Share this...

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Linkedin

My 2026 Goals, Resolutions and Plans for the Year

Fresh off the back of re-looking at my goals and resolutions for 2025, and then gauging on whether I was an abject failure or not, it’s time to allign myself for my 2026 goals. So here we are. I do this every single year, and often it is confronting at how big my failures are. But it 100% feels good to own my goals rather than hide from them. I hate the thought of myself, or anyone, letting life HAPPEN TO THEM PASSIVELY. It’s the biggest cop-out ever. Our success or failure, especially over the longterm is a choice.

First do we have the honesty to admit our goals, out loud, to ourselves? Or do we cower from the reality because admitting them gives birth to the chance of failure. Once we manage that obstacle, do we then have the aptitude, discipline, and resilience to make the goals a reality. Or do we fail. And worse than failing, do we find excuses as to why we failed. Everyone can be great, but noone is great by accident. This is my tiny step in the right direction. Onestep4ward and all that.

Ok, enough proselytising. What do I hope to achieve in 2026, and how do I plan to make it happen.

1) Make a decision on expanding our family

This feels quite nice writing this. My first child was born at the end of 2024 after 2.5 years of trying (and failing) until IVF saved us. I’m so, so grateful. Forever thankful that Aidan is now here with us. Jaa is 39, and I’m 42 so if we want a second kid, we’re on a short timeline. We know that. I was always sure I’d have more than one kid, and I still am strongly leaning that way. But I’m much more aware of the work load involved now Aidan is here, not to mention the toll it takes on Jaa and me as a couple. And as a foreigner living in Thailand, that means private school at $20k a year for 10-15 years.

Jaa and I need to think about it seriously and make a definitive decision one way or the other. All that being said, and as serious as it all sounds, I feel so much pressure off with Aidan around. And to anyone out there also trying for their first. With all the difficulties that entails, feel free to message me. I’d also strongly recommend IVF in Chiang Mai, Thailand too. We were successful first time around, it’s affordable (but not dirt cheap), and it changed our lives for the better.

$120k net worth increase.

My old faithful, but upgraded. My first ever goal. And my one goal repeated every year since 2012. Now in it’s 15 years! I’ve not always reached it but at least it keeps be honest in my quest to be financial free.

This year is the first year I’ve increased this goal, and it’s scary for me. It was always a $100k networth increase. But inflation is wild, and my age to a ‘desired retirement’ is reducing, so I need to up the ante a little. So it’s now $120k per year increase in net worth.

This goal is so polarising. And I get it. From my background, this is a FORTUNE. And many people from similar backgrounds to mine, single-parent, working class, see this as crass. Equally many of my wealthy friends would sneeze $100k and would probably assume I would easily be able to do this in my 40s (reality check: it’s far from easy for me!). So yeah, it’s a lot to some, and a little to others. To me, it feels like a fortune, but I’ll strive once again to do it.

I figure I need $3m liquid to retire. $1m in property, $1m in ETFs and $1m elsewhere. That should bring in $10k a month safely. So I have to keep the pressure on.

Bring some influencers to my adventure ‘races – the Highway to Hell Ultracycle and the Eye of the Sahara Ultramarathon.

I created 2 endurance events over the last few years:

The Highway to Hell Ultracycle:

A 2 day cycle from Turkmenistan’s Capital city, Ashgabat, to the famous ‘Gates of Hell’. It’s 200miles/300km over 2 days. It’s wild, and fun. BUT most importantly, despite being hard, ANYONE CAN DO IT. That’s the point. I want everyone to realise they’re capable of so much more!

The Eye of the Sahara Ultramarathon

Similar thing. From the iconic ‘Eye of the Sahara’ to the ancient islamic city of Chinguetti. 100miles/160km across 3 days in the depths of the Sahara. Hard? Yes. Possible? ABSOLUTELY. We had people walk the whole thing this year successfully.

So, how do I bring more people? And show people just what they’re capable of!? I need to increase the marketing. And to do so, I need to bring some fitness/lifestyle/running/cycling influences I guess?! No idea how to do that, but I’ll try to figure it out. I guess that’s the best way to do marketing for this kind of stuff. Making it up as I go along. But that’s my plan as I run the 2nd edition of the Highway to Hell ultracycle. and the 3rd edition of the Eye of the Sahara ultramarathon. COME JOIN ME ON THOSE!!!

Complete my first luxury villa development and go to market.

