We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brian Murray. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Brian, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What battle are you avoiding?
The battle I keep trying to avoid, but inevitably return to, is the tension between building and being. As a business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the constant tasks of launching new programs, tweaking systems, generating content, and keeping clients engaged. There’s always more to build. But the hard part is carving out time to just be; to reflect, recover, and recalibrate without guilt.
I know the importance of stillness. I coach people through it all the time. But it’s much easier to talk about balance than to live it when your work is an extension of your identity. So the battle I avoid is letting things be “good enough” for a moment. The voice that says, “You haven’t done enough today,” is still loud. And learning to pause and accept where I’m at—without reaching for the next lever to pull—is an ongoing practice.
That’s the real work. And it’s probably the most important kind.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Brian Murray, the founder of Motive Training in South Austin and the online platform Motive Mobility. I’ve been a coach for over 15 years, working with everyone from professional athletes to people who want to move without pain. At Motive, we help people improve joint health, build real strength, and train with purpose—without pushing through pain or following cookie-cutter programs.
What makes us different is our obsession with why people move the way they do. Every program starts with a detailed assessment so we can build something truly personalized. Our philosophy is grounded in science-backed systems like Functional Range Conditioning (FRC), but we pair that with a human-first approach. Our goal is simple: help people feel better, move better, and train smarter—for life, not just for short-term results.
Right now, we’re focused on growing Motive Mobility, our digital education and program platform. It’s designed for people who want high-level coaching and mobility-based training, but from anywhere. Whether you’re struggling with joint pain or looking to future-proof your body, this is where we bring all of our best tools together.
At the end of the day, we’re not just a gym. We’re a place where people come to take control of their health and performance—and leave better than they came.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
I learned the most about work from my dad. He was one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever known. Even though he wasn’t always present in my life the way I needed him to be, his work ethic left a lasting impression. He was up early, stayed late, and rarely complained. I think, in hindsight, he threw himself into work to avoid dealing with some of the bigger-picture stuff—maybe things he didn’t know how to handle emotionally. But even in that, there was a lesson.
I took the best part of that —his dedication and consistency —and shaped it into something of my own. I’ve learned to work hard, but not to hide in it. To stay committed, but not at the expense of being present. That balance has become central to how I coach, how I lead my business, and how I show up for others. His example wasn’t perfect, but it was powerful. And I’m grateful for what it taught me.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Absolutely. My girlfriend, Sheida, listens to me every single day, and it means more than I can put into words. In a world that’s constantly moving and full of noise, she has this rare ability to be fully present. She listens without rushing to fix things, without judgment, and with a genuine curiosity about how I’m feeling or what I’m working through.
That kind of presence is rare, and honestly, it’s taught me how to be a better listener myself. Having someone in your corner who truly sees you is a gift, and I don’t take it for granted. She’s special, and I’m lucky.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the fitness industry tells itself is that more is always better—more workouts, more weight, more sweat, more restriction. Hustle harder. Push through the pain. No excuses. It’s a message that sounds motivating on the surface but often leads people straight into burnout, injury, or shame when they can’t keep up.
Another big lie? That every problem can be fixed with willpower or aesthetics. Got joint pain? Just foam roll and squat deeper. Want to feel better? Just lose weight. It reduces people’s experiences down to surface-level solutions and ignores the complexity of human movement, behavior, and pain.
At Motive Training, we take a different approach. We focus on moving with purpose, building strength without pain, and helping people actually understand their bodies. It’s slower, more intentional, and far more sustainable—but it works. We don’t sell quick fixes. We teach people how to train for life.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I had to do to survive; what I chose to keep doing once I realized it could help others, too.
I wasn’t told to do this. No one handed me a blueprint for coaching, entrepreneurship, or healing through movement. In fact, a lot of what I went through early in life—trauma, instability, feeling out of place—pushed me toward disconnection, not purpose. But movement gave me an anchor. It helped me rebuild trust in myself. It gave me a way to take control over something when everything else felt out of control.
So, no. I wasn’t born to do this in some fairy tale sense. I built it out of necessity. And along the way, I realized it wasn’t just about me. The work became about helping others come home to themselves the way I did. That’s why I coach the way I do. That’s why I built Motive Training. It’s not just a job. It’s personal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.movewithpurpose.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianfrommotive/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-murray-5a753021/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motivetrainingatx
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/motive-training-atx-austin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/motivetraininggym
