I will turn 47 in January, and never started exercising until 10 years ago or so. I compare how I feel now to before then, just general movement ease, endurance, flexibility in my life, lifting heavy things/odd objects without having to ask for help, and that is a motivator in itself. I have been working on S&S for a while now since June 2016, and just lifting and swinging feels good....it's like a moving meditation, and it gets the blood flowing and feels very satisfying
I also like challenging myself toward a goal (Simple) and building character in myself. It's fun to see a goal get closer.
Another thing that motivates me is what I see around me. The use it or lose it concept. I am an RN, and have seen lots of things like fractured hips, people who cannot get out of bed on their own or need some sort of help (even people like only 15 yrs or so older than myself) Or working now in Home health and seeing people who have all their mental faculties, but are in an assisted living facility by virtue of not being able to move well, squat to a toilet and stand back up, lift their leg over the edge of a tub. So sad. My grandma....a huge inspiration to me....was a Ukrainian immigrant to Canada/farming stock and lived to the age of 91, still gardening the day before she died. My goal is to still be doing things like that. Strongfirst principles play a huge part in being able to do so.