When Health Becomes Wealth

Photo by Alexandra Tran

There are a few phrases we’ve all heard over the years—health is wealth and movement is medicine. I’ve repeated them myself plenty of times, but lately, they’ve started to land a little differently.

Never in my younger years did I imagine I would be thinking about these phrases in the sheer fact of being able to stand up quickly, bend down without hesitation, or move without pain. Back then, health was about looking good. I equated it with the way my clothes fit, how toned I looked, or how fast I could run a race.

But time has a way of teaching us what really matters.

As I’ve gotten older and as I talk with others walking this same road, we notice the changes in our bodies. We’re moving a little slower. We’re forgetting things here and there. And let’s be honest, none of us are “dropping it like it’s hot” anymore without first thinking, Can I actually get back up? While it makes us laugh, it’s also eye-opening.

Movement, mobility, and strength training aren’t optional anymore, they are essential. They’re not just about how we look, but how we live.

For me, it’s deeply personal. I lost both of my parents to heart-related issues, and not a day goes by that I don’t think about how fragile life is. Their passing taught me that our bodies are both gifts and responsibilities. Every step, every walk, every stretch is an act of gratitude and care.

In my lifetime, I’ve seen more people pass away at younger ages, and it’s only heightened my awareness. Not in a way that makes me fearful, but in a way that makes me mindful. These phrases—health is wealth and movement is medicine—hold so much more weight now.

The truth is: movement is what allows us to live fully, laugh deeply, and love with presence. It’s not about chasing perfection. It’s about honoring our bodies, advocating for our health, and listening to what we need.

So I move. I walk. I strengthen. And I encourage you to do the same. Because at the end of the day, health really is the greatest wealth we can hold. And movement is the medicine that keeps us going.