Why Growing Older Truly Feels Like a Blessing
I recently turned 30 years old.
It feels like a surreal landmark, especially thinking back to my childhood in Croydon and Lambeth (south London) and how far life has taken me since then. But this milestone also reminded me of a recent chat with my younger brother (he’s 15—and yes, there’s a big age gap).
In typical teenager fashion, he randomly started making fun of the fact that he spotted a grey hair on my head. Truth be told, I’ve never cared about grey hairs—not then or now. Still, I saw it as the perfect teaching moment.
I told him, “I love having my grey hairs.” He laughed: “No, you don’t 😄. ” But sensing the seriousness in my tone, he paused and asked, “Wait… why?”
“Because growing older is a blessing,” I said. “Plenty of people in this world never reach 30. Slowly gaining more grey hairs just means I’ve been fortunate enough to live long enough to earn them. A good friend of mine even suddenly passed away at 25 last year. So reaching 30 truly feels like a blessing.”
His expression shifted immediately. “That’s so true. You’re right.”
That moment got me thinking not just about grey hairs but everything my 20s gave me. I learned a lot, made countless memories, lived in three continents and four countries, got married, and have done my best to grow my small business. (Which, unlike what many small business owners on social media might have you believe, isn’t easy.)
If you’ve read this far, chances are you’re someone who’s helped make that dream a little more real. So thank you—for your support, your kindness, and for being part of this journey. I notice it, and I deeply appreciate it.
And since we’re on the topic of reflections and lessons, I thought today would be the perfect time to let you know that my first solo podcast Q&A episode after my two month podcasting break is out.
It’s called: Fitness Myths, Social Life Balance, and Overrated Fat Loss Hacks
🎙️ You can click here to listen to it on Spotify
🎙️ You can click here to listen to it on Apple Podcasts
Here’s to making the most of my 30s 🥂
Speak soon,
Leo
P.S. I’ve attached a few pictures below: one with some close friends, including Michael, the dear friend I lost. RIP Michael. Another of a nostalgic copy of a Pokémon card from my childhood collection, a Birthday Pikachu that felt fitting to share now that I’ve just turned 30 (I’m a sucker for nostalgia at times).
And finally, a recent photo of me taken just a few days before my 30th birthday, when I surprised my younger brother by taking him to his first ever live football game, Benfica v Tondela. I’m sure that day will forever be a core memory for us both.
