To put your heart and soul into (something)

Chris:	Jessica, how do you feel about celebrities who get involved in political and social activism?
Jessica:	I think some of my feelings might surprise you! On one hand, it can be seen as admirable when a movie star or a famous athlete puts their heart and soul into a noble cause, like improving living conditions for people in developing countries, helping victims of natural disasters, increasing the access to education, fighting hunger, etc. But, on the other hand, does their celebrity status really help the cause?
Chris:	A political cause or a social cause?
Jessica:	I highly doubt that celebrities have much impact on political causes.
Chris:	Why not?
Jessica:	Why not? Compare Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s celebrity endorsements during the 2016 presidential election! Clinton clearly had the significant advantage, not only in the number but in the quality of public figures who endorsed her. Clinton was endorsed by stars like Meryl Streep, Shailene Woodley, Drew Barrymore, Viola Davis, Lena Dunham, George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hanks… I could go on and on! I am sure these celebrities put their heart and soul into encouraging Americans to engage with political issues and vote for Clinton. …. (with bitter irony) well? We know how it ended, don’t we? I think this is solid proof that celebrities’ political activism is just a drop in the bucket ...at least in our country.
Chris:	I think you’re jumping to a conclusion here. Even if celebrity activism brings only a small amount of additional attention to a political cause, it’s better than nothing at all! Whether it’s Meryl Streep accepting her lifetime achievement award at the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards and putting her heart and soul into her acceptance speech to denounce Trump’s bigotry, or Scarlett Johansson and Amy Poehler attending the Women’s March on Washington, these public displays contribute to the larger picture.
Jessica:	They can put their heart and soul into it, and still not be effective. That’s what I’m questioning here. Not the intention, but the results.
Chris:	OK, do you have the same opinion about celebrities and social activism?
Jessica:	Hmm… I don’t want to sound too cynical, but I sometimes question the motives of celebrities who are engaged in humanitarian causes. Take George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, or Matt Damon for example. Their social activism provides them with access to political talk shows and international forums.
Chris:	So?
Jessica:	And, well, they use those appearances to polish their personal brands. It’s self-serving.
Chris:	Oh, come on! I do think it’s admirable when people who attract large audiences put their heart and soul into a social cause. They are setting a good example for their fans!
Jessica:	And you think it’s effective?
Chris:	Sure! In many ways! Activism can be effective in achieving political and social change, but what’s more important is solidarity with other citizens.
Jessica:	Solidarity?
Chris:	Yes! Solidarity – The activism of film stars is a display of solidarity. It shows that despite their elevated public image, they are citizens themselves with personal political beliefs, and have as much of a right to represent those interests as anyone. This is how the American system works and how it can improve.
Jessica:	Really? Because of celebrity activism?
Chris:	No, because of citizen participation! And if celebrity activism encourages citizen activism, then it has to be a good thing!

To put your heart and soul into (something)

Things can be done with varying degrees of effort. If you have little interest in what you are doing and put in a minimum of effort, the result will probably reflect that. If, on the other hand, you approach a task with a great deal of energy and enthusiasm, and you invest a maximum amount of effort, then you can say that you put your heart and soul into it. Effort is the essence of this idiom. When we say that someone has put their heart and soul into something, we mean that they have made a great effort.

The phrase can be used to talk about ongoing projects or single events. It most often implies that the person who puts their heart and soul into something cares a great deal for the process and the outcome. So in addition to the physical effort, which is time, energy, and resources used, there is also an emotional or psychological component. In other words, putting your heart and soul into something also suggests great determination, passion, and conviction.

As for the exact origin of this expression, it is unclear when or how it became so commonly used, but some of the earliest recorded uses date back to the late 1700s. It is probably much older though and has evolved colloquially over time as many phrases do.

Example 1:

That vintage car is his passion project. He has put his heart and soul into restoring it.

Example 2:

We have never doubted your ability to accomplish anything, because you have always put your heart and soul into everything you do.

Example 3:

I put my heart and soul into this bakery. It is heartbreaking to see it close down.