RAUL

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.

We 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.

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. 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.