Something we've continued to hang on to in these crazy times we're living in is the importance of moving our body.
When Olivia and I posted this, we were in the middle of building multiple businesses, raising a baby, and navigating a world that had been turned upside down. It would have been easy to let exercise slip. It would have been easy to say "we're too busy" or "we'll get back to it when things calm down."
But we didn't. Because we've learned that movement isn't optional—it's foundational.
The Entrepreneur's Trap
Entrepreneurs are particularly prone to neglecting their bodies. We glorify the hustle. We celebrate the all-nighter. We wear our exhaustion as a badge of honor.
I fell into this trap for years. I'd sit at my desk for 10+ hours, fueled by coffee and adrenaline, convinced that more hours meant more progress. I'd skip workouts because I had "too much to do." I'd ignore the warning signs my body was sending.
The result? Declining health, decreasing creativity, and diminishing returns on all those extra hours.
The Science of Movement
The research is clear: regular movement improves virtually every aspect of cognitive function.
Creativity: Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and promotes the growth of new neural connections. Some of my best ideas have come during or immediately after a workout.
Focus: Physical activity helps regulate attention and reduces the mental fog that comes from prolonged sitting.
Mood: Exercise releases endorphins and helps regulate stress hormones. It's one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression.
Energy: Counterintuitively, expending energy through exercise actually creates more energy. A body in motion tends to stay in motion.
Sleep: Regular physical activity improves sleep quality, which in turn improves everything else.
Our Non-Negotiables
Olivia and I have made certain movement practices non-negotiable:
Daily walks: No matter how busy we are, we walk. Sometimes it's a long hike. Sometimes it's a quick loop around the neighborhood. But we move our bodies outside every single day.
Morning movement: Before the chaos of the day begins, we do something physical. It might be yoga, a workout, or just stretching. Starting the day with movement sets the tone for everything that follows.
Movement breaks: Every 90 minutes or so, we get up from our desks and move. A few minutes of stretching, a quick walk, some jumping jacks—anything to break the pattern of prolonged sitting.
Active dates: Instead of always going to restaurants or movies, we try to have active dates. Hiking, swimming, playing sports. Quality time that also moves our bodies.
Movement as Thinking Time
One unexpected benefit of regular movement: it's become some of my best thinking time.
When I'm stuck on a problem, I go for a walk. When I need to make a big decision, I go for a run. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I do yoga.
There's something about physical movement that unlocks mental movement. Ideas that were stuck start flowing. Solutions that were hidden become obvious. Clarity that was elusive suddenly appears.
The Invitation
If you've been neglecting movement, I want to offer a gentle challenge:
Start small. Commit to moving your body for just 10 minutes a day. A walk. Some stretches. Dancing to one song.
Do it for a week. Then two weeks. Then a month.
Notice how you feel. Notice your energy, your mood, your creativity, your sleep.
I'm confident you'll find what we've found: movement isn't a luxury. It's a necessity.
In these crazy times—and in any times—moving your body is one of the best investments you can make.
