What the World’s Most Successful People Do Before 8 A.M. (And How YOU Can Do it too)
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How you start your morning can set the tone for your entire day.

And the most successful people know this.

From Mark Wahlberg’s 3:30 a.m. wake-up calls to Elon Musk’s no-nonsense efficiency, this week we explored the routines of top achievers.

These routines aren’t about copying someone else’s playbook—they’re about finding what works for YOU. Whether it’s building discipline, prioritizing rest, or tackling your biggest challenges first, every habit you adopt can bring you closer to your audacious goals.

Ready to discover how small, intentional changes can transform your mornings—and your life?

Let’s go, Business Athlete Nation!

The Discipline That Powers Success

How do high achievers like Mark Wahlberg structure their lives for success? It’s not just about early mornings—it’s about creating discipline and systems that work for you.

Keith and the team were joined by Mark Booher), a military professional and tactical expert, to explore how discipline shapes success and resilience.

Find Your System

Wahlberg’s 3:30 a.m. wake-up routine isn’t for everyone, but the principles behind it are universal. His structure prioritizes what matters most:

Time for

• prayer,

• exercise,

• nutrition,

• and focus before the chaos of the day begins.

No, you don’t need to copy his routine—you need to build one that works for your goals and lifestyle.

Start with These Key Questions

We discussed three essential questions to help you align your day with your purpose:

• What do you want? Define your priorities.

• Why do you want it? Identify your deeper motivation.

• How bad do you want it? Determine what you’re willing to commit to.

Without clarity on these, it’s easy to fall into distraction and drift away from your goals.

Consistency Over Intensity

We talked about the importance of showing up, even on messy days. The work you do today doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to happen. As John Anderson said, “The work instills the worth.”

Small, consistent actions build momentum, resilience, and confidence.

Practical Tips to Boost Your Discipline

Set a consistent bedtime. Sleep fuels focus, energy, and discipline.

Plan tomorrow today. Start your morning with clarity.

Own the morning. Whether it’s four minutes of meditation or a full workout, make time for what matters to you.

Watch the full show here:

Mastering the Winning Routine

What separates the great from the good? Consistency, self-awareness, and an unshakable mindset.

On Tuesday, Keith and the team dove into the powerhouse routine of LeBron James, with insights from guest Adam House), CEO of House of Bricks, and our in-house mindset expert, AJ Zeglen).

Building a winning routine starts with small, intentional habits.

Consistency is the Secret Sauce

LeBron’s legendary routine is built around consistency. From his early morning cold plunges to targeted workouts and balanced nutrition, he commits to habits that fuel his performance. The lesson? Build a routine tailored to your goals, then show up for it—every day.

Rest to Win

Elite performers know the value of recovery. LeBron integrates intentional rest—afternoon naps, hyperbaric chambers, and solid sleep habits. Rest isn’t just downtime; it’s essential for performance and longevity.

Take a page from LeBron: schedule your rest as intentionally as your work.

Challenge Limiting Beliefs

Negative self-talk and doubts can derail even the best-laid plans. AJ Zeglen highlighted the power of identifying and challenging limiting beliefs. Journaling and reflecting on evidence of your wins can help reframe negative narratives into positive momentum.

Practical Tips to Build Your Routine

Start small. Focus on one actionable habit to set the tone for your day.

Create accountability. Join a supportive community or share your goals aloud for motivation.

Focus on what you can control. Shift attention to factors within your influence.

The Work Instills the Worth

As Adam House pointed out, success requires the discipline to start today—not in January or “someday.” Whether it’s a new morning routine or a strategy to drop ineffective habits, the best time to begin is now.

Catch the full show:

Transform Your Mornings, Transform Your Life

Keith and the crew dove into Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s legendary morning routine, exploring how structure and discipline are the foundation of his relentless drive and success. Joined by guest Markus Neukom), they unpacked the habits that help high performers stay at the top of their game.

The Rock’s Morning Blueprint

The Rock’s day starts at 4:30 a.m. with fasted cardio, followed by strength training and a nutrient-packed breakfast. His secret? Precision planning. Every aspect of his morning is mapped out to maximize energy and focus.

The takeaway:

• Schedule your morning with intention.

• Use routines to eliminate decision fatigue.

• Focus on consistency—small, daily wins lead to big results.

Meditation as a Superpower

Markus Neukom shared how meditation transformed his life, dedicating up to three hours each morning to mental clarity and personal growth. His advice:

• Start small—five minutes is a great first step.

• Build resilience by calming your mind and managing stress.

• Commit to consistency—discipline is the game-changer.

Hydration Is Non-Negotiable

Our in-house nutrition expert Jorie Janzen) highlighted how dehydration impacts performance, especially during colder months. Practical tips:

• Hydrate early—start your day with water to fuel your body.

