The Secret To A Longer, Stronger Life.

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Of all of life’s questions, I believe that one is most important:

What is the purpose and meaning for living my life?

There is a reason why I think this question is crucial to know for yourself. Because it creates drive within you. It feeds your motivation. It’s the very thing that will fuel you to wake up, face hard work, overcome hardships, and reach your highest potential.

And I’m not alone in this view.

In Japan, (specifically on a small island named Okinawa located off of the southern coast of the 146,000 square mile country) along with a select few number of other regions in the world, there are areas rich with people known as “centenarians”.

The five Blue Zones:

• Okinawa, Japan
• Sardinia, Italy
• Loma Linda, California
• Nicoya, Costa Rica
• Ikaria, Greece

The groups living within these areas are unique in that among them are individuals that regularly live upwards to ages of 100 years and even older (centenarians) and continue to live healthy, active, and meaning-driven lives even in this advanced age.

Is it something in their genes?

Is it a specialized exercise regimen they follow?

Could it be their carefully crafted, nutritious diets?

Or perhaps some magic berry or herbal tea they consume?

These things may contribute. But, the main reason these people live to see such extraordinarily advanced ages while also managing to live their lives to the fullest?

Many centenarians living in Okinawa, Japan were interviewed and it was found they had one thing in common. They each knew the answer to my previously posed question.

They had a strong purpose and meaning for living, or as they would call it, their “ikigai”.

What exactly is ikigai?

The intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what you can be paid for, and what the world needs.

Many of those interviewed continue to pursue their ikigai their entire lives. They never retire in the traditional sense. Not only do these individuals live longer, but they have less chronic disease, cognitive decline, and higher overall life satisfaction.

They follow their unique talents and passions, surround themselves with loved ones, eat sensibly, exercise regularly, and enjoy their lives for whatever it is they make of it.

I’m fortunate to have identified my ikigai. To make strength training mainstream and spread fitness to the world through my content, programs, and one-on-one coaching.

Do you know your ikigai? If you don’t, that’s completely okay.

But, it should be your mission to discover what it is and once you have – let it drive you. In the modern world, it’s all too easy for us to lose purpose in distractions: junk food, television, drinking, smoking, using drugs. A strong purpose removes you from that.

Maybe the Japanese have unlocked the secret, after all. Maybe by following your ikigai, you will create a purposeful life that will propel you toward reaching new milestones.

Not only in your health and fitness, but in all areas of your life.