Finding Your “Why”

People can draw inspiration from so many places. Whether it be family, future goals, or the pursuit of positive change, the factors that inspire us are key motivators in our life – and wellness – journeys. If you find it difficult to challenge yourself physically or improve your fitness, finding your "why" can fuel you toward the finish line.

On the Ingrained & Balanced podcast about practicing a well-balanced lifestyle, hosts Lonnie and Marty discuss how our mindset can influence physical fitness. On season 1, episode 12, they sit down with Patrick Quinn to discuss his athletic journey. Patrick shares how his motivators enabled him to accomplish everything he has in the world of competitive sports.

What is Your "Why"?

Why do you get up in the morning? 

From the start of each day, we carry out tasks based on the things that motivate us. Regarding work, the motivator, or "why," is the pay we will receive in exchange for our efforts. But our "why”s may be more difficult to identify when it comes to our physical wellness.

"What is my personal 'why?' You find that – you're golden."

Patrick Quinn's motivators helped him persevere in his physical fitness throughout his lifetime – even when the cards were stacked against him. 

As a former Olympic hopeful in luge and speed skating, Patrick faced obstacles along his athletic journey. Although he never competed in the Olympics, he still gathered up the drive to continue his athletic pursuits.

Now in his 50s, Patrick has achieved extraordinary accomplishments in athletic competitions, including competing in the U.S. Speedskating program and within the U.S. National Luge Team. He is also a World Cup medalist and was an alternate to the 2006 USA Olympic luge team. Most recently, he was inspired to do an Ironman Competition.

So how does Patrick find the motivation to continue pursuing these physically demanding goals? Read on to learn about some of Patrick's "why" s that he shares on the Ingrained & Balanced podcast.

For The Love of The Game

Gamifying the fitness process has been practiced since 776 B.C. at Olympia. However, competing in athletics likely occurred far before this event. Humans have always enjoyed the competition, as winning can bring on feelings of pride, accomplishment, and satisfaction.

"I still had this athletic itch…"

People who participate in sports, like Patrick, are motivated by the spirit of competition and appreciation for the game. GHis involvement in these demanding activities has enabled him to practice fitness and exercise while doing something he loves.

"I grew up as an athlete," Patrick says. "I had dreams of playing professional hockey." 

His love of sports led him to play hockey in college, join the U.S. Speedskating program, and even compete on the U.S. National Luge Team. And as a result of his competitive activity, Patrick has maintained his physical wellness even in his fifties.

Drawing Inspiration from Others

When asked about motivators, Patrick explains that he draws inspiration from the people he surrounds himself with. 

Patrick's firm, Q Sports Marketing Inc., merges his love of sports with business, as the company manages athletes' careers and orchestrates their endorsement deals. In his work representing Paralympic athletes, he met many incredible athletes that inspired them with their perseverance.

"They had these amazing inspirational stories."

Patrick was floored by the strength of the paralympic competitors he sponsored, which led him to wonder how they all could tap into this extra layer of human potential. This question inspired him to do an Ironman Competition and push his own physical abilities to the next level.

Of course, motivation to succeed can come from many sources. For Patrick, the support he received from his wife and children enabled him to push his body the extra mile during his Ironman Competition.

"The thing that inspired me the most was the inspiration that I got from my wife … and then the inspiration I was trying to show my kids."

By remembering his wife's sacrifices for his career and the fact that his children were watching him compete, Patrick was able to carry himself past his usual physical limitations and make it past the finish line.

Seeing Real Results

Patrick may not have ever competed in the Olympics, however, he doesn't have regrets. "Where I have wound up is incredibly blessed," he says.

Patrick's athletic dedication and continued effort brought him great experiences. He relates this to working out, explaining that you won't see results on the first day, "you see it with the consistency of effort."

"Just keep working hard, just keep going forward, and it's going to fall into place."

Patrick has always continued to work hard and move forward with his physical fitness, and it led him to where he is today. He shares his story on the show, telling Ingrained & Balanced listeners that belief and effort will always yield good things.

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To learn more about Patrick Quinn's athletic experiences and his insights on achieving physical fitness, tune in to the Ingrained & Balanced Podcast.