bodies, we push through exhaustion, skimp on recovery, and act surprised when something breaks.
High achievers are the worst for this. Because for them, rest feels like an inconvenience and something that gets in their way of “doing it all”. Many wear sleep deprivation like a badge of honour, see exercise as negotiable, and treat their bodies like machines that should just keep going – until they don’t.
High performers, on the other hand, know that protecting the asset – their mind, body and spirit – is the key to sustainable success. They prioritise sleep, recovery, and movement, not because they’re soft, but because they know it fuels their edge.
Ignoring Maintenance Doesn’t Save Time – It Steals It
The irony is, the very people who think they don’t have time to take care of themselves are the ones most at risk of losing it. Over time, neglect catches up:
Japan even has a term for this: karoshi – “death from overwork.” They’ve tracked it since the 1980s, and 10,000 deaths a year are linked to it. The common factors?
The problem isn’t hard work – it’s working hard without recovery.
What’s Your Body’s Trade-In Value?
We get so caught up in our daily grind, obsessing over work and responsibilities. But the moment we lose our health, everything else shrinks into insignificance.
Our two most valuable assets in life are health and time – and the irony? If we protect our health, we get more time.
So here’s my challenge to you: What’s one simple action you can take today to protect your most valuable asset? More sleep? A short walk? Saying no to something that drains you?
Because your body doesn’t come with a warranty – and high performance is built on a foundation of health.