How to Live a Life Worth Living

Published on 11/15/2010 - 72 comments!

On October 30th, my grandfather passed away.

I had just finished a day of hiking up Colca Canyon in Peru when I went to check my email and saw an urgent message from my father asking me to call home. “Say a prayer for your grandfather Steve, he passed away this morning.” I actually wrote this post the day he died, but waited a few weeks until I could give it the attention it deserved. To celebrate his life, I want to help you live a life worth living, just like my grandfather.

This one’s for you, Grampy.

John Edward Kamb, or “Grampy” as he was known to us kids, lived to the ripe old age of 88. He grew up during the Great Depression which claimed the lives of his mother and his older sister, ran his own newspaper stand outside Fenway Park throughout grade school and high school, enlisted in the Navy and fought in the Battles of Kwajalein, Eniwetok, and Guam during World War II, almost died of malaria, and went on to work two jobs for most of his life.

Three weeks ago, he fell accidentally fell down and broke his shoulder. While in the hospital, a routine scan showed that his previously slow-to-grow cancer had unfortunately spread rapidly and he died just a few days later. I unfortunately missed the ceremony last week due to still being out of the country, but just reading my father’s eulogy was enough to bring tears to my eyes about what this man went through and how he lived his life.

This is not meant to be a sad post, but rather a happy celebration of the life of a man who fought for our country, worked hard to raise a good family, and lived long enough to spend twenty-six years impacting the life of his grandson.

Live a Life Worth Living

These are the four values that Grampy instilled in my father, which have been passed down to me:

Go to work every day. Work hard. If you have a chance to work two jobs, do both. The day may come when you don’t have a job to go to.
Save your money. Every time you get paid, put something away. Again, you never know when you won’t have money coming in.
Invest your savings with care, even suspicion. But if you can, put your money to work too.
Most importantly, take care of your family. Don’t expect anyone to help you. It’s your responsibility. Take care of your family.

Along with those four values, here’s another thing I will NEVER forget about Gramp: despite all of his hardships, tragedies, and trauma that took place throughout his long life, Grampy never ceased to have a big smile on his face, telling hilarious stories and memories about the adventures in his life to anybody that wanted to listen (and even those that didn’t).

Since Grampy’s passing, I’ve thought a lot about my own life and the memories I’m making. After years of “maybe some day,” “when I’m ready,” and “eventually,” I stopped waiting and started doing. I took this trip to Peru because I was tired of waiting for the perfect time to do something special. When I was standing at the top of Colca Canyon after hiking out if it, mountain biking through the Sacred Valley, playing an international game of barefoot soccer, or witnessing the awe-inspiring views of mythical Machu Picchu, I realized that my seventeen days and less than a thousand dollars provided me with stories and adventures that I will never forget.

I can’t wait to tell my grandkids about Machu Picchu someday.

Life Is Too Damn Short

You might have noticed over the past few months that Nerd Fitness has become more than just a place for people to come read about push ups and squats. Although it still has a huge fitness slant to it, this site has certainly become something bigger: leveling up your life in any way possible, every single day. I was on the phone last night with my friend Baker of ManVsDebt. He talked about how we were both in the same line of work: “You might be fitness and I might be finance, but we’re both doing the same thing: helping people remove barriers in their life to really get what they want of it.”

Baker’s absolutely right.

Life is too damn short, and too damn precious to wait until tomorrow. You could be alive today and hit by a bus tomorrow, you really just never know. Capn_Tommy_Sunshine came to the same conclusion I did just a few days back on the NF Message Boards. I may be doing what I can to help you lose weight and feel better about yourself, but really I’m just removing any barriers that prevent you from living a life you can look back on with pride. I hope to look back on my life at the age of 88 and say “I did it right.” If I don’t make it that long, that’s okay: as long as each day is lived with conviction and purpose, I can leave this world happy.

That means no regrets, tons of memories, and one gigantic smile.

Remove the Roadblocks

Everybody has something in their life that they use as a crutch to put off improving their life “until the time’s right.” These are the most common barriers, along with definitive steps you can take today to get around them:

I’m out of shape and can’t do what I want to. Clean up your diet, stop making excuses about why you’re out of shape, and start exercising today. No excuses, not “tomorrow”, not “after the holidays,” TODAY. Email me if you need help getting started.
I’m in debt and cant afford to do what I want to. Stop buying stupid crap, start reading ManVsDebt, Get Rich Slowly, pick up Ramit Sethi’s amazing book, and put a plan in place to stop being handcuffed by poor finances.
I want to travel to [insert iconic location] but I’m scared/don’t know how/can’t afford it. Stop saying someday, start reading Chris Guilibeau, Karol Gajda, and Frugal Travel Guy, pick a place TODAY and start planning.
I have too much going on and don’t have time. Stop making things so complicated, start reading Leo Babauta and Unclutterer, and take steps to simplify your life.
I want to start a business but can’t afford to leave my job/don’t know where to start. Stop complaining about a job that you don’t like, start reading Everett Brogue, Tim Ferriss, and Corbett Barr, and start building a small business in your spare time.

