Would You Choose 50 Amazing Years Over 80 Ordinary Ones?
The question that will change how you think about your life
This week, I was presented with the opportunity to watch the four-part series with my cousin’s husband, Mike Rakestraw, called Earnhardt. Imagine someone offered you a deal: You could live your absolute dream life—achieve everything you've ever wanted, be loved by your family, respected by everyone, and leave a lasting mark on the world. The catch? Your life would end at 50.
Would you take it?
This isn't just a thought experiment. It's the real story of Dale Earnhardt, NASCAR's greatest legend.
The Man Who Lived Life at Full Speed
Dale Earnhardt wasn't just a race car driver—he was a force of nature. Growing up in small-town North Carolina, he turned his love of racing into something extraordinary. By the time he died in a crash at Daytona in 2001, at just 50 years old, he had become one of the most famous athletes in America.
He had everything: a loving family, incredible wealth, seven NASCAR championships, and millions of devoted fans. His nickname was "The Intimidator" because he was fearless on the track and in life.
But here's what makes his story so powerful: Even though his life was cut short, most people would say he lived more fully in 50 years than most of us do in a lifetime.
What Does It Mean to Really Live?
We're taught that a long life is automatically a good life. But is that true?
Think about it: Would you rather live to 90 feeling like you never really went for your dreams, or live to 50 having achieved everything that mattered to you?
Dale Earnhardt chose the second path—not because he knew his life would be short, but because he refused to play it safe. He chased his dreams with everything he had. He loved his family fiercely. He worked harder than anyone around him. He made his mark.
The Legacy That Never Dies
Here's the amazing thing about Dale Earnhardt: His death didn't end his story—it made it legendary.
Twenty-three years later, people still wear his #3 on t-shirts. His son became a NASCAR star too. Fans who never even met him feel connected to his spirit. His name is still mentioned in the same breath as the greatest athletes of all time.
That's not just fame—that's immortality.w
And he didn't get there by living the longest life. He got there by living the right life for him.
What About Your Life?
You don't have to be a NASCAR driver to face this same choice every single day.
Every morning, you wake up and decide: Am I going to play it safe today, or am I going to go after what I really want?
Are you building something that matters to you? Are you loving the people in your life fully? Are you taking the risks that could lead to your dreams? Or are you just trying to get through each day safely?
The Real Question
Dale Earnhardt's story isn't really about racing or even about dying young. It's about what it means to be truly alive.
Most of us spend so much time worrying about having a long life that we forget to make sure we're having a good life.
So here's the question you need to ask yourself: If you knew you only had 20 years left, would you be proud of how you're living right now?
If the answer is no, then maybe it's time to start living like Dale Earnhardt—not recklessly, but purposefully. Not carelessly, but courageously.
Your Race to Run
You might never drive 200 mph around a track, but you have your own race to run. Your own dreams to chase. Your own legacy to build.
The question isn't whether you'll live to 50 or 90. The question is whether you'll live in a way that makes those years count.
Dale Earnhardt proved that it's not about how long you live—it's about how fully you live.
So what are you waiting for?
Your time starts now.