50 by 50: A Journey of Growth, Adventure, and Purpose
Chapter 1 | Breathing in the start of a new story | Embracing Creativity and Craftsmanship
Setting ambitious goals is an empowering act. For me, creating a list of 50 meaningful goals to achieve by the age of 50 started as a thought experiment but quickly evolved into something deeply personal. These goals aren’t just items to check off a list—they represent a vision for the person I want to become, the experiences I want to have, and the impact I hope to leave behind. With a deadline set for November 5, 2028, the journey feels both exhilarating and humbling.
This holiday season, especially on Christmas Eve, this list takes on a new significance. The goals I’ve chosen are more than aspirations; they’re a gift to myself—a way to invest in my growth, embrace life’s adventures, and give back to those around me. Each goal reflects the life I want to live and the person I’m striving to become.
To make this journey more meaningful and organized, I’ve divided my goals into five key themes. These themes not only guide my focus but also connect my goals to deeper values.
1. Transforming Health and Vitality
Good health is the foundation for a life well-lived, and this theme focuses on physical and mental well-being. It’s about creating habits that sustain me, pushing my limits, and finding ways to feel vibrant and energized every day.
Eliminate My CPAP Machine: One of my top priorities for 2025 is improving my respiratory health so I can live free of the CPAP machine. It represents freedom and improved quality of life.
Hike to Everest Base Camp: This ambitious goal combines physical endurance, mental resilience, and adventure. Preparing for such a feat means embracing a new level of fitness and determination.
Develop a Fitness Routine: Consistency is key. By creating sustainable habits, I’ll build the strength and stamina needed for my adventures and wellness goals.
Mental Health Practices:
From mindfulness to journaling, I aim to integrate practices that support my emotional well-being and help me stay balanced. I have Bipolar disorder. While some call it a mental illness, I prefer Dr. Daniel Amen’s term: a brain illness. To me, this shift in language acknowledges that mental health is just as physical as it is emotional, removing the stigma and framing it as a challenge that can be managed, improved, and understood. Focusing on my mental health is a keystone of this journey. In the spirit of vulnerability and transparency, I’m sharing publicly for the first time that I have Bipolar disorder. It’s a deeply personal revelation, but one that feels aligned with the honesty and authenticity I want to cultivate through this experience. Being Bipolar comes with its unique set of challenges—moments of heightened creativity and energy balanced with times of struggle and introspection. Acknowledging this as part of who I am is freeing, and it empowers me to approach my journey with self-compassion. My mental health practices are designed to provide stability and resilience. Mindfulness keeps me grounded in the present, journaling helps me process emotions, and both give me a framework for navigating the complexities of my brain. By prioritizing these practices, I am building a foundation that supports every other goal on this list. Sharing this part of myself is also a step toward creating meaningful connections—it’s a reminder that none of us are alone in our struggles and that sharing our stories can be a powerful tool for healing and growth.
2. Conquering Fear and Exploring New Frontiers
Adventure is at the heart of this journey, and this theme is about embracing challenges, facing fears, and stepping into the unknown. These goals push me to discover what I’m truly capable of.
Dive with Great White Sharks: Facing the awe and fear of these majestic creatures is both thrilling and humbling. It’s a goal that represents pushing past limits and connecting with nature in a profound way. My plan is to fulfill this goal in South Africa, which, according to my research, is considered the best place in the world to see Great White Sharks.
Advance Scuba Certifications: To prepare for my shark diving adventure, I’m refreshing my scuba skills and working toward advanced certifications. Logging dives and gaining experience is part of the excitement.
Prepare for Everest Base Camp: Every step in training—whether it’s hiking, building endurance, or planning the logistics—brings me closer to this life-changing adventure.
Visit National Parks, New Countries, and Try New Foods: Part of conquering new frontiers is embracing the unfamiliar. Exploring natural wonders, immersing myself in new cultures, and broadening my palate all contribute to personal growth.
Exploring new frontiers isn’t just about physical adventures; it’s about conquering internal doubts and proving to myself that I’m capable of more than I ever imagined.
3. Embracing Creativity and Craftsmanship
Creativity brings joy, fulfillment, and a deeper connection to the world around me. This theme focuses on developing skills that allow me to express myself and capture the beauty of my journey.
