CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY — YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT

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Ask yourself — do your friends want to do something special with their lives… or are they just passing time?

I thought I would write this post because of a DM from a member called Charlie.

He told me he knows his current friends aren’t going down the right path, but he feels guilty saying no to hanging out with them.

THIS IS MY STORY!!!

I get it — I’ve been there.

When I was growing up, my friends on the council estate were just like me. We played football every night on the local field. It was fun, it was normal, it was all we knew.

But around 15, things started to change. They got into drinking and drugs.

Deep down, I knew it wasn’t right for me.

So when they invited me, I didn’t argue or try to convince them otherwise — I just made excuses. I’d say I had football, was visiting family, or had to stay in.

At the same time, my parents stepped in.

They got me playing for THREE football teams. To put it simply, I was playing two matches on a Saturday (one in the morning and one later in the day) and another match on a Sunday.

On top of that, they signed me up to a karate club as well.

At the time, I didn’t fully understand it… but it changed everything.

I was simply too busy to hang around on the council estate.

And more importantly, I was now surrounded by new friends — teammates and people at karate — who all wanted to improve, get better, and actually do something with their lives.

That environment shaped me.

It helped me become a professional goalkeeper, start Just4Keepers and J4K, travel all over the world, and even live in Florida, USA.

And here’s something that really hits home…

Every now and then, I go back to my old estate to check on properties that I now own there. When I do, I still see some of the same people I grew up with.

They’re now in their mid-50s, still standing on the same street corners.

I’ll stop and chat with them, and every single time they say the same thing to me:

“You did the right thing.”

That’s why I’m sharing this — especially for the younger members, and for parents to show their kids.

So to the younger members reading this:

👉 It’s OK to say no

👉 You don’t need to feel guilty.

👉 If it’s easier, make an excuse — protect your future.

👉 The people you surround yourself with will shape your life.

And to the parents reading this — if you’re encouraging your child to stay active, join clubs, and be around the right people… you’re doing the right thing.

And one more thing for those under 18…

If your parents are pushing you to join clubs, stay active, or do something productive — they’re doing it for a reason.

They’re trying to help you.

Don’t get frustrated with them — lean into it.

Because the right environment, the right people, and the right habits can completely change your life.

At the end of the day, it comes back to this:

You will become the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.

So make sure those 5 people want to grow, improve, and do something special with their lives.

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