Elevating Our Second Half of Life: Longevity, Fitness, and Moving Abroad

A Little Art, A Big Thank You

We recently had a fun new addition to our living space here in Madeira—a Samsung Frame TV, thanks to a suggestion from one of our subscribers, John, whom we met at a local electronics store. The sleek, minimal design fits perfectly in our home and doubles as a TV and an art display. Right now, we’ve got Van Gogh gracing our living room. Pretty cool, right?

This small upgrade got us thinking about how we’re approaching 2025 with a clear focus: elevating every aspect of our lives in the second half.

Welcome to Track Us Down!

If you’re new here, welcome! We’re Doug and Monique—former professionals who retired early at 50, sold everything, and moved to the stunning island of Madeira, Portugal. Our YouTube channel and website are all about early retirement, living abroad, and creating a fulfilling second half of life.

Now that we’re settled into our new place, things are coming together nicely. Although we’re not quite ready for a full house tour, we’re loving the fresh start. This move marks a significant step in our ongoing journey to elevate our lives.

The Importance of Longevity

As we dive into this new year, we’re thinking a lot about longevity—not just living longer but living better. We’ve had so many meaningful conversations with our subscribers about maintaining health, wellness, and vitality in this phase of life.

One recent inspiration was a social media post by Dr. Mindy Pelz. She shared powerful advice: If you want to age quickly, stick to your routines—same food, same people, same habits. But if you want longevity, embrace change and discomfort. Travel to new places, meet people with different perspectives, and push your body and mind.

This resonated with us because we’ve seen firsthand how stepping out of our comfort zone can promote growth and vitality. Let’s break down what we’ve done to embrace longevity.

Moving Abroad: The Ultimate Reset

Our decision to move to Madeira three and a half years ago was a game-changer for our health and mindset. Leaving behind familiar routines and environments pushed us into a world of discovery. From learning Portuguese to adapting to a new culture, we’ve expanded our horizons and built entirely new neural pathways—just as Dr. Mindy suggests.

This move also opened up endless travel opportunities. We’ve explored incredible places like Morocco, Slovenia, and Switzerland, alongside Portugal’s diverse landscapes. Traveling requires adaptability, problem-solving, and a spirit of adventure—all great for longevity.

Building New Connections

One of the most rewarding aspects of our move has been connecting with a wide variety of people. Back in North America, we mostly socialized with people our own age. Here, we’ve formed friendships with people both much older and younger than us, from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

These connections spark interesting conversations and keep our minds sharp. Learning from different perspectives has been a fantastic way to stay engaged and curious.

Fitness and Health Goals

Our move has naturally elevated our fitness levels. Living in a walkable neighborhood with access to beaches, trails, and vibrant city life encourages us to stay active. Without even trying, Doug now averages 13,000 to 15,000 steps a day—a significant increase from our previous routine.

We’ve also embraced new fitness challenges. Doug’s pushing himself with CrossFit, open-water swimming, and long-distance running. Meanwhile, Monique has taken up swimming and is even considering joining a city run in December.

Choosing a Word for the Year: Elevate

For 2025, we’ve chosen elevate as our guiding word. It reflects our commitment to enhancing our health, fitness, and overall lifestyle. Whether it’s setting fitness goals, making better choices, or simply enjoying a more vibrant daily life, we’re focused on continuous improvement.

One concept from Atomic Habits by James Clear has stuck with us: Make good choices easy and bad choices hard. Moving to a walkable area has made it easy for us to choose walking over driving—a simple yet impactful change.

What’s Next?

We’re excited to see where 2025 takes us. Our goals include continuing to build meaningful connections, staying fit, and embracing new challenges—like our ambitious plan to record a video entirely in Portuguese (wish us luck!).

How about you? What are your goals for 2025? Is there one thing you can start right now to pursue a healthier, more fulfilling second half of life? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for spending your time with us today. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Track Us Down for more conversations about early retirement, moving abroad, and living a better second half of life.

Until next time—keep elevating your life and remember to Track Us Down!