Life Is Short. Scare Yourself. 

Time flys, don't waste it.

Such an honest video, and the most profound thing you said was a seemingly throwaway line - 'With the right people, anywhere can be ok.' Absolutely...

very emotional for me mark, 63, cycling lots and recently widowed, life has just got very difficult and scary

This video really upset me, I'm 30, I moved from the UK to Vancouver last year, about as far away from home as I could get in the hope that I'd discover a taste for life, an excitement and freedom from being somewhere else. But all I'm really learning is that if you're not happy with yourself, then it doesn't really matter where you go, because you're still carting all your troubles around with you. I'm walking about in life trying on different versions of myself, the sober one, the stoic one, the marathon running one, the work obsessed one, the creative one, and nothing really feels quite right. I feel like time is slipping away from me, as people's lives are moving forward, and I'm just jutting in random directions, more unstable, and with less direction than ever. "With the right people, anywhere can be OK" - now more than ever, I'm longing for this, a place where I feel I belong, I'm just not sure where it is

"Didn't get faster but I got better..." There is so much meaning in that simple statement Mark, thank you for probably the best video you have done without meaning to!

When someone who normally jokes about and is sarcastic is sincere and honest like this it makes you realise how deep that person is. A side of you none of us have ever seen, and as someone approaching 40 and currently in a scary situation this video spoke to me.

42 year old me, packs up the family of 4, moves to Norway from the deserts of the southwest States, no job, can’t speak the language and buys a house on a tiny island - bringing the population of the rock up to 24 people. Scary as f***k! Still not sure if it was ballsy or driven by immense self- confidence. 25 years later still here - growing my own food in season, running trails on the nearby island and taking the ferry every day to work or my longer runs on the mainland. Dream fulfilled.

It wasn’t until I turned 50 that I stopped fearing the future and started to embrace the uncertainty of life. I’ve changed my job, started to do ultras and Spartans and stopped listening to the people who kept telling me I’m too old to do these things. I can honestly say that I have never been happier.

"With the right people, anywhere can be okay." You're damn right!

I'm sure you were apprehensive releasing something like this, a lil different to usual, you smashed it mate. Quite emotive at places. Nailed the editing again as well, bet you're well chuffed

Ok, look, I don't cry at RU-vid videos. But this one got me close. Also 50, also have lived within 10 miles of Reading my whole life. Divorced and 3 great 18+ kids. Great new partner. Dad died, dog died, Mum in a care home. Selling the 3 generation house we built. No ties, and no idea where to go next. This vid was a beautiful reflection on a life mostly well spent in and around Reading. The next phase has to be exciting and scary. With content like this, you can be sure that everyone in the comments section is with you and can't wait to follow your journey. Keep it up Mark.

My parents moved to a property much like that drone shot at the ripe old age of 70.. my mum was sick of living in the city, where she had lived for the past 35 years. They had to for us kids and my dad's work. Finally they could live how they had wanted to for so long. They were happy there for 5 years, living their dream. Then my mum got diagnosed with incurable cancer in November 2022 She died, at the home she spent her whole life waiting for, less than a month later. Don't wait... Just do it and don't worry, you never know how long you have left.

"I didn't always get faster, but I got better here". Great video Mark, enjoy the new adventure!

I didn't expect to have an existential crisis this Saturday morning. Life is short, on the verge of my own life changing decisions that I've been putting off for too long. Best make my own move before the theme park closes.

I am a serial re inventor. Grew up an Essex girl (which was epic fun) moved to Oxford to get married and turned into a rural village lady who volunteers, had a son, ran a preschool, moved into an ancient cottage with bats, made a cottage garden in two acres. Then we moved to Singapore and lived the city life for nine years. I adored it. Now we are back with the bats. But going back feels wrong. Time for more adventure. I am 71. I don’t want to settle down. Keep moving and they won’t find you, as a dodgy friend says. A word of advice though. Rural living is pretty damn awful all through the winter. There is f all to do and you live indoors for months. Having lived in a proper city I am converted. Being able to walk to a shopping mall, the MRT which links to glamour, shopping, great food, wonderful nature parks and world class attractions like Gardens by the Bay all accessible inside 30 minutes was so enriching. We still had nature and the sea on our doorstep. I am thinking Thailand next, the minute my husband retires.

