“I thought I was invincible.”
Adebayo Akinfenwa knows more than most about the fine art of balancing one’s mental, physical and mental wellbeing. A leg break at the start of his footballing career put him in a difficult position that forced him to reconsider his priorities and adapt to his new reality in order to forge a career in the sport he loved.
The former Wimbledon and Wycombe striker is working alongside Experian, whose research finds that people aged 16 – 25 prioritise their physical and mental health over their financial health. But the majority of young adults (58%) also say that poor financial health is affecting their overall wellbeing.
It is easier said than done to save money during a cost of living crisis with energy bills soaring beyond all reason, but it is therefore more important than ever to be savvy with your cash.
Speaking to JOE, the ‘Beast’ recalls a difficult period in his career and how it prompted him to get his priorities in order.
“I broke my leg and like a lot of people in their early 20s do, you kind of don’t think about the future. I was living pay-cheque to pay-cheque, enjoying life fearless, thinking I was invincible. I broke my leg and wasn’t prepared for not having an income.”
“It was a defining moment in my life, mentally, physically and financially.”
On a ‘mission’ to help young people across the UK look after their financial health and therefore their mental wellbeing, Bayo explains why he teamed up with Experian, and how he is teaching his children the value of money.
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“At the moment I’m riding with Experian. The mission is to help young people. It resonates with me highly because of what I’m doing with my kids, my 15 year old and my seven year old.
“I’m telling him every time he does his room, he’ll get 50p. He’s lucky because I didn’t get any of that when I was growing up. But, it’s like when he wants stuff on PlayStation and that, he’ll say, ‘Dad, if I do this can I get that?’ I’m like, ‘so how much have you got in your pocket money?’ So it’s little and often ways of teaching them.
“So right now, it’s me and Experian, taking on the world to help young people prioritise their financial health.”
