A counterexample. My father died when he was 59 after a decade of ill-health. He'd had to give up many of the things that he loved doing as an individual (sailing) and with us as a family (caravanning, long walks, etc). This made a big impression on me (I was mid-20s when he died) and I resolved to focus on things other than wealth maximization but still retire early enough to (hopefully) enjoy my health.
I'm now 60. I retired two years ago after working 3 day weeks for the two previous years. I then transitioned to volunteering for a conservation organisation, and started career 2.0 totally independently of my prior experience / education (software). It was a blast!
Then, five months ago, I had a cardiac arrest - ventricular fibrillation, from which I was de'fibbed and had an ICD [0] fitted. It seems to be a genetic thing rather than lifestyle as my cardiac health is otherwise good. Because of the UK's rules, I lose my driving license for six months from the date of the VF episode. I understand why, as once the VF starts I have less than ten seconds of useful consciousness before passing out, and, if the ICD operates, I get a painful kick in the chest. Thanks to underinvestment, the UK's driving agency currently has a backlog of at least three months in reissuing licenses, so I will likely have nine months not being able to drive (which means that I can't do my volunteering).
My point? Don't assume that you will maintain your youthful vigour for ever as life can throw curveballs.
A counterexample. My father died when he was 59 after a decade of ill-health. He'd had to give up many of the things that he loved doing as an individual (sailing) and with us as a family (caravanning, long walks, etc). This made a big impression on me (I was mid-20s when he died) and I resolved to focus on things other than wealth maximization but still retire early enough to (hopefully) enjoy my health.
I'm now 60. I retired two years ago after working 3 day weeks for the two previous years. I then transitioned to volunteering for a conservation organisation, and started career 2.0 totally independently of my prior experience / education (software). It was a blast!
Then, five months ago, I had a cardiac arrest - ventricular fibrillation, from which I was de'fibbed and had an ICD [0] fitted. It seems to be a genetic thing rather than lifestyle as my cardiac health is otherwise good. Because of the UK's rules, I lose my driving license for six months from the date of the VF episode. I understand why, as once the VF starts I have less than ten seconds of useful consciousness before passing out, and, if the ICD operates, I get a painful kick in the chest. Thanks to underinvestment, the UK's driving agency currently has a backlog of at least three months in reissuing licenses, so I will likely have nine months not being able to drive (which means that I can't do my volunteering).
My point? Don't assume that you will maintain your youthful vigour for ever as life can throw curveballs.
[0] https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/treatments/implant...