Purposeful Living

What’s your long-term vision for your health?

Based on the choices you’re making today, where do you see your fitness in 5, 10, or even 20 years?

Many of us move hustle through life, focusing on careers, relationships, and personal goals, often placing health and fitness on the back burner. It’’s easy to take for granted, especially in younger years we’re resilience is high and we do have a sense of invincibility. But health and fitness isn’t just about avoiding illness or even looking a certain way; it’s the foundation upon which we pursue our passions and live purposefully.

Think of health as the engine of a car. You might have the most luxurious vehicle known to man, all the bells and whistles. It may be the admiration of neighbours and stranger alike, but without a functioning engine, you’re not going anywhere. Similarly, our aspirations - whether they involve travelling the world, starting a business from scratch, or simply raising a family that you can be proud of - rely on our physical and mental well-being.

When we align our health with our life’s purposes, something magical happens. Our actions inevitably become more meaningful, motivation flows more naturally. Exercise isn’t just about burning calories; it’s about building stamina to hike that mountain you’ve always wanted to climb. Eating well isn’t a chore; it’s about fuelling your body to prepare for the presentation you’re about to give that potentially gets you that career progression you’re been wanting.

Our society often paints health as an end goal - a number of a scale, a clothing size, a clean blood test or visit to the GP for an annual check-up. But what if we view health as a means to an end? Not the destination, but the actual vehicle that gets us there.

Aligning our health and fitness with purpose also reshapes our motivation and extends our time horizons. Instead of forcing ourselves to go to the gym because we feel we “should”, we choose activities that support our deeper goals. A musician, for example, might practice yoga to improve concentration, flexibility and develop a greater sense of presence to engage with their performance. A grandparent might take up swimming to have the vitality to play with their grandchildren or to pass on a lifeskill to one they love.

This shift in perspective transforms health habits from obligations into empowering choices. It’s no longer about external expectations, but honouring what truly matters to us.

We can’t dismiss the psychological benefit, too. When our actions align with our values, providing evidence that we are they type of person we say we are, we experience greater fulfilment and a likely reduction in all-round chronic stress. This alignment creates a positive feedback loop: caring for our health enhances our ability to pursue our purpose, which in turn enriches our overall wellbeing.

Of course, life isn’t always straightforward. Challenges arise, and maintaining this balance can be tough over time. There will be days when work deadlines encroach, facility responsibilities demand greater attention, motivation wanes as the seasons change. But even small actions - choosing a nutritious meal, taking a brief walk outdoors in nature, pausing for a moment of gratitude - can reinforce the connection between our health and our individual purpose.

Think about a tree. Its roots dig deep, drawing nourishment to support growth. The stronger the roots, the more the tree can flourish, providing shade, bearing fruit, offering aesthetic beauty. Our health is like those roots - when we untrue them, we create a stable foundation for all branches of our lives.

In the end, choosing to invest in your health and fitness isn’t a selfish act; it’s a foundational one. It’s one of the greatest gifts we can bestow upon not just our current, but also our future selves. When we are at our best, we can give our best.

So let’s not wait for a wake-up call that may come at some point in life. Let’s recognise today that our well-being is intertwined with our deepest aspirations. Choosing to nurture our health unlocks the potential to live more fully, love more deeply, and contribute more meaningfully in the areas of life that matter most to us.

After all, a life lived on purpose is a life well-lived - and it begins firstly with taking care of ourselves.