“I didn’t get faster, but I got better.” Wow that’s so true for a lot of people who get into fitness when life gets hard. Sometimes you get faster but really it can be a place of healing and working through the hardship

I think this is my favorite video you’ve made. I’m a grandma in the US. I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes mate (I hope that is term of endearment 😊). I look forward to seeing where you land. Many blessings to you, Jen and family.

Thanks Mark. I am crying at 8:45 in the morning. Looking at my life and you really hit hard today.

Do it. I'm 62 and I've just moved back to the UK after 20+ years abroad. If life isn't an adventure, it's nothing. Resilience is the key, I've cut grass and cleaned toilets, I've run my own business, my new adventure is just beginning and I'll do whatever I have to to make it work. And FFS don't be average.

I found you looking for fitness motivation. I stayed for the hilarity. I joined the Patreon for the realization that I needed to stop comparison and value authentic creators. Today was a reminder of what makes your channel such an awesome resource for me and others. I think in that time I was 353lbs and forcing myself to be healthy… to now being 210lbs and working on trying to run a sub 4 hour marathon. I realize that the reason I’m happier now is that I get to play with my kid without feeling limited by my body. I get to enjoy the world I have without fear of judgement or feeling less than. You didn’t do that for me, but you were definitely a cog in that wheel that has let me get to the point I am at today.

This message is really for everyone, younger and older. Life is short, you need to live. Living is making difficult decisions, scary decisions and not knowing necessarily what is around the corner in 10 years time. But to be honest, none of us know what's around OUR corner in 10 years time. Live in the moment, yes be calculated in your decisions, not reckless, but live.

Thanks for another awesome video Mark. Your content has really helped me during recovery from anorexia nervosa, in the same way I know it’s helped countless others who are fighting the scale from the opposite end. When I’m having a tough time sometimes I throw on one of your videos to remind me that if I want to perform well as an ultra runner I need to fuel my body and treat it right - no way around it. I’ve done a lot of damage over the years, now with osteoporosis at 31, but you showed that a past of poor health does not have to mean the end for future athletic endeavours, as long as we work hard at it. It’s a bloody tough fight, but the message is the same for all of us: treat your body right and it will treat you the same.

I love this, and I agree with every word. I'm about the same age as you, and recently quit my career of 25 years with its comfy salary and company car. I just came to the realization that every day, it was taking a little bit of my soul away and that a change needed to be made. I'm married, with 3 teenaged kids and a mortgage, and was by some distance the main breadwinner in our house, so the decision was both terrifying, but necessary. I'm infinitely happier now, trying to adjust to a new fulfilling career and a new life. I'm still scared for the future, but I have one thing now that I never had before - hope. To anyone in a similar position I would ask this - which would you rather have...the pain of change or the pain of regret? Go for it, whatever it is. The road is hard, but that thing that you strive for is out there for you. Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear.

My husband and I quit our secure teaching jobs in London, tried to sell our house and took our child out of school to have a year out in the south of France. Everyone told us that was scary! It was ducking incredible! Then we bought a 1850s house in North Yorkshire. Found an amazing place with a holiday let for some income on our land! Best thing ever. We now live within the boundary of the dales national park. You can imagine how stunning it is up here. We are hundreds of miles away from our families. People told Is that was scary. It’s amazing and now we see our friends and family more because they all want to actually visit us here!!! We’ve had some dark days when the sale On our house fell through several times while we were in France and when we were in the depths of winter in North Yorkshire renting somewhere waiting to buy our house. Oh and although the holiday let was ready to go our home needs work and it’s been tough to get used to but it’s just incredible up here and the outdoor life is amazing!! BTW my husband just turned 60 and I’m in my 40s. There is no time to waste. Also what kind of life did we want for our daughter!? She doesn’t have time to waste either and she was only 4 when we went to France! I’m not even going to wish you luck because it’s not luck it’s bravery you need to just go for it. It’s not the end of the world if everything goes to shit. Nothing is surmountable. There is always a way you just have to find it!