Learn Photography: One of my favorite goals is to learn the basics of photography. Capturing moments from my adventures and documenting this journey is a way to preserve memories and tell my story visually. My promise is that every photo, except for images of products I discuss or review, will be my own. I will not use stock photos because I want my visuals to reflect my authentic experiences. At the end of this adventure, my goal is to present my photography in a gallery, showcasing the growth of my skills and the meaningful moments I’ve captured along the way.
Hone My Cooking Skills: Cooking is more than just a necessity—it’s a craft that allows me to explore cultures, create meaningful experiences, and bring joy to myself and others. By learning and refining my cooking skills, I hope to create meals that are not just delicious but also reflect the diversity and richness of the world’s cuisines. At the end of this adventure, I am planning to host a seven-course meal for my friends and family. This dinner will not only showcase what I’ve learned but also serve as a celebration of community, creativity, and connection.
Start a Blog: Writing about my “50 by 50” goals is both a creative outlet and a way to reflect on my progress. It’s also a platform to connect with others who are on their own growth journeys.
4. Building Meaningful Connections
Life’s greatest adventures are even better when shared. This theme is about fostering relationships, creating a strong support system, and showing up for the people who matter most.
Strengthen Family Bonds: My family has been incredibly supportive of my goals, and I want to continue strengthening those connections by being present and creating shared experiences. To achieve this, I plan on organizing a yearly family vacation. These trips will be a way to step away from the busyness of life, reconnect with one another, and create lasting memories.
Deepen Relationships: Celebrating milestones and creating memories with loved ones is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. These relationships are a source of joy and motivation.
Build an Accountability Network: Surrounding myself with people who encourage and challenge me ensures I stay on track. This network is key to maintaining consistency and progress.
Participate in Relationship and Intimacy Retreats: These retreats are designed to challenge my understanding of relationships and intimacy, helping me emerge more open and vulnerable.
5. Returning to Purpose and Service
At its core, this theme is about giving back—using my skills, passions, and experiences to make a difference in the world. It’s also about rekindling past passions that bring meaning to my life.
Get Back into Emergency Medicine: This goal connects me to my love of helping others in critical moments. I was a firefighter and paramedic for over 10 years and also worked in ERs and surgical ICUs. Emergency medicine has always been a passion. When I was injured and had to medically retire from the fire service, I also walked away from emergency medicine, and I’ve missed it deeply. While re-certifying as an EMT-Basic won’t fully restore what I was doing before, it will give me a taste of the world I love so much.
Complete CPR/First Aid Certification: These certifications are not only practical but also essential for my return to emergency medicine. They ensure I’m equipped to help in everyday situations.
Mentor Others: Mentoring others is one of the most meaningful ways to give back. I want to share the lessons I’ve learned from pursuing my goals, not just the successes but also the challenges and failures. Mentorship isn’t just about providing advice—it’s about listening, encouraging, and inspiring others to dream big and take action. Whether it’s helping someone rediscover their passions, guiding them through a career shift, or supporting them in personal growth, mentoring is a way to amplify the impact of my own journey by helping others on theirs.
A Christmas Eve Reflection
As the year comes to a close, Christmas Eve feels like the perfect time to reflect on the gift this journey is. Each goal is a reminder of how much life has to offer when we dare to dream boldly and live intentionally. It’s a gift of hope, self-belief, and the courage to keep striving.
I know I may not achieve all 50 goals by November 5, 2028, but that’s not the only measure of success. This journey is about who I become along the way. Success, to me, means becoming a whole new person—someone who has stretched beyond what I thought was possible, proven my capabilities and embraced the fullness of life.
This “50 by 50” journey is the greatest gift I could give to myself. Each step I take brings me closer to a life filled with purpose, connection, and adventure.
TL;DR:
The "50 by 50" journey is about setting meaningful goals to achieve by 2028, focusing on personal growth, adventure, creativity, connections, and service. These goals are not just tasks but a vision for becoming the best version of oneself, embracing challenges, and fostering deeper relationships. Key goals include improving health (eliminating CPAP), tackling adventures (Everest Base Camp, shark diving), embracing creativity (learning photography, hosting a culinary experience), strengthening connections (family trips, accountability networks), and giving back (emergency medicine, mentoring).
Reflecting on Christmas Eve, the journey is a gift of hope, self-belief, and courage, where success is defined by the growth and transformation achieved along the way—not merely by completing all 50 goals.
