Life on Purpose: A Book That Sparked a Movement

Published in 2016, Life on Purpose by Dr. Vic Strecher is more than a book—it’s a catalyst for a growing movement in health, behavior change, and organizational well-being. Blending memoir, philosophy, and behavioral science, Strecher makes a compelling case for why purpose is not only good for your soul—it’s good for your body, your brain, and your community.

At the heart of the book is Strecher’s personal journey following the loss of his daughter, and how his renewed sense of purpose reshaped his life and research. This narrative, combined with emerging findings from neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary biology, makes Life on Purpose both scientifically grounded and deeply human.

About the Book

Imagine a drug that was proven to add years to your life, reduce risk of heart attack and stroke, cut your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by more than half, help you relax during the day and sleep better at night, double your chances of staying drug- and alcohol-free after treatment, activate your natural killer cells, diminish your inflammatory cells, increase your good cholesterol, and repair your chromosomes. What if this imaginary drug reduced hospital stays so much that it put a dent in the national health care crisis? The pharmaceutical company who made the drug would be worth billions. The inventors of the drug would receive Nobel Prizes and have institutes named for them. But it’s not a drug. It’s purpose.

Victor Strecher, an award-winning pioneer in the field of behavioral science and professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, lost his nineteen-year-old daughter, Julia, to a rare heart disease that resulted from an infant case of chicken pox. This life event challenged every aspect of Strecher’s personal and professional experience and drove him to an exhaustive search, from ancient philosophy to cutting-edge science, to pinpoint the potential and impact of purpose in our lives. What is it? How can we discover it? And what does the latest research tell us about the importance of how purpose affects our overall health and happiness?

The results of this groundbreaking investigation are revelatory and the crux of this engaging book. But Life on Purpose does more than just provide the latest science; it offers a step-by-step program for improving energy, willpower, health, and long-term happiness. Strecher’s smart, personal, and highly practical book will fundamentally change the way we understand what it means to lead a good life.

Why It Matters to Kumanu

As the founder and CEO of Kumanu, Strecher’s vision is embedded in everything we do. Life on Purpose served as the philosophical and scientific seed for what became the Purposeful platform and the broader Wellbeing 3.0 movement—one that places purpose, not just productivity, at the center of personal and organizational success.

Kumanu’s approach aligns with the book’s message:

• Purpose as preventive medicine: Purpose is associated with better sleep, lower stress, and improved physical health.
• Purpose as a motivator: People with a strong sense of purpose are more likely to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors.
• Purpose as a connector: Purpose helps individuals feel more socially connected and emotionally resilient.

Endorsements

“Purpose and meaning are at the heart of healing. If you have time to read only one book on what brings health and happiness this year, this is it.”

—Dean Ornish, M.D., New York Times bestselling author of The Spectrum

“Studies show that people who live with purpose lead longer, happier lives. Studies also show that people don’t listen to studies because they are usually boring. Victor Strecher makes the science of purpose come alive and shows how we can all find motivation, peace, and contentment by understanding the power of purpose and how to find it for ourselves.”

—Chade-Meng Tan, New York Times bestselling author of Search Inside Yourself

“Brilliant blend of personal experience and scientific research. The authenticity of Strecher’s message provides stunning insights into life’s most compelling mysteries and questions.”

—Dr. Jim Loehr , Cofounder of the Human Performance Institute and coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The Power of Full Engagement

“Vic Strecher provides insight and understanding on how living a purposeful life fills our hearts, not only with a sense of true fulfillment, but with a substantial mechanism to reduce heart disease and stroke by as much as 27 percent. Living with purpose in today’s world is no longer a choice, it is a true call to action, for all of us.”

—Suzanne Steinbaum, M.D., Director of Women's Heart Health at the Heart and Vascular Institute at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City

“In an eloquently written collection of real-life stories, relevant evidence-based research, and his own personal journey, Dr. Strecher compels the reader to develop a strong transcending purpose in life. Life on Purpose should be a part of every personal and leadership development must-read list.”

—Robert Carr, M.D., President of the American College of Preventive Medicine

“Life on Purpose is in fact a must-read for anyone seeking a meaningful life. This is an inspired work, extraordinarily personal, accessible, credible, and practical. And with Life on Purpose, you will find peace and happiness through your own greater developed sense of purpose.”

—David Turnley, Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Photography

A Lasting Impact

Life on Purpose continues to inspire individuals, leaders, and organizations seeking more meaningful and sustainable paths to well-being. Whether you’re a health professional, an HR leader, or someone searching for more in your day-to-day, this book offers both the science and the soul behind the power of living with intention.

Learn more about Life on Purpose and find purchasing options at the following links:

• Amazon: Life on Purpose: How Living for What Matters Most Changes Everything
• HarperCollins: Life on Purpose