What if the most powerful tool for healing, growth, and self-worth wasn’t some complicated formula — but something we already carry within us?
In the latest episode of REAL TALK: Mental Health Sounds Like This, my co-host Rawinia Judson and I sat down with leadership coach, mountaineer, and purpose-driven powerhouse Andrew Buerger. Andrew shared how climbing literal mountains helped him uncover his mission to help others live more fulfilling lives — and how his life’s biggest tragedies (like his sister’s battle with cancer and his wife’s MS diagnosis) gave him the answer to a question we all ask: What is my purpose in life?
Before we can craxk into it; you can watch the full episode
How to Discover One’s Purpose in Life — and Why It Matters
Discovering your purpose isn’t about having all the right answers. It’s about learning to ask better questions. It’s about practicing self-reflection to identify what truly matters to you — your core values, your passions, your gifts. As Andrew shared, quoting both Mark Twain and Nietzsche:
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you figure out why.”
Finding your “why” becomes a compass — a way to guide decision making in your daily life. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about aligning with what feels meaningful, what ignites your energy, and what gives you direction.
Personally, I have found a rather large correlation between values and finding purpose. Here’s a list of some of my favorite core values to get you started.
How Songwriting Helped Me Find My True Purpose
For me, songwriting was the beginning of my self-discovery journey. After surviving 10 brain surgeries, writing music became the way I processed life, trauma, and the complexity of being human. Eventually, I realized that I wasn’t just writing for me — I was writing to help others unlock their own truth.
That’s why I became an empowerment through songwriting and vocal coach. I guide young people and adults alike to write their own “anthem” — a song that reflects their identity, their values, and their purpose. We use songwriting not just to create music, but to clarify who we are, what we stand for, and where we’re going.
What the Research Says About Purpose
Scientific research confirms what artists and seekers have known for generations: having a sense of purpose improves our well-being. According to studies, finding purpose is linked to:
Better sleep
Stronger relationships
More motivation and focus
Reduced anxiety and depression
A deeper sense of self-worth
Whether it’s writing a song, setting goals, or spending time with a life coach, the process of exploring your “why” can change everything.
How to Start Finding Your Purpose (Even If You’re Not Sure Yet)
Reflect on your story: What moments in your life felt the most defining? What have you survived, overcome, or felt passionate about? That’s a great place to start identifying your “why.”
Practice gratitude daily: Being grateful helps us tune into what already feels good and meaningful in our daily life.
Write about what matters: Journaling or songwriting can help unlock what’s really on your heart. What do you care about deeply? What do you want others to know about you?
Identify your personal values: What do you stand for? What do you believe in? These are your core values, and they shape the kind of person you want to be.
Imagine your future: Who do you want to become? How do you want to feel in your life, your work, your relationships?
Talk to a guide: Whether it’s a life coach, a music mentor, or a trusted friend, find someone who can reflect your truth back to you. You don’t have to do this alone.
A Song as a Compass
One of my favorite ways to help people step into their true self is by writing a song that encapsulates their purpose. It becomes a blueprint — a sonic mission statement — that reminds them what they’re about. That’s the power of music. It’s emotional, helpful, creative, and transformational.
A great example of this is my original song, “Be Brave.” I wrote it as a reminder that courage isn’t about being fearless — it’s about choosing to show up, even when things feel uncertain. That song has become an anthem not just for me, but for many of my students and listeners who are navigating self-doubt, pressure, and the desire to live with more purpose. Whether someone is trying to heal, make a bold decision, or simply trust their voice again, “Be Brave” is about embracing the journey and honoring every step along the way.
Purpose isn’t a destination. It’s a journey, and like Andrew Buerger shared in our conversation, it’s often the hard parts — the uncomfortable climbs — that help us create something beautiful and real.
Want to start writing your purpose into existence? Let’s explore your voice together. Book a session with me here.
And don’t forget to check out the full podcast episode with Andrew Buerger on REAL TALK: Mental Health Sounds Like This right here.