I’ve been obsessed with real estate since a kid. It’s weird. If I had been so thoroughly bitten (infected?! destroyed?!) by the travel bug, i would have gone all in on real estate instead. There’s just something about BUILDING something from scratch. Or at least managing the build, given that I can barely hang a picture in real life!

Anyway, after ‘building’ my dream villa in Thailand, and then building a house for my mum 500m away, it’s time to try to put those dubious skills to use. Create something from nothing, and ideally, make a chunk of money along the way!

The land is purchased, the designs are in. Planning permission is underway, and we’re due to break ground in late January/early February. I’m sure they’ll be delays. And I don’t even have enough capital to finish the blood thing yet (I’m over $100k short, and no line of credit – what a life! haha) but let’s crack on anyway. I believe in myself.

If this ‘almost’ gets finished by the end of the year, but not quite finished. Funded but still a bit of work to do, I’ll consider this a win. The real goal is to get it funded, and almost built, with no risk of failure.

Here’s the exterior:

Bring Jaa and Aidan to a new country

My wife Jaa is a low-key country counter. And I let her down last year with my TV show and a new baby, so no new countries for her in 2025. We’ll put that right in 2026!

Right now we have a short-list of 2 options. Either German christmas markets in December, or Cook Islands & Australia in May. And maybe even both as a long shot. Let’s see.

Get my body fat to less than 15% and keep it there consistently

My failure last year. I always hover 15-20%. I drink too much alcohol, and eat even more sugar. And my deep sleep/restlessness, according to my Oura ring, is out of control. For sure I train super hard. And my fitness stats are great, but I often carry a beer belly, or something akin to that, due to my lack of discipline with what I consume. 2026 is the year that I manage that better. And hopefully permanently.

Run a sub-20 5k, sub 40 10k, and a sub 90min half marathon

In my late 30s, just a year ago really, I’ve run many 19 min 5ks, and even some 18m ones. Also I’ve run sub 40 10ks. But I’ve never run a 89min half marathon. And could I run a 19m/39m 5k/10k now? Probably not. With all my stupid mountains, and extreme marathons in Antarctica or the Sahara, I’ve got a little lost on my training to actually just be a better, faster runner. And instead, I’ve tried to be better at suffering. I should go back to basics, and that’s easily quantifiable. Don’t hide from the clock Johnny. It’s cowardice.

Bench press 100kgs

When is the last time I did this?! I use to weight 90kgs 10 years ago when I lived in the gym, gave up cardio and became obsessed with not being skinny. I ended up slipping 2 discs in my spine and pay the price to this day!

Then came the ultimate explorers grand slam, and ultra endurance events, and I got weaker. Ignoring strength for cardio. But now, knowing I have to cycle 300km in Turkmenistan in October (JOIN ME!) and then 3 ultra marathons in 3 days in the Sahara in November (JOIN ME THERE TOO!), it gives me such a long lead time that finally I can get back to hybrid training and be somewhat strong again.

Naturally I’m quite weak to be honest, as painful as that is to say. I get injured a lot, and I’m not powerful. So to bench 100kgs for my slim frame is harder than it should be. I hope to get back there.

Stick to my alcohol and cheat meal credits

You may be bored reading about this. But I issue 75 ‘credits’ to myself for the year. That means I can drink alcohol on 75 days, and then no alcohol on 290 days. Sounds easy? You’re lucky. For me (and plenty similar to me sadly) find it hard. Especially if you drink when you fly, and last year I flew 83 times.

Combine that with a life of reunions, and the tokens go quick! Still, I will stick to it. Harder for me is the cheat meals. 2 a week I’ve allocated myself. I will try harder than ever.

Steering clear of Jaa’s homemade softbake cookies, and my mum or sister’s caramel squares is going to be torture.

Raise and Donate at least $10k

I have a life goal of raising and donating $1m USD. I’m about 33% of the way there. You can read about my progress here.

Through my Mudita Adventures foundation, we bring people to cool places, but do charitable projects before we travel the country. We have 4 trips planned this year, so we will raise and donate close to $20k I hope. JOIN US ON THOSE TRIPS:

• Borneo and Brunei in February
• 4 ‘Stans in June (Tajik, Kyrg, Kazak and Uzbek)
• Komodo dragons, Bali and East Timor in August
• Mongolia Eagle Festival in October

My 2026 Travels and Group Trips

My group trips aren’t a ‘real’ business, to be honest. It’s a passion project. When I talk about retiring young, I’ll never stop the group trips. I love them and the people that join me on them. Complete highlights of my year. Most of my friends these days are from these trips, so I’ll try my best never to stop!

