I AM NOT DONE

The first post, the first step in the big project. But why start with mentality before even mentioning exercise? Because mentality is where it all begins.

At the age of 21, I was fit, confident, and at the peak of my game. But by 22, I faced my first ACL reconstruction, and it hit me hard. I injured my knee playing football during a pre-season game. I was carrying around 3 or 4 kg more than usual since it was off-season, and I jumped into a 90-minute match at right back. One twist, and my life changed forever. Nine months later, I had almost ceased all activity, underwent surgery, and found myself in a state of depression for the first time in my life.

The years that followed saw my weight gain and my mental state decline, until one day, the spark returned. I wanted to come back. I wanted to play football again, join a gym, and get back on track. But life was different. I was three stone heavier, the world had shut down for a year, and I had entered the world of fatherhood while trying to excel in my career.

Time was my enemy. How could I juggle children, a career, relationships, and health all at once? The truth was, I couldn’t.

I felt down for the count and resigned myself to the idea that this was how things would be—forever. I’d never be that 21-year-old again. Here’s the truth: I won’t be 21 again. I won’t be indestructible or without a wrinkle on my forehead, but I know one thing:

I AM NOT DONE.

I am not done with my body, I am not done with my health, and I am not done with my vision.

Mentality is the foundation of everything we do—especially when it comes to both our mental and physical well-being. It’s the driving force that can make or break our progress, and it’s the first battle we need to win before we take a single step toward change.

When life throws obstacles your way, it’s easy to feel like the best years are behind you. Injuries, responsibilities, and life’s demands pile up, and it’s tempting to let go of the goals and the fire you once had. But the truth is, no matter how hard it gets, you can always choose to fight for yourself, and that starts with the right mindset.

So, before we jump into fitness routines, diets, or physical recovery, let’s start with the most powerful tool you have—your mentality. Because no comeback is possible without first believing you have it in you.

The Wake-Up Call

Let’s start with a simple but eye-opening task. This might hit hard, but it’s an important reality check. What percentage of your life have you already lived?

1. Take your current age and divide it by 82 (the average life expectancy for someone in the UK).
2. Multiply that number by 100. This will give you the percentage of your life that has already passed.
3. Now, think about that number. Does it motivate you?

For example, I’m 28. When I do this calculation, I find that I’m already 34% through my life—and I’m not even 30 yet. That’s a wake-up call.

But here’s the real kicker: this average accounts for both healthy and unhealthy people. If you don’t take care of your health, if you eat processed junk and rarely exercise, you might fall into the lower end of the spectrum. Imagine that, instead of reaching 82, you only make it to 60. Suddenly, you’ve lived 46% of your life, and you’re not even financially prepared for mid-life challenges. That’s a reality check.

This is why mentality is so critical. Being aware of the consequences of neglecting your health and well-being should be enough to push you to eat that little bit healthier, move a little bit more, and live with intention.

A Simple Step to Start

Tomorrow, I want you to do one thing to improve your mentality. First thing in the morning, sit up, wipe the sleep from your eyes, clear your mind, and repeat these words:

I AM NOT DONE.

Set yourself up for success by breaking your goals into small, manageable chunks. You can’t promise yourself that you’ll run a marathon next year, but you can promise yourself you’ll walk or run 1K today. You might not be able to guarantee that you’ll avoid fast food or skip the beer at the next party, but you can ensure you eat three solid, high-protein meals today.

A huge part of Alcoholic Rehabilitation programs is about taking things one day at a time—just making it through another day. This is the mentality you need: make it till the end of the day.

Moving Forward

Every day, remind yourself that progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence. You don’t need to become a different person overnight; you just need to decide that you’re going to be better than you were yesterday. And that starts with your mindset.

You may not be able to control everything, but you can control your mentality. And with the right mentality, you can achieve anything. Whether it’s rebuilding strength after injury, regaining mental clarity, or simply finding the balance between work, family, and health—you are not done.