Today is my birthday. Surprisingly, I feel no shame about my age or any need to withhold the fact that, including today, I've celebrated this annual event... 40 times.

This is what 40 looks like... for me.

Strangely enough, there was a moment not so long ago that I was convinced I wouldn't live to see 40. It wasn't that I had some weird premonition of an accident or anything like that. But a few months ago, I experienced what my doctor described as "an isolated cardiovascular incident" involving my heart beat speeding up for no particular reason as I sat at my desk one morning. It freaked me out. It reminded me of my mortality. And it made me realize that if I wanted to live to see 40 and beyond, I needed to do some things differently.

So I decided that I was going to get fit. But not just some random 90-day fat shredder program, or even a weight loss regiment with food points and calorie calculators. No, I wanted to change the way I looked at life so that my eating, behavior and outlook reflected the fact that I wanted to live a long, active and healthy life. The other incentive is that I wanted to look good for my wife. But not just look good like, "oh, you look nice honey". I wanted her to see me and think, "OMG! I want to rip off his clothes right now!"

I've been steadily working out, eating healthier and losing weight since that fateful day in the office. I've never felt better. And whatever people may think about how 40 is supposed to be... old, fat, over-the-hill or the opposite of sexy, I want to blow that theory out of the water. I want to be MY definition of 40. A man who's crazy about his wife, adores his kids, loves God, cherishes his friends and lives a life that is not only full, but satisfying.

So if you're under 40 and feeling discouraged about what you think you can accomplish, let me TELL you and SHOW you that indeed, it's not too late. I love you all.