Ramblings and thoughts on "Finding Healthy"

Putting thoughts on a page as I build...

What is “healthy”? Its often used to describe a state, a process, a goal, or simply a convenient label to make us more comfortable with a decision. There is a deeply personal feeling attached to the word. Scratching beyond the surface, “healthy” is a tangle of human (and now increasingly AI driven) assumptions, cultural biases, raw needs, and deep emotions. Whilst health is easy to define, being healthy is a function of what sustains & enhances human capacity, in a meaningful way, over a finite period (‘til death do us part). It’s judged by outcomes, not ideals (albeit those ideals often light the way).

Starting from pre-birth, “health” challenges our very understanding and notion of individuality right away. In startup-land, we say it takes a village, and similarly, it’s the same to raise a child. But what does it mean for a foetus to be healthy? Medically, the term healthy is often a blanket expression, reduced to metrics: normal growth, no genetic anomalies, a womb free of toxins. However, the real question is: healthy for whom? For a mother, nutrition, stress levels, and access to care aren’t simply biological; they’re societal influences. A “healthy” pregnancy in a war-torn environment means survival against the odds with limited access to vital medication and infrastructure. Whilst in an affluent society, healthy may simply mean check-ups, organic kale smoothies, and yoga classes. Whilst there is no intent to be facetious, this highlights that “healthy,” by definition, experiences, and outcomes, vary widely. Yet we all carry an idealised version of “healthy” in our minds, woven from personal experience and broader societal influence.

Healthcare providers and investors alike had their suspicions confirmed by the initial Marmot Review in 2010. It highlighted health inequalities across England and its drivers. However, it leads to a more philosophical question about early health as a proxy for equity. Societies that invest in pre-natal care (universal healthcare, education, nutrition) produce viable and resilient members of society. However, what if health was over-engineered from day one? That not only raises broader implications around eugenics but also further divides society between those who can afford it and those who cannot. By extension, this also encompasses education. More to come on this.

In adulthood, “healthy” shifts from being foundational to performance-driven. It’s the sweet spot where body, mind, and social ties align for effective living, vigorous enough to work, love, and create without constant breakdown. Pragmatically, I see it as fuel for experimentation: a healthy person tests ideas, builds relationships, and adapts to failures. As attributed to Confucius “A healthy man wants a thousand things, a sick man only wants one” or otherwise else illustrated as “You can have 1,000 problems in your life until you have a health problem, then you only have one”. Interrogating this further; in capitalist societies, health often equates to productivity: gym routines for longer, mental health apps to suppress burnout. Moreover, particularly across the pond (I’ve given my location away), the costs of healthcare often makes for families and individuals wanting for more (whether it be care, money or support). For societal wellbeing, this translates to a thriving economy, lower healthcare costs, and cultural progress. Yet, what of the hidden costs? Chronic stress from overwork masquerades as “healthy ambition,” eroding communal bonds.

And globally? A “healthy” adult in a developing nation might mean food security and family support, while in the West, it’s typically therapy and small luxuries (for the Gen Z adults among us). This disparity questions human wellbeing: Is health universal, or a privilege that perpetuates divides? Societies that prioritise mental health (e.g., through policies like paid leave) yield happier, more innovative populations, but often only if we measure success beyond GDP.

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Join me as I share my musings to better understand global drivers of health, outcomes and accessibility as a take you on a journey unlocking the thesis and foundation of a soon-to-be investment strategy.

— End of day 1 ramblings (13.10.25) —