How to Help Your Student-Athlete Find Purpose in Sports
Every athlete has a reason they show up—to the early lifts, the long practices, the hard moments no one else sees. But not every athlete knows why they’re really doing it.
At IMGA+, we believe that purpose is more important than preparation because it is what fuels you. That’s why we give athletes a clear, data-driven, structured way to uncover what drives them—and how to live it out. Because when athletes understand their motivation, their training becomes more meaningful, their goals more grounded, and their resilience more reliable.
And as a parent, you can play a vital role in helping that purpose take root.
What Is the 3 Circle Purpose Model?
We use a simple but powerful framework to help athletes turn self-reflection into action. It’s called the 3 Circle Purpose Model, and it starts with an athlete’s honest self-reflection of who they are and who they want to become.
1. Who am I?
This is the deep reason an athlete keeps showing up—especially when things get hard. It’s personal. It might be about proving something to themselves, honoring a family legacy, fueling their faith, or simply chasing joy. It’s not about sounding impressive. It’s about looking inward at who you are through honest self-reflection
2. Habits
These are the daily behaviors that either reflect that who you are now and who you seek to become in the future—or quietly contradict it. From staying late after practice to journaling progress, to the way they treat teammates when no one’s looking—habits are where purpose becomes visible. If purpose is the “why,” habits are the “how.”
3. Goals/Who Do I Want to Become?
A key word here is intentionality. This is the direction they’re headed—who they want to become, and what they’re working toward. But goals only work when they’re rooted in true purpose. Otherwise, they become just another source of pressure. Purpose makes goals meaningful. Habits make them attainable.
When these three pieces align, athletes stop just “going through the motions.” They start showing up with intention—and growing with clarity.
Why This Matters
Athletes with a clear sense of purpose are more resilient, more focused, and more fulfilled. They don’t just chase someone else’s goals—they build their own identity and make it their own.
Whether your child is pushing for a college scholarship or just trying to find joy in their sport again, purpose is the fuel that keeps them going through the trials and tribulations of sports and life.
How You Can Help as a Parent
1. Ask the Right Questions
Skip the cliché pep talks. Ask real questions. Try: “What’s the real reason you play?” or “What matters to you most about being on this team?” Then ask: “Why does that matter to you?” The deeper the reflection, the clearer the motivation. Your son or daughter may not choose to answer the questions at that time. That is understandable and completely okay. The key is encouraging non-judgemental self-reflection.
2. Pay Attention to Habits
Help your athlete connect the dots between their daily choices and their deeper purpose. If they say they want to be a great teammate, are they helping with gear or encouraging others? If they say they want to develop their skills, are they putting in extra work outside of practice andr staying coachable?
3. Don’t Rush the Goal Setting
Many athletes start with goals—without ever thinking about purpose. Let your athlete define who they want to become before setting the destination. Remind them: a goal rooted in purpose becomes sustainable long-term. A goal without it just adds pressure.
4. Normalize the Process
Purpose can evolve. Habits can slip. Goals can shift. Let your athlete know this model isn’t about perfection—it’s about staying connected to what matters and getting back on track when they drift.
The Bottom Line
Your athlete is becoming more than just a player—they’re becoming a person with direction, character, and clarity.
By helping them uncover their purpose, align their habits, and set meaningful goals , you’re not just supporting their sports journey—you’re shaping how they show up in life.
Dr. Pete Paciorek, Ed.D., is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy, the world leader in sports education. He is passionate about supporting students, athletes, educators, coaches, and parents in effective long-term pedagogy to cultivate positive youth development. At IMG Academy, Dr. Paciorek is responsible for designing and leading character development programs that help students form well-rounded identities, overcome challenges, uplift one another and their communities, and achieve success both on and off the field. He works closely with all middle-school and high-school students at the academy, as well as with students in every grade during IMG Academy’s sports training camps, and with other coaches and educators in the development of IMG Academy pedagogy.
Coming from a family of 11 professional athletes, Dr. Paciorek had a ten-year career in professional baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres organizations. Following his passion for supporting student-athletes, he earned an Ed.D. in Character Education from the University of Missouri at St. Louis; he also has an MS in Sport Management and MA in Organizational Leadership. He is the author of the book Character Loves Company, a longtime volunteer for the Special Olympics, and the founder of the nonprofit organization Character Loves Company, Inc. Additionally, Dr. Paciorek has given hundreds of presentations to schools and community centers about the need to emphasize character development in education and sports.
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