Last week, my son Liam graduated from grade 8.
He was so excited, and Katja and I felt… old.
It was one of those moments that makes you pause — not just as a parent, but as a person.
At the ceremony, the principal gave a short speech that really stuck with me. He talked about the values he hopes the students carry with them into high school and beyond.
They were simple — but powerful:
Curiosity. Compassion. And valuing yourself.
It hit me.
These are the kinds of messages I’ve gone out of my way to hear hundreds of times at events and conferences for business owners — not grade 8 students.
Which is kind of hilarious, because I’m sure my own principal said something similar at my grade 8 graduation.
But I was a foolish 13-year-old, ready to move on and convinced I didn’t need to hear “life advice” from an old principal.
Then I started a business — and discovered the entrepreneurial journey is really just a personal growth journey in disguise.
And now, hearing those same words spoken to my son… I realized how well they apply to our journey with health and fitness too — especially as we get older.
I’ve talked to a lot of adults about their goals, and more often than not, they’re their own worst enemy.
So here’s what Liam’s grade 8 principal can teach all of us about improving our health and fitness — with less stress, and more momentum.
Curiosity
One of my mentors once told me that curiosity is the opposite of judgment.
If you’re not being curious… you’re probably being judgmental — usually of yourself.
- Instead of saying “That won’t work for me,” what if you asked, “I wonder if that could work for me?”
- Instead of thinking “I could never do that,” try asking, “How could I work toward that?”
- Instead of believing “I’m just not a fitness person,” get curious: “How do I become a fitness person?”
Progress doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from staying curious.
Trying new things. Listening to your body.
Letting go of “the right way” and exploring your way.
Compassion
Most people don’t fail because they’re lazy. They fail because they’re too hard on themselves.
If the voice in your head is saying things you’d never say to a friend… it’s time for more self-compassion.
Here’s one of my favorite mindset tricks:
Never miss twice.
If you miss a workout, overeat at an event, or just feel off track — don’t beat yourself up.
That’s Option 1: shame, guilt, and self-sabotage.
Option 2 is better: acknowledge the setback, learn from it, and make sure you show up tomorrow.
The only way to truly fail is to quit.
And nothing makes quitting easier than letting your inner drill sergeant tell you you’re not good enough.
So fire the drill sergeant.
And practice compassion — even if you’re out of practice.
Valuing Yourself
This one might be the hardest. Especially if you’ve spent decades putting others first.
But prioritizing your health isn’t selfish — it’s one of the clearest ways to show that you matter too.
Most people think they’ll get serious about health later.
After the busy season. After the kids are grown. After things settle down.
But then something happens:
A diagnosis.
A scare.
A heart attack.
Suddenly, health becomes the only thing that matters.
The truth? A lot of those moments are preventable.
You don’t need to overhaul your life. But you do need to stop putting your needs at the bottom of the list.
It’s not selfish to:
– Push dinner back an hour so you can move your body
– Bring a salad to an event so you have a healthy option
– Suggest a walk or a hike instead of drinks to catch up with a friend
That’s not being difficult.
That’s valuing yourself.
Whether you’re just getting started, or you’ve been at this for years… I hope those three values resonate with you like they did with me.
And if you — like me — wish you’d listened more carefully to your grade 8 principal…
Well, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.
The second-best time?
Today.
Because staying healthy isn’t just about willpower or discipline.
Sometimes, it starts with a bit of curiosity, a little compassion……and remembering that you’re worth the effort.
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