We talk about it all the time — how to find it, how to keep it, what to do when it disappears.
But what really drives us to keep going, day in and day out? Especially when things get hard.
When there’s pain. Pressure. Resistance.
Ross Edgley writes in The Art of Resilience that success is far more likely when we’re driven from the inside out — when our motivation is intrinsic, not external.
That makes sense, right?
But how often do we really stop to ask:
Where does my motivation come from?
Is it your own ambition, growth, purpose?
Or the pay rise, the car, the job title?
The Internal Drive
Throughout my 18-year career in UK Rail, I always believed I was driven by a desire to improve — to be better every day.
I faced imposter syndrome a lot. I was promoted quickly into roles that stretched me. But leaders saw something in me: I cared, I worked hard, and I wanted to grow — not just earn more.
I thrived on challenge.
I needed pressure.
I craved the opportunity to see what I was made of.
Sure, the promotions and pay rises were nice.
But after the first month?
They normalised.
They faded.
What remained was the drive to stretch, learn, and prove to myself that I could keep levelling up.
Running for the Right Reasons
If you’ve ever run an ultramarathon — and I’ve run a few, including a 100K — you’ll know this:
You cannot do that for external reasons alone.
You don’t run that far for a medal.
You run for the challenge.
You run for the solitude.
You run to test your mind as much as your body.
You run to hear your own thoughts when everything else is stripped away.
That’s when you learn what really drives you.
Redefining Success
Now, I’m growing a business from scratch.
I’ve left a six-figure salary, a company car, and a pension behind — all those classic external markers of success.
Why?
Because I realised I was climbing a ladder that led to the wrong wall.
I looked around and saw people ahead of me in the career path — burnt out, unhealthy, unhappy, disconnected.
And I thought: Is that where I’m headed?
Since changing my relationship with alcohol, I’ve unlocked a deeper sense of purpose.
I’m no longer chasing titles.
I’m building something I believe in — something that helps others change their lives too.
That’s the real motivator now.
A New Path
Today, I coach high-performing men who feel like they’re leaving something in the tank.
Men who’ve achieved a lot on paper but know they’ve got more to give.
Men who are realising the external stuff isn’t enough anymore.
What they need now is clarity.
Energy.
Purpose.
That’s what I help them unlock — because I’ve lived it.
This journey isn’t about the job title or the trophy at the finish line.
It’s about waking up proud of the man you’re becoming.
If this resonates — if you know there’s more in you — you don’t need more motivation.
You need the right structure, support, and space to realign.
🟢 Book a free call with me here
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Let’s unlock what’s next — together.
— Dan
This is so deep ❤