Today we are going to find our mountain motivation for the Climb ahead by digging deep to find our why behind our journeys. Maybe you’ve already got a strong compelling why, and if so, that’s amazing! If not, no worries friend, you're not alone. My hope is that perhaps this episode can help you find a bit more clarity as you keep moving forward. Let’s dive in!

MOUNTAIN MOTIVATION

I want to start off by telling you a story about how Brent proposed.

There is a big mountain in the center of our town right behind our house called Madonna Mountain. Every year for the month of December, they string up a giant Christmas tree made of lights at the very top that can be seen all across town.

Many locals have made it a tradition over the years to do a sunset hike to the peak, but up to then I had still never done it myself. When I pitched the idea to do the four mile sunset hike to Brent, to my surprise, he agreed. So, the Monday before Christmas we decided to make the trek!

It isn’t the easiest hike, in my opinion, and without a doubt Brent would agree. After a bit of griping, some loving pushes up the steep parts, and a few pit stops along the way to catch our breath and take photos, we finally reached the top.

The view was absolutely breathtaking. The sunset painted the sky in shades of orange, pink, and blue with a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean off in the distance.

We worked our way around the crowded base of the Christmas tree lights to take a few windblown photos and as I turned around, Brent got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.

Of course, I said yes! And after a few squeals, tears, and moments to take it all in we started our walk back down the mountain. As I walked hand in hand with my new fiancé, it finally clicked for me.

Brent didn’t agree to go on the hike because he enjoyed hiking, it’s not exactly his idea of a good time. He didn’t even go because he wanted to be a good boyfriend, he had weaseled his way out of it many times before.

The reason Brent agreed to go on the hike with me was because he knew that on the other side of that discomfort was something far more important to him, asking me to be his wife.

He had a strong, compelling why. I was his mountain motivation.

DIGGING DEEPER

So why do I tell you this story? Because I want you to dig deep to understand what your own mountain motivation is behind your climb, whatever journey you’re on.

What you WANT needs to be more compelling than the work it’s going to take to get there. By being rooted in a deep compelling why, it will be easier to create motivation in the moments it feels challenging. Keep in mind that we as human beings tend to choose instant gratification over long term satisfaction more often than not, so having a strong compelling why is going to be paramount to your success and willingness to stick with it.

Before I started my health journey, I had a long list of whys:

I wanted to feel better in my own skin.
I wanted to look good and feel beautiful.
I wanted to be able to shop in any store I walked into.
I wanted to fit in an airplane seat.
I wanted to get healthier.

There is nothing wrong with any of these whys, but when it comes to more superficial motivators, in the moments I’m debating between an extra serving of ice cream and fitting into my jeans a bit better, it’s a toss up. I knew I needed to dig deeper.

What I want you to realize, is that typically the reason we want anything in life is because we want to FEEL a certain way.

We want a partner so we feel loved.
We want money so we feel secure.
We want to lose weight so we feel confident.

So WHY did I want to look better in my skin? Because I wanted to feel confident and free. Because I wanted to find love. Because I wanted to start saying yes to life again! WHY did I want to be able to shop in any store and fit better in public places? Because I wanted to feel connected and included. WHY did I want to get healthier? Because I wanted to live a longer, happier life. Because I wanted to explore the world.

Today, some of my biggest why’s include wanting to change the legacy for my nieces, my kids, and other women to come after me. I want to show up and serve this community well and be an example of what it looks like to love myself unconditionally. I want to live a healthy, happy, vibrant life that allows space for joy and the hard stuff too. I want to be an example of what it looks like to feel it all.

FINDING YOUR WHY

When it comes to finding your why, the best place to start is by asking yourself some questions.

What is one thing you want more than anything?
Why do I want to change my life in this way?
How will achieving your goal make more space for that?

Whatever goal you have for yourself, I want you to ask yourself WHY?

WHY do you want to get healthy?
WHY do you want to start that business?
WHY do you want to earn that degree?
WHY do you want to….

When you think you know why, dig another layer deeper. You want to that/achieve that/have that for that reason. By why? Keep asking why, getting deeper and deeper, until you’ve found the core reason. That is your mountain motivation.

Keep in mind that your why might change and evolve as you do, and that’s okay! Give yourself permission to allow it to.

WHAT NEXT?

Now that you’ve dug deep to discover your compelling why, how do we use our mountain motivation?

Think about your why as your own personal mantra. Write it down. Seriously. Put it in a journal, write it on a sticky note, or even create a digital or physical vision board to remind you daily WHY you’re on this climb. The more aligned you are with your deep compelling why, the easier it will feel to honor your commitments in the moments it feels challenging.

I’d love to hear the WHY behind your climb. Pop on over to social media and share it with me! Put it out into the world and root yourself in your mountain motivation.

Before I let you go, can I ask for a quick favor? If you’re enjoying this podcast take a moment to leave a 5 star rating and a review on your podcast app! Your feedback means the world and is one of the best ways you can help support this podcast. Thanks again for letting me share and be a voice in your ear today. It is truly an honor. Keep climbing friend and have a great day!