An Unconventional Contest

If you’ve been reading this site for more than a week, you know that I’m a huge fan of Chris Guillebeau and his blog/community: the Art of Nonconformity. Since discovering his story a few years back, I’ve been inspired to look at my life differently, stop making excuses, and take control of my destiny (hence the whole “start a business and travel the world” thing.) He’s currently on a self-funded tour spanning all fifty states and ten Canadian provinces in support of his fantastic book, The Art of Nonconformity.

In honor of Grampy, I want to help you stop waiting for tomorrow and start acting today. What do YOU want out of life? Are you making it happen, or are you waiting for the perfect opportunity? What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do but “haven’t got around to it yet”? Maybe it’s traveling to Machu Picchu, driving cross country, or coaching your kid’s t-ball team. Perhaps it’s completing a triathlon, skydiving, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, starting a business, or even something as simple as going on a date, taking dance lessons, or taking a cooking class with your spouse. Whatever it is, stop waiting and start acting because you never know what could happen tomorrow.

In the comments today, let me know one thing you’ve always wanted to do but have been putting off for whatever reason, and one action that you’re taking TODAY to move one step closer to making it a reality.

I’ll be picking five winners at random from the comments. They’ll receive:

A free copy of Chris’s Book: The Art of Nonconformity. It inspired me to want a better life for myself (and then go get it), hopefully it will inspire you too.
A free deluxe copy of my Rebel Fitness Guide. Learn how to get in the best shape of your life without a gym membership or expensive equipment/supplements.
A free copy of Baker’s Unautomate your Finances. Stop stressing about money, get your finances in order, and remove “I can’t afford it” from your vocabulary.

By the time you’re through with all three guides/books, you’ll be well on your way a healthier lifestyle, sound financials, and a life worth living. Now, even if you don’t win, if your “thing to do” is something I can help with in any way, I’ll do what I can to help or put you in touch with folks who can.

Entries must be in by Monday, November 22nd at 11:59pm EST.

It’s time to start living a better life today, because tomorrow might not come and “eventually” never happens.

It’s not goodbye, Gramp…it’s “I’ll see you later!”

-Steve

PS – There’s a new 28-Day challenge on the Message Boards starting today, check it out!

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Anonymous

I want to have a more fulfilling job. A job I will call my career.

Today I am registering for some MPA classes that I have been putting off.
Rick

Steve,

I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I was raised by my grandparents. From your description, your grandfather and my grandfather would have got along great.

I have a fear of failure. I don’t want to live a pedestrian life. There are plenty of things I want to do with my life, but I keep making excuses and barriers. I say, “Well, once I lose 100 pounds, I can do that,” or, “Once I save $5000, I’ll be able to go do…” I need to focus on changing one or two things, with small, manageable goals. I think everything else will snowball from there.

I’m going to start today by deliberately planning my diet.

Thanks for your inspiration,
Rick
http://www.ombailamos.com chacha1

Hi Kristen, go for it! Don’t worry, you won’t be alone for long. You’ll meet people in the swim class and then at the dive school. Hope you have a great time!
http://www.ombailamos.com chacha1

Asuria, do it! I opened my own store this summer. No action yet, but I hear the average is 15 months. And if you ever doubt your creations are worthwhile, just check out Regretsy. You will feel like Yves Saint Laurent.
http://www.ombailamos.com chacha1

Steve, that was a beautiful post. I wish I had known my grandfathers better – we lived far away from both of them. I had an adopted grandfather, though, who taught me 1: don’t believe something based on just one side of the story; and 2: snakes are cool.

I’m not pitching in to your contest because I have too many projects on the go right now to add another. But I’ll follow along because this is a great community.
Chriskerr

Hi Steve, I’m sorry to hear about your grandfather.

I have a few, related goals which I have been putting off:
- Travel Europe
- Learn another language (French or Spanish)
- Complete an Ultramarathon

To begin achieving these I have:
- Decided to leave Syd in April 2011, to give myself a deadline to get organised.
- Opened a seperate targeted savings account to begin saving and am beginning to read finance blogs to learn to save more money and have a more frugal holiday.
- I put an application in to my local language school to begin either language early next year.
- Enrolled in the Two Bays Trail Run (56km) in January 2011

I think the hardest and most important step for me is always the first one. Once the decision has been made, I can then tackle the smaller goals (like eating better, and choosing where to spend money more wisely) far more easily.

