Motivation of Lance Armstrong and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

All of the work, training, health, and passion that Lance Armstrong possesses is amazing. Every obstacle that he has faced, he has not only survived but has also used to improve his personal and professional life. In the Tour de France, the goal of every competitor is the same, to prove they are the best cyclist in the world. Armstrong has proven this seven consecutive times.

Armstrong exemplifies Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory regarding one's motivation in life. The five needs discussed in this theory can be shown as a pyramid. The most basic needs, physiological needs, form the bottom; followed by security needs, then belongingness needs, esteem needs, with self-actualization being the top of the pyramid. Motivation evolves from the lowest level; these needs have to be met before you can move up the pyramid and reach self-actualization.

The first step of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is one's physiological needs for food, sex and air; things Armstrong has no problem satisfying. He eats a specific diet for his profession, as his body needs a diet tailored to the physical demands cycling places on his muscles. Such an intense competition as the Tour de France requires intense attention to one's diet. That Armstrong's need for food is satisfied is verified in the article "Incredible Eating Machine," which says Lance Armstrong eats between 6500 to 7000 calories per day. Being the father of three children, it is apparent that his need for sex is satisfied. It can be said that he takes the need for air to the next level, training in the mountains to increase his oxygen outtake.

In the article "The Tour de France: Lance Armstrong's Final Ride", Armstrong reveals how his security needs for housing, clothing and freedom fr...

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...To see Armstrong ride and to feel his determination, I feel that nothing is impossible.

Armstrong is highly paid for his extraordinary performance outcomes. He had shown other cancer suffers that they, too, can beat the disease and go on to accomplish great things. He is well loved and respected. Despite the hard work, stress, fatigue, and diminished time to spend with his family, I believe that Armstrong has a positive valence demonstrated by his new world record. Armstrong leads by example and he is passionate about what he does the best, cycling.

Works Cited

Endurance Training." Incredible Eating Machine. 29 Oct 2005 .

"Lance Armstrong." Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. 29 Oct. 2005 .

Squatriglia, Chuck. "The Tour de France: Lance Armstrong's Final Ride." San Francisco Chronicle 23 July 2005. 29 Oct 2005 .

Woollard, Deidre. Luxist. 29 Oct. 2005