"I love the anticipation at the beginning of every dive. As I begin to drop below the surface of the water, the only thing I know for sure that is awaiting me is adventure. Every dive is different – EVERY DIVE. You could be diving the same spot, on the same dive site, 500 times & each one would be different. There could be different animals present, or the same animals exhibiting different behaviors. The currents can change creating a mild drift or a ripping ride. The light breaking the waves on the surface can turn yesterday’s drab looking swim over a patch of reef into today’s stunning kaleidoscope of colors.

I love the silence. At no time in my life can I recall getting to spend a totally silent & undisturbed hour with only my own breathing breaking the silence. No cell phones, no TV, no traffic noise, no one talking to you (or at you), & none of the endless cacophony of sounds that makes up our daily routine. Diving is one of the most peaceful & spiritual activities I have ever done, but it is also one of the most exciting.

I love the adventure. I love swimming with a whale shark so huge, it dwarfs a city bus. I love looking into the eyes of a sea turtle & seeing them look back at you. I love stalking the reef or the sand looking for creatures so bizarre they would seem to be aliens from another planet taking their vacation under our seas. I love seeing a sunken shipwreck, a giant Manta Ray, a microscopic pygmy seahorse, or a pod of dolphins racing by as I smile in disbelief."

- Tim B.
Via Why I Love Scuba Diving

"Running has been a way for me to get out and stay active while staying healthy. I also realized very quickly that I was a fast runner for my age group. Since I’m a competitive person, I always try to win my age group, or at least place in the top 3.

Over my short 4 years of running, I have run in close to 30 races. Running gives me a chance to think and enjoy the world around me."

​- Kory K.

“My dance is neither a philosophy nor a job; it is the way I am feeling emotionally. This is #whyImove. I am not an actress. If I am not going through a certain emotion, I won’t be able to express it through dance. It doesn’t matter if I dance well or not — the most important thing is that I am real. The Bolshoi Ballet Academy is my childhood, my youth and my present, but I don’t have ballet idols. I am really inspired by people who do extreme sports. I think they are brave and emotionally very strong. The stage never gives you a second chance, so I prefer photos and videos. The camera is able to capture real and deep emotions. I can see myself developing in that direction in the future.”

 - Olga K.
Moscow-based dancer

"I love running because it is my time to connect with myself, my friends and to think. I don’t run with music most of the time (unless it is Rachel Patton’s “Fight Song”) because I like to be free of distraction and be able to hear my body running. Running has also brought me some of my closest friends both here in the QCA and in the greater running community.

My mom is the reason I run. I blame my “habit” on her! She would call or a race confirmation email would pop up on my account with a “by the way…I signed us up for a race” from my mom. She was and is my first Best Running Friend (BRF). Many times my mom and I will go for a run around Vanderveer Park or to Genesis West and back home. I love this time because we get to talk and enjoy each other."

- Sarah G., 37
Davenport, IA

Via Let's Move Quad Cities

"It's about effort...[and] learn something, not just about lifting weights. They learn something about themselves - deep down inside."

​- Derick C.

"I'm loving exploring my abilities."
​
- Tanya K.

"Finding fitness taught me how to love myself again."

- Ellyse Z.

"I know God gave me this body with more potential than I have ever imagined and I aim to test that potential out in every way."

"When I train at home or the gym, I don't look in the mirrors - I focus on my work. When I start to think "is that person talking about me or laughing at me?" (yes, I think that all the time) - I mentally snap out of it and shake it off and FOCUS ON THE ACTIVITY. I move as if I am the only one in the gym."

- Kelly O. 
Read more about Kelly's mission to be Better than MY Yesterday.

“It’s my only quiet time. The only time I can just think.”

- Bonner Paddock
when speaking of his running via UPROXX article

"when all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
Move along"


- The All-American Rejects
in Move Along

"I trail run outside almost everyday. Often, I leave home worried with unanswered questions, timing issues, contractual difficulties, scheduling challenges. Every single time, within five minutes, these are gone - evaporated. The brain has switched off, hypnotized by the regular rhythm of my running shoes on the trail's dirt and the inhale-exhale cycles. Focused on avoiding the roots and rocks and water, I let go and become creative. The funny thing is that when I get back home, these worries are usually gone for good. Lost on a Gatineau Park dirt trail, somewhere..."

- Yvan D.
In response to Patricia Katz's Pause Newsletter 

"Through activity and exercise I am the best version of myself."

- Sarah T.
Peterborough, NH