Tax is Due Every Day
If we want to be high performers—whether in our careers, relationships, or personal health—we don’t complain about the work that needs to be done. We don’t negotiate with the effort required. We simply get it done. That’s the tax we pay for the life we want to live. It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency. Every lifestyle comes with its own set of demands, and the rent is due every single day. Let’s explore why paying this tax is non-negotiable, with examples and stories to bring it to life.
1. Desk Job / Sedentary Worker
Why Pay the Tax?
Sitting for hours on end is a silent killer. It weakens your muscles, tightens your hips, and wrecks your posture. Over time, it leads to chronic pain, weight gain, and even mental fog. The tax for this lifestyle is movement—steps, strength training, and mobility work to counteract the damage of sitting.
Example 1: The Corporate Climber
Person: Sarah, 35, a marketing executive who spends 10+ hours a day at her desk.
Tax: Sarah needs to hit 8,000-10,000 steps daily, do 2-3 strength training sessions a week, and spend 5-10 minutes each day on posture correction exercises.
Story: Sarah ignored her "tax" for years. By 32, she had chronic back pain and felt exhausted by mid-afternoon. After a wake-up call from her doctor, she started walking during lunch breaks, lifting weights twice a week, and doing yoga on Sundays. Within months, her energy skyrocketed, and she felt sharper at work. Now, she doesn’t see her workouts as optional—they’re the rent she pays to stay at the top of her game.
Example 2: The Remote Worker
Person: Jake, 28, a freelance graphic designer who works from home.
Tax: Jake needs to take movement breaks every hour, do 3 full-body strength sessions weekly, and walk 30 minutes daily.
Story: Jake’s sedentary lifestyle led to weight gain and low energy. He started setting a timer to stretch every hour and joined a local gym. The transformation wasn’t just physical—he felt more creative and productive. For Jake, paying the tax isn’t just about health; it’s about staying competitive in his field.
2. Physically Demanding Jobs (e.g., Construction, Manual Labor)
Why Pay the Tax?
Repetitive movements and heavy lifting wear down the body over time. Without strength training, mobility work, and recovery practices, injuries are inevitable. The tax here is about bulletproofing the body to handle the daily grind.
Example 1: The Veteran Carpenter
Person: Mike, 45, a carpenter with 20 years of experience.
Tax: Mike needs 1-2 strength sessions weekly focused on his posterior chain, daily mobility work for his shoulders and hips, and regular massages or foam rolling.
Story: Mike used to think his job was enough of a workout. But after a shoulder injury sidelined him for months, he realized he needed to invest in his body. Now, he does kettlebell swings and deadlifts to strengthen his back and stretches every morning before work. Paying the tax keeps him pain-free and able to provide for his family.
Example 2: The Young Landscaper
Person: Emily, 26, a landscaper who spends her days digging, planting, and lifting.
Tax: Emily needs to focus on recovery—daily stretching, foam rolling, and 1-2 yoga sessions weekly to prevent overuse injuries.
Story: Emily ignored her recovery tax until she developed chronic knee pain. After adding yoga and foam rolling to her routine, she noticed a huge difference. Now, she sees recovery as part of her job—it’s the rent she pays to keep doing what she loves.
3. Athletes / Former Athletes
Why Pay the Tax?
Athletes push their bodies to the limit, and former athletes often deal with the aftermath of injuries. The tax here is about maintaining strength, mobility, and mental health to stay functional and pain-free.
Example 1: The Weekend Warrior
Person: Chris, 38, a former college football player who now plays in a recreational league.
Tax: Chris needs 3 strength sessions weekly, daily mobility work for his knees and shoulders, and 8+ hours of sleep for recovery.
Story: Chris tore his ACL in college and never fully recovered. After years of neglect, his knee pain flared up again. He started doing unilateral leg work and hip mobility exercises daily. Now, he’s back on the field and feels stronger than ever. For Chris, paying the tax is about staying in the game.
Example 2: The Retired Gymnast
Person: Mia, 30, a retired gymnast with chronic back pain.
Tax: Mia needs daily core strengthening, weekly Pilates sessions, and mindfulness practices to manage stress.
Story: Mia struggled with back pain and anxiety after retiring. She started doing Pilates and journaling daily, which helped her feel more in control. Paying the tax isn’t just physical for Mia—it’s about finding balance in her new life.
4. Mental Health Challenges (e.g., Depression, Anxiety)
Why Pay the Tax?
Mental health requires daily effort. Sleep, stress management, and physical activity are non-negotiable taxes for maintaining emotional well-being.
Example 1: The Overwhelmed Parent
Person: Lisa, 40, a mother of three who struggles with anxiety.
Tax: Lisa needs 7-8 hours of sleep, daily walks, and 10 minutes of mindfulness to manage her stress.
Story: Lisa used to feel like she was drowning in responsibilities. After committing to her "tax," she started walking every morning and meditating before bed. These small changes transformed her mood and energy. For Lisa, paying the tax is about being the best version of herself for her kids.
Example 2: The Burned-Out Student
Person: Alex, 22, a college student battling depression.
Tax: Alex needs 3 strength sessions weekly, 8+ hours of sleep, and a balanced diet to stabilize his mood.
Story: Alex hit rock bottom during finals week. He started lifting weights and prioritizing sleep, which gave him the energy to tackle his studies. Paying the tax isn’t easy, but it’s what keeps him moving forward.
5. Injury Recovery / Chronic Pain
Why Pay the Tax?
Injuries come with lifelong taxes—mobility work, corrective exercises, and avoiding certain movements. Skipping this tax leads to pain and setbacks.
Example 1: The ACL Survivor
Person: Mark, 29, recovering from ACL surgery.
Tax: Mark needs daily unilateral leg work, hip mobility exercises, and 2-3 strength sessions weekly.
Story: Mark learned the hard way that skipping leg day wasn’t an option. After surgery, he committed to his rehab and now does single-leg squats and lunges religiously. Paying the tax keeps him strong and pain-free.
Example 2: The Chronic Back Pain Sufferer
Person: Rachel, 50, with a history of herniated discs.
Tax: Rachel needs daily core work, weekly Pilates, and regular stretching.
Story: Rachel used to avoid exercise out of fear of pain. But after starting a core-strengthening program, she felt stronger and more confident. For Rachel, paying the tax is about reclaiming her life.
The Takeaway
The tax you pay for your lifestyle isn’t a punishment—it’s an investment. Whether it’s strength training, mobility work, mental health practices, or nutrition, the rent is due every day. High performers don’t complain about the work—they embrace it. Because at the end of the day, the effort you put in determines the life you get to live. So, what tax are you paying today?