There Is No Finish Line: Health is a daily practice

Clay Pender
|
June 10, 2025

I’ve played sports my entire life. I started baseball when I was just three years old, and now I’m competing at the highest levels of track and field. Training seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year, isn’t just routine—it’s my lifestyle, part of who I am. 

Life often feels defined by milestones like graduating, getting promoted, starting a family, or growing a business. These moments mark progress. But health is different. There’s no final achievement or finish line to cross. As an elite runner, I constantly reset my goals. Every time I hit a personal best, I immediately seek ways to improve—to get faster, stronger, more efficient. Health follows this same principle; it’s a daily choice, an ongoing commitment. 

Why it matters now 

Consistent exercise and mindful eating aren’t just about winning races or standing on podiums—though those goals matter deeply to me. They’re about investing in how I want to live decades from now. Each rep, run, and recovery meal is a deposit into my future energy, mobility, and joy. I don’t just want to live a long life—I want to live a fully active, engaged one. 

A new way to think about health 

Each day, I lay down the groundwork for the future I envision by moving with purpose, staying consistent, and making choices that support my long-term wellbeing. That vision isn’t built on guesswork, it’s grounded in what we know works. The American Heart Association identified eight core behaviors that promote long-term wellbeing: eat better, move more, quit tobacco, sleep well, maintain a healthy weight, and manage cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. These habits aren't complex—they’re consistent choices that compound over time. 

And while my journey is shaped by elite athletics, the foundation of lasting health applies to everyone. No matter your goals or starting point, the path forward begins the same way: with small, intentional steps.

Start where you are 

Start by being honest about your current habits, and choose one area to focus on with clarity and consistency.

If movement is your focus: block off non-negotiable time in your calendar for physical activity—30 minutes of brisk walking, strength training twice a week, or mobility work to improve joint health.

If nutrition needs attention: eliminate processed snacks from your grocery list, hydrate more intentionally, or commit to cooking one balanced meal per day built around vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

If stress or sleep is the bottleneck: establish a wind-down routine, reduce screen time in the evening, or try mindfulness techniques like box breathing or guided body scans.

Choose your future 

Every decision you make contributes to the person you're becoming. Health isn’t something you check off—it’s a relationship you commit to and nurture over time. With every choice, you shape the direction of your life.

You don’t need a finish line to prove you’re moving forward. You just need today—and the decision to invest in the life you’re building.

Clay Pender

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