The year of 2025 was a milestone year for me as my daughter would be turning five, where does the time go. I wasn’t planning anything major this year as I just wanted to grow my creative platform and serve its clients well. I was also interested in researching the health and wellness sector.
Back to School
The year started with the dark school runs, then back to my desk for a block of work, then gym to compensate, then lunch, then another block before closing out to collect my daughter then heading to the park till dinner and the night time routine. This was a somewhat welcomed Groundhog Day routine as I was starting how my year ended.
Visit to the Zoo
My daughter and I took the day, to enjoy a local zoo together albeit mid-week and it was a one of the first days of the year when the weather was changing for the better. I often do this, so called “With Daddy Wednesdays” before school gets serious as we can enjoy the key attractions of Madrid without the masses – and it was a great day, one for the books.
Valencia Visit
Come May, when it got warmer, I gave Mum a rest and enjoyed Dad time my daughter this time in Valencia, which is becoming somewhat of a tradition. We were in Valencia for the best part of a week with the goal of having our feet in sand everyday, and we started the afternoon we arrived. She had already enjoyed the BioParc and the Oceaongrafic but this time it would be “Journey to the Planets” at the Hemispheric. She liked it but we both agree Pluto should be back in the solar system family, even if Charon is causing problems.
VitaFoods Europe
The month of May saw me travel to Barcelona to attend VitaFoods to bolster my research of nutraceuticals. If you read my 2024 review of last year you would learn that I was researching the health food stores in Austin Texas with the idea of returning to, and getting involved in the health and wellness sector. Walking the floor of VitaFoods dwarfed my usual 10,000 steps a day and taught me that somethings had changed and somethings stay the same; either way it was a welcomed steep learning curve that has guided my plans for the future so watch this space. Barcelona was ok, but so busy, and I didn’t have time to enjoy it from being in business mode with not a lot time in the evenings. Saying that I got out for dinner and enjoyed the contrasts of the city: as there are community barrios where kids play and live, then there are the big commercial streets with the global hoards, with not a lot in-between.
F1 Movie
All my reading didn’t stop me getting to cinema, as being an F1 fan, I had to see the Brad Pitt film: and I have to say that I really liked it. As it was open yet technical, had strong characters and a relatable story to the sport that wasn’t too forced. Finally and impressively, the big thing was how important this film is to the owners of the sport, all the personalities involved and yet it still comes out as a good piece of entertaining work that could have crashed and burned due too many cooks. I really enjoyed it as a good cinema experience.
Podcasts
My other media was pretty much podcasts and YouTube, which are getting out of control so many of my channels have been culled, but my saved and watch later folders are scary due to being the in years to watch. I should mention that I started listening to the Solved podcast by Mark Manson, the author of “The Subtle Art of No Giving a F*ck”. I really enjoyed how he takes BIG topics off the shelf and tackles it for the best part of four hours. I listening to him before I was reading him. This uniquely well researched format for podcasts is strongly recommended. I have adapted to listen to podcasts while training in the gym, something James Clear from Atomic Habits would call “stacking” – this is more educational than 50 cent and Trap music. Now I like chill house music when I need to process what I’ve heard, perhaps I’m getting older.
Scotland
Near the middle of the year I was back in Scotland for a family visit. I also took some time and decamped to Dundee to explore what could be funnily called the “Valencia of Scotland”: as it’s a coastal university town, creative and concerns itself with innovation and science. I spent some good time there with my laptop and books getting high on my own self development, which you do have to take care of, so as not to alienate yourself from others.
Scotland with my daughter
Interestingly I’d be back in Dundee as a base for when I rescued my daughter from the Spanish summer. This was pretty much right after, so my visit provided the reconnoissance to know the lay of the land. I hired a car as public transport is game of roulette with a young daughter plus I had a lot of activities planned. As over the best part of ten days we:
• Met my parents and her grandparents.
• Visited Perth a pool for a swim and the flumes.
• Rode a pony, called Snowball, at Dalnair Stables, twice, two days in a row.
• Day at Blair Drummond Safari Park.
• Took in the Falkirk Wheel, it has been there for a while and I just got around to it.
