Most of us start life with a perfect score in physical wealth. As kids, we bounce back quickly, brimming with energy, and assume our bodies will always keep up. But as we age, physical wealth becomes something we must actively protect—and if we don’t, the decline can be sharper than we ever expect.
The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything
For me, the wake-up call came in my early 30s, when I was working in consulting. I thought I was invincible—until my body proved me wrong.
In 2003, I was assigned to a massive corporate restructuring project for HP. The timeline was brutal: six weeks to plan, six weeks to execute. I drove an hour each way from San Francisco to Cupertino, working 12–14 hour days, six days a week. Days were packed with meetings; nights were filled with slide decks, hunched over laptops in hotel rooms and client offices.
By the twelfth week, my body broke down. My arms trembled with agony. I’d already taken four Advils that morning, trying to push through. At 11 a.m., tears streamed down my face as I sat behind a client, unable to finish a slide. She finally turned to me and said, “You have to stop.”
That moment began a long, painful chapter. Three years later, when my workers’ comp case closed, I was officially deemed 25% permanently disabled. At my worst, I couldn’t hold a glass of water, buckle a seatbelt, or spend more than an hour on a computer without searing pain. Recovery took years, ten doctors, and countless adjustments. On paper, my disability was permanent. But with persistence and unconventional care, I eventually made a full recovery.
It was devastating—but also transformative. I learned that no title, no project, no achievement is worth sacrificing your body. Physical wealth is the foundation. Without it, everything else crumbles.
Why Physical Wealth Matters
Physical wealth isn’t just about exercise. It’s about having the health, strength, and energy to live fully. When we’re young, physical wealth feels limitless. We recover fast, bounce back from injuries, and assume our bodies will always cooperate no matter what we do or eat. But as we age, hormones shift, recovery slows, and muscles weaken. The decline is natural—but it doesn’t have to define us. With awareness and effort, we can slow the loss and even rebuild in new ways.
I think Physical wealth comes from the combination of how we move and how we fuel ourselves.
- Exercise builds strength, endurance, and mobility.
- Nutrition provides the energy and recovery we need to sustain them.
Research shows that diet often plays an outsized role in health outcomes. In fact, studies suggest that combining nutrition and exercise produces the strongest results for weight management and metabolic health—while focusing on exercise alone rarely delivers the same benefits. What we eat—and how mindful we are about it—can
account for as much as 70–80% of the equation in long-term health. I find that inspiring, because it means physical wealth isn’t only built in the gym. It’s also built at the table, in the choices we make every day.
And it’s never too late to start. Take Stephanie Walsh , who began ballet as an adult and still dances gracefully in her 70s. She proves our bodies are miracle machines, capable of vitality at any age when we respect and care for them.
My Current Reality
In my five types of wealth article, I gave myself a 7 out of 10 for Physical Wealth. I’d still give myself a 7 today—but trending upward.
The injury in my 30s taught me never to take my body for granted. Since then, I’ve been deliberate about avoiding the habits that broke me before: endless travel, poor ergonomics, and perfectionism that drove me into the ground.
Today, my physical wealth has two pillars:
Movement. I work out about three times a week, but in my 50s I’ve learned that what worked before isn’t enough now. Perimenopause has brought natural changes that require smarter adaptation. So I’ve added strength training, daily Zone 2 cardio (that sweet spot between a heart rate of 102–120), and proactive sessions with a physical therapist—not because I’m in pain, but because prevention is easier than repair.
Nutrition. Since 2020, I’ve practiced intermittent fasting, which gives my body time to rest and digest. I’ve also shifted toward smaller meals, paying attention to what leaves me energized versus drained. I’m not rigid—I still enjoy red meat and dessert—but I aim for balance, not extremes. I don’t chase every new “superfood” trend. Instead, I try to eat in a way that supports my body now, not the one I had in my 20s.
I’m not at a 10, but I’m optimistic. With more time freedom, I’m prioritizing my health in ways I couldn’t before. I believe physical wealth—along with mental wealth—is one of the most important investments I can make for the years ahead.
Small Shifts, Big Impact
Here are a few things I’m focusing on right now that might spark ideas for you too:
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Do a self-check. How much are you prioritizing—or sacrificing—your physical health today? Are you pushing through pain, skipping sleep, or ignoring nutrition? Awareness is the first step.
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Build smarter habits for your stage of life. For me, that means weight training and Zone 2 cardio. For you, it might be something else—but the key is adapting, not clinging to old routines.
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Be proactive, not reactive. I see a physical therapist even when I’m not in pain. You could start with a check-up, a stretch routine, or treating a nagging ache before it becomes chronic.
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Make one nutrition change. Cut down on processed food, limit alcohol, or swap dessert for fruit a few nights a week. Start with one step and build momentum.
I’m still a work in progress—but that’s the point. Physical wealth isn’t static. It’s something we rebuild and protect, step by step, year after year.
So let me leave you with this: choose one small action this week to honor your body. Go for that walk, book that check-up, or make that one food change. Because protecting our physical wealth is the greatest investment we can make in the life we want to live.
I am always in your corner,
Lei