30 for 30

Read time: 6 minutes

Welcome to The Ascend Archives, a 2x/month newsletter where I share a story about a transformation, revelation, or change in thinking that has improved an aspect of my life.

I turned the big 3 0 a few weeks ago.

It got me thinking what my 20 year old self believed. What was top of mind? What did I care about? What did I want?

Looking back, I think I was doing it right. I was living in a disgusting house with my best friends, participating in cool student organizations, and taking interesting classes.

At the same time, I didn’t take advantage of all the resources a place like Michigan had to offer and was overly concerned about interviewing for internships that didn’t matter.

But it would’ve been cool if I had started my writing habit back then so I could go back and see the world from that young, naive 20 year old’s eyes.

For my 30th birthday I wanted to document 30 things I believe.

So in 10 years I can look back and see what has changed and what has stayed the same.

It was a fun exercise, hope you enjoy.

HEALTH

1. Health → Relationships → Work (in that order)
Put your oxygen mask on first. If I’m not sleeping well, eating well, or moving my body, the rest of it honestly doesn’t matter.

Second is the people. I love my alone time at a coffee shop writing or on a run around the lake. But I love having my partner, family, and friends to come back to even more.

And then there’s work. I used to think the goal was to retire and not work again. That doesn’t feel right anymore. I’ll always have some version of work in my life — I just don’t want it to come before the other two.

2. Walking is the single best activity period
I try to walk at least twice a day. Sometimes with nothing. Sometimes with a podcast. Sometimes on a call.

It’s the fastest way for me to clear my head, reset my energy, and figure out what actually matters for the rest of the day.

3. Recovery is just as important as training
When I trained for my marathon, I spent almost as much time stretching, doing mobility, and prioritizing sleep as I did running. That’s probably why I didn’t get hurt.

Same thing applies to work. Some of my best ideas have come from stepping away — going on a walk, getting outside, letting my brain breathe. You can’t train all the time.

RELATIONSHIPS

4. Relationships take work
They don’t just happen. They require intentionality.

It’s not one big gesture and you’re set forever. It’s the small, consistent effort. Checking in.

Having the conversation. Making the time. That’s what makes them meaningful.

5. Depth over quantity
My circle has gotten smaller over the last decade. And honestly, I like it that way.

I feel closer to my people than ever. I’m open to new connections, but I’m not chasing volume. I want to be just as close at 70 as I am at 30.

6. Growth comes from uncomfortable conversations
With your partner. Your boss. Your client. Your friend.

There are so many conversations that are easier to delay or avoid. But every time I’ve leaned into one, it’s been better on the other side.

Always uncomfortable in the moment. Almost always worth it.

7. Ask. Act. Acquire.
If I want to build a relationship with someone I respect, I ask for specific advice about a specific situation.

Then I actually do what they suggest. And I follow up to tell them how it went.

Most people never act on the advice they’re given. Doing this has built some of the best relationships in my life.

8. Be in service of others → meaning & joy come from this
The most alive I’ve felt hasn’t come from selfish wins.

It’s been helping someone figure something out. Writing something that hit at the right time. Teaching. Lending a hand. That’s the stuff that sticks.

9. Environment matters more than I thought
Who I’m around shapes how I think.

When I’m around entrepreneurs, I think bigger. Around athletes, I raise my standards. Around deep thinkers, I slow down and go deeper.

It works both ways. Environment compounds — positive or negative.

WORK

10. I truly care about excellence
People who are world-class at something fascinate me.

Steph Curry lighting up the NBA with a smile on his face. The Michelin star chef creating master pieces with food. Authors who craft memorizing stories that pull you in. Business executives who are incredible leaders of teams.

I want to work with people like this so I can learn from them and master my own crafts.

11. Hire experts
Some of the best money I’ve spent has been on coaches, therapists, trainers.

People who are great at what they do and can see what I can’t. I’ve never regretted speeding up my learning curve.