• Personalize your hydration plan by accounting for sweat rates and electrolytes.

• Don’t rely on coffee or alcohol for hydration—balance them with water.

The Power of Ownership

Markus emphasized a crucial mindset shift:

• Take full responsibility. Personal transformation begins when you stop blaming external factors.

• Be authentic. Vulnerability creates trust and deeper connections, as Markus noted in his conversation with Keith.

Actionable Steps for Your Morning

Plan your routine the night before—it’s one less decision to make.

Stay hydrated and track your intake throughout the day.

Prioritize practices like meditation or journaling to center yourself before tackling the day.

Just like The Rock, you can take charge of your mornings to build momentum for the rest of the day.

Watch the full show:Go Beyond Limits with the Goggins Mindset

What drives someone like David Goggins to push his body and mind beyond what seems humanly possible? In today’s episode, Keith and the team unpacked the secrets behind Goggins’ legendary morning routine and the mindset that fuels his relentless drive. Joined by guest Larissa Holmes, they explored how discipline and intentionality can transform lives.

Go Beyond Limits with the Goggins Mindset

What drives someone like David Goggins to push his body and mind beyond what seems humanly possible? Keith and the team unpacked the secrets behind Goggins’ morning routine and the mindset that fuels his relentless drive. Joined by guest Larissa Holmes), they explored how discipline and intentionality can change everything.

Start with a "Stay Hard" Mentality

Goggins begins every day by choosing discomfort over ease. His philosophy? Growth happens when you push beyond your limits. Whether it’s his grueling two-hour runs or the mental toughness to meditate for hours, his routine is designed to build resilience:

• Start small but stay consistent.

• Use discomfort as a tool to strengthen your mind.

Physical Fitness = Mental Resilience

From running 12 miles to strength training, Goggins shows how challenging your body sharpens your mind. Regular movement builds more than physical strength—it builds confidence and clarity.

Larissa Holmes shared how her own fitness journey helped her regain energy and purpose after motherhood:

• Prioritize fitness in your schedule—even a 15-minute workout counts.

• Make recovery a non-negotiable part of your routine.

Own Your Accountability

As Larissa put it, “Transformation starts when you stop blaming external factors and take full ownership of your choices.”

Practical tips:

• Track your progress—use journals, apps, or simple checklists.

• Surround yourself with a community that challenges and inspires you.

Practical Takeaways to Build a Winning Routine

Plan your day the night before to eliminate morning decision fatigue.

Get uncomfortable daily—take cold showers, run an extra mile, or face a fear.

Find purpose in every action. Whether it’s for yourself, your family, or a greater cause, a strong “why” keeps you moving forward.

Greatness doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through consistency, grit, and intentionality.

Watch the full show:

How Elon Musk Plans Mornings for Maximum Impact

Keith and the crew explored Elon Musk’s unconventional morning routine and how it reflects his efficiency-focused mindset. They were joined by guest Jacob Hong), an SVP in the landscaping industry, who shared how planning and intentionality helped him rise from crew member to senior leadership in just nine years.

Lessons from Elon Musk’s Morning Routine

Elon’s mornings are all about efficiency. While his approach might not suit everyone, it offers valuable lessons:

• Plan strategically: Musk tackles his most pressing emails first thing in the morning, using this time to manage high-priority tasks.

• Skip what doesn’t serve you: Though not a fan of breakfast or intense exercise, he finds simple ways to stay active, like walking on a treadmill while watching TV.

• Find your rhythm: Musk works late into the night and wakes up later than most, showing there’s no “perfect” schedule—just one that works for you.

Jacob Hong’s Night-Before Strategy

Jacob stressed the critical role of evening preparation in setting the foundation for a productive day:

• Plan ahead: Outlining key tasks the night before helped Jacob navigate early starts and demanding workloads as he advanced from fieldwork to senior leadership.

• Stay practical: As an SVP in landscaping, Jacob’s focus on effective planning—not rigid routines—keeps him ready to handle challenges.

• Adapt and grow: He shared how planning reduced stress and enabled him to balance professional responsibilities with personal growth.

Practical Takeaways

Respond, don’t react. Jabob Hong discussed the power of pausing to respond thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively.

Keep active. Even if you’re busy, small actions—like stretching at your desk or walking—can help maintain energy and focus.

Seasonal nutrition matters. Nutrition expert Jorie Jazen recommended incorporating fall flavors like turmeric, cinnamon, and root vegetables to boost immunity and overall well-being.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mornings or success. Musk’s routine reflects his priorities, while Jacob Hong’s evening prep shows how planning can empower even the busiest schedules.

The common thread? Consistency and intention.

Here’s the full show:

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