With
Nicole Maciel
From Motivation to Meaning: The Power of Purpose
In fitness, fashion, and business, purpose always outlasts motivation.
Motivation is inconsistent... it comes and goes depending on our moods, our energy, even the weather. Purpose, on the other hand, doesn’t disappear so easily. When you move, train, or do something as simple as get dressed with purpose, it might not be visible on the surface, but you’re engaging with a deeper sense of resilience and mental wellness.
Today I want to talk about the impact of anchoring your actions in meaning, so they sustain you long after the motivation fades.
1. Motivation is Temporary. Purpose is Renewable.
In plain English:
Motivation is what we do to get what we want.
Purpose is why we do it.
As Simon Sinek puts it in his book, Start with Why: “Your why is the purpose, cause, or belief that inspires you.”
Viktor Frankl, survivor of the Nazi concentration camps, wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning that people are primarily driven by “a striving to find meaning in one’s life.” And as J. Damer reminds us: “Action without purpose has no meaning.”
2. Purpose as a Fitness Anchor
In fitness, motivation is the initial drive to exercise. Purpose is the deeper “why”, the reason that keeps people showing up long after the spark of motivation fades. It’s what differentiates those who stay committed from those who stop.
Research backs this up. A large study on sense of purpose (PMC 8626539) found that individuals with a stronger purpose in life were more likely to remain physically active, even when facing barriers like fatigue or lack of time. Purpose, in other words, is a psychological engine that keeps you moving when motivation disappears.
3. Purpose as a Mental Wellness Anchor
The same study revealed that purpose isn’t just about behaviour; it also supports mental wellness. People with a strong sense of purpose are better at pushing through life challenges, making them more able to keep control when stress, fatigue, or unpredictability shows up.
This shows us that purpose isn’t just a "nice to have", it’s practical. It’s what helps your mental health stay anchored when the emotional rollercoaster takes another dip.
It is also worth mentioning that purpose isn't always easy to hold onto. In seasons of depression or burnout, even our "why" can feel very far away. That doesn't mean that it's gone. Purpose doesn't erase struggle, but it can give us a helping hand to guide us through the darker days, even if it looks a little smaller, like a walk, or just taking a deep breath.
4. Purpose Makes Consistency Beautiful
Consistency is often seen as having discipline. But the research suggests that consistency comes most naturally when it’s rooted in purpose. People don’t show up every day because they force themselves to, they show up because their “why” is strong enough to carry them through everyday struggles.
When your purpose is clear, consistency becomes less of an effort and more of a natural alignment.
5. Purpose Shapes Your Influence
Purpose doesn't just help keep you steady, it can also reshape how others perceive you. When your life and values are anchored in purpose, people can sense it. They're more likely to connect with you, trust you, and be moved by you. Simon Sinek often speaks about how brands with a clear "Why" build stronger, lasting relationships. The same is true for individuals. Living with purpose creates more aligned connections. It becomes the foundation that your actions and presence are based on, which reflects a clear story of your deeper meaning, that can leave a deeper impact on others. In fitness, fashion or business, this influence isn't about persuading others, but rather about aligning with others. By living your own personal brand, people know what they sign up for, and you'll naturally attract others who share your values. That's when connection becomes meaningful and your influence becomes truly authentic.
6. To Close Off
Living with purpose is about choosing to have meaning behind your actions, whether it's in how you train, how you dress, or how you navigate any aspect of your life really. Purpose keeps you steady when motivation slips, and it's what turns routines into rituals.
For many, including myself, purpose isn't only personal, it's also spiritual. It's about trusting that our lives are part of something greater and that comes not just from what we do, but from who we serve and how we give. Many faith traditions across the world hold onto the same truth: that when your actions are guided by something beyond yourself, you find strength that motivation alone could never provide.
That's why, in everything I do, I try to return to purpose. And yes this purpose might shift or even completely change as you work your way through live. But I find it important to ensure that everything I do or create along the way is done with intention and deeper meaning. To ensure I build something rooted in belief.
And I believe that everything can carry more meaning when it's shaped with purpose at the core.
Keep asking yourself "What is my Why?", and hold the answer close, because that answer is your greatest fuel.
