HIGHLAND Financial Advisors, LLC’s Post

If you know me, you know a little something about my fat-to-fit journey. I used to weigh 138 kilos. I worked a 60-hour work week, if not more. I lived on caffeine and fast food. I barely ever took a holiday. My ‘workouts’ were the walk from the car to the office. Fast forward to 2012. I’d had a bariatric surgery, and the pounds started to melt off. I went from barely being able to run 1km to running 254 kms across the Moroccan Sahara - the Marathon des Sables. I took on CrossFit with the InnerFight community. I coached with the best of the best including Tom Walker and Marcus Smith. I did a solo, unofficial ‘lockdown’ Ironman during the pandemic. But I don’t share this with you for praise. Or to motivate you to make big changes in your life. What I want to share with you that what made this transformation possible for me was getting the right advice and the right coaches in place. Putting myself in the right rooms helped. And that is what the world of fitness has in common with the other world to which I belong: Finance. You see, success in both fitness and finance requires goals, a plan, and discipline. Both have compounding returns. Both require commitment and accountability. The harder pill to swallow? Both worlds are fraught with ‘fake news’, illegitimate advice and half-knowledge holders parading as ‘experts.’ I’ve seen the wrong financial advice destroy people’s financial futures. Just as much as I’ve seen unqualified dietitians put the wrong people on damaging crash diets… I wish I could change the fitness industry, but I can’t. Not right now, anyway. What I can do right now, however, is ensure I’m making a dent in the world of financial services. I’m doing this by launching a series for Corporate Executives to achieve financial freedom: The Corporate Executives Blueprint to Financial Freedom. This three-part webinar series is designed to help you objectively identify your goals and figure out the right financial tools to achieve those goals. This is NOT a sales pitch. It’s a no-strings-attached, no-holds-barred series to help a specific segment of people realize their financial dreams. Are you in?  Details in the comments below. #fitnessjourney #personalfinance #financialadvisor #corporatelife #financialplanning #financialfreedom

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and neglect the essential pillars of a balanced life. Let's talk about the 3 F's - Fitness, Finance, and Family. 💪Fitness is not just about looking good; it's about feeling good. Regular exercise boosts energy, reduces stress, and improves overall well-being. It's about taking care of your physical health, which is the foundation for a healthy mind and a fulfilling life. 💰 Finance is about more than just money; it's about security and freedom. Smart budgeting, investing, and saving are key to building a strong financial foundation. Financial security provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on what truly matters in life. 👨👩👧👦 Family is our support system, our source of love and encouragement. Nurturing strong relationships, creating lasting memories, and prioritizing quality time together are essential for a happy life. Family provides a sense of belonging and unconditional love, which is invaluable in today's world. Balancing these 3 Fs isn't always easy, but it's essential. When we invest in our fitness, finance, and family, we create a life that’s not just successful, but also deeply satisfying. #LifeBalance #Fitness #Finance #Family #Wellbeing #PersonalGrowth

This morning, I hit 200 pounds on my back squat! It’s not my personal best, but it’s been a long time since I’ve reached that weight, and it felt so good to hit that milestone again! It reminded me, once again, of the things I can and cannot control. And, it got me thinking a lot lately about how we often get caught up in chasing "the gains"—whether it’s in the gym or with our money. Like, I know I can't control how the markets will perform, just like I can’t control how my body will respond on any given day when I step up to the barbell. What I 𝙘𝙖𝙣 control is my mindset and my behavior. I can choose to be grateful at this very moment because gratitude has a way of grounding me in reality. I can choose to have a positive outlook, even when things feel uncertain. I can decide how much I spend, how much I save, where I want to invest, and how I react to life's inevitable financial surprises. In powerlifting, I can’t always guarantee that I’ll hit a personal record or lift the heaviest weight every session. But I can focus on my deliberate warm-up, my deep stretching, and my careful mobility work—the often-overlooked pieces that make up the majority of my routine and ultimately create the foundation for those gains. It’s the same with our finances. We don’t always have control over the big, flashy outcomes, but we do have control over our consistent habits and the steps we take to prepare ourselves because it's in that preparation where real change happens. And sometimes, it’s the “unseen” work—the slow, consistent, and often unglamorous effort—that ends up making the most significant difference. Would love to hear how you stay focused on the things you can control, whether it’s in your workouts, finances, or life in general. PS: Remember, it's not about perfection but about celebrating those wins—big or small—because they're all part of the journey. #personalfinance #healthiswealth #womenandwealth #powerlifting

