Almost daily and certainly several times per week, I find myself in conversations with co-workers, friends, family or people I meet at the market, in restaurants, etc. about fitness. Generally they ask me about my fitness activities, and if they’ve known me for years they want to know what “diet” or what workout program I’m using.  My well muscled physique and my “Smedium” tee shirts are an indicator that I must workout. After I give them way more information they every wanted to know about lifestyle changes and CrossFit, I tell them a little story about my “Why“. Why I even decided to make changes in my life, why my health became my number 1 priority in my life, why I get out of bed at 4:45am when I feel too tired to wake up early to prep meals, and workout.   Why I can easily course correct when I know I’ve had to many cheat meals for the week.  Knowing your “Why” fuels your how, your motivation and your achievements.

I read a great Forbes article about ‘Knowing your why’ and I will share a short snipet from that article to provide some added  perspective and motivation for the reader of this blog post.

“German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche once said, ‘He who has a why can endure any how.’ Knowing your why is an important first step in figuring out how to achieve the goals that excite you and create a life you enjoy living (versus merely surviving!). Indeed, only when you know your ‘why’ will you find the courage to take the risks needed to get ahead, stay motivated when the chips are down, and move your life onto an entirely new, more challenging, and more rewarding trajectory.”