This is one of the best video's I have seen on You Tube. Thank you Mark

Fellow 50 year old here. I’m not sure of the right word but this connected with me, for sure. Last year I took my son to where I grew up, which was a real moment. You realise how quickly time flies. Go for it. But do avoid the bats. You don’t need that in your life.

Resonates hard! I'm 46 now and over in Lower Earley. Love the theme park analogy, except I never went on the rides... I held everyone's bags 😢 Time for a change! Good luck with your journey

I needed this today. Scarily similar position as you once had, I’m 43, 4 kids, separated 6 months, soon to be divorced. Living alone, bleak outlook. I’ve never felt as low in my life. But seeing this has given me a renewed sense of hope for my future. You look happy with life and that’s my goal, I just want to wake up and feel happiness for one day. That’s all I’d take at the moment, just one day. Life is too short, a mere moment. I need to move on past this and go live. Too scared to live and too scared to die. Thanks mate, much needed

This message was for me. I needed to hear it because scary holds me back, and I don't have time for that. Thank you.

You’re a legend mate. Thanks for the genuine laugh out louds. ‘It’s a busy road’

I just love that analogy of the day at the park. 55 here this month and I have 100lbs to lose and it's time for that last couple rides. Thanks for that one. Simply beautiful.

As someone who also recently reached and passed 50, how great does the idea of having a wilderness property that you can't throw a ball out of sound. i frequently drive past my childhood home, its small and i loved it - because it had green space all round (or used to). Great video Mark.

This video was just what I needed to see I'm leaving for Australia on a one way ticket I'm 32 and scared but know in my heart I can't live and die in Cardiff. Thanks Mark this video was really awesome.and too see a guy older than me talking about taking new risks is refreshing and profoundly helpful. Best of luck

I emigrated to Australia in my twenties, it was terrifying! I've now come full circle and I am raising my family in Berkshire. I've learned that 'home' is a state of mind and not a geographical location. Best of luck in the move and can't wait to see the wilderness content.

I’m 24. I’ve watched your videos for over a year now and this is one of my favorites you’ve done. One of my favorite quotes is “wherever you go, there you are” and this video exemplifies that perfectly.

Your content is so good! Thank you. I’m currently 39 and overweight and a bit lost. You’ve inspired me to get my act together. 👊🏼

Mark, you are a father figure and a role model in so many ways. This is exactly what I needed.

wow, i'm 19 and this video was special - thanks for a sharing a deeper insight into your life

I can honestly say, I’m in the exact same position at this point in my life. This video made me cry - not the field being built on 😂 - it was the theme park analogy that hit me. Time is flying past, take it and squeeze every bit of life out of it that you can, while you can. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

I really enjoyed this video. So much of it resonated with me as a fellow 50 year old. Just recently found your channel. I really admire your honesty and the self-deprecating humour. Oh and you’re killing it with the editing. Especially the drone and dog cam. Keep being a bright light in the world of RU-vid. ⭐️💫

Amazingly, Honest & Raw. Beautiful Mark. Thanks for opening yourself up for this!!!!

Go for it, mate. 54 here, always train, eat and cycle well… this year brought a heart scare and cancerous tumour removal… but I made the scary move a few years ago already. A great woman with me and pure joy ever since. If it ended early… I was ok with it. I hope you find your peace

Wow…this was an amazing video. I am also in my 50s and like you understand that life is short and it goes by fast. My mom is in 80s, but her health started to decline in her late 70s. When you are in your 50s you understand 80 is right around the corner. The nice thing with RU-vid, you are not stuck with where your job is because you are your brand. Looking forward to seeing your next chapter

Man this is so inspirational, keep doing these honest videos in the middle of nowhere, and with the right people, gonna be okay :) rooting for you!

Hands down, the best video you've done this year. Live now, nobody gets out alive.

I think it’s a fantastic move. I’ve watched so many renovation shows of houses in the country and I’m so envious.

This video really hit home for me. Divorced at 37 and feel I have been lost ever since, I am now 40 and still have some debt to clear before I can even start saving for a house. I have never felt time running out as much as I do now and it's really really hard. I can't get over the feeling of the theme park closing soon (great analogy!) and not having enough time or money to do the things that I still want to do, I feel like everyone else my age is running around with fast passes that they've got from buying a house early and doing well for themselves, staying in happy marriages with people that they live, they're going to see everything and I am just not. I'm just gonna be there at closing time on my own with a big list of rides that I wanted to go on and didnt get a chance to.

