I last published on this blog on 23rd January 2026 [Why your WHY matters more than your Goals]. Since then, many of you have reached out—calls, messages—asking why I went quiet.

Let me start by saying this: I am human. And sometimes, life throws curveballs you don’t plan for.

Personally, I only write when I am in a good state of mind. Writing, for me, is not just content—it is clarity. Over the past two months, I wasn’t in that space. There were moments of frustration, reflection, and deep questioning that made it difficult to sit down and write.

To everyone who reached out—especially Pennie—thank you. I appreciate it more than you know. It is fulfilling to know that many of you find value in what I share. That is the real motivation to keep writing. And as always, tell a brother, sister, or colleague to subscribe—let’s keep sharing.

When Life Pauses You

In the first week of February, I lost my 15-year-old cousin, Ronald Junior. May his soul rest in peace.

It was a difficult period. I had been involved in his treatment journey, and like many of us, I found myself asking the hard question:

Why would such a young, joyful, brilliant boy get cancer?

Junior was exceptional by all standards. His cancer was diagnosed just after joining Primary Seven. He spent almost the entire year out of school—going through chemotherapy and eventually losing his leg in surgery.

Yet in the middle of that pain, he insisted on sitting for his PLE exams.

He scored 7 aggregates.

That tells you the kind of spirit he had.

Towards the end, he would even comfort family members, his friends and visitors—telling them that when he dies, he would continue praying for those he leaves behind. And often, the people around him would cry more than the patient. He understood the disease, fought hard and trusted in God for whatever the outcome. 

After his burial, I spoke with his doctor at 3 Rivers Cancer Centre. I wanted to understand—how do we deal with these diseases and whether Junior’s siblings were at high risk to get the same type of cancer?

One thing stood out.

Yes, some conditions (cancers) are complex and not fully understood.

But one truth remained:

“Let us do what is within our power—and trust God for the rest.”

That statement stayed with me.

Because around the same period, I also lost three amazing workmates. Uncle B. Ben and Arch. Sarah to cancer and Eng. Caxton due to another complication. The three were good people. All with plans. All with futures.

And it made me reflect deeply.

The Hard Truth About Our Plans

Many of us are working hard.

Building businesses.
Climbing careers.
Chasing financial freedom.

And rightly so.

In fact, I have said it before on this blog:

If your plans are not leading to financial freedom—directly or indirectly—you need to review them.

But here is the uncomfortable truth:

None of those assets will matter if you are not alive and well to manage them.

Let that sink in.

Your Health Is Not a Lifestyle Choice

Your health is not a side goal.

It is not something you “try when you have time.”

Your health is your operating system.

It determines:
• how you think
• how you decide
• how you perform
• how long you stay in the game

Everything else—your business, your investments, your career—runs on that system. And when the system fails, everything else becomes irrelevant.

Health and Wealth Are Directly Linked

We often treat health goals as secondary—something “nice to have.”

But data tells a different story.

A 13-year study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association tracked over 1.4 million Americans and found that:

• The richest men live about 15 years longer than the poorest
• The richest women live about 10 years longer than the poorest (Raj Chetty et al., 2016).

The key drivers?
• Nutrition
• Environment
• Preventive care

Other studies show:

• Physically active individuals earn more over time
• Fit people are more likely to be promoted
• Active individuals make better decisions and sleep better

This means one thing:

Health is a high-yield asset that compounds over time.

What You Can Measure, You Can Improve

I have always said on this blog:

What you don’t measure, you cannot improve.

Among the many body exercises out there, I do walking. I went to the gym once in my lifetime! Ooh yeah! Anyway, for the past three years, I have tracked one simple metric: daily walking distance.

• 2023: 1.8 km/day (no intention)
• 2024: 2.8 km/day (intentional but no set target)
• 2025: Target 3.5 km → Achieved 4.8 km
• 2026: Target 5.5 km → Progressing well

On good days, I walk 10 km.
On tough days, at least 4 km.

Simple. Measurable. Consistent.

But here’s the twist.

During my recent 2026 annual medical check-up, I did a lipid profile test.

The results were not real good:

• Slightly high total cholesterol
• Low good cholesterol (HDL)
• High triglycerides

• LDL (bad cholesterol) was in the normal range. 

That was a wake-up call.

Because you can be “active” and still miss other aspects of health.

Now I have a management plan in place—with my doctor—and I am taking it seriously.

The Real Investment Strategy

We talk about:

• investing in businesses
• investing in real estate
• investing in financial markets.

But let me put it clearly:

Your health is the first investment. Everything else comes after.

Without it:

• there is no productivity
• there is no clarity
• there is no longevity
• there is no compounding

You cannot enjoy wealth if you are not well.

You cannot build freedom if your body is limiting you.

Let’s Do What Is Within Our Power

We cannot control everything.

Yes, death is inevitable.
Yes, some diseases are complex.

But that does not remove responsibility.

It reinforces it.

We must:

• move our bodies
• eat better
• go for check-ups
• reduce stress
• rest intentionally

Let us do what is within our power.

Final Reflection

As you pursue your goals this year—financial, career, business—pause and ask yourself:

Am I investing in the one asset that makes all others possible?

Because at the end of the day:

Health is not separate from wealth.
Health is what makes wealth meaningful.

Let’s take care of it.

And let’s keep building—wisely.

Until next time,

Believe. Build. Be Bold.

— Dr. Mwesi Leo

 Career & Business | Productivity Systems | Financial Freedom

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