Motivation is a recurring theme in life, as it acts as a driving force behind our actions. Oftentimes, motivation is most commonly discussed in conjunction with bigger life habits, like the motivation behind clocking in at work or putting in some time on the treadmill at the gym. But by definition, motivation is indicative of our needs, wants, desires, and even our urges. So, whether we realize it or not, the decision we made between kicks and heels for our outfit of the day today, the choice behind our early morning drink order, or what we decided to have for lunch -- these choices are also fueled by motivation.
In collaboration with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin MD, founder, and CEO of Gemma and author of Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness, Peloton recently unveiled five motivation languages we can apply to wellness. Inspired by Gary Chapman's love languages, motivation languages act as a way to help people tap into the things that drive them and ultimately move them to, well, move. And although the motivation languages denote one's approach to health and well-being, these languages transcend to encompass how we approach our lives as a whole as well. “Motivation is key not only when it comes to fitness routines, but also in daily decision making -- understanding our ‘why’ helps us feel connected to ourselves," Dr. Lakshmin tells xoNecole.
"The motivation languages offer a way for people to engage in deeper conversations with themselves and find out what will positively impact them as they approach fitness and wellness. Fueling our bodies and minds with things that we know will encourage and motivate us is how we can truly care for ourselves."
The motivation languages were crafted based on findings from a five-market research study conducted by Peloton. Through that research, they discovered that motivation was something 7 out of 10 survey respondents said made them feel like they could accomplish anything. Additionally, through those findings, Peloton learned that motivation looks different for different people. From there, with the help of Dr. Lakshmin, they founded the five foundational motivation languages:
- Having Fun
- Achieving Goals
- Building Community
- Positive Affirmations
- Tough Love
To learn more about motivation languages and how we can apply them to our wellness journeys this year and beyond, xoNecole chatted with Dr. Lakshmin and Peloton Instructor Matty Maggiacomo. Keep reading for more.
How to Identify Your Primary Motivation Language
Dr. Lakshmin believes that motivation language allows us to take back our power and bring self-care back into our own hands. But how do we learn which motivation language belongs to us? Similar to love languages, Dr. Lakshmin suggests identifying your primary motivation language by asking yourself questions about what you like and don't like as it relates to motivation and the descriptions for the motivation languages.
The 5 Motivation Languages, According to Peloton
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1. Having Fun
According to Peloton, Having Fun is about enjoying yourself, relaxing, letting loose, and having a good time. Movement is more about how it makes you feel than how it makes you look, and you are motivated by ease and pleasure in your approach to fitness and wellness. As a mantra, Dr. Lakshmin says, "I'm the best version of myself when I am relaxed and carefree."
Maggiacomo notes that there are a plethora of Peloton workouts from various instructors to choose from that fit your motivation language. For Having Fun, he advises "Callie Gullickson for a dynamic strength class."
2. Achieving Goals
"Achieving Goals" means you experience motivation through performing your 'best,' reaching milestones, and meeting the performance goals you have for yourself. As a goal-oriented person, your mantra for this motivation language could be, "Nothing feels better to me than a job well done." And for a workout that speaks your motivation language, Maggiacomo tells xoNecole, "Camila Ramón has the best 15-minute en Español ride."
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3. Building Community
As a motivation language, building community means exactly that - fostering a sense of community around your approach to wellness. Your motivation comes from connecting with others and inviting family and friends to make wellness and fitness a collaborative effort. A mantra for you might be: "I feel my best when I'm connected to others who are working toward similar goals."
"If Building Community is your vibe, Ben Alldis brings everyone together with his 30-minute classic rock rides," Maggiacomo reveals.
4. Positive Affirmations
It should come as no surprise, but if your motivation language is positive affirmations, it means that your motivation thrives when you are positively affirmed. Encouragement, positivity, and kindness go a long way for you, when it comes from others but also when it comes from within. Dr. Lakshmin's mantra for you is, "I am worthy of showing up for myself."
Maggiacomo adds, "I am a big believer of Positive Affirmations, so if that speaks to your language you can either try a 60-minute Gospel Walk with Kirsten Ferguson or a 30-minute Pop Run with me."