Great stuff Mark. Look mate, I was 41, had a top job in the US (I'm British) and out of nowhere, we got the chance to move and live in Italy, which had always been the dream. But it was sooooo scary. We're still here and wouldn't change a thing. Go for it. No regrets.

I won't bore you with how I relate to this or your channel in general, but thank you. It's a good influence on me.

This is one of the best things I've ever seen on RU-vid. Poetry. Thank you for sharing.

Best video yet Mark really gets the cogs turning! Honest emotional and heartfelt

That one was from the heart. And one of your best! Cheers mate!

Mark,....frank, honest, candid, reflective, encouraging, uplifting, humorous,......that's why we love you and your channel...the best one on RU-vid....keep going as we are all behind you mate 👍

a very beau miles esque vid, really like it

This is the exact video I needed to see! Thank you for your honesty and perfect timing!

Congrats old man!! Have an epic journey with not too many regrets!!

When I turned 40 mu daughter went off to uni; I sat on my sofa and realised it was the first time in my life I was actually living on my own; i was single at the time, so i went and visted my cousin who was living in Kenya with her husband who was serving his last posting before he left the military. On my return i decided to join the TA, or Army Reserves as it was becoming; over the next 9 and a half years I deployed three times on operational tours, met a fantastic lady and from being a non physically fit person to a someone who enjoyed it. Moral of my story: don't sit on your sofa in ten years time thinking what it could have been, yes it can be scary; just do it.

G'day mate. You have a habbit of kicking me right in the feels. I'm 3 years ish behind you in the fitness journey and miles behind, perhaps never own my own home again behind financially and let's not start on the too young wife bit :D (or the home of our youth being swallowed by urban sprawl bit!) So I've got into hiking and camping and started seeing those bits around me here in South Australia that I'd drive past with kids/ex-wife in the car and promised I'd do one day. So off I went with my $500 car and entry level camping and hiking gear and started living it. Started filming it. Started getting fit so I can see more of it. Great vid.

Thank you Mark. This was tender, vulnerable and all the more powerful for it. Thank you for the reminder, the perspective and the inspiration.

Best video yet Mark! Got me crying. You got this!

I hope this is a compliment: Half cut Australian approaching 30 with 2 kids: Best video yet.

Loved this ... Quite an emotional watch

Love your work, dude and this video was a beautiful piece of story telling. Can’t wait for the next chapter.

I love your channel so much. Listening to your advice and your life lesson, it’s like having an extra dad. Thank you Sir!!

Great video, and I agree, I'm 53 still racing mountain bikes after 35 years, but time flies, there is not much time for 'one day maybe's', (Until a few years ago if I did this it would be the shortest cycling video on RU-vid, all 3 houses I lived in for over 40 years were within 250 metres of each other!)

Man, did some of that resonate. Four years ago I moved out and my kids didn’t speak to me for two years. But now, with a messy divorce behind me, I’ve reconnected with two amazing sons and have a soul mate (who inconveniently lives in California, but they have better theme parks there). Now it’s time for my last ride. At 54, there are some big decisions to be made, and you’re right: it is scary. But not as scary as sitting in a care home wondering what if one day, maybe…

❤Not sure why, but this brought tears to my eyes. Hope you get the farm and that it's a blessing to you and your family. Like you said, anywhere with the right people...

In my opinion your best and most important video yet. So many relatable quotes and insights. Thank you!

Liked this one, Mark. Absolutely jump into life. At 62, I don't have a single regret because at least I always tried! Besides, you don't know if you'll die tomorrow or 40 years from now. You're 'young' to 40% of the population, and you enjoy GREAT physical fitness and ability. Do it! We'll be here for it, and for you.

This is a basic principle of Stoicism. Introduce discomfort into your life. Too much comfort and pleasure creates soft people. Hard times help us build resilience and inner strength. Important for weathering the, inevitably, tough times ahead. See discomfort as an antidote to easy living.

What a moving video, absolutely fantastic Mark, very touching.

