40 things before I’m forty
In January 2026 I turn 40 years old, and have a list of personal milestones and broader goals I’d like to achieve before that big ‘FOUR OH’. Here’s my list, and links to how I’m getting on so far…
- Eat pizza in Italy
- Go up in a hot air balloon
- Climb the three peaks (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon)
- See the northern lights
Compete in a powerlifting competition(read about it)- Pose for life drawing class
- Give a conference talk
- Watch a live sporting event
- Get a will drawn up
- Pay off debts (again)
- Buy a subway sandwich
- Learn to swim
Hire a junior dev(read about it)- Go to a “proper” festival
- Get my taekwon-do black belt
- Have a MFM threesome 👀
- Run a marathon in every major UK city (
London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds,Edinburgh, Belfast … ?) - Break £100k net profit in my business
- Pick up another language again – i.e. log into duolingo for the first time in years
- Be a better friend
- Finish the todo list on any one of my side projects
- Skinny dipping somewhere beautiful
- Do the parkrun A-Z
- Complete a tough mudder
- Attend a Pride event
- Deadlift double my body weight
- Bench press my body weight
- Go zorbing
- Try out indoor climbing
- Have professional photos taken of the family
- Take part in the 365 Project
- Go on a cross-country train adventure
- Get my nipple(s) pierced
- Get a tattoo
- Ride a horse
- …?
Sounds familiar? That’s because I did a similar thing before I hit thirty.