Getting the body you want takes a great deal of discipline, patience, and focus. To help you focus on your fitness goals, it’s a great idea to listen to some motivational speeches while jogging or lifting weights. Listening to motivational speeches is a great way to quickly enhance your mood and learn valuable life lessons from some of the world’s most successful people. In this brief article, we’ll go through 10 of the absolute best motivational speeches to listen to while working out. Every single one of these speeches is sure to inspire you to become the greatest version of yourself.
1 – Tony Robbins “Self Discipline”
Tony Robbins is one of the most popular motivational speakers around nowadays. Millions of people have been inspired not only by Robbins’ positive messages, but also by his own life story. Robbins endured an abusive relationship with his mother and great financial setbacks, however he pushed himself to become the successful businessman, author, and philanthropist he is today. In this speech, Robbins details the key steps you need to take to be more disciplined in your life. If you listen to this speech all the way through, you’ll learn some key strategies to taking charge of your life and reaching the pinnacle of success.
2 – Arnold Schwarzenegger “Gym Motivation”
Anyone looking to build some serious muscle should definitely put this Arnold Schwarzenegger speech at the top of their playlist. In this speech, the Austrian bodybuilder/movie star/former California governor talks about the importance of having a clear goal in life. If you are into bodybuilding, you will find a great deal to admire in this speech. This popular YouTube video is also interspersed with many clips of Schwarzenegger during the prime of his life.
3 – Alfred, Lord Tennyson “Ulysses”
OK, this isn’t exactly a “speech,” but Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem “Ulysses” is certainly motivational. Even people who don’t “get” poetry will find a great deal to admire in this celebrated Victorian verse. The poem starts where Homer’s Odyssey left off: Odysseus (aka Ulysses) is back at home with his wife and son, but something is missing in his life. Ulysses still yearns for wild adventure out on the sea, and he’s ready to throw off all his creature comforts to confront the great mysteries of life yet again. The bold last lines “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” will certainly send shivers down your spine as you are training.
4 – Steve Jobs “Stanford Commencement Address”
There have been many powerful commencement speeches over the past few decades. J.K. Rowling, David Foster Wallace, and Jim Carey are just a few celebrities who’ve given celebrated speeches. But one commencement speech seems to always stand above the rest. Of course, we’re talking about Steve Jobs’ inspiring 2005 speech at Stanford University. In this amazing speech, Jobs will tell you all about pushing through life’s many obstacles to attain your dreams.
5 – Winston Churchill “Never Never Never Give In”
During the darkest days of World War II, Winston Churchill rallied the British public with his stirring speeches. In this short speech, sometimes called the Harrow Hall Speech, Churchill urges his fellow citizens never to give in to despair. Although we now know Churchill often struggled with his own “black dog” of depression, he certainly didn’t let it show in his most famous speeches. Whenever you ever feel like giving up, give this short speech a quick listen.
6 – John F. Kennedy “Inaugural Address”
You probably already know the most famous lines of this speech: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” JFK’s mighty inauguration speech sent shockwaves of positivity throughout the Western world. Although many only remember JFK today for his tragic death, why not relive his finest hour by listening to his famous inaugural address? Even while listening to Kennedy’s speech so many years later, you just can’t help feeling moved by his optimism and charisma.
7 – William Faulkner “Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech”
Yeah, we know, William Faulkner’s novels are extremely difficult. Even literature buffs have a hard time figuring out what’s going on in works like Absalom, Absalom! and The Sound and the Fury. But you don’t have to have a PhD to feel moved by his 1950 Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech. With the tense atmosphere of the Cold War in the background, Faulkner took this opportunity to reaffirm his faith in the human soul. As Faulkner put it, “I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail.”
8 – Sadhguru “How To Get What You Want”
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev is a prominent Indian yogi now selling out lecture halls around the world. Sadhguru’s inspiring talks have made him an international superstar. Indeed, Sadhguru has even become an official member of the Economic and Social Council in the United Nations. In this speech, Sadhguru discusses how you can use your mind to achieve anything you want in life.
9 – Ajahn Brahm “Four Ways of Letting Go”
Another immensely powerful spiritual leader alive today is the monk Ajahn Brahm. Although Ajahn Brahm (aka Peter Betts) was born in London, he decided in his 20s to devote his life to studying the Buddha’s word under the famous Thai monk Ajahn Chah. Today, Ajahn Brahm is the head of the Bodhinyana Monestary in Western Australia and has become an Internet sensation thanks to his witty weekly talks. The talk included here is Ajahn Brahm’s most popular dharma talk: “Four Ways of Letting Go.”
10 – Alan Watts “You’re It”
Lastly, we’ve included a great speech from popular 1960s author Alan Watts. Watts was very influential in teaching the Western world some of the basic ideas of Eastern religions. A few of his books are still considered standards in terms of introducing Westerners to Zen, Taoism, and Hinduism. Many of Watts’ public talks have become extremely popular online, and some even have motivational music in the background. This talk, entitled “You’re It,” is definitely worth a listen while working out.