Mindless spending can derail any financial plan. Consider three important habits for boosting your money mindfulness and improving your financial picture.

Just like a well-balanced financial portfolio requires consistent investments, a well-balanced life requires constant work on both physical and mental fitness. As a chartered accountant and fitness coach, I see a direct correlation between lifting weights and managing finances. Every rep, like every calculated decision in accounting, contributes to long-term gains. You don’t see results overnight, but persistence compounds success in both fields. Whether it's tracking numbers or tracking progress in the gym, the same principles apply – consistency, discipline, and patience. Just as compounding interest grows wealth over time, compounding effort builds strength and resilience, one step at a time. #FitnessCoach #CharteredAccountant #MindAndBody #Discipline #Consistency #CompoundEffort #FinancialFitness

Discipline is your secret superpower. And you’ve already mastered it... in the gym. Here's how 👇 Most people think discipline is just about fitness—waking up early, eating clean, working out consistently. But in reality, the same discipline that builds a strong body can also build a strong financial future. This mindset is what separates people who struggle financially from those who thrive. This is what you do... Be consistent In fitness, you know that showing up regularly matters more than a one-off hard workout. The same applies to saving and investing. Regular contributions, even small ones, compound over time. Avoid shortcuts Crash diets don’t work, and neither do “get rich quick” schemes. Sustainable success in both areas comes from sticking to proven, long-term strategies. Track progress In fitness, you track your reps, sets, and weight to monitor progress. Financial discipline works the same way. Budgeting and tracking expenses keep you aware of where your money is going and how it’s growing. Delayed Gratification You don’t see results from the gym overnight. But you trust the process because the payoff is worth it. With finance, skipping immediate pleasures (like impulse spending) leads to far bigger rewards in the long run. So, the real quest is, how can you shift your gym discipline to your financial life? Here are 3 that can make all the difference: Think Long-Term Just like in fitness, don’t focus on the short-term wins. Create a financial plan that looks at the big picture. Trust that your discipline will pay off—whether it’s saving for retirement, paying off debt, or building wealth. Automate the Process In the gym, you might follow a program or routine. In finance, automate your savings and investments so they happen without you thinking about it—like clockwork. Celebrate Small Wins Hitting a PR in the gym? Celebrate it! Hit a financial goal, like building an emergency fund or paying off a credit card? Celebrate it! These small wins keep you motivated for bigger ones. So, next time you’re in the gym, remember: you’re not just building muscle—you’re building discipline. And discipline is the cornerstone of financial independence. #finance #fitness #health #minset #financialplanning

Mindless spending can derail any financial plan. Consider three important habits for boosting your money mindfulness and improving your financial picture.

Fitness Friday thoughts! Fitness and financial planning have so many parallels. In the beginning, you do not see a ton of results. It is hard to set away money or get up and go to the gym. Those who continue to invest in their financial future and physical health, who endure and create the discipline reap the rewards. The compounding effect of investing when you are young in both shows up later. You do not see that gain after a month, but the more you do it, the more you begin to notice. For me, I have been going hard in the gym the last few months. No excuses. No snoozes. Get up and grind mentality. My wife and I keep each other accountable. She is cranking out the gym and rocking the stay at home mom life with our 4 littles. She pushes me. I have an advisor who keeps me accountable. Lays out the plan. Helps me to stay disciplined and keep investing for the future. Everything in life that is worthwhile, takes time. It takes discipline. Energy. Sacrifice. I am so glad I started investing when I was 22 because I see the compounding effect of what I have been doing at 33. I am so glad I have spent time investing in food and physical activity. I see the results months later as I have more energy to run with my kids and my overall mood is better (ask my wife!) #riseandgrind #investnowforthefuture #accountability #embracethesuck

