For as long as I can remember, the saying "hard work builds character" has defined my life. I applied this to everything; love, work, health, and even my down time was still filled with work. I worked 2 jobs 7 days a week, working a minimum of 9 hours a day. On top of that, I tried to add the gym, relationships, and everything else one packs into their life, and like many ambitious people, this lead me to burning out. In the fall of 2014, I started to develop a chest pain that I tried to ignore and continued plugging away at my non stop life style. Now fast forward to present date, and add dozens of doctor visits, x-rays, CT scans, MRI's, ultra sounds, specialist, diet changes, life changes and prescription,s and I'm still only able to workout and do the things I love at 30% level of what I was used to.

I lived for the "goal crushing, do it yourself, self success" mentality, and when my world came crashing down, I lost a lot of hope. There were days when I would get so mad at myself, and instead of rising above, I let an injury win. When you have to change some of your core defining principles, I can tell you now that it is hard to come out on top. My life was the Autobahn, one speed only, FAST.

My professional career as a financial planner has allowed me to open up and see both sides of the spectrum; the "I'll wait until tomorrow" mentality, and the detriment it can cause, or the "I'll do it now and see the benefit it has for the long run". What we do today will echo for years to come, resulting in the principles of a stead fast dedication to doing the right things today with a mentality for the years to come. This has helped me to slow down and realize that my bull headed motivation will not answer all my questions and sometimes its important to think of what truly motivates you. As a business owner and family man, I'm accountable to a large amount of people including myself. The days of running a million miles an hour will not serve anyone on that list in the long run.

The Manulife Vitality program has really become a fundamental back bone in allowing me to look at my motivating factors in a different light. Not only do I get the peace of mind knowing my family's well being is taken care of with proper life insurance, I also get the opportunity to take care of my own personal health as well. Everything from annual physical checkups, mental health, dietary tips, workout goals and more are all incentivized to you. Beyond the rewards, the feeling of taking care of my finances and health has left me with a renewed motivation and a stronger accountability to be the best version of me. To anyone, struggling or not, finances in check or not, health in check or not, I truly believe in the Vitality program and its benefits that can help motivate you in a multitude of different areas of your life. I know it has for me.

Manulife Vitality Vlog One

Scott Nelson