As always, thanks for your ongoing motivation and inspiration.

Rgds
Chris
Sean

This is a recent dream of mine, but I would really love to be able to complete a half ironman triathlon. Ive done several regular triathlons and am nervous about getting injured due to the running that is required. I am only 24 but I have terrible knees from sports, accidents etc during my younger years.

In spite of that I am not going to change my training routine and utilize the CrossFit Endurance model to help me prepare and compete! This along with new physical therapy exercises will help me avoid injury and accomplish my goal.

Sean
http://www.facebook.com/people/Agata-Goralczyk/1770267946 Agata Góralczyk

Hi Steve,

I am sorry for your loss. I lost my beloved grandmother two years ago and know the pain.

I’ve had the idea to walk the world and teach people since I was at school. I’ve started to take this idea seriously this year. I quit my dayjob and from January on I will be selfemployed as a coach, consultant and teacher.
Today I’m working on my networking skills.

Thanks for your inspiration and best wishes

Agata
guest

Sorry for your loss Steve. A beautiful Tribute indeed!
Dakao Do

We who carry on are less for the loss of another inspirationally ordinary member of the Great Generation. But your motivating contest will spur us on to pick up the slack and achieve things that would make your Grampy proud, though he knew none of us who follow your blog.

You already know I teach German longsword combat and parkour, and have been working for 2 years to build up a school for the former.

What you don’t know is that I want to use my slightly dusty MBA degree and financial experience to help low- and middle-income families and individuals with money management, savings, and investment. Income and savings are just like nutrition and exercise — striking a healthy balance between inflows and outflows, then using the surplus for worthwhile activities.

My step today: I registered and purchased materials for my CFP (Certified Financial Planner) professional designation exam. I’ll still need 3 years’ work experience, but it’s a start!
http://twitter.com/hillarief hillarie furman

For privacy reasons, I don’t wish to disclose on this public space exactly what I plan to take a class in, but my action today is to quit putting off for “later” and call the local shop that offers classes and schedule it.
Brett

I’m working on both my writing skills and a particular writing project. Usually, writing time gets squeezed out. Today, I’m setting aside a portion of my lunch break to write.
Janis

The history really is hundreds — THOUSANDS — of years old. Just read an article today about a Roman road excavation just outside of London. We have our list of free sites as well as info. for a London Pass to see many more at a reduced price. We did make our hotel reservations and we are soooo ready!
http://outwardlypleasant.blogspot.com Kris

So sorry for your loss Steve, Gramps sounds like an amazing guy.

As for me, I’ve been kicking around the idea of doing a triathlon. I’m in training for a 10 mile race (running) that’s next weekend, 11/27, and realized it was much easier for me to increase my mileage from 4 to 10 than I thought it would be. So I decided to train for a half-marathon in April. Then I started kicking around the idea of a short triathlon. I don’t even own a bike. I have a pool, but while I walked in the water and floated around on it this past summer, not once did I actually swim. I need to do a lot to actually be able to do a triathlon, but it’s something I want to challenge myself to.

As for what I’m going to do TODAY to jump start this? I just took the first step. After reading your post, but before typing this comment, I did a search for triathlon’s in my state and found one that is less than an hour from me and will be held the end of August. I’ve found the race, now I need to talk to the husband about outfitting me with a bike (and necessary equipment) and finding a training program.
Lily

Condolences for your loss, but I think it’s great that you’re trying to spark positive action out of this.

I am terrible at keeping up with friends – once I no longer see someone on at least a monthly basis, they tend to drift out of my life forever. But I’m sick of losing people through my own inaction, so today I’m going to contact a friend from an old job and see if he wants to watch the new Harry Potter movie with me this weekend. Hopefully this will help me make a habit of checking in on people who were once (and hopefully can still be) close to me.
Lily

Condolences for your loss, but I think it’s great that you’re trying to spark positive action out of this.

I am terrible at keeping up with friends – once I no longer see someone on at least a monthly basis, they tend to drift out of my life forever. But I’m sick of losing people through my own inaction, so today I’m going to contact a friend from an old job and see if he wants to watch the new Harry Potter movie with me this weekend. Hopefully this will help me make a habit of checking in on people who were once (and hopefully can still be) close to me.
Dayna Leslie

It doesn’t seem to me that you’ve lost anything, in your own words, you described a man that leaves a legacy (your father, you) to perpetuate his ideas and strengths! You’ve really won! While it’s sad to be without those whom we love and hold so dear, for you to celebrate your grandfather speaks volumes of the type of human being he was, one we should all aspire to be. You seem off to a great start, I envy you!

