Why you need to find your ‘why’

Team Spirit

Why you need to find your ‘why’

I completed my Masters in Public Health in the year the Covid pandemic hit worldwide and completed my PT qualification in the same year. Two key things to come out of both of these very different qualifications are:

  1. The need to understand and explore what motivates you
  2. The importance of developing small activity-based habits to bring about lasting change.

These together provide the tools necessary to look after your own physical health.

Understanding your 'why’ is key to self-motivation. Without this, you will lack the impetus to keep exercising. I know this to be true from my own experience.

I was interested in fitness and sport from an early age and, like many others, tried a lot of different activities or hobbies along the way depending on my fitness levels at the time, my many injuries, and how busy my lifestyle was.

It wasn’t until I found my ‘why’ to be active that I could honestly say I enjoyed my active lifestyle. Now I completely love it!

I went from someone who couldn't run one lap of our local parkrun lake, to someone who found my reason to love exercise and completed two marathons, a 100km run, competed in the finals of Britain’s Strongest Woman, and won multiple world and European titles for powerlifting. Yes, really!

My ‘why’ to be active centers around the confidence it gives me and the friendships I have made.

  • Confidence - exercising gave me a sense of achievement. Each month I could see improvements. Nothing happens overnight but I kept on going and now the list of what I have achieved on the back of my fitness journey is something that I am super proud of. And the first time I ran a mile was just as much an achievement as winning that first medal. The ancient saying 'a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step' is so true.
  • Friendships - I have made some of the best friends I ever thought possible through exercise over the last 15 years or so. Right from that first parkrun, to the international list of people I still keep in touch with from powerlifting. There is a real benefit to exercising with others and feeling that group buzz. These friendships will last way longer than any gym membership!

What is your ‘why’?

It could be to achieve an activity goal such as running the London Marathon or completing a challenge for a charity close to your heart. It could be to set a good example to your children. Or to get your wellbeing back on track after an illness or health scare. Whatever it is, understanding why you want to be active each day is key to keeping your promise to yourself.

Spreading the word

Having found my ‘why’ and enjoyed so much from being physically active, I now love to influence others. It’s a privilege to be able to inspire others to get active and take them with you.

Whether that’s encouraging your children to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle or helping your friends get on board with exercise, enjoy being that positive role model and appreciate the impact that you may have on someone else's health or life. I have introduced people to run clubs and to powerlifting and when you see them hit and exceed their goals, it's a great feeling.

Final tips

Having got more confidence in being active, be adventurous. Don't feel that you have to stick to one activity. You’ll never know what you will enjoy until you give it a try. Also be flexible - what you loved in your 20s might change in your 30s when you are in a different stage in your life - I've switched multiple times and have never been bored. Better still, grab your friends and try something new together.