12. Build the life first, then the business
Instead of asking, “How do I make more money?” I started asking, “What do I want my life to look like?”

Strong relationship. Daily movement. Autonomy over my schedule. Being outside most of the year. Then I started building work around that.

It’s led to just a generally lighter and more meaningful life.

13. What’s the point of work if we’re not having fun?
Sometimes having fun means I don’t maximize revenue or build the biggest thing possible. I’m okay with that.

Later might never come. I don’t want to sacrifice all the enjoyment now for some future version of it.

14. I want to make an impact with my work
I’m not trying to change the entire world.

But if something I write or build changes one person’s world, that feels meaningful to me.
That’s enough.

MINDSET

15. Anything above 0% compounds
It’s obvious with money. But it works everywhere.

I started doing push-ups every day. Some days I hit 50. Some days I only get 15–20. But I still do them because it’s better than zero.

Same with relationships. The random text. The birthday call. It all compounds.

16. Run toward fear
If I’m scared, there’s usually something on the other side I need — growth, a skill, a new relationship, a new perspective.

I don’t always remember this in the moment. But when I do, it changes the decision.

17. Nobody cares
Most people will skim this and move on with their day. And that’s fine.

Realizing that takes the pressure off. Nobody cares — so just do the thing.

18. Everything I do is an experiment
This mindset changed entrepreneurship for me.

Instead of overanalyzing everything, I try it for a month and adjust. Coworking space? Try it. New idea? Try it.

It removes a lot of unnecessary pressure.

19. One year of focus can change your life
2024 was fitness. Training for a 70.3 changed how I see myself as an athlete and my health.
2025 was relationship. Dinners, trips, and intentional time built a foundation for the future.
2026 is work. I’m getting clear on what I want to do and who I can help.

20. Being intentional is a superpower
In 2024, I wrote a 5 page document of what I wanted my life to look like in 3 years. Not every specific detail but key themes.

I’m living about 80% of what I wrote down.

Things change but getting clear about what you are doing and why is powerful.

21. Writing is the best way to think
My brain feels messy until I get it on paper.

Nothing beats that moment moment when two ideas connect and something just clicks. Writing is how I make sense of myself.

22. Balance happens in the macro, not the micro
I want it all. But I can’t have it all at the same time.

Maybe one year is fitness-heavy. Another is relationship-heavy. Another is work-heavy.
Over a few years, it balances out.

23. Never use “should” → “want”
Whenever I catch myself saying “I should,” I pause.

Do I actually want to do this? Or am I just reacting to someone else’s expectation? It’s not perfect. But it helps.

24. Believe in the end of the story
If optimism and pessimism are both options, I’m choosing optimism.

Yes, there are hard things happening in the world. But believing things can improve makes me more useful than assuming they won’t.

ALIVENESS

25. Optimize for feeling alive
I’m still figuring out what that fully means.

But deep conversations. Crossing a finish line. Writing something that actually helps someone.

I want more of that.

26. Live life with urgency. Build life resume
We don’t know how long we have. So I’m going to continuing to take the trip, run the race, and say yes to things.

I want to look back knowing I left it all out there.

27. I love spending money on good food
A new dish with flavors I’ve never tasted before just hits.

Great food + great atmosphere + great conversation = top-tier experience.

28. Music is powerful
I used to just listen to the beat. Now I listen to the words. The stories behind the songs.
It’s a completely different experience.

29. Nothing beats an epic sunset
Croatia. Mexico. Australia. Deep Creek. Austin.

I’m lucky to have seen some incredible sunset across the world. It’s hard not to be present staring at one.

30. Survivor is the best show on TV
Strategy. Social dynamics. Physical competition. It’s the perfect mix.

I’ve applied twice and will keep applying until I get on. @Jeff Probst get me on!!

Thank you for reading! As always please reply and let me know what resonated, what didn’t, or what you question. I love chatting about this stuff!

Cheers,

Andrew