Why Health is Your True Wealth: Lessons from a Lifetime of Hustle and Wisdom

You know, I’ve been around the block a few times—57 years young, grinding in real estate, loving every minute of it.

But let me tell you something I’ve learned the hard way, mostly from watching my mentors:

Without your health, you’ve got nothing.

I’ve met these ultra-wealthy people with boats, planes, fancy cars, and big houses galore.

They’re loaded, man, but they’re miserable because their bodies are shot!

They look at me and say, “Shane, if I could go back, I’d take better care of myself—hydrate more, eat right, skip all that junk food.”

Now they’re in their 60s, 70s, even 80s, sitting on piles of cash, but they can’t enjoy it.

That big yacht in the backyard?

They can’t even climb aboard.

A simple walk?

Forget it—their hearts are wrecked from zero exercise, crappy eating, too much booze, and smoking. Not everyone’s like that, sure, but it’s a pattern I’ve seen over and over.

That’s why I made a choice a long time ago:

I’m Gonna Eat as Clean as I Can.

No pasta, no bread—that stuff’s just crap to me. I load up on meat, and yeah, I know some of you are thinking, “Isn’t all that red meat bad for you?”

Well, it’s working wonders for me.

I get my blood tested every six months, so I know exactly where I stand.

At 57, I’m feeling stronger than ever. And hey, if you’re around my age—or even younger, like my buddy who’s 54—you gotta watch everything that goes into your body. It’s non-negotiable.

Sleep’s Another Big One.

God bless me, I don’t need a ton of it. I hit the sack around 10 or 11 PM and I’m up at 4:30 or 5 AM, no problem.

That extra hour in the morning? Gold.

I use it to plan my day, map out the week, and prioritize what’s gotta get done.

First thing after I roll out of bed: a full glass of water, then my greens to kickstart the system. Let that soak in, and boom—I’m ready to move.

Exercise?

I hit it five days a week, rain or shine.

If I’m home, my wife Anne and I walk the neighborhood.

Down in the Keys?

There’s this awesome circuit at Founder’s Park—about a half-mile loop. I do three laps, mixing in pull-ups, sit-ups, leg raises, chin-ups at those little workout stations.

By the end, I’m huffing and puffing, but man, I feel incredible the rest of the day.

A healthy body fuels a healthy mind, and that spills over into everything—especially my career in real estate.

It’s not just a job; it’s a blast.

I take clients out on the boat for fishing, diving, snorkeling. Pick ’em up in Fort Myers, fly ’em wherever. Life’s too short not to enjoy it.

Speaking of short—average life expectancy for a guy like me is around 77.

I’ve already burned through three-quarters of that. Kinda hits you, right? I think about it every day: better use this time wisely. I love what I do—real estate’s my passion—but it’s work, and it can get stressful. Anything can.

That’s why balance is key. Work hard, play hard. Make time for fun, or you’ll burn out.

Big Takeaways?

• Like the saying goes, you can’t change what you don’t measure.

• Get clear on your blood work, especially after 30 or 40.

• Know your sleep needs—mine’s low, but find yours.

• Move your body daily; schedule it in.

• On the eating front, science backs up grass-fed, grass-finished beef—it’s packed with nutrients and way more absorbable than a lot of plant stuff. And habits? Nail ’em with systems.

• Every six months, my reminder pops up for blood tests—boom, done.

• It’s like running a killer business: the best ones thrive on great systems.

• That’s why folks shell out half a mil or more for franchises—they’re buying proven setups that deliver results.

Oh, and one more thing I just gotta share: giving blood.

My father-in-law Bob’s donated over 30 gallons in 50 years—legend.

I started last year, and I’m up to three gallons already. It’s not just about helping others—one unit can save up to four babies or five or six people total.

Selfishly? It’s like an oil change for your body.

Flushes out microplastics, toxins, all the junk. Every 54 days, I’m in there—easy peasy. You wouldn’t skip an oil change on your car or service your boat every 100 hours, right?

Treat Your Body the Same. Listen to It; It’ll Tell You What It Needs.

So there you have it, from me to you: prioritize your health, build those systems, and live every day like it’s a gift. Because it is. Stay strong, folks—let’s make the most of this ride!

Looking for Your Florida Dream Home?

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a waterfront home in the Florida Keys, or buying or selling a waterfront home in Southwest Florida (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita, Sanibel, Captiva, Naples) visit the links I just shared, or give me a call at (239) 851-3861.

Shane Waterfront Wilson

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