Motivation must come from the heart, says Professor Steriani Elavsky in an interview for priority magazine

What led Professor Steriani Elavsky to pursue a career in science? Why did she return to the Czech Republic after seventeen years in the United States? And what role does motivation play in developing healthy habits? The researcher from the Faculty of Education at the University of Ostrava discusses these topics in the latest issue of Priority magazine.

In the interview titled Motivation Must Come from the Heart, she reflects on her journey from working as a group fitness instructor to pursuing an academic career at American universities and eventually leading the DigiWELL research project. She also explains why smartwatches alone are not enough to achieve lasting lifestyle changes, how scientific findings can benefit everyday life, and why supporting young researchers is so important.

Read the full interview in Priority magazine

Updated: 13. 10. 2026