• Spent a morning in the V&A Museum, after the sand pit nearby.
• Walked around the Dundee Botanic Gardens, which was a welcome nature escape.
• She also got new clothes, twice, from getting wet playing.
Charlie Kirk Assassination
I learnt of the murderous news when the cowardly assassination of Charlie Kirk hit the internet. This brought my delayed response to my full attention, as I learnt about it in disbelief and shock, then went out to help my daughter go her bike. But then a few days later when I was travelling, what happened to him, really hit me hard and I was furious. It really triggered my defence of free speech and openness for the sharing of ideas and points of view – even those you don’t agree with, especially those you don’t agree with. This hit me hard and it took me several days to get back to being myself with my regular thoughts. It only bolstered my value of sharing and listening to others, as perhaps I had watched too much Star Trek when young, or just value the academic environment of learning – but that hit me hard. And it’s something as a society we are still wrestling with as censorship has only gone up in the UK; plus there was the JD Vance’s speech in Munich, which has aged rather well, if I do say so myself.
More Ponies
As my daughter really enjoyed her pony rides in Dalnair Stables we looked for other stables where she typically resides, and she met a new pony called Olaf. This time she was part of the three horse trek that left my line of sight for a short time, but she returned all good and happy with her new friend. Realising that she likes horses and ponies seems to be a trend that is going to continue for the foreseeable future. This is something I am keen to encourage as I welcome the world of equestrianism int her life, as it has great potential to stand her in good stead for the future.
Back to Scotland for a Pre-Christmas Visit
Time and tide didn’t wait and before I could blink we were knocking on the door of Christmas in early November as I like my daughter to see my family, as we usually take turns and this was my year and her time for Scotland, but I didn’t think it was appropriate so opted for a November visit instead. This was different from the summer Dundee Daddy focused visit. This time was shorter and more family orientated as during her days we:
• Hired an electric car, so she got to see Daddy learn for a change with it being my first time having one.
• We were back at Dalnair Stables to ride Snowball, this time with her Papa in tow.
• Met Gran in her natural environment of a large local garden centre for lunch and an adventure.
• Saw the Paw Patrol Christmas film with Rubble exemplifying the virtue of selflessness.
Reading
With all the travel and being inspired by my brother’s bookcase in Austin I had planned to read extensively during the year, making a mental agreement to get at least ten books in me. I didn’t disappoint myself as I enjoyed:
• The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate.
• Good Energy by Dr Casey Means.
• Zero to One by Peter Thiel.
• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
• Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday (Audiobook).
• Way of the Superior Man by David Deida.
• Creating a Branding Identity by Catherine Slade.
• How to Raise a Global Citizen by Anna Davidson.
• The Penguin History of Modern Spain by Nigel Townson.
• Strategic Selling by Stephan Heiman.
• Forever Young by Dr Gabrielle Lyon.
I ended the year still reading 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene and The Energy Formula by Shawn Wells the reason for the two books at one time is that I like the contrast; plus I like a substantial sofa book and a soft back to whip out to pass the time while travelling. I have found I enjoy this combination and the inclusion of books as part of my media consumption is now firmly in place as part of my daily routine, with many more titles planned for the future. My reading tends to be a little bit reactive to knowledge gaps and what’s new on the shelves but generally I focus on: creativity, health, self development, parenthood and business.
Conclusions for 2025
• Realised my daughters’ desire to ride a pony and give her that experience on three separate occasions.
• Confirmed my future lies in returning to: health sciences, nutrition & supplementation sector.
• I want to continue with: design, marketing and commercial experience to serve clients.
• I’m getting back to who I enjoy being, by buying a new bike, fitness training and health focused events.
• Free speech is clearly a big part of my value system.
Plans for 2026
• Positively contribute to the health, wellness and fitness sector – returning to my first love.
• Improve my own health by working to complete key milestones.
• Build out an e-commerce platform.
• Collaborate with individuals and organisations to improve the experience of the human condition.
• Read Seneca and more Robert Greene.
• I plan on attending more health focused events instead of just nutrition, to expand my horizons.
• Maintain the title of the best Daddy in the world.
