Remember the Why

You know what I’ve realized is surprisingly hard? Remembering why I started something. I find myself constantly battling to hold onto my original purpose, especially when the expectations of others start dictating what that purpose "should" be.

Here is a perfect example.

When I started studying nutrition, I quickly fell in love with it. I saw firsthand how massive an impact small dietary changes could make, and I desperately wanted to help people understand that. I wanted to make actionable, healthy knowledge accessible to everyone. I poured my energy into education—hopping on podcasts, making videos, and having countless one-on-one conversations. Eventually, I took it a step further and created a product I was truly proud of to help people lead healthier lives.

But then, the financial reality hit. I lost money. Then a little more. And then, slowly, I started making some. As I spent more time talking with other business owners and my roommates, my focus began to shift. The business became entirely about the bottom line. I wanted to recoup my losses. I wanted to prove that my idea was valid, and turning a quick profit felt like the easiest way to show that. Yet, even with that laser focus on money, I was still far from profitable.

Here is what I’ve noticed: when you operate from a place of genuine purpose, things have a way of working out. People can feel your intention, and they want to support it. They crave authenticity because it feels so scarce right now. If my core purpose is to provide healthy, delicious lentil snacks because people actually need them, the sales will follow. But if I’m just pushing a product to make a buck, people might still buy it—but at what cost to my own fulfillment?

I was reminded of all this yesterday. I have to remember my why. Why do I go to class? Why do I obsess over perfecting my snack packaging? Why do I write these blog posts, or share updates online? Why do I wake up early to go bouldering, or clip into my road bike for a ride?

If the answer is fame or fortune, I fall short. But if the answer is to help people and live authentically, then I have already succeeded—before the result, and regardless of it.

Let’s remember the why.