Zip up your backpack, give it a last look-over, and check off everything you've packed from your lengthy list. Here you are, ready and excited, with a sea of expectations. Every journey is like this: a whirlwind of emotions and a few fears.

Life itself resembles a journey. Sometimes, you choose the destination; other times, you let events carry you, leading you to discover the most unexpected wonders. Journeys evoke emotions, some unpleasant, others surprisingly beautiful.

I've been travelling since I was young: first with my parents, then with friends, and now with my wife. But the natural charm of travelling lies in the mix of comfort and happiness with the adrenaline and excitement of discovery.

I see myself more as a traveller than a tourist. With the same spirit, I embarked on my journey towards wellness and longevity.

It's not a physical journey with plane tickets and hotels, but it is still a journey. Probably, in fact, definitely the most important of my life.

It pushes you out of your comfort zone, opens you to new knowledge, makes you appreciate what you were unaware of, and forces you to make choices. And above all, it allows you to discover yourself.

It's the most significant journey I've ever undertaken, where the destination matters, but the journey and its milestones genuinely make a difference.

The destination? Wellness, on a one-way trip.

Well-being means many things, from physical health to not being a burden on loved ones to the freedom to travel without hindrances. It might seem like a typical mid-life crisis, but it's a real awakening. It's an attempt, sure, but as they say, better regrets than remorse.

For too long, I neglected myself, letting minor physical and other problems accumulate. Now, however, I've chosen to change. It sounds simple, but a real challenge implies a profound personal evolution.

The English say: "Trust the process". Rather than focusing solely on the goals, I want to enjoy the daily journey because that's where the true revolution lies.

With Claudio, we've decided to give ourselves a year for this change, hoping it becomes a long-term journey.

The goals are clear:

1. Prevent diseases, a classic, certainly cliché. We all want to be healthy, but we tend to deal with illness when it arrives, not trying to prevent it.

2. Treat current ailments. Again, it's obvious. We all want to be well but treating means understanding the why and changing behaviour to address the root cause.

3. Be fit, not for aesthetic needs, not to look good for the summer swimsuit season or a social media photo, although, let's face it, everyone likes that. But I want to be fit to live and enjoy life, my loved ones, and my friends.

4. Improve physical and mental performance. We're in an era obsessed with performance, but here, too, the approach is to improve the quality of life and live better. Less wasted time and more time devoted to what really interests me.

The first step is to create a path, a protocol, and a routine for this journey in stages. Every action must align with these pillars, and through my posts, I'll share the lessons learned and the experiences lived.

I must admit my physical condition is not optimal. I stopped playing soccer, and my sedentary lifestyle and love for food haven't helped. My preliminary analysis will be validated with detailed clinical exams.

To develop this method, I began by observing and learning from those who have already walked this path through books, podcasts, and videos. The internet is invaluable; the real work has been filtering and adapting this information for personal use. I don't consider myself an expert, so I've sought the guidance of professionals.

My plan consists of:

1. Daily Routine: A program that includes nutrition, physical exercise, and mental well-being.

2. Sustainability: Ensuring these routines harmoniously integrate into my life.

3. Continuous Improvement: An incremental approach to incorporate new habits and refine existing ones.

This journey isn't just to transform my body but also my way of thinking and living. This blog seeks dialogue, challenge, feedback, and motivation.

I'll show the reality of my choices, the scientific reasons, without lies, with a bit of critical sense and the most negligible bias possible, leading the data I'll gather by applying everything to myself.

If you're up, prepare your backpack because we're setting off!

It's never too late ;)

When I started sharing the idea of this project with others, one of the most common questions they asked me was: "Why are you doing this?". The answer is as simple as it is complicated: I want to feel good. But there's more.

I'm a father, a husband, a professional. But who am I, really? My journey isn't just about changing habits; it's about evolving my identity.