This might be the best video that I have seen you make. Not that the others are not good… they are great. This one really hits home in so many ways.

thanks for sharing this aspect of your life and for all the other honest encouragement through your videos. It makes me want to continue to try hard even when I feel quite discouraged.

This is by far one of the best RU-vid videos I’ve seen. So much wisdom in here and so much to reflect on.

Thanks for this great message Mark, good luck! and move to that house!!

Only stumbled across this RU-vid channel very recently but alrwady one of my favourites. Just a bloody good bloke.

Your best video yet, and you do many great vids. I will turn 60 in less than a year, so this one hit home. I just parted ways with a company that I worked at for 17 years and am now trying to start my own business. My emotions have ranged from exhilaration that I do not have to go back to that office to fear and despair that my venture will be a failure. This video is inspirational and gives me hope. THANK YOU!

Blimey, didn’t expect such an emotional one Mark. Fantastic video and very much resonates with me at my current stage in life in my early 30’s. Go for it and enjoy life! Looking forward to seeing how this journey unfolds.

Great video Mark. I just turned 49 and have been thinking like this for the last couple of years. When this carnival closes, it does not reopen. Been watching your vids for a few years now. Seems like just yesterday I stumbled across your channel. Jesus.

So grateful to come across your video this morning. Didn’t know I was in for such a treat and so many emotions!

What a profoundly moving video. My favourite one so far. Life is precious, enjoy it as much as you can 🙏

Great video. Raw emotion and honesty. The theme park analogy is spot on.

One of your best videos for a completely different reason. Loved the reflection and insight. “Didn’t always get faster, but I got better here.” Thanks for sharing Mark!

Wonderful stuff - we all know that moment when it’s time to turn over a new chapter, it’s filled with excitement yet sadness, and you’ve captured that poignant moment when you’re at the precipice of making change so very very well. Beautifully crafted storytelling at its personal best.

Damn this was surprisingly emotional! What an honest and real video thank you 🙏🙏

One of your best videos Mark, both funny and quite emotional at times. Life is too short so do what you can while you can, as you never know what shit might be around the corner!

Loved this , total respect to you !

Loved this Mark. Great video, great message. Hope all is going well.

Go for it Mark ! I now live in the Country side in Yorkshire (not ridiculously remote) but having just spent a nice weekend in London with the family we are all-so happy to back the hills ! … and i will certainly watch your journey !

Perhaps your best vid so far. This will help people now and for years to come.Speaking as a scared 51 year old. But someone in the best shape of her life, having taken lots of encouragement from you x

I think this may be your best video. It hit hard. Im 36, i have a great wife and 2 great kids, just bought a lovely house last week, i have a good respectable job (which i hate), and still feel very lost in life. I feel like theres something else out there for me, but no clue what it is. I'll need to start trying to scare myself, and hopefully, i find out. Well done 👏🏻

Mark, thanks for sharing your life. RU-vidrs are often so shallow and act like we can't tell. Nice to hear someone sincere. Thanks.

Nearly had me in tears. So much of this video hit home. Thanks for creating such a profound video Mark.

That's utterly awesome Mark. And inspiring. I'm the same age as you and i know what you mean. I'm looking at changes... and they are very scary. Looking forward to seeing and hearing more Mark.

Mark! My husband and I have yet to buy a house… we love our rental by the lake so much. But the time to move to a bigger place with land is calling. I want to plant fruit trees and a nice garden and it takes time. Thanks for this video, I added it to a playlist of reminders for life that I listen to at every seasonal change 🙏

This video was great Mark. I've been watching your videos and I've worked out for 2 months and I'm on my second weekend no booze. I feel so much better but I need to get out there and do some sort of diffficult, fun hobby to fill the void. Your videos do inspire change with a gentle comedic nudge, thanks for being so open and honest about your life

This is my favourite vlog of all time . I read where you are. I've been there too and had a heart transplant on top . Thank you Mark for all your inspiration.

Brilliant video, another reminder that growth & progression happens outside of the comfort zone. Go for it!

Brilliant, inspiring,profound.

Loved this me and my wife were talking about that we need to change our lives. She is 50 and I am 57. It was ironic that after this conversation, I fell on your video. It was inspiring and back up what we were talking about.