The Wellbeing 5 Project
Noora Ronkainen
Meaningful Sport
The Physical Wellbeing 5
5 Simple Questions to help with physical wellbeing with answers from Experts, Thought Leaders, Campaigners & Advocates
Noora Ronkainen
Dr Noora Ronkainen (MTh, MSc, PhD) is a researcher, author, podcast host and the creator of, “Meaningful Sport”. She has spent over a decade exploring how sport can bring meaning to people’s lives and what makes it worth-while to commit ourselves to life projects in sport.
Noora studied a Master’s degree in theology and sports science before completing her PhD thesis titled ‘An Existential-narrative Perspective on Career, Identity and Spirituality in Sport’
Noora is a serious runner and also participates in many sports including; muay thai, mountain biking, hiking, practising shaolin kung fu, and doing unorthodox parkour. Her website Meaningful Sport provides “Inspiration for exploring meaning and value in sport and physical activity for everyone.”
Noora has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and co-authored the book Meaning and Spirituality in Sport and Exercise: Psychological Perspectives with Dr Mark Nesti. She is also co-host of the podcast, “The Physical Activity Researcher.”
Find out more about Noora here
The Physical Wellbeing 5 with Noora Ronkainen
1. What is your favourite quote, anecdote, proverb or experience that helps with physical wellbeing?
Noora: The Norwegian eco-philosopher Arne Næss encouraged us to pursue ‘Richness in ends, simpleness in means’.
We do not need complicated equipment, fancy facilities or adventure tours to pursue rich leisure experiences. Næss calls us to rethink our lifestyles and how we can pursue our activities in a more sustainable manner.
2. What is your top piece of advice for physical wellbeing?
Noora: We know that physical activity has many benefits for wellbeing, but studies also show that the quality of these experiences matters. We are likely to find more meaning in physical activity (exercise, sports) if we engage in it in a long-term perspective and develop an identity in it (as a runner, swimmer, martial artist, etc.). This also requires persistence and overcoming setbacks – so keep doing it even if it is not always fun.
I would also encourage exploring what aspects of physical activity you value the most (e.g., developing your capabilities, connectedness with others, being in nature, or something else) and pursuing the kinds of activities that allow you to experience those dimensions.
3. What is the one change in the world that you would like to see? (in your area of wellbeing or in the world in general or both)
Noora: Oh, there are so many things that need to change. Sustainability, various inequalities, cultural conflicts, mental health, loneliness, excess competition… We have many problems in our societies.
In relation to physical wellbeing, we need to be working towards creating more sustainable exercise and sport cultures – environmentally, psychologically, socially and spiritually. We need both top-down and bottom-up actions to develop more ‘green’ movement cultures that sustain communities and bring meaning to people’s lives.
4. Which resources (books / websites / videos etc) for physical wellbeing would you recommend?
Noora: I recommend reading Tao the Ching.
5. What’s the one thing that always makes you smile?
Noora: I have a teddy bear called Aapeli who is over 30 years old, and he is always in a good mood. Seeing him often makes me smile.
Further Exploration - Noora Ronkainen
Website: Meaningful Sport
Noora's blog, Meaningful Sport provides inspiration for exploring meaning and value in sport and physical activity for everyone. Meaningful Sport contains a blog with the latest writings on the science and art of meaningful living through sport and physical activity, information about Noora, her podcast, the projects Noora is involved and how to get in touch.
Book: Meaning and Spirituality in Sport and Exercise
Noora's book, co-authored with Dr Mark S. Nesti, examines the many forms of spirituality in sport from a psychological perspective. This includes coverage of "a range of novel topics linking spirituality to athlete development, injury, exercise motivation and ageing athletes, and offers applied, practical guidance for sport psychologists working with spiritual athletes."
Podcast: The Physical Activity Researcher Podcast
The Physical Activity Researcher Podcast, co-hosted by Noora, is the source of latest research findings in all things related to physical activity, exercise & health and includes world-renowned experts as guests.
Social Media - Follow Noora below
More Physical Wellbeing 5 Interviews Below
More Physical Wellbeing 5 Interviews
With answers from experts, thought leaders, advocates and campaigners to help with physical wellbeing