More Energy, More Joy: The Surprising Ripple Effect of Getting in Shape
The number one benefit I’ve experienced from finally getting in shape is simple: I feel better.
But a very close second, and one I never anticipated to be so life-changing, is the energy I now have throughout the day. It wasn’t long ago that I’d wake up tired and go to bed even more exhausted.
Despite not discovering coffee till I hit age 40, I have more than made up for lost time. I actually had a Nespresso machine on my nightstand and would hit the button upon waking for a double espresso before I even got out of bed. It might as well have been an intravenous needle.
I’d rely on espresso shots like crutches just to survive the workday. My offices always had a Nespresso machine in them as well. I bought so many pods from them that I should be on their Board of Directors! 🤣
If you have stayed at my hotel or short term rental in Hawaii, you would remember that I had an Nespresso machine with unlimited pods in every single bedroom! 🌈
Despite all the espresso, my energy levels were inconsistent, fragile, and completely dependent on caffeine and willpower. I would also mentally crash by about 7 PM every night, offering no value whatsoever after that witching hour. I thought that was normal. I thought that being tired all the time was just part of being an adult.
But I was wrong.
Today, my mornings look completely different. I wake up with intention. My day starts with a 20-minute cold plunge, followed by an hour or so walk, before my first sip of coffee. That first cup now comes around 10 AM, and not because I need it, but because I enjoy it. It’s a reward, not a lifeline.
But here’s the real magic: it’s not just about the big changes. It’s the small wins, the tiny choices I now consistently make throughout the day that build this steady stream of energy and joy.
• I do the dishes right away instead of letting them pile up.
• I throw in a load of laundry even when I have plenty of clean clothes.
• I prep my workout clothes the night before so I don’t have to think in the morning.
• I line up my supplements the night before so I take them without excuse.
• I take short walks after meals to manage blood sugar and stay clear-headed.
• I say yes to my wife more often when she wants to do something that takes energy. Because now I have it, and also because saying yes to your partner is always a good idea. 🙂
• I grocery shop two or three times a week instead of doing one big haul. It keeps the kitchen stocked with fresh food, and also, let’s be honest, I weirdly enjoy wandering around Whole Foods now like it’s a wellness amusement park.
All these little moments used to be replaced by one thing: more couch time. I told myself I was “resting from a hard work day”, but in reality, my body wasn’t recovering, it was deficient. I didn’t need more rest. I needed the right nutrients, the right movement, and a little bit of consistency and a lot more discipline . Once I gave my body what it was missing, it started giving back - in energy, clarity, and joy.
If you’re finding that your energy levels are only being held up by caffeine, your body might be trying to tell you something. That constant fatigue? It’s not a badge of honor. It’s not “just life.” It’s a signal. I used to think feeling sluggish was normal. It’s not. It’s common, but it’s not normal.
What changed everything for me was getting serious about eating more whole foods, identifying and correcting nutrient deficiencies, moving more (not less), and being intentional with how I start and end my day.
And here’s the coolest side effect: I now write daily. Writing brings me joy, and I used to only have the energy for it once or twice a week. Now, it flows. Because my energy flows. Because my body and mind finally feel like they’re on the same team.
So if you’re tired of being tired, start small. Drink more water. Get outside. Eat food that grew from the ground. Walk after your meals. Prioritize sleep. Cut back on the things that drain you. Invest in the things that fuel you.
I promise, it’s not just about looking better, (although that’s a self-loving plus). It’s about feeling unstoppable.
More energy = more life.
More life = more joy.
And you deserve that.
