414: Prioritize Health First: Run Your Life with the Profit First Model

Let’s be honest—how often does your health get the best of you, not the rest of you?

In the whirlwind of work, family, errands, and endless obligations, health often becomes the thing we try to fit in—if there’s time. But what if we flipped that mindset? What if we treated our health like a business treats profit—something that comes first, not last?

Inspired by Mike Michalowicz’s book Profit First, this post is your invitation to rethink how you show up for your health, your training, and your life.

The Profit-First Approach to Health

In business, the Profit First model turns the traditional equation on its head: instead of income minus expenses equaling profit, it says—take your profit first, and let everything else fall in around it.

Let’s apply that same principle to your health. What if you blocked time for sleep, movement, and nourishing meals before your calendar filled up with meetings, appointments, and favors for everyone else?

That shift in mindset can change everything. Instead of scrambling to “fit in” a workout or grabbing whatever food is fastest, you’re operating from a place of intention, not leftovers.

What’s Your Health Profit? Key Areas to Prioritize

💤 1. Sleep Comes First

Sleep is not a luxury—it’s a non-negotiable. It’s your body’s time to repair, recharge, and rebuild. Are you guarding your bedtime like you guard your training plan?

Start by creating a consistent wind-down routine. That means boundaries—putting the phone away, turning off the TV, and giving yourself permission to rest. Without quality sleep, your training, nutrition, and energy all suffer.

🏃‍♀️ 2. Schedule Your Training

Training doesn’t just happen—it takes planning. Look at your week before it starts and plug in your workouts like appointments. Whether you’re training for a race or just building a solid habit, consistency wins over perfection.

And remember: your workouts don’t have to be long or fancy. What matters is showing up. Momentum builds when you make space for it.

🥗 3. Plan Your Nutrition Like a Pro

Nutrition fuels everything you do. But if you’re constantly winging it or grabbing whatever’s nearby, your body pays the price.

Try this: plan just two or three dinners ahead. Pack a couple of snacks. Keep it simple—but intentional. Food is fuel, and when you treat it that way, you feel the difference in your energy, recovery, and performance.

Common Challenges & How to Navigate Them

🔄 Prioritize Recovery

Rest isn’t being lazy—it’s being smart. Your body needs recovery time to absorb the work you’re doing. That means scheduled rest days, gentle movement, or just giving yourself permission to pause.

And if you're someone who’s always taking care of others, this might feel uncomfortable. But remember—resting doesn’t mean you’re letting people down. It means you’re showing up stronger when it counts.

🤝 Lean on Support

You weren’t meant to do this alone. Whether it's your family, a running group, or an online team, support matters. When others know your goals, they can help keep you accountable—and remind you that you’re worth the effort.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, delegate, or communicate your needs. This is part of building a life that supports your well-being, not drains it.

🚧 Set Boundaries That Protect Your Energy

Saying no can be one of the most powerful health habits you develop. Not every opportunity, invitation, or request deserves a “yes.” Protecting your time and energy is prioritizing your health.

Start small. Say no to the extra task that pushes bedtime later. Say no to the event that takes you away from your planned training session. Over time, this boundary-setting becomes a muscle that gets stronger with practice.

Simple Action Steps to Get Started Today

• Do a Time Audit: Take a few days to track where your time is actually going. You might be surprised. Then look for just one area to reclaim some space for health.
  
• Choose One Habit to Tweak: You don’t have to overhaul your entire life. Maybe it’s shifting bedtime 30 minutes earlier. Maybe it’s meal planning just twice a week. Start small and build momentum.
  
• Join a Support System: Whether it’s a running team, a coach, or a friend who shares your goals, community brings accountability—and energy. It’s so much easier when you’re not doing it all alone.
  
  

Health is the Real Profit

Here’s the truth: prioritizing your health isn’t selfish. It’s essential. You can’t pour from an empty cup. When you feel strong, rested, and fueled, you show up as your best self—for your family, your work, your training, and your life.

So let’s stop treating health as an afterthought and start treating it like the profit it truly is—something to protect, prioritize, and build everything else around.

You’re worth it.

And if you’re ready for support, structure, and community around your health journey, check out the Real Life Runners Team. We’d love to help you build a sustainable plan that works for your life.

Let’s get out there and run our lives with health as our greatest investment!