What is Your ‘Why’?

Blog Contributor Mike Romans is a Team Ordinary athlete, firefighter and role model who often rescues people… and not just from his firefighter job.

Y. The second to last letter in the alphabet, which at times has translated to my finishing position in many races. Second to last. But that’s besides the point. I do it for a reason, I do it for a cause, I do it for my “why.”

As I was studying to become a personal trainer (and by studying I mean looking for a program) I consistently saw one common question asked by many programs and personal trainers alike. “What is your why?” This caught on to me, resonated so to speak and caused me to think long and hard about why I was doing what I was doing. I looked up to several people along my journey – Jay Cutler, Kris Gethin, Triathlon Taren, Lionel Sanders among many and they all had the same idea – discover your “why.” When I have asked people to define their ‘why’, they often balk and become timid, stating that they could never find the time, energy or the whatever to do what I do. “You’re Crazy” many will state (medically, they are not wrong, however that’s for another post).

Health. Many do it for overall health. Let’s face it, we’re not getting younger. Whether we look at family history, personal vanity or just lasting longer to spend more time with our kids, health is the ultimate and main reason many begin on a fitness journey. The age old Chinese proverb “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step” rings true in many aspects of this reason. No, it is not talking about Matt Schorer’s latest training plan of a super mega hugely awesome ultra. It’s that you can’t get started if you don’t begin. Had you told me 5 years ago I would have 3 half marathons, 1 full and 4 sprint triathlons under my belt, I would have called you crazy, but here I am.

Family. As mentioned before, many people look to their family as motivation on a fitness journey. Admittingly, and as you will read, perhaps contradictory to the basis of this post, this is one of my main reasons. My son has proclaimed he will be the youngest to do the annual sprint tri I participate in. When asked what he wants for his birthday, he has stated for 3 years now “A triathlon bike!” When a member of Team Ordinary was hurt during the Ordinary Marathon, he didn’t skip a beat.  He offered to run part of her remaining miles for her so that she could reach her goal. He just turned 8. If continuing to motivate him to do his best in order to combat his mental health struggles isn’t reason enough for me to continue, nothing will be.  However…..

Bling. Admit it. We have all done it – booked a race (especially now with the number of virtual races going on) based on the gear or medals that go with it. I won’t say there is anything wrong with that. Heck, it motivated my other son to run a 5k with me simply because the medal was a huge golden baseball mitt. Many of these races are meant to raise money for various charities and causes, things that are near and dear to many of our hearts. Personally, I have made my own ‘logo’ and gear based on the many causes and people I think about when racing. It’s a mental thing for me. Think of those who have suffered greatly, those who have gone through pain and those who would give anything to be able to walk again let alone do what you do.  It makes the pain for whatever race you are doing more bearable. My fastest 5k time to date came in a race for a fellow firefighter’s son who was diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease and needed a transplant. Rather than sport my usual gear, I wore plain shorts and our firefighter t-shirt and told him before the race “No one will cross before me, this one’s for you brother” and I wasn’t wrong. Well, not totally. Someone did, but only because he got lost on the route and just came back. LOL! Anyway, with his son in mind, I bared through the hurt, the suck and pushed through.

There are many other reasons, some personal, some practical, some cliché, as to why we do what we do. Many ask why, many wonder what the point of getting up at 3:30am on a day off to ride 5000 feet of elevation before starting a day. Fact is, there doesn’t have to be a reason. You should be the reason. If you do not do things for yourself, for what matters to you, then all the above listed reasons are for naught. We can have our goals, our dreams, our admirers or motivators, but fact is, we cannot pour from an empty cup. I have read and stated that exercise is the most under-used antidepressant and there is no convincing me otherwise. So instead of consistently searching for “The Why” maybe ask yourself, ”Why not?”