You might think "Ah, classic midlife crisis.". Maybe. But it's also about a future we often overlook. Will I be a burden to my daughter in old age? Will I be able to play with my grandchildren? How do I want to spend my final decades? How do my body and mind's health impact my happiness quest? These are the questions I started asking myself.

Longevity is a hot topic today. Many believe a magic pill from technological marvels will let us live to 150. But here's the truth: I don't care about living longer. It's not about extending my life (lifespan) but improving the quality of what's left (healthspan). No magic pills here, just a realisation that comes from changing bad habits and embracing new ones we often ignore.

Taking care of myself is the best gift I can give my family and myself (and hey, the national healthcare system too). That's enough to get me moving.

The Objectives

Long-term thinking is tricky, especially when the benefits aren't immediately visible. However, working on my healthspan offers immediate perks: being more present for my family, excelling in my professional life, and dodging as many health bullets as possible.

So, what's my game plan? I've laid out five key objectives for what I initially thought would be a year-long challenge, but I'm now viewing as a lifetime pursuit:

1. Get in Shape: It's about building a body that's strong, resilient, and prepared for the years ahead.

2. Prevent Diseases: Steering clear of potential health issues before they even have a chance to surface.

3. Enhance Physical Performance & Combat Aging: Aging gracefully isn't just a saying; it's about keeping my body agile and my mind sharp.

4. Boost Mental Sharpness & Slow Age-Related Decline: Mental health is as important as physical health. I'm on a mission to keep my mind as active and engaged as my body.

5. Nurture a Sense of Presence and Purpose: It's about finding and holding onto that spark that makes life worth living.

Setting these goals isn't just a task; it's a critical step in guiding the decisions I'll make throughout this journey. Each practice I adopt must align with and contribute to achieving these goals. I promise to share more insights into each of these objectives in my upcoming posts.

The Journey

If you love travelling, you know the drill: pick your starting point, destination, and travel dates. My journey isn't much different.

My starting point is a brutally honest look at my current physical and health status. I've identified key metrics that literature suggests are vital in tracking progress against my goals.

The destination? It's not just a far-off dream. It's a well-defined, ambitious, yet achievable state of being, marked by intermediate milestones to ensure I'm heading in the right direction and maintaining enough flexibility to adapt as needed.

And the dates? Well, I've opted for a one-way ticket. The journey starts now, with the understanding that sooner would have been better, but it's never too late.

The Protocol

I've immersed myself in a sea of knowledge, using AI to analyse hundreds of scientific papers, podcast transcripts, and videos from longevity experts like Peter Attia, Andrey Huberman, Michael Easter, Dave Asprey, David Sinclair, and authors like James Nestor and James Clear.

This isn't just about academic research; it's a personal deep dive into these themes, respecting their complexity and diversity. My approach involves developing sustainable practices that naturally integrate into my life. It's about commitment and dedication, minus the obsession. Being data-driven in my professional life, I've decided to monitor my journey with objective metrics – medical tests and assessments. But I'm equally attentive to the subjective, emotional aspects that will, ultimately, be the true measure of happiness and health.

Don't Lie

I'm not an influencer or a medical professional. Just someone keen on making a positive change. I vow to be honest, especially when things don't go according to plan. This honesty extends from me to you, my readers. I'll do my best to steer clear of biases, though enthusiasm might occasionally cloud my judgment.

This isn't just a project; it's a transformative journey, and I'm excited to share it with those who want to follow or join in. Your criticisms and suggestions are welcome. They, along with your encouragement, will fuel my journey.

In the upcoming posts, I'll dive into my routines, the baseline tests, the reasoning behind each practice, and the science backing them up. I'll share my mistakes and, hopefully, the successes I achieve.

It's about enduring a bit of hardship to feel better, to be better.
And remember, it's never too late to start.

Stay tuned, stay well!

