Today is the youngest you will ever be. This is why it is never too late to start.

No matter how old you are, there is always a whisper of regret in the background: If only I had started sooner. Whether it is learning a new skill, pursuing a passion, changing careers, or simply committing to better health, we often mourn the years we think we have lost instead of cherishing the time we still have.

But here is a truth worth sitting with: Today is the youngest you will ever be.

Read that again. Let it sink in. The power to shape your future is in the present moment, no matter your age or where you stand in life. Here is why embracing this mindset can change everything.

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The Allure of Starting Young

We idealize youth as the ultimate opportunity, a seemingly infinite stretch of time where dreams are achievable and risks are manageable. Yet, youth is often riddled with uncertainty, insecurity, and hesitation. How many times have we, in our younger years, said, “There’s plenty of time for that later”?

Life happens. Plans change. Seasons shift. But the truth is, there is no “perfect time” to begin anything. Wishing you would have started earlier does nothing to change the past. What does matter is what you choose to do with the time you have now.

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The Myth of “Too Late”

Society loves to place arbitrary limits on achievement. By 30, you should have a stable career, be married and have your first child. By 40, you should have everything figured out. By 50, it is too late to start something new. But history is filled with stories of people who defied these expectations.

• Harriet Tubman escaped slavery at the age of 27 and did not begin her extraordinary work on the Underground Railroad until her 30s. Over the next decade, she led dozens of enslaved people to freedom and continued to fight for justice well into her later years, including serving as a spy and nurse during the Civil War and advocating for women’s suffrage into her 70s.
• Vera Wang did not enter the fashion industry until she was 40. After a successful career as a figure skater and later as an editor at Vogue, she pivoted to designing bridal wear, eventually building a globally recognized brand.
• Toni Morrison published her first novel at 39 and won the Nobel Prize for Literature at 62.

These examples remind us that life is not a race but a journey. The only expiration date on your dreams is the one you impose on yourself.

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The Power of Starting Today

The moment you decide to take action, you reclaim your power. You might not have the same energy you had at 20, but you bring something even more valuable to the table: experience, wisdom, and resilience. These are the tools that can fast-track your success in ways your younger self could not have imagined.

Here are a few steps to make the most of today, your youngest day:

1. Embrace a Beginner’s Mindset
   It is okay not to know everything. Starting something new requires humility and curiosity. Focus on learning and growth, not perfection.
2. Set Small, Achievable Goals
   Overwhelmed by the magnitude of your dreams? Break them down into bite-sized steps. Progress, no matter how small, is still progress.
3. Silence the Inner Critic
   That voice saying, “It’s too late” or “What’s the point now?” is lying to you. Replace self-doubt with self-compassion and affirm that you are exactly where you need to be.
4. Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Outcome
   Every step forward is a victory. Do not wait until you reach the finish line to acknowledge your growth.

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A Legacy of Action

Imagine looking back on your life from a vantage point years from now. Will you see a person who wished and waited, or someone who seized the moment and started? The choices you make today create the story you will tell tomorrow.

The reality is, we are all aging. But age is a privilege, not a limitation. Every day you wake up is another opportunity to become the person you want to be. You may not control the years you have left behind, but you have full control over the ones ahead.

“The longer we keep looking back in the rearview mirror, it takes away from everything that’s moving forward.” Dan Quinn

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Stop looking back. Stop looking ahead with fear. Look at today. It is the youngest you will ever be, and it is brimming with possibility. Take that first step toward the life you have been dreaming of—whether it is writing the book, running the marathon, starting the business, or simply saying “yes” to yourself.

Your future self is waiting to thank you.

So start now. Start today. Today is the youngest you will ever be.

Ahead of you,

Coach Erika