Wild Rabbit with Toby Swallow: Building Your Health Pension
Introduction
In this episode of A Taste of Financial Planning, Dennis Hall and Sarah Steele are joined by health coach, ageing disruptor and former world champion powerlifter Toby Swallow.
Toby first appeared on Yellowtail’s previous podcast, The Century Plan, where the conversation explored the parallels between planning for future financial security and investing in long-term health. This time, he joins Dennis and Sarah around the table.
Toby reflects on his career as a powerlifter and the point at which he realised that being strong was not necessarily the same as being healthy. He now helps people think differently about their physical future through what he calls a “health pension”.
The conversation covers many of the foundations we know matter but often neglect, including sleep, movement, resistance training, protein, fibre and spending time outside. Toby explains why doing something for our health may not always be enough and why waiting until a problem develops can limit our options.
There are clear parallels with financial planning. Health and money are both areas in which it is easy to assume everything is fine until circumstances expose the weaknesses. Both benefit from an early start, consistent habits and strong foundations. Both can also determine how much freedom and independence we retain later in life.
Toby shares his earliest memories of food and money, from sausage and beans to polishing his father’s army shoes for pocket money. He also talks about the lessons he now tries to pass on to his daughter.
His financial planning question for Dennis considers pensions, the triple lock, the cost of living and whether future generations could face a more difficult retirement than many current retirees.
There is also a brief mobility assessment involving Dennis, with photographic evidence.
On the menu
Dennis served tomato consommé with cucumber and basil oil, made with a beautifully clear tomato broth.
The main course was wild rabbit loin and croquettes, served with charred cauliflower, gem lettuce, carrots and a light rabbit jus.
In this episode
Dennis, Sarah and Toby discuss:
- Toby’s journey from world champion powerlifter to health coach
- Why physical strength and good health are not necessarily the same thing
- What Toby means by building a “health pension”
- Why doing something for your health may not be enough
- The importance of sleep, movement and resistance training
- The role of protein, fibre and time outdoors
- Why good health habits need to begin before something goes wrong
- The relationship between family life and food habits
- Why future independence depends on more than financial security
- Toby’s first food memory of sausage and beans
- Earning pocket money by polishing his father’s army shoes
- Teaching children about work, earning and the value of money
- How health planning and financial planning rely on similar foundations
- Pensions, the triple lock and the rising cost of retirement
- Whether future retirees may face a more difficult financial environment
- Why both your money and your body need to work for your future
- Dennis’s mobility assessment
Links
Find out more about Toby Swallow Coaching:
https://tobyswallowcoaching.co.uk
Find out more about Yellowtail Financial Planning:
https://www.yellowtail.co.uk
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The podcast is hosted by Dennis Hall and Sarah Steele.
To contact Yellowtail, email ask@yellowtail.co.uk.
Yellowtail is a financial planning firm founded by Dennis Hall. We work with individuals and families across the UK, helping them understand their finances, make considered decisions and plan for the future with greater clarity.