If you had asked me in high school what kind of person I was, the answer would’ve been easy: a night owl. Staying up until 1 AM or 2 AM felt completely natural. There was something comforting about the quiet darkness, the glow of a screen, the freedom to watch movies or shows without interruption. Nights felt like my time.
But somewhere along the way, things changed.
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When I think of balance, I imagine life in perfect harmony. Everything I do has a counterbalance — a way to even things out. If I work hard, I make sure to take time to enjoy life. If I indulge, I do it in moderation. I love food, but I eat moderately and work out to balance it. For me, balance isn’t about cutting out the things I enjoy — it’s about creating equilibrium so nothing outweighs the rest.
Balance, to me, applies to everything — time, energy, and emotion. If I spend time on something, I try to counter it. If I eat junk food, I make up for it with healthy choices. When I spend energy, I make sure to rest. When I face chaos, I seek peace. It’s a constant back-and-forth. Life will always throw me off-center, but being mindful helps me find my way back.
A balanced day probably looks boring. I work out in the morning to spend energy, then eat protein to replenish. I go to work and make sure to take breaks. I eat proper meals to refuel throughout the day, and when the day ends, I sleep to recharge. I try to split my time between work, myself, and my family — and I try to give as much as I receive. Again, boring.
I can tell when I’m out of balance. My body lets me know. I’ll feel off — like I have too much of something or not enough. Maybe I’ve been too busy, or too lazy. Too stressed, or too relaxed. The imbalance reveals itself in small ways — in my mood, my focus, or my energy.
Keeping balance is really about maintaining a routine — and recalibrating when life throws me off. The hardest part IMO is work, because people are unpredictable and stress comes out of nowhere. When that happens, I have to consciously step back and find ways to destress, to pull myself back toward center. Sometimes that means making changes. Chasing balance shouldn’t mean forcing yourself to do things you hate. If something that once felt “balanced” starts feeling draining, that’s a sign it’s time to change the routine — switch jobs, try a new gym, find new motivation.
I’ve learned most of this through experience. No one taught me about balance; I just noticed that when things go out of balance, something always gives — your body, your mindset, your energy. Over time, I’ve realized that moderation is the simplest way to stay balanced. Don’t do too much of anything, and life tends to find its own rhythm again.
When I’m balanced, I feel content — like I’m giving the right amount in every area of life. It helps me show up for others, whether that’s family, friends, or coworkers. Balance makes space for connection. And I don’t think balance is something you ever fully achieve, I think it’s something you continually adjust.
I used to roll my eyes when my dad talked about eating healthy and taking care of my body. Now that I’m older I catch myself doing the same: watching what I eat, exercising, and sleeping well. I can’t believe I’m becoming more like my dad.
I was active as a kid, taking taekwondo like my son now, and in college I started lifting and never stopped. A few years before COVID I got more serious, but it became more real starting the summer of 2023. I had just flow back from Korea when I felt like I was having a heart attack. That was the moment when I decided I had to turn things around.
These days I’m addicted to my routine: wake up early for black coffee, massage and stretch my body, warm shower to wake up and warm up. Then it’s 45 minutes of HIIT class at Basecamp. I love the feeling during my workouts when my lungs burn and my body is pumped; I feel strong, young, alive. If I skip my routine, I feel… off. Sore for the entire day.
After my class, I take my protein mixed with creatine, hit a cold shower as my cryotherapy treatment, and I make sure to get enough sleep at night. Eight hours if possible. Of course, working out every single day (or I try to) like I do isn’t the textbook definition of “healthy”, and I’ve made trade-offs to keep going. I used to be a night owl; now I hit the sack early. I cut back on drinking and junk food. To me, it’s worth it.
Fitness taught me the simplest rule: if you want a long, healthy life, you have to take care of yourself. No cheat codes. Just reps. Level up, again and again.
Back in the pre-COVID days, I was living my best fitness life. Thanks to Gympass (basically Classpass’s cousin), I had the golden ticket: unlimited access to gyms, fitness classes, and even cryotherapy. And the best part? I was paying about $150 a month for what easily felt like $900 worth of value. It was probably the best company perk I ever had.
My weekly routine looked something like this: four HIIT classes at CircuitWorks, three cryotherapy sessions, and a sense of satisfaction at the end of it. Then COVID came along and flipped the table.
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It’s been a couple of months since I started detoxing from caffeine, and I wanted to share how it’s been going. For most of last year, my mornings started with a can of Celsius — my favorite energy drink brand — and usually didn’t end there. At work, caffeine is everywhere. Cold teas, sodas, and even decaf from Bilgewater (Riot’s campus version of Starbucks). I’d often grab one or two more throughout the day.
Caffeine was just part of my routine. About 200mg every morning to kick things off, then whatever I felt like grabbing later in the day. Before Celsius, it was regular coffee, or the occasional Red Bull. It became normal. Almost invisible.
(more…)I’m sure those who are interested in losing weight or slimming down have one point or another searched online for a way to lose their excess weight and stay fit. If you are one of them, you know the steps to fitness are complicated: watching your weight, grocery shopping for health foods, learning workout routines, etc. A lot of the times it’s a hassle and that’s something you don’t want in an already busy life.
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johnro 