My Story: How I Built Strong Habits That Last a Lifetime

My Story: How I Built Strong Habits That Last a Lifetime

My fitness journey started early—at just 7 years old—with karate. Later, I got into soccer, and by the age of 21, I switched to judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and kickboxing. Eventually, I focused solely on kickboxing and Muay Thai until I turned 30.

Throughout those years, I competed regularly. That made it easier to stay consistent with training because every fight or game demanded preparation. I always had a clear reason why I needed to train, and that motivation kept me on track.

But it wasn’t always smooth. I experienced a few serious injuries and surgeries along the way. Those were my first real setbacks—and I learned how difficult it can be to get back on track after a long pause. Coming back after several months off was tough, but I did it.

The Real Challenge: Life After My Fighting Career

After retiring from competition, I was still in great shape thanks to years of consistent training and natural body development. But staying in shape without a goal like a fight or match was a different story. I’ve always prioritized health, strength, endurance, and function—not just physical appearance. Of course, we all like to look good, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But for me, it’s not the main motivation. Feeling good, moving pain-free, being capable—that’s what matters most.

One thing that always helped me was my solid nutrition. I’ve kept my diet balanced over the years, which has been a big advantage. Also, I was mostly a "lone rider"—none of my close friends or family were into fitness the way I was, so I had to rely on my own discipline and mindset.

A New Chapter in Amsterdam

In 2017, I closed my gym in Belgrade and moved to Amsterdam. That’s when I really began to struggle with staying consistent. I found myself procrastinating more often—telling myself "I’ll do it tomorrow"—and you probably know how that goes. The longer you delay, the harder it gets to return.

I had to figure out a new system to stay consistent.

Luckily, I genuinely love sports and movement. My knowledge of fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle helped me think clearly and find a balanced, sustainable approach. As I said before, my top priority is health—to stay strong, pain-free, and independent for as long as possible. I want to be able to run, jump, lift, push, pull, and live without limits.

Building a Flexible, Enjoyable Routine

That’s why I created a diverse routine filled with activities I enjoy. I didn’t force myself into a rigid plan. Instead, I gave myself options:

• Biking almost every day

• Strength workouts

• Kickboxing

• Squash

• Running

• Walking

You might ask, "How do you fit all that in?"

The answer: I don’t do everything every day. I choose based on how I feel. If I’m low on motivation or energy, I’ll go for a bike ride, a walk, or a game of squash—something more enjoyable and less intense. But when I’m feeling good, I might lift weights in the morning and hit a kickboxing session in the evening.

The goal is simple: move every day. Sometimes that means a full workout. Other days it’s active rest—like a long walk or light Zone 2 cardio. And of course, I have full rest days when needed. Listening to your body is key.

Final Thoughts

If I’ve learned anything, it’s this:

👉 Find activities you enjoy.
👉 Mix them with essential workouts that support your goals.
👉 Be flexible, but consistent.

Discipline doesn’t always mean pushing hard every day—it’s about showing up, doing something, and making movement a part of your lifestyle.

This mindset has helped me build strong habits that have lasted for decade already—and I truly believe anyone can do the same.