How People Become Wealthy -Part 2

I have a family of five, and one thing life has taught me is this: true balance isn’t a constant state. It’s something you keep returning to. There are seasons where you intentionally push yourself out of balance—whether you’re grinding through a real estate deal, dialing up your training, or reaching for the next step in building wealth. And that’s okay. Sometimes you need those stretches of intensity to break through to a new level.

But long-term success, in both fitness and investing, always comes back to how well you balance the pieces.

Running strengthens the heart, sharpens your metabolism, and keeps your engine clean. Lifting, on the other hand, fortifies your muscles, bones, and joints so your body doesn’t break down. Runners who lift stay injury-resistant; lifters who run recover faster and perform better. Each discipline fills the gaps the other leaves behind. Together, they form a system that stays more stable than either one alone.

Finance works exactly the same way. No single market wins forever. That’s why advisors preach diversification: real estate and equities rise and fall at different times. When one dips, the other often keeps your portfolio steady.

Cardio and strength training are no different—they’re uncorrelated assets. When a long run stresses the lungs and heart, strength training reinforces the muscles that support them. When heavy lifting taxes the nervous system, cardio restores blood flow and speeds recovery. True resilience, financial or physical, comes from strength across different domains.

Take self-storage. A good property throws off consistent monthly cash flow. Those rent checks can fund stock purchases when the market is down—turning steady real estate income into discounted equity that compounds for years. Training works the same way: lifting builds power and structure, while light runs promote circulation and help you bounce back stronger for the next workout. Steady flow supporting long-term growth. Whether it’s money or energy, consistency matters more than intensity spikes.

There are also advantages that come from understanding the rules of each arena. Self-storage investors use depreciation and 1031 exchanges to reduce taxes. Stock investors lean on long-term capital gains and tax-advantaged accounts. Using both gives you efficiency across multiple systems. Runners rely on low-intensity miles for active recovery; lifters use strength work to correct weaknesses running exposes. Each approach strengthens what the other reveals.

The real strategy isn’t avoiding stress—it’s managing it intelligently. Inflation erodes purchasing power the same way aging erodes muscle and bone. Real estate rents can rise with inflation; strong companies can raise prices to protect margins. Meanwhile, running safeguards your heart and lungs as you age, and strength training protects your frame.

The markets and training will test your discipline. Stocks challenge you emotionally. Self-storage rewards hands-on leadership. Running clears your mind; lifting builds confidence. When you combine them, you’re not just building assets or muscles—you’re building resilience.

And resilience is what ultimately leads to freedom. Financial freedom means your assets pay for your life. Physical freedom means your body lets you enjoy it. A portfolio that blends self-storage and stocks grows stronger over time. A fitness routine that blends running and lifting keeps you strong for decades.

Both paths require patience, consistency, and balance. But if you commit to both, the reward is independence that lasts a lifetime.

Lee Goodin

P.S. Just my thoughts. Please do not base your financial decisions on an article or 2 or even a hundred.  Always consult your financial team.

P.P.S. If you want to learn more about self-storage, send me an email, lee@storageauthority.com. Let me know how long you have been considering/studying self-storage and where you live so I can be better prepared to guide you.  Are you looking for reading material, or would you like to get off to a faster start with a 10-minute call?