Why Balance is the Key to a Fulfilling Life
A story, quote and lesson about a speedy computer nerd
A Brilliant Mind, A Strong Body
Alan Turing is remembered as the father of modern computing, the man who cracked the Enigma code, and one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century. But what most people don’t know is that he was also an exceptional long-distance runner.
While working at Bletchley Park, Turing would occasionally run the 40 miles (64 km) to London for meetings. He wasn’t just fast—he was world-class. His marathon trial time for the 1948 British Olympic team was only 11 minutes slower than the silver medalist at that year’s Games. Even his local running club, Walton Athletic Club, only discovered how talented he was when he casually outran the entire group during training.
Turing, running wasn’t just exercise—it was balance. It was the counterweight that allowed his mind to function at its peak.
There’s a misconception that success comes from obsessing over one thing at the cost of everything else. But Turing’s life tells a different story. His physical endurance didn’t just complement his intellectual work—it fueled it.
“I have such a stressful job that the only way I can get it out of my mind is by running hard; it's the only way I can get some release.”
- Alan Turing, after being asked why he ran so intensely.
Just like a machine with missing parts won’t run properly, a life that’s all work and no health, or all money and no relationships, won’t function at its best. Intelligence without well-being is unsustainable. Wealth without personal fulfillment is empty.
Turing’s story is a reminder that true success isn’t just about how hard you work—it’s about how well you balance the different areas of your life. It’s not worth being the smartest person in the world if you’re too unhealthy to enjoy it. Or the richest if you’re too lonely to share it.
So now I ask you:
What part of your life needs more balance right now?
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