I work two jobs, my dream is to be a professional wrestler. However, I have two bad knees, one that’s had surgery and one on the brink of needing surgery. So starting today, inspired by your “go get em’” philosophy, I’m going to go to the gym (free of charge as my job has an onsite facility) and strength train my bad knees. I am already part of a local promotion and have been wrestling independently for the past year, but due to injury, I cannot always participate in shows and have recently been taken off the January card. Now with fresh wind under my wings, I will work hard to get back on that card at 100% health! Thank you for the inspiration Steve!!!

PS. Australia is awesome, I have family there!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Alethea-Pyre/100001395982396 Alethea Pyre

What a great tribute to your grandfather.

I don’t like my job. I want to get my bachelors degree, but can’t afford to go full-time. I called the university today to find out costs/details on part-time schooling, figured out what degree I would need to get for my dream job, and made space in my budget to start saving up for tuition. I officially apply in a couple weeks, and school starts in the fall.
Lily

Condolences for your loss, but I think it’s great that you’re trying to spark positive action out of this.

I am terrible at keeping up with friends – once I no longer see someone on at least a monthly basis, they tend to drift out of my life forever. But I’m sick of losing people through my own inaction, so today I’m going to contact a friend from an old job and see if he wants to watch the new Harry Potter movie with me this weekend. Hopefully this will help me make a habit of checking in on people who were once (and hopefully can still be) close to me.
Kati

Hey Steve,

I’m really sorry for your loss – your grandfather sounds like a great guy and his four values seem a good way to guide you through life.

I’ve always wanted to life and work abroad – I’ve been playing with this idea ever since I was little and I did study in Italy for about six months as an exchange student (and while it was a great and life-changing experience, life as an exchange student resembles more a prolonged vacation than everyday life – not saying that there is something wrong with that… for a while at least)
But anyways, I’m currently in the final steps of finishing my thesis and graduating, and so over the past few months the idea of “getting out there” has been nagging at my mind – not at least by reading your post about your own short- and long-term plans. And after reading your summary post about your trip to Peru (by the way: BIG THANKS for including an alternative link for the ‘exercising in Peru’ video as I am one of those unfortunate individuals that youtube won’t allow to watch that video), I finally made up my mind and decided that as soon as I’m done with university I want to work/live in Spain.
I just wrote an email to my spanish professor to meet with her during the upcoming week – to talk about how I best go about finding a job and choosing a city (I’d like Barcelona but I’m not sure because even though they all understand Spanish many chose to speak Catalan instead). I also checked out some job offers from Spanish firms on the website of the International Office of my university – there were mainly internships but a few sounded really interesting and it might be a possibility of ‘getting the foot in the door’.
Plus, this will also act as an incentive to finish up my thesis – I don’t think my thesis advisor would let me ‘flee the country’ without handing in my thesis first

Well, thanks for your inspiring and positive posts and keep it up!

Kati
Jeff

Steve, sorry for your loss. Grandpa’s can be great influences on our lives, and it sounds like yours was well-worth knowing.

As for my goals, I have many things I want to do (travel, volunteer, etc) but have felt tied down by my student loans and lack of a real income (I’m currently a grad student and working part-time). I’ve been reading Tim Ferriss’s blog for a while and just came across Ramit’s recently as well, but haven’t taken much action with any of it (always convinced I’m too busy). However, I took this as a kick in the pants to actually order Ramit’s book today and then sit down and commit to improving my life.
http://www.ironmantrainingblog.info Melissa

Hi Steve,

I am sorry for your loss. It sounds like your grandfather was a great man.

As for me, I want to be able to support myself via creative endeavors such as writing, painting, and ceramics. To this end I am currently shopping my completed manuscript around to agents (well one so far, but am waiting for the yay or nay).

I am also participating in NaNoWriMo this month and am 38,000 words into my story (yay). And I created a blog last month, that I am still trying to figure out how I will monetize it, but getting my writing out there is amazing. (Though, starting a blog without enough of a backlog to get me through November was a bad idea and I missed several days that I have intended to post now).

I am also looking for local writing groups that can help me with the editing process on my novels to get them more publishing ready.

Also, for Kati above me (and well everyone else too), good luck with everything. You can also check out websites like Dave’s ESL Café, which has employment opportunities for teaching English abroad. http://eslcafe.com/

Thank you for your awesome website!

~ Melissa
http://www.stevekamb.com Steve Kamb

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