When I turned 40 was when I knew I couldn't stay in the military anymore. I couldn't keep the weight off and my physical stamina was going as well, even though I exercised every day.

I'm 52 now, and I'm okay with my body as it is. I mean if I even just ate air and exercised all day there's no way I'll have that pre-40 body. So I make peace with where I'm at and work on my health.

People who say 40 is the new 30--maybe emotionally, but mid-life crisis happens there as well. Once you get over the hump of realizing your time on this planet is limited, a lot of things are let go.