What are the biggest similarities between fitness and finance? ◾ Discipline: -Just like sticking to a workout plan, financial success requires discipline. -It’s all about making consistent, smart choices over time rather than looking for shortcuts. ◾ Planning:  -Whether you're training for a marathon, trying to PR on bench, or saving for retirement, having a clear plan is crucial. -Set your goals, map out the steps to achieve them, and track your progress along the way. ◾ Consistency:  -In both fitness and finance, consistency is key. You won't see results overnight, but with consistent effort, you'll start to notice significant changes. -Regular workouts and regular savings/investing both compound over time to give you impressive results. ◾ Patience:  -Achieving fitness goals and building wealth both take time. -It’s about the long game, not instant gratification, which is one thing we struggle with these days. Stay patient, stay focused, and trust the process. ◾ Accountability:  -Having someone coach you along the way can make a huge difference. -They provide guidance, support, and hold you accountable to your goals. I did decline close grip bench press this morning for the first time and it's my new favorite tricep movement. Try it out if you haven't.

📣 Exciting News! Evolve Weight Loss is Expanding! 🎉 Evolve Weight Loss Ltd and Jen are at it again - THREE new Groups opening June 5th, 6th and 11th! We're very proud to announce the opening of two more venues in Northampton and a brand new venue in Bromsgrove! But this isn't merely an expansion; it's a monumental leap forward in our goal to redefine what it means to lead a healthy, fulfilling life. 🌟 Picture this: You are standing at the forefront of a movement that's rewriting the narrative on Slimming Groups - one member, one success story at a time. At Evolve Weight Loss, we don't just see weight loss as shedding pounds; we see it as shedding limitations, fears and self-doubt. As a self-employed Weight Loss Coach with Evolve, you're not just guiding members through a physical transformation; you're empowering them to reclaim their lives, one step, one choice, one victory at a time. But why should you join Evolve Weight Loss? 1. Making a Profound Impact: At Evolve, we understand that behind every number on a scale lies a story - a story of resilience, determination and unwavering courage. As a Weight Loss Coach, you'll have the privilege of being part of their story. 2. Flexibility Redefined: Gone are the days of being tied to a rigid 9-to-5 schedule. With Evolve, you have the freedom to design a schedule that works with your life. 3. Community: When you join Evolve, you're not just joining a team; you're joining a family - a family united by a shared mission to uplift, support and empower one another. Together, we celebrate victories, navigate challenges, and grow stronger. 4. Fueling Your Growth: At Evolve, we believe that growth is not just a destination; it's a journey - one that's filled with endless opportunities for learning, development and self-discovery. 5. Rewards That Reflect Your Value: Your contributions are priceless and at Evolve, we believe in rewarding them accordingly. Enjoy a competitive commission structure with unlimited opportunities to grow. But here's the truth: We can't do it alone 😢 We need visionaries, trailblazers, and changemakers - We need empathetic people who are happy being self-employed, ready to step up and willing to go on a mission to make a real difference. We're not looking for any Weight Loss Coach - we're looking for caring, heart-warming people who get it! If you understand people, and you can truly say "I know how you feel..." while being empathetic - let's chat 📲 Join us at Evolve Weight Loss and be part of something extraordinary. #EvolveWeightLoss #WeightLossCoaches #CareerOpportunity #JoinOurTeam #HealthAndWellness #Expansion #NowHiring #Bromsgrove #Northampton #MakeADifference #MeaningfulChange