“I Can’t Afford It”

It’s pretty well known that the most successful athletes in the world spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a year investing in their bodies.

Four-time NBA champion LeBron James spends $1.5 million a year on his body. Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson revealed on Bill Simmons’ podcast that he spends more than $1 million annually taking care of himself.

It goes without saying that such high-level athletes need access to the best fitness and recovery equipment. But much of their investment goes to actual humans … personal trainers, chiropractors, massage therapists, and the like.

Big box gyms like New York Sports Club, LA Fitness and Equinox have proven for years that the highest-end exercise equipment is useless if you don’t have someone to show you how to use it properly … create a program that will help you reach your goals … and hold you accountable to the work that needs to be done to get there.

Let me give you an example: Let’s say you have 30 pounds to lose. Right now, you’re standing on one side of the Grand Canyon and you want to get to the other side, where you’ll be 30 pounds lighter, your clothes will fit better, you’ll feel better and more energetic, and will be healthier. 

Are a bunch of cardio machines going to get you there? No chance.

You need a plan … someone to show you how to execute it … and hold you accountable to it. That’s how you build a bridge from where you are to where you want to be.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you should spend $1 million a year on your body even if you had that much disposable income. 

But I am saying this: Of all the things we could be spending our money on, our health is the very best investment … with a very high return.

So whenever someone tells me that they “can’t afford” to hire a trainer, coach or other healthcare practitioner, my B.S. meter goes off.

Oftentimes, it isn’t a matter of not having the money.

It’s how we’ve chosen to spend it.

And too often, we spend it on everything but ourselves.

So back to the original question: “How much is your body worth?”

It doesn’t take a million dollars a year to be strong and healthy, avoid disease, and enhance our longevity … unless you’re LeBron James or Russell Wilson.

But it probably costs more than we’re currently spending.

And it’s definitely worth more than a few trips per week to Starbucks in the long run.