How the Elite Stay Healthy–It’s not just about money

Charlie Jones once said, ” You are the same person five years from now, except for two things:

1. The books you read
2. The company you keep.”

Think about that for a moment. Five years from now, you’ll look in the mirror and see essentially the same person staring back at you — unless you change what you’re feeding your mind and who you’re surrounding yourself with.

Warren Buffett, a well-known Wall Street billionaire, has the habit of reading every morning. Michael Faraday, despite starting as a mere lab attendant, was able to achieve great things because he dedicated himself to reading. These weren’t just lucky breaks — they were the result of intentional, consistent learning.

We could go on and on about the benefits of education, but here’s something most people never stop to consider: have you ever thought about how it relates to your health — the most important aspect of your life?

Think about it. Education is one of the biggest determinants of outcomes. You perform better in areas where you have a higher level of understanding, and by now, we know education isn’t confined to the four walls of an institution. We’re talking about self-taught, self-motivated, and self-directed learning — because that’s where the real magic happens.

We can attribute much of our current state of health to what we learned in school: 

Washing our hands to prevent the spread of germs

Covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze

Washing fruits and vegetables before eating them 

Properly heating or preparing our meals.

However, the world has changed drastically due to technological advancements and industrialisation. Our environment, the foods we have access to, and even our level of daily activity have shifted on a global scale.

We already agreed that the level of your education determines the quality of your outcomes in any area of life. Everyone may have basic knowledge about most things, but the reason some people stand out is that they are more educated in specific areas. You can see this in everything — from DIY home projects to managing finances and taxes. People who have taken the time to learn more about these things tend to do better than their peers who only have a surface-level understanding.

Research has shown that chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension tend to be more prevalent in communities with lower levels of education. This isn’t just because they lack information — it’s also tied to lifestyle factors influenced by poor education, and honestly? It’s heartbreaking when you really think about it. Let’s unwrap that for you…

People in lower-education or lower-income settings often have limited access to quality food options. Ultra-processed and high-calorie foods are usually cheaper (Have you seen how cheap soda is in some of these communities compared to fruits?), more accessible ( talk about the distribution chain of these mega companies!), and faster to prepare (ofcourse, comfort and instant gratification is a selling point), making them the go-to choice for busy individuals juggling multiple jobs or long hours ( cos they need the money to survie). Less education often translates to less flexible work schedules, meaning there’s less time to cook healthy meals at home. Poor sleep patterns, high stress levels, and limited opportunities for exercise all add up, creating the perfect storm for chronic illnesses to thrive. Over time, these small but consistent habits build up into major health challenges that could have been prevented.

On the other hand, the elite tend to be very intentional about their health. Many even hire personal trainers, nutritionists, and doctors to educate them and guide their choices. They understand that good health is the foundation for everything else — they want to enjoy their lives to the fullest, keep improving their wealth, and spend quality time with the people they love. They are proactive because they believe they have a lot to live for, and they’re not in a hurry to go anywhere (not to mention cheaper travel insurance when you are healthy). Health to them is not just a personal goal but an investment in a longer, fuller, and more rewarding life.

And here’s the thing — you don’t have to be wealthy to make this shift. You just need to be intentional.

So, here are my questions for you today:

1. What do you want for your health?
2. What kind of information are you consuming that will make your desired outcome possible? ( reading this article is definitely one :-) )
3. What’s your major source of health knowledge today?

Stay with me. In my next article, we’ll dive deeper into the right places to dig your health knowledge from, what to avoid, and what to hold onto like your life depends on it — because it probably does.