Motivation is a Commitment, Not a Feeling: Walking the Rova with Beatie Deutsch

I have a little confession: some mornings, even I find it hard to get moving. Whether it’s the laundry pile staring me down or a gray, rainy day in Jerusalem, we all have those moments where the covers feel just a little too heavy.

That’s why running into the incredible Beatie Deutsch in the Old City was exactly what my soul needed. You probably know her as the “Marathon Mother”—the six-time Israeli national champion who runs in a skirt and headcovering, smashing records and stereotypes all at once.

Watch our rainy-day walk and conversation right here!

Commitment Over Emotion

As we grabbed a warm chai latte (my favorite “comfort in a cup”!) and walked toward the Aish World Center, Beatie shared something that stopped me in my tracks. She said, “Motivation is not about a feeling; it’s about a commitment to what you’re striving for.”

Think about that! We wait to feel like working out, or feel like starting that project. But Beatie, who runs in the pouring rain with open blisters and chafed skin, doesn’t ask herself if she “feels” like it. She asks herself if she still wants her goal.

We got incredibly real about:

Olympic Dreams: The terrifying moment her private goal was printed on the front page of the newspaper and how she dealt with that pressure.
The “F” Word: How she stopped viewing herself as a failure when things didn’t go according to her timeline.
A Journey of Healing: Beatie opened up with so much bravery about her struggle with disordered eating and why “mind over matter” isn’t always the answer for mental health.
Raising Strong Girls: Why she feels a responsibility to be a healthy role model for her daughters (and why she’s done with the “I should be two kilos lighter” narrative).

A Light from the Rooftop

Standing on the Aish rooftop overlooking the Kotel, Beatie shared a prayer that truly touched my heart. She spoke about the unique piece of God that lives inside every single one of us. Her blessing was simple: that we all find our unique light and have the courage to shine it, without fear or intimidation.

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It’s such a powerful reminder that our outcomes are in God’s hands, but our effort and our attitude are in ours.

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they weren’t “enough” or who is waiting for the perfect “feeling” to start their journey:

WATCH: Beatie Deutsch on Motivation, Mental Health, and Olympic Dreams

What’s Your “Rainy Day” Secret?

I left this walk feeling like I could run a marathon myself (well, maybe a very slow one!). Beatie reminds us that even if we fail a million times, we are just one step closer to becoming the best version of ourselves.

I’d love to hear from you: What is one goal you are committed to, even on the days you don’t “feel” like it? Let’s encourage each other in the comments!