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5. Tough Love
If you resonate most with tough love as your motivation language, this means that you are motivated by structure and have a no-BS approach to wellness and fitness. Hard work is not a deterrent, it's a motivator. In fact, "regimen" is your middle name. A mantra for you would be, "Hard work pays off in the long run." Maggiacomo's Peloton class pick for Tough Love? The fitness instructor recommends the 30-minute Tabata ride offered by fellow instructor Olivia Amato.
Check out the Peloton App for more classes to choose from and find out more about Motivation Language on Peloton’s Pinterest page.
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While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Eldest Daughter Syndrome had its viral moment online last year, and for good reason. The term gave language to the silent pressures so many eldest daughters tend to carry as a result of their birth order. Beyond that very needed conversation, birth order as a whole can offer insight into not only our traits and tendencies, but also how we show up in life, love, and even our work.
Below, we’re breaking down the traits most commonly associated with each birth order. Keep reading to learn what your birth order might say about you.
If you are the oldest...
Let's be real, being the firstborn often comes with a lot of responsibility. And it's usually not by choice. From early on, they’re the ones who set the tone, carry the weight, and take on the title of "the responsible one." Because of that, they often grow into reliable, high-achieving adults. But the pressure of being "the blueprint" and the one to "lead by example" can also be a heavy burden to bear.
Oldest child traits may look like:
- Natural leaders that take charge even when they didn’t mean to (read: she's bossy, but keeping it cute)
- High standards (for yourself and everyone else)
- Motivated, goal-oriented, and always chasing that next accomplishment
- Reliable and conscientious
- Perfectionist tendencies that can lead to burnout
- Struggles with being controlling or micromanaging
- Often cautious, craving stability over spontaneity
- Finds it hard to rest or ask for help
If you are the middle child...
Season 2 Netflix GIF by Gilmore Girls GiphyIn the grand scheme of the birth order lineup, the middle child can be the quiet MVPs. As the child who falls in the order "in-between," they’re used to being the one who keeps the peace while also fighting to stand out. But being the “in-between” can also mean feeling overlooked or forgotten. In some families, especially ones with toxic dynamics, the middle child may even take on the role of the "black sheep," while their siblings are seen as the golden children. Still, despite (or maybe because of) that, middle children tend to thrive socially and can read a room like the back of their hand.
Middle child traits may include:
- Top-tier peacemakers who can smooth over almost any situation
- Adaptable and easygoing (even when they’re lowkey screaming inside)
- Often feel overlooked or like they have to do the most to be seen
- People-pleasers who put everyone else first
- Social butterflies and community-minded, with strong friendships outside the family
- Can be rebellious when they feel boxed in
- Thrive when they’re allowed to define success on their own terms
- The ultimate go-between, translating vibes between generations, personalities, and moods
If you are the youngest...
Season 1 Ff GIF by FreeformGiphyThe baby of the family walks through life knowing how to charm, persuade, and perform. They often grow up with more freedom and fewer expectations, which fuels their adventurous and carefree side. But that same freedom can sometimes lead to entitlement, or a tendency to seek validation by being the "fun one."
Youngest child traits might include:
- Social butterflies who light up a room and don’t mind the spotlight
- Natural charmers, funny, flirtatious, and usually down for anything
- Can be a little self-centered or attention-seeking (but you still love them for it)
- Tend to keep things uncomplicated… unless they’re not getting their way
- Known to be manipulative when trying to get what they want
- Free-spirited and bold in their choices
- Often underestimated, but capable of big things when they focus
- Thrive in spaces that let them express, explore, and be a little extra
If you are the only child...
High School Drama GIF by HBO MaxGiphyOnly children can be the ultimate "one woman show" as they are often a mix of all the birth orders rolled into one. Without siblings, they learn to entertain themselves, advocate for their needs, and navigate adult conversations early. That independence can make them magnetic, mature, and deeply introspective, but it also comes with a deep craving for validation and control.
Only child traits can include:
- Mature and wise beyond their years, often viewed as old souls
- Conscientious and responsible, usually the go-to person in their circle
- Seek approval and validation more than they let on
- Natural leaders with big ideas and even bigger plans
- Can be sensitive and deeply affected by criticism
- Prefer structure, routines, and control (sometimes to a fault)
- Like things done their way (and don’t love compromising)
- Thrive in solitude but still want to feel seen and celebrated
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