My dad hired a tennis coach at 70

January 19, 2026

Welcome to another beautiful week. When an idea sparks that I think is worth sharing, it becomes this weekly newsletter. If something hits home, write back. I love conversations. This is Weekly Spark #34.

Seventy years old. Retired. Comfortable.

And yet… my dad decided to hire a tennis coach. Let that sink in for a moment.

Not because he wants to compete. Not because he wants to prove anything. Just because he wants to get better. This just stays with me.

Most People Protect Comfort. Most people slow down with age. They protect convenience. They defend routine. They start saying things like:

• “What’s the point now?”

• “I’m too old for that.”

• “It’s okay, I’ve done my bit.”

My dad doesn’t.

He shows up to the court.

• He listens.

• He practises.

• He learns.

Like a beginner.

And watching him, I realised something that feels obvious… but isn’t: Growth is not driven by fear of falling behind. It’s driven by love for learning.

No pressure. No urgency. Just curiosity.

The Quiet Kind of Courage

We often think courage looks loud. Big risks. Big moves. Big announcements. But there’s another kind of courage too. The quiet kind.

The kind where a 70-year-old man says: “I’m still a student.”

That’s discipline, presence, and humility.

And honestly — that’s the kind of leadership we need more of.

What This Means for You as an Individual

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I’ve plateaued…” I want to offer a gentle reframe:

Maybe you don’t need a new life. Maybe you need a new learning curve.

Ask yourself: 

1. Where have I stopped being a beginner?

2. What have I been telling myself is “too late” to start?

3. What skill, habit, or part of me wants to grow again?

You don’t need to overhaul your entire life. You just need to choose one place to be a student again.

What This Means for Organisations

Organisations don’t fail because they lack talent. They fail because they stop learning.

Markets change. People change. Technology changes.

And yet many organisations keep running old playbooks because they’re familiar.

If you want a company to stay relevant, the culture must reward:

• experimentation over certainty

• questions over assumptions

• growth over comfort

The strongest organisations keep their “beginner mindset” alive — even when they’re winning.

A Personal Note

As a son, watching my dad inspires me. This is what I’ve always prioritised too:

learning, growing, asking what more? what’s next? And I’m grateful. Because now, when I wonder what kind of man I want to be as I grow older…

I don’t have to look far. I just look at my dad.

Final Spark

If this landed, don’t rush past it. Sit with it.

You don’t stop growing when you get old.

You get old when you stop growing.

Growth has no expiry date.