From destructive habits to endurance sports. Proving it's never too late to transform your life.
I'm in my 40s, and I wasn't always this way. Like many, I went through periods of destructive habits and unhealthy choices. But wisdom eventually prevailed. At 29, I quit alcohol. At 32, I discovered running. That was the turning point.
Today, I'm a Tech Lead & Software Architect by profession and an endurance athlete by passion. I run, ski, and ride rollerskis in summer. I practice cold exposure, mindful eating, and mental health techniques. This isn't about being perfect — it's about showing up consistently and choosing growth over comfort.
Started at 32 and built up to 16+ km, three times a week. Added half-marathons 1-2 times monthly. On year five, I attempted a full marathon — trained up to 32 km in a single run. It was exhausting, so I stepped back. Sometimes knowing your limits is wisdom, not weakness.
16+ km × 3/weekAt 38, I returned to cross-country skiing — a childhood passion I once shared with my father. After learning the basics from YouTube, I quickly realized the value of a proper coach. Since then, I’ve competed in dozens of winter ski races and summer roller-ski events. I’m not chasing podiums; my real victory is consistent, measurable progress, race after race. My running background provided the endurance base that made this transition possible.
Dozens of Races CompletedSummer is for speed rollerskis. I compete in significantly more roller ski events than winter snow races. My focus isn't on chasing podiums, but on tracking tangible progress — seeing measurable improvements from race to race and season to season. The Olympic principle applies here: the most important thing is not victory, but the participation and the personal growth it brings.
Speed Rollerski CompetitorWe all know the basics: eat vegetables, avoid processed food, sleep well, stay active. I've known this my whole life, but knowledge without action means nothing. The last 10 years — especially after quitting alcohol — I've been actively building these habits.
Cold exposure is now routine: morning and evening cold showers. When conditions allow, I freeze water overnight and swim in 1-2°C water. In winter, I dive into snow. I've experimented with keto, intermittent fasting, and various approaches. What works? What doesn't? I'm still learning. My focus: simple, unprocessed foods, plenty of vegetables, and listening to my body.
Stress causes disease. I'm an anxious person — anxious enough that stress can spike my blood pressure so high I need medication to bring it down. Over time, I realized the importance of working with my mental states. Recognizing harmful emotional patterns early and shifting them is crucial.
Running is meditation — it calms the nervous system and releases runner's endorphins. Breathing techniques from psychology work wonders. Cold exposure stimulates the vagus nerve and builds willpower (yes, it's also a spiritual practice — you have to overcome resistance). I practice self-hypnosis to recover from stress. And ultimately, everyone needs a spiritual-philosophical framework — something to address questions consciousness alone cannot solve. I've found mine.
Training logs, race reports, health experiments, and life lessons — documented as it happens.