I’m 45 years old, and for the largest part of my career I’ve been an accountant. A good one, too. For years, I ticked all the boxes of a comfortable middle-class life: mortgage (not huge, but still there), car finance, nursery bills, holidays. I was working to fund the lifestyle, and the lifestyle existed because I was working.
It was the definition of the hamster wheel.
When my dad died, I took time out to sort out his affairs. At the time, I didn’t realise it, but that was my first step towards freedom and reinvention. Stepping back from the corporate treadmill gave me something I hadn’t had in years — space to think. It gave me the freedom to explore what I actually wanted, rather than just plodding along in the life I’d built.
Looking back, I can see I wasn’t happy in my job. I knew it even then, but I’d convinced myself that the “security” it offered was worth it. The truth is, it was a false security. The corporate job kept the bills paid, but it didn’t make me feel alive.
That realisation made me curious — there had to be more to life than this. I promised myself, and my wife, that I’d find a way for us to step outside the traditional model of “work” and create something that would give us real freedom. Not just enough money to live, but enough space to explore passions, discover what truly fulfils us, and find ways to give back.
I was lucky. My dad had worked hard and passed on a business mindset, and my financial background gave me tools to make the most of the resources we had. We could easily have squandered what we’d built, but instead, I took our first step: expanding our property portfolio. It’s not a passion project, and it’s a slow burner, but it’s a foundation. It helps take away that day-to-day financial pressure.
So why walk away from a lucrative consulting business in accounting? Quite simply: I don’t find it stimulating anymore. If I’m honest, I’m not sure I ever did. Yes, the money was good, and the skills I gained were valuable — but fulfilment? That was always missing.
These days, aside from the property work, I’m exploring things that light me up a bit more. I love cooking, and I’ve somehow fallen into a baking path. I’ve started selling sourdough bread locally, which could lead to something bigger — or maybe not. Who knows? I also love fitness and nutrition. I’ve been on my own journey with weight loss and health, and I’d love to help others achieve their goals too.
This blog, in fact, started with that idea — sharing my fitness journey, mindset shifts, and the lessons I’ve learned. Writing helps me process ideas and bring them to life. It’s something I want to explore more, both for my own clarity and hopefully to inspire others. If I can help even one person get “out of their own head” and take steps towards the life they want, I’ll consider that a win.
I’m not under any illusions. Finding a new path that truly fulfils me won’t be quick or easy. But I’m committed. I want to build something that helps people be happier — and in the process, I know it will make me happier too.
This is the next chapter. Let’s see where it goes.