In this week’s edition of this newsletter I’d like to talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough recognition these days: patience. In a world addicted to instant gratification – one-day shipping, crash diets, 6-week “transformations” – the most meaningful changes still happen the old-fashioned way: slowly and steadily with a good dose of patience thrown in. 

Last week I touched upon how compound interest and exercise are eerily similar. Whether we’re talking about your bank account or your overall strength or fitness, the same principle applies: small, consistent investments lead to big long-term returns. 

Compound interest is when the interest you earn on your savings starts earning interest too. It’s money making money. The magic comes from time and consistency. Imagine you invest £1,000 at 7% annual interest. In year one, you earn £70. In year two, you earn interest not just on the original £1,000, but also on that £70. Fast forward a few decades and that initial one grand could be worth over £7,600 – all without you lifting a finger…

This is why financial advisors (and this personal trainer) harp on about starting early. The earlier you begin, the more time compound interest has to work its quiet magic. You don’t need to be rich to benefit – you just need to be consistent over time.

Now let’s swing the spotlight to exercise. At first glance, it might seem totally different, but look closer. When you start training – whether it’s fitness, strength, or mobility – those early days can feel like nothing’s happening. But stay consistent, and a few weeks in, you start noticing changes: you sleep better, feel stronger, lift heavier. Over months and years? You’ve transformed.

Why? Because of something you might call compound fitness. Just like with money, your early “investments” in movement might not seem like much. But over time, the progress accumulates. Muscles strengthen, bones get denser, your heart becomes more efficient, and even your brain benefits with boosted mood and memory. Every workout builds on the last. And crucially, momentum keeps building.

Here’s where the real parallel lies: what you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.

Want an example? Missing a workout once isn’t the end of the world – just like skipping one monthly savings deposit won’t ruin your retirement fund. But if you consistently put in even small amounts – say, 20 minutes of walking a day or £50 a week – your body (or bank balance) begins to reflect it in ways that are truly life-changing.

In both cases, the early stages are the hardest: the changes are invisible, the progress is slow, and the temptation to give up is high. But those who stick with it eventually see the exponential gains kick in. The graph starts to curve upward.

There’s also the psychological win. Both regular saving and regular training reinforce a mindset of discipline, resilience, and delayed gratification. You start thinking long-term, trusting the process, and finding joy in the journey. Some might say that is the greatest return of all.

So the next time you’re feeling discouraged about sluggish progress with any aspect of your strength or fitness, remember: every small step compounds. Give it time. Stick with it. Trust the process and have patience. Because whether it’s finance or fitness, the magic doesn’t lie in the grand gesture. It lies in the quiet, regular habits that whisper: “Keep going.”

If you’d like my help getting you started with those small steps to create those habits, or getting back on track with them, please get in touch. I want to help you be the best you can be.

Perhaps you’d like help with nutrition too. Sales are currently open for the 10 day ‘Summer Blast!’ that accredited nutritionist, Gemma Westfold, and I will be running at the end of this month. We are giving people a starting point, information, exercises, advice and live Q&A sessions that will help them navigate the busy summer period, while hopefully providing them with more energy. All for the small sum of £99. If you would like to sign up for that programme we would love to have you as a participant. Click here to do so.