Some choices aren't about how you feel today. They're about who you want to be in ten, twenty, thirty years. We asked Lydia and Charis, two members of the Free Soul team who think in decades rather than days, how they actually make those long-term choices, and what's kept them consistent.
Lydia, NPD Technologist
What's one habit or choice you've made because of how you want to feel or function years from now, not just today?
Reduced my running training (to protect my dodgy joints!) and opted for more low impact exercise like pilates and weight training to build long term strength and bone density. I have Sculpt after every strength session too - getting enough protein in is such a key part of actually building and maintaining that strength as I get older, not just the training itself.
Are you someone who researches before committing to something new - wellness or otherwise? What does that process look like for you?
Absolutely. As a science girly, when investigating something new I turn to scientific literature. If the evidence isn't solid, then I'm not convinced and usually give the trends a miss.
What's one small thing you do consistently that you believe will pay off long-term, even if the payoff isn't immediate?
Reading! Having a healthy brain and mind is super important to me, and I think keeping myself stimulated with meaningful input is key. I try to read on my commute and every night before bed. It helps me sleep better and I look forward to my "me-time" on the tube rather than battling through my journey. This helps keep my brain ticking and reduces my screen time, which I hope will pay off in the long term.
What would you say to someone who wants to invest in their future health but doesn't know where to start?
A sustainable routine is an enjoyable one. Discipline is important but if you hate your wellness routine then you're already on the back foot. I don't love weight training (though I'm enjoying it more now that I'm a bit stronger!), so I make it more fun - listening to my favourite podcast on the walk to a class, and taking Training Fuel beforehand to give me that extra boost of motivation and focus. Your routine doesn't have to look a particular way to work, move your body consistently and eat a well-balanced diet, and you'll be pretty well set up.
In one sentence - what do you want people to remember?
"A sustainable routine is an enjoyable one."
Her go-to resource: The Freedom app - "it allows you to put blocks on apps of your choice for a set amount of time, so you don't start your day with a doom-scroll." Also currently enjoying Substack for curating positive content instead of scrolling Instagram.
Charis, Head of Performance Marketing
What's one habit or choice you've made because of how you want to feel or function years from now, not just today?
Transitioning to a plant-based diet. It's meant being more intentional about protein. Vegan Protein Blend has made it easy to keep hitting my goals and I'm not compromising on strength while making the switch.
Are you someone who researches before committing to something new - wellness or otherwise? What does that process look like for you?
I do so much research, probably too much. I go into the depths of Reddit rabbit holes to find reviews, look at YouTube and TikTok reviews, read blogs, speak to my friends and family about it and then once I've done all of that and am convinced I want it, I look for a discount code before I finally buy it.
What's one small thing you do consistently that you believe will pay off long-term, even if the payoff isn't immediate?
My daily morning meditation and mobility routine, no matter what. It's not glamorous, but it's the kind of small, boring habit that adds up over years rather than weeks.
What would you say to someone who wants to invest in their future health but doesn't know where to start?
I'd tell them the biggest wins usually come from a handful of unglamorous habits, not from finding some perfect optimised plan.
In one sentence - what do you want people to remember?
"Small, boring habits done consistently beat any dramatic overhaul you'll quit in three weeks."
Her go-to resource: The book Atomic Habits by James Clear.
