The 50 by 50 Goals Explained

50 by 50 Goals Explained

The other day, I posted about completing a Scuba skills update, casually mentioning that I was one step closer to my big goal. Naturally, someone asked, What’s the big goal? That’s when I started rambling about my 50 by 50 goals—until I realized that even I was getting confused. It’s a lot of goals and a lot of things to do, and honestly, I don’t need to make this more complicated than it needs to be.

At the end of the day, what I’m really doing is living my best life. And when I boil it all down, there are only a few big goals that matter:

1. Renew my relationship with myself and others.

2. Free myself from my CPAP machine.

3. Be prepared for any emergency medical situation.

4. Learn how to cook an amazing meal.

5. Learn to express myself through photography.

6. Travel the world.

7. Hike to the base camp of Everest.

8. Scuba dive with Great Whites in South Africa.

Everything else? Just stepping stones that support these eight. The goal is to complete them all by November 2028.

I’ve talked before about reinventing my life, but let’s be real—I’ve always been willing to roll the dice. The difference now is that I’m committing to these goals, making them a priority over the next few years. And with that, I’ve simplified my sub-goals to make progress feel less overwhelming and more like an adventure.

Renew My Relationship with Myself and Others

This goal is all about growth—from self-reflection to building deeper connections.

1. Journal daily for a month to build a reflective habit.

2. Establish a self-care routine to maintain emotional balance.

3. Practice relaxation techniques weekly.

4. Practice mindfulness daily.

5. Create a habit of forgiveness by letting go of past hurt.

6. Read 10 books focused on resilience, mental health, and personal growth.

7. Attend a retreat focused on intimacy.

8. Deepen relationships with family and friends through a vacation each year.

9. Attend a retreat focused on yoga and mindfulness.

10. Mentor someone on a similar journey.

This follows a logical path: self-awareness → self-care → learning → deepening relationships → sharing wisdom.

Free Myself from My CPAP Machine

Because sleeping like Darth Vader isn’t the life upgrade I signed up for.

1. Swap out unhealthy household and personal care products.

2. Develop and maintain a consistent skincare routine.

3. Walk 6,000 steps four days a week.

4. Complete a 30-day fitness challenge focused on CPAP-free goals.

5. Reach 215 lbs. and achieve 15% body fat.

6. Complete an annual health check-up and track improvements.

7. Improve my health and sleep quality until I can ditch the CPAP for good.

The progression: environmental changes → foundational habits → physical activity → measurable fitness goals → medical tracking → ultimate CPAP-free success.

Be Prepared for Any Emergency Medical Situation

If something goes down, I want to be the person who knows what to do.

1. Complete a CPR/First Aid certification or refresher course.

2. Get re-certified as an EMT-B.

3. Complete the SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Course.

4. Get certified as a Wilderness First Responder.

This builds from basic lifesaving skills → professional medical certification → specialized rescue training → advanced emergency care.

Learn How to Cook an Amazing Meal

I can survive just fine in the kitchen, but I want to thrive.

1. Take cooking classes, starting in 2025.

2. Try three new foods each year until October 2028.

3. Host a seven-course dinner in 2028.

The plan: learn the skills → expand my palate → master a show-stopping meal.

Learn to Express Myself Through Photography

Because "pics or it didn’t happen" should at least look good.

1. Learn photography basics to document key journeys.

2. Create a personal Places I’ve Been travel photo album.

3. Enter a photography competition or submit work for publication.

4. Hold a gallery showing of my photography by October 2028.

From learning the craft → telling personal stories → gaining recognition → showcasing mastery.

Travel the World

Adventures don’t happen from my couch.

1. Learn basic conversational Spanish and practice it in Mexico by June 2025 (15 minutes, four times a week).

2. Visit a new national park each year starting in 2025.

3. Visit a new country every year.

The flow: develop language skills → explore domestically → go global.

Hike to the Base Camp of Everest

I don’t just want to see Everest—I want to earn my way there.

1. Build endurance to hike 10 miles back-to-back by 2025.

2. Build endurance to hike 10 miles three days in a row by 2026.

3. Build endurance to hike 10 miles four days in a row by 2027.

4. Complete a training climb of Kings Peak by 2027.

5. Hike to and sleep over at Everest Base Camp.

The progression: build endurance → take on tougher hikes → prep for Everest.

Scuba Dive with Great White Sharks in South Africa

Because what’s life without a little adrenaline?

1. Get recertified in scuba diving (after getting prescription goggles).

2. Complete the SSI Shark Ecology Course.

3. Complete an underwater photography class.

4. Earn an SSI Dive Master Certification.

5. Scuba dive with great white sharks in a cage in South Africa.

The steps: master the basics → learn about sharks → improve underwater photography → achieve professional-level diving → experience the ultimate adventure.

The Bottom Line

Breaking this down made me realize something: the big goals are simple. They’re about transformation—first internally, then through skill-building, and finally through adventure. Everything else is just a step in the journey.

So, am I reinventing myself? Maybe. Or maybe I’m just making sure I have one hell of a ride.

By 2028, I’ll know for sure.