We’re in that sweet spot at the moment with the ages of our kids, where we can all sit down and play a game of cards together. And by “play,” I mean in that serious, cut-throat, take-no-prisoners kind of way. I mean, there are often tears at the end, but surely it’s resilience-building, right?!

One of our favourite games at the moment is monopoly deal.

I was playing a game with my three boys the other night and found it fascinating to see how each of them has their own unique style of play.

First, there was The Stasher – He holds onto his money tightly, focusing on saving and avoiding risks, even when the game requires bold moves to win, and despite the fact that having lots of cash isn’t the objective of the game.

Then there was The Risk-Taker – He goes all in, taking big risks, which can lead to big wins or quick losses. Either way, he moves on quickly and takes it all in his stride.

Finally, there was The Strategist (with a Wandering Mind): He knows what to do and has a brilliant strategy, but then often gets distracted and ends up losing it all.

It’s funny, because the way they play monopoly deal is exactly how they manage their pocket money too.

And it got me questioning everything I’ve read and heard about how our money beliefs and behaviours often stem from childhood experiences—like watching how our parents manage their money or overhearing conversations about it.

If this was 100% true, wouldn’t all of my children play monopoly deal & manage their pocket money in the same way?

What I’ve come to believe is that, whilst modelling is very impactful, it’s interpreted through the unique lens of the individual observing it.

And I believe it’s the same for our beliefs and behaviours around our health & fitness. This is why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to building a strong, resilient body.

You could be like my Stasher -> you might be more cautious in your fitness journey—perhaps avoiding trying new exercises or sticking to what feels comfortable, even if it means missing out on potential growth.

You could be like my Risk-Taker -> diving headfirst into intense workouts or fad diets, seeing short-term results but often burning out or feeling frustrated when the results aren’t sustainable.

Or you could be like my Brilliant but Distractible Strategist -> starting a fitness routine with the best intentions but struggling to maintain consistency amidst the distractions and demands of daily life.

A generic approach to exercise may work for you, or it may feel like you’re forcing a square peg into a round hole. This can leave you feeling like a failure, which we all know isn’t great for motivation!

The key is to understand your tendencies and habits and then learn to work with them, not against them. When you identify a strategy that works for you, you can create a more sustainable approach to health and wellbeing that aligns with who you are, what you want, and the life you live.

So my question to you is: Are you a Stasher, Risk taker or Distractible Strategist?