Let me be blunt: I don’t do wellness. I do war prep.
I train because leadership is a performance sport. And if I’m not dialed in physically, I’m a liability mentally.
At 50, I’m not trying to outlift my past. I’m building a body and mind that can carry the weight of a vision, a team, a market, and a mission.
“It’s not the dog in the fight – it’s the fight in the dog.”
And this dog? He’s just getting started.
Motion Beats Meditation – Move First, Think Second
Here’s my morning:
Wake up early (before the house, before the inbox, before the noise)
Cold plunge
Hard training – weights, running, stairs, anything uncomfortable
Clean breakfast
Strategy time before the first call
Why? Because motion resets everything.
“Motion beats meditation.”
Get the blood going, the brain clears. Resistance fades. Ideas land.
Too many leaders wait for “mental clarity” before they act. I create clarity through action.
If you want your team to be sharp – you better be sharper.
Character Over Comfort – Hobby vs. Habit
Health isn’t a hobby. It’s a habit.
And like anything that compounds – you earn it through boring, brutal consistency.
You meal prep when you’re tired
You hit the gym when you don’t want to
You track your sleep like it’s part of your P&L
“Discipline is the real ROI.”
I don’t have time to crash midday. I don’t have time to make emotional decisions. I don’t have time to lead like I’m worn out.
High-performance discipline keeps the engine clean, the mind sharp, and the energy high.
That’s leadership fuel – not luxury.
Why Leaders Burn Out: No Standards for Themselves
You know why most CEOs burn out?
Because they set standards for everyone but themselves.
They hold the team accountable – but eat like trash
They build million-dollar ops – but run on 3 hours of sleep
They talk mental toughness – but skip workouts weekly
Leadership starts with the mirror.
“If you’re on the team, act like it.”
That includes the inner team – your body, your mind, your habits.
You don’t need six-pack abs. You need high-performance systems for clarity, energy, and emotional control.
Because no one trusts a leader who’s barely holding it together.
Personal Challenge: Build Your 30-Minute Power Ritual
You want to be a higher-performing version of yourself? Start small – but start serious.
Here’s your challenge:
Carve 30 minutes every morning
Do something hard that moves your body
Pair it with something clean that fuels your mind
Repeat for 21 days. No breaks. No excuses.
This isn’t about “getting in shape.”
It’s about getting your edge back.
“Started is better than perfect, because perfect never gets started.”
You don’t need a coach. Or a cold plunge tub. Or a $200 supplement stack.
You need commitment. Reps. And discipline.
The same things you expect from your team – it’s time you expect them from yourself.
Let’s get after it.
— Robert