I’ll make a clean, simple article with my 2026 group trips next week. But here are all my trips so far, I’ll probably add a few more depending if i get my TV show second series or not:

• Libya in February
• Oymyakon, Siberia (COLDEST PLACE ON EARTH) also in February
• Climb Mount Wilhelm (Papua New Guinea’s highest mountain) in April
• Papua New Guinea Tribes in May (I will also probably do a tour to Nauru and Tuvalu, the 2 least visited countries on earth right after Papua New Guinea.)
• Climb Mount Elbrus (Europe’s HIghest mountain) in August
• Turkmenistan and the Gates of Hell in October
• Highway to Hell ultracycle in Turkmenistan (can combine with Gates of Hell) also in October
• Mauritania, the Iron ore train and the eye of the sahara in November
• The Eye of the Sahara Ultramarathon (can combine with the iron ore train too) in November

And then we have my charity trips too that I mentioned above, that I don’t always have the chance to attend, but my best buddy Josh always does:

• Borneo and Brunei in February
• 4 ‘Stans in June (Tajik, Kyrg, Kazak and Uzbek)
• Komodo dragons, Bali and East Timor in August
• Mongolia Eagle Festival in October

Long Term Goals and Plans?

With a growing family, my selfish life is less selfish! My mum isn’t getting any younger, and I want to be there for Aidan.

That being said, I do have some cool selfish bucket list goals that I need to nail down dates for. Here are some of things I want to do on a personal level:

The crown of Europe speed record: Highest mountain in every country in europe, as quick as possible. I had the logistics planned for summer 2026 but I’m in limbo with my TV show. So this will have to wait.

Run Land’s End to John O’Groats AKA ‘LEJOG‘;: Top of Scotland to bottom of England. It’s an iconic hike/trek/cycle. I will run it one day I hope. About 1300km/900 miles. Would love my family to be in a campervan alongside.

Cycle San Francisco to New York: 3000 miles/4400km. Would love my family to be in a campervan alongside.

Swim the English channel: Iconic england to france swim. Takes about 24 hours. No wet suit allowed. I can’t really swim though, so need to work on that first!

Sub 3-hour marathon: I just need to stop being a pussy and train properly and do this.

Antarctica coast to South pole overland: I would LOVE to do this. $100k+ though. Need a sponsor ideally. I’d start with Greenland icecap crossing as a ‘warm-up’ which would also be super beautiful.

Space tourism: I met a LEGENDARY guy who had visited every country and visited space. Jaime Alemán. An absolute inspiration. One day.

Complete the 600km Yukon Arctic Ultra; Hardest race in the world? Maybe. Looks awful.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON 2026

Don’t be a black pill guy. Life is beautiful. There’s never been a better time to be alive. We can make money from our laptops. We can access all the knowledge we need for our esoteric hobbies in a heartbeat. We can connect with different cultures, foods, languages in seconds. GO AND LIVE YOUR LIFE. Forgot that doom and gloom.

2026 can be the best year of our lives. It’s in our hands. Don’t waste it.

My Past Year Plans and results:

If you are a touch autistic, like me, and you like this obsessive stuff, you can go back and see my old plans, successes and failures here. I’ve been doing these blog posts for over a decade:

• 2026: You’re reading my 2026 goals right now, come back in January 2027 if you want to see how I did.
• 2025: My 2025 goals, and my 2025 year-end review
• 2024: My plans for 2024, and then my 2024 year-end review.
• 2023: My 2023 Goals and plans for the year and my 2023 year-end review
• 2022: My 2022 Goals and Plans for the year and my 2022 year-end review
• 2021: My 2021 Plans from the start of the year and my 2021 Year-end review.
• 2020: My goals and plans for 2020 at the start of 2020 and then at the end of 2020, my 2020 review.
• 2019: My 2019 goals from January 2019, and then my 2019 year review from December 2019.
• 2018: My 2018 goals from January 2018, and then my 2018 review at the end of the year.
• 2017: My 2017 year review.
• 2016: My 2016 plans. And my 2016 year in review.
• 2015: My 2015 year in review.
• 2014: My plans and goals for 2014