Well-Advised Newsletter #7: Like a Financial Plan - But For Your Health

I bet you have a meticulously crafted financial plan.

And you probably think that ignoring finances, hoping they turn out ok in retirement, is risky business.

And if you're like most people, your health is also pretty important to you - like top three priority.

But, like most, you might be "winging it" with your health, hoping for the best, and feeling frustrated.

I often hear tales ranging from favorite clothes not fitting, to lost abilities to go deep sea fishing, to abnormal blood tests and multiple prescriptions.

Left unaddressed, it can lead to a health event that will blow up a financial plan. But, together - a financial plan and a wellness plan will prepare you for the future.

So, what's the best way to stay healthy, feel good, be confident, and do the things you love longer?

Dr. Peter Attia, author of the book Outlive, says,

...we first need to have a strategy: an overall approach, a conceptual scaffolding or mental model that is informed by science, is tailored to our goals, and gives us options.

I couldn't agree more - but almost nobody does this for their health.  

In my experience, financial advisors are very intentional people, and they would benefit from an intentional approach to their health.

INTENTIONALITY is powerful and the backbone of any long term goal.

My system for doing this is called the WellthPLAN, and it's kind of like a financial plan but for your health. 

It's an actual, articulated plan with frameworks and goals - giving you a better chance of staying healthy as you go through life stages.

This is even more important for people in the financial industry because they are typically at a higher risk for health issues.

The nature of the job pre-disposes you to a toxic cocktail for disease - high stress & sedentariness. So the need for a wellness plan is even more important. 

Here's how to create your own wellness plan in 3 steps: A.C.T.

1. A = Awareness. Collect your baseline health metrics. Assess your risk factors for chronic diseases. Know your numbers. Then define your goals.

2. C = Curiosity. Ask yourself really great questions. What would it be like if...?You went to bed earlier? Tried a new recipe? Went for a walk after lunch? You don't have to have the right answer, but posing the question to yourself sets your subconscious mind to working on a solution you may not have thought of.

3. T = Take Action.  Do something. Anything. Momentum leads to motivation (not the other way around). Just put your walking shoes on. Drink a glass of water. Call a friend to set a date to play pickleball. Any action will work to prime the pump. Do that every day.

This process is what I specialize in. If you do it right, it works. DM me if you'd like help creating your own custom wellness plan.

In Your Words

Ross Ramsey, CFP®

Founding Partner at Lumature Wealth Partners

Ross volunteered to share his experience going through the WellthPLAN. Watch his video above to hear it in his words. Below is a summary.

Ross was tired of hearing his doctor tell him to make changes. He was hoping he could do it on his own, but was tired of not seeing results. He heard me speak at an FPA event. Intrigued, he decided to enroll in the WellthPLAN with his wife. Six months in, he's seen tremendous results, and everything he's doing is very sustainable. He realized that he needed the accountability and a lifelong system rather than just a bandaid approach to getting results.

We're all on a health journey. You should know that entering this journey with Stevyn will help you get information you need and also provide results. I can't promise a timeline on those results, but for me it's worked much faster than I expected.

Financial Advisor Spotlight

Tom O'Brien, ChFC®

One minute I was a competitive mountain bike racer, and in a blink I have a wife, two young sons, a 15-week-old puppy and big goals to continue scaling a life insurance practice.  

It would be easy to let my health & fitness slip, but there are a few important reasons why my daily time spent on my personal well-being is at top of my priority list nearly every day:

1. I love my family.  If my health falters, I go from being a provider to potentially being a burden to them.

2. My work is better when I am working out and eating well. I’ve solved some pretty complex problems while on my mountain bike.

3. My mood and confidence are better when I'm in a health groove. Problems tend to be smaller, too.  There's a ripple effect that comes from a healthy lifestyle, and it's one of the best ways to give myself a mental boost.

I view the time spent on my wellness as an investment in both my present and my future.  I want to be able to ride mountain bikes with my kids when they’re in their 20’s and I’m in my 60’s.  I want to do all I can to prevent my career from being cut short for health reasons.  There are certainly obstacles to staying consistent. However, the effort to overcome the obstacles is well worth it in my view. If you have questions about how I’ve managed to keep up with health, fitness, mountain biking or just want to chat about work stuff, I’d welcome the opportunity to connect!

About the girl named Stevyn

I'm Stevyn, a Health Consultant for financial professionals, WealthManagement.com Ten to Watch in 2023, and daughter of a successful advisor. I believe health is our most valuable asset, and often the missing piece of a successful retirement plan. My book on this topic is coming soon.

Read My Story

How I Help Financial Professionals

Improve Your Health: Transform your health in the 6-week WellthPLAN workshop. Lower your health risks and boost your confidence by co-creating a customized plan together. It will forever change your health trajectory. Private and Self-Paced options available.

My commitment: To give you as much information and inspiration as I can in this format so the DIYers are well-equipped to get healthy, and those who need more support know where to find help.

My ask: Help me fuel health awareness across the financial services industry. You are part of this movement, so be sure to share it with your clients, colleagues, and family.

 As always...keep growing wellthy!

Stevyn