Stardate 06.06.2026
You may not be aware of the hard and necessary steps you need to take to become the person you want to become. I suspect that is true for most of us. The world is noisy. Opinions come at us from every direction. Some people cheer us on. Others become uncomfortable when they see someone making changes they have been avoiding themselves.
I can only speak from my own experience.
Years ago, I made the decision to give up most processed foods. This was not an accidental choice. It was part of a 45-day food experiment designed to help me understand why my body was struggling.
For 45 days, I ate fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and seeds. I drank water and limited amounts of red wine. There were moments when the experiment felt difficult. There were moments when convenience seemed far more appealing.
I stayed with it.
By the end of the experiment, I felt different on the inside. My blood panel reflected changes that confirmed what I was already experiencing. The experiment taught me that a series of small daily decisions can quietly reshape a person's health.
A second example came through my longevity research for Live Long and Prosper.
After spending years studying the subject, I made the decision to create a budget for supplements and commit to it long-term. The stack I follow today is outlined in the book I published three years ago.
What began as a deliberate effort gradually became part of everyday life. These days, if you happen to see me playing competitive tennis, you will rarely find me sitting between games, even during long sessions on the court. The habit has been repeated enough times that it no longer feels like work.
Then there is the cold shower.
Every morning begins with a conversation between my brain and the shower handle.
The debate is predictable, especially in the Winter months.
My brain offers reasons to wait. It suggests easing into the day. It reminds me how comfortable warm water feels.
Eventually, the discussion ends and I step in.
The reward arrives shortly afterward. The energy boost and improved mood have become familiar companions on the mornings when I follow through.
Two new experiments are underway right now.
The first is a commitment to eat sardines every day for 90 days, followed by a blood test to measure my Omega-3 levels. This has proven to be one of the more challenging experiments I have attempted.
The second is tracking my first 90 days using the new longevity sachet from DoNotAge. Several of the supplements that were previously part of my daily routine are now combined into a single powder mixed with cold water.
What interests me most is not the supplements, the sardines, or even the cold showers.
It is the gradual change taking place within me.
When I consistently do things that feel hard but worthwhile, my brain seems to become more cooperative. The resistance softens. The habits begin carrying some of their own momentum.
I notice less negotiation.
I notice more willingness.
The person I am becoming may look very similar to the person I was a few years ago. Most of the changes are happening where nobody can see them. They are occurring one decision at a time, one experiment at a time, one ordinary day at a time.
The outside world may not notice much difference.
That doesn't concern me.
One-percent improvements rarely attract attention in the moment. Their impact becomes visible when enough days have been stacked together.
As I continue these experiments, I remain curious about where they will lead. Time will reveal the results.
For now, I am learning that hard and necessary steps often introduce us to parts of ourselves we have not met yet.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9
Join me here:
https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong
Captain's Addendum
"Fascinating, Captain," Spock observed. "The human tendency to resist beneficial change appears remarkably consistent."
Bones folded his arms. "That's because humans are experts at arguing with themselves, Spock. We can turn a cold shower into a full-scale diplomatic negotiation."
"I have observed that as well, Doctor."
I smiled reading those words. Most worthwhile changes in my life began with some form of resistance. The resistance never seems to get the final vote. One small step taken today often opens the door to another tomorrow.
May you live long and prosper. 🖖
