PURPOSE
While on a run, I listened to a recent episode of the Ed Mylett podcast featuring Jon Gordon. Something he said stuck with me: “We don't get burned out by what we do. We get burned out by forgetting why we do it.”
“We don’t get burned out by what we do. We get burned out by forgetting why we do it.” Jon Gordon
Losing sight of your “why” is the fastest way to lose your drive. It’s a truth that underpins what’s at the core of Run The Hills.
In the Run The Hills framework, there’s a small shift from the idea of “why” at the center, to “purpose” at the center. Purpose, in my mind, is even deeper than just a reason; it’s the source of the energy that drives you to wake up each day and do the hard things. Purpose is what ties you to the hills you choose to run. It’s the fuel that ignites passion, and that passion is what keeps you moving forward when the hills get steep and you arrive at the crossroads.
Also in the RTH Framework is something I call the Crossroads. It’s a defining moment as you make your ascent up the hill. It usually occurs when you’re a little past halfway to your destination or goal. It’s when you have to make a turning point decision; do you stop, convinced you’ve gone as far as you can, or do you keep running, trusting that this struggle is part of the process?
This is where your purpose kicks in. It’s not there to just fill the tank, it’s what reminds you why the climb matters. It reframes the pain, the exhaustion, the doubt, and turns them into markers of progress.
When you're aligned with your purpose, energy flows naturally, and that energy is what keeps the fire alive in everything you do. When you lose sight of why you’re doing something, or if you forget what your purpose is, burnout follows. It’s inevitable.
When you lose sight of why you’re doing something, or if you forget what your purpose is, burnout follows. It’s inevitable.
A powerful example of purpose being realized can be seen in Rocky, the iconic story of an underdog boxer. Rocky Balboa starts out with no real direction, fighting in small-time matches and going through the motions of life. But everything changes when he gets the chance to fight Apollo Creed, the world champion. At first, it’s just another fight, a chance to make a name for himself and earn a paycheck. But as the challenge gets closer, Rocky starts to realize something much deeper.
This turning point realization is captured in a beautiful scene the night before the big fight, when Rocky visits the Spectrum, the iconic Philadelphia venue where the match is to be held. The arena lights are dim except for the ring glowing at the center like some kind of boxing altar. Alone, he climbs through the ropes, stands at the center, and takes in the surreal atmosphere —the massive posters of him and Apollo Creed draped from the ceiling as a backdrop to the enormity of what's ahead.
Mr. Jergens, the fight promoter, appears and asks, "Rocky, what brings you here tonight?" Rocky, staring up at his poster pointing out a mistake, "Well, Mr. Jergens, the poster's wrong. I'm wearing white pants with a red stripe." Mr. Jergens, cracking a smile, replies, "It doesn't really matter, does it? I'm sure you're going to give us a great show." In that poignant moment, Rocky identified his “hill” and realized that his true purpose isn't to win the fight; it's to go the distance and prove that he's not just another bum from the streets of Philadelphia.
…Rocky realizes that his true purpose isn't to win the fight; it's to go the distance and prove that he's not just another bum from the streets of Philadelphia.
Rocky didn’t find his purpose in trying to win the title; he found it in the climb itself, in knowing that he gave everything he had and left it all in the ring. That’s what fueled his journey, and it’s a lesson in how purpose can transform an impossible challenge into something worth pursuing, even when success isn’t guaranteed.
In Rocky, the climb/the hill isn’t just the fight against Apollo Creed. It’s the internal battle, the decision to keep going when everything tells you to stop. Purpose was the driving force that kept Rocky running those miles, punching those bags, and fighting until the final bell. It’s not about the hill itself; it’s about the reason you run it. That’s the power of purpose.
remember—it’s not the challenge that drains you. It’s losing sight of your purpose.
When you're facing your next hill, remember—it's not the challenge itself that drains you. It's losing sight of your purpose. Take time to define that purpose clearly, and connect with it deeply. When the hill gets tough and you feel like you can't go on, tap into that purpose. You'll be surprised by the surge of energy it provides and what you can accomplish.
Your purpose isn't just motivation; it's the core that keeps you moving forward when everything else is telling you to stop.
Run the hills.
Chas
Me with John Rivoli at the Rocky Run in Philadelphia. John is an iconic artist and the first official Rocky art licensee. We are posing with his painting "Alone in the Ring" beautifully capturing the moment I referenced in the article.
Purchase his print here: https://iconsinart.com/collections/rocky/products/alone-in-the-ring