The World is Sick

The path to well-being should be simple. Ironically, while we strive for health, our environment works against us. The latest World Health Organization (WHO) data is alarming: in the U.S., 42.4% of adults are obese, and 74.1% are overweight. Europe is just a little behind, with 60% of its population overweight. This trend is escalating.

Our growing dependence on technology significantly contributes to this health crisis. Despite its benefits, technology's overuse leads to reduced attention spans, cognitive issues, posture problems, and mental health concerns.

Depression statistics are equally troubling. In the U.S., almost one-third have experienced depression, a 10% rise since 2015. In Europe, 13% of youth aged 15 to 25 report depression symptoms.

This paints a grim picture: a global health crisis fuelled not just by individual choices but by a culture steeped in unhealthy habits and societal pressures. Our well-being is threatened by a cocktail of factors—poor dietary choices, sedentary lifestyles, stress, and environmental toxins. The consequences of these unhealthy habits are far-reaching, including an increased risk of chronic diseases, mental health issues, and reduced quality of life. To turn the tide, we need a shift in our personal habits and societal norms, emphasising prevention and a balanced approach to health.

If You Don't Know What To Do, You Won't Do It

We are constantly bombarded with information on how we should diet, how much water we should drink, how we should exercise, how we should meditate, and how many supplements we should take. But in the end, when we think about improving our health, we don't know where to start. We find it so difficult to make simple what is sold as complicated.

To feel good, it is not enough to go on a diet for a few months, do a few weeks in the gym before the summer, or take supplements after seeing a reel on Instagram. To feel good, each of us must find the right formula and the right balance of things that cover different aspects of our lives. And we must do this by trying to modify or create sustainable habits compatible with the life we lead, and that can last over time.

But when we have to start, the first questions come up.

What should I do? How can I make it a good habit? Why should we do it? Why should we do it now? What are the benefits of waking up at 6 a.m. and working out? These are valid questions that require thoughtful consideration.

The starting point is asking ourselves the right questions: Who are we? Who do we genuinely aspire to be? What activities do we want to continue doing when we are old? Taking the time to reflect on these questions can guide us towards a more meaningful and fulfilling journey.

While the path to better health may seem daunting, it doesn't require drastic lifestyle overhauls or expensive fads. The key lies in cultivating sustainable habits that align with our values and lifestyle. This means understanding our needs, motivations, and goals and finding habits that support them.

The Habit of Feeling Good

Developing and maintaining habits that align with our core values and are sustainable over the long term is crucial. Losing a bad habit and acquiring a positive one can be challenging and require considerable effort. It is a process that demands determination, perseverance, and a strong commitment to personal growth. Changing our habits involves breaking free from old patterns and embracing new behaviours aligning with our goals and values. This journey of self-improvement often requires self-reflection, self-discipline, and the willingness to step outside of our comfort zones.

In his bestseller "Atomic Habits," James Clear advocates making habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. We will follow these laws by applying them to create and maintain good habits for our health. We will experience firsthand how there are no magic pills, but it is not impossible to establish the habit of feeling good in our lives.

Toolkit, Protocol, Challenges and Experiences

We're not just talking; we're equipping with practical tools.

Toolkit: We will create a comprehensive collection of practices for building routines, supported by scientific evidence and practical explanations on how to apply them.

Protocol: We will create a personal protocol by selecting some practices from the Toolkit. This protocol will establish well-defined routines that promote well-being and extend our health span.

Challenges: We will challenge ourselves to continuously strive for improvement daily. This means that we will consistently measure our progress and actively share our successes and failures, fostering a culture of learning and growth.

Experiences: We will embark on new adventures, step out of our comfort zone, learn new things, and embrace the journey towards better health with other passionate life enthusiasts.

Better, More, Together

A year-long journey of two friends challenging themselves to make changes that will become lifelong habits.

This is the essence of our project.

We're here to share our journey transparently and explore accessible practices to enhance our quality of life. No gimmicks, no quick fixes—just a genuine commitment to learning and improving together.

Better, More, Together.