I Didn't Come This Far ...

Anyone else a sucker for a motivational monologue or music montage?  That can’t just be me.  

Braveheart, Gladiator, Two Towers, The Marvel movies, The Rocky’s … all examples of great monologues and/or montages.  I’m willing to stand firm on this.  I believe the expression is guilty pleasure.

I was recently updating my “movement” playlist.  When I inevitably hit my wall and will want to stop is totally dependent on the movement … so I create playlists with that in mind.  What’s the expression … keep your enemy close?  Well, I’m my own worst enemy - or my mind can be … so … I fight back with beats that make it want to move, that fire it up … logical, everyone does this … why write about it?

Well, recently I discovered an odd motivational monologue montage combo … what??

I have no idea where I’ve been living, I clearly need to update my playlists more frequently.  Like, much more frequently!

In the process of my latest update, I discovered Fearless Motivations I Didn’t Come This Far to Only Come This Far … um … where has this gem been hiding?  Let me just say - it was everything I didn’t know I needed for every part of my life in 2025.  

Legit!

Really good motivational speeches have a depth, the music doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but somehow matches the intonation and pitch … they are like a punch to the gut - or what I imagine that to be - they knock the wind out of you, catch your attention, unlock a part of your brain that had been dormant. 

I can listen to good one’s again and again and again.  

Sometimes I will pick up a book, or fast forward a movie to the line(s) I am in the mood to hear … I love them that much. 

“... I didn’t come this far to only come this far! When I get this goal, I’ll seek more.  Not more things, more growth.  Constantly pushing myself to be better.”

Maybe this one resonates because I’m looking for memorable … I’m looking for great.  Maybe this one resonates because I want more … and to get that, I do have to push.  Maybe it resonates because I know everyone needs a soundtrack and when I heard this … it felt like mine.  Or the me that I’m becoming.  It’s the bridge connecting the two. 

Isn't that the point of motivation? 

I realize the Creed’s, the Rocky’s, the Sam Wise’s … they are fictional, not real, but they provide visuals; what drive, digging deep, that hunger can accomplish, they get some pretty intense soundtracks … I’m not fictional … I still enjoy a kick ass soundtrack to fuel my life. 

“... I didn’t come this far to only come this far! I came this far so I could be strong enough to go further!  So I would be good enough to push myself harder!”

It feels like I hit pause between mountains.  That’s ok, sometimes we need the pause.  Need to heal, need to breathe, need to think about next steps.  As the man says … find the next mountain.  

I have a plan, now it’s time to move again.  When fear hits, doubt visits, I will have listened to this song enough … Enough that I will know it by heart … Enough that I can hear it, say it, believe it.  That’s the catch with motivational montages, if the listener doesn’t believe, there is no motivation.  It only works if it inspires action. 

I realize they aren’t for everyone.  They are for me.  I adore them … but I’m the kid in the movie theatre who raises both hands above her head when Thorin remembers who he is … when Maximus gives his speech in the stadium … when Captain America picks up Mjolnir … when Rocky knocks out Drago … 

Side note: While these appear to be good guys beating the movie villains … I love an underdog story … I love watching characters redeeming themselves … I love watching characters dig deep … They are more relatable than people think.  While I’m not fighting armies of orcs, not saving the world, everyone of us fights our own demons, our pasts, our fears, our doubts, others expectations etc. We are all fighting something … and I’m a sucker for a happy ending … it may not be the ending I wanted … but sometimes life knows better.

“... if the journey wasn’t challenging, the destination wouldn’t be rewarding.”

If you pass me in the street and you hear me repeating this mantra … don’t be alarmed … you’ll know it’s me pushing past a wall, on my journey to my next mountain.

After all, “... I didn’t come this far to only come this far …”