In 2012 I attended the opening of a Flywheel spin bike studio in Dallas and found myself on the bike in the first class next to 3x Super Bowl Champion and NFL Hall of Famer, Troy Aikman. Me, just a guy in his early 40s at the time, trying to figure out middle age, sweating it out in Dallas next to a bona fide icon in the city.
Greg’s first time meeting Troy in Dallas in 2012.
And you know what I learned, other than how humbling it is to compete against a world class athlete? I learned that Troy, even with all his success on field and as a broadcaster, was also just a guy in his 40s trying to figure it out. Marriage. Divorce. Kids. Finances. Fitness. Business. He had all the same stuff going on as I did and as you do.
Fast forward ten years: I get a call from a friend who’s involved with EIGHT Beer. I say “What’s EIGHT Beer?”…He tells me “it’s Troy Aikman’s new beer and they’re looking for guys to get involved with; ads, brand ambassadors and I thought of you.” Next thing I know I’m doing a photo shoot in Austin, appear in their first commercial and got to be a bartender next to him at an event in Houston.
Greg and Troy at an Eight Lager kickoff in Houston.
The coolest part, DM’s and text messages with Troy about plunges, saunas, workouts, experiences, sunglasses and all the stuff we’re into. We were finally able to get an interview done a couple months ago and I’m proud to have him on the MLM podcast and to have him grace the first cover of our relaunch. Troy is the embodiment of what we aspire to at MLM, as we all constantly learn and evolve and strive to make the next year the best year of our lives.
How I See It w/ Troy Aikman
MLM: Welcome, Troy! Thanks for joining us.
Troy Aikman: Thanks, Greg. I’m glad we could finally make this happen.
MLM: I can’t relate to being a Hall of Fame quarterback, but as a man, father, athlete, and entrepreneur, you’re incredibly relatable. What does your daily routine look like now?
Troy Aikman: My daily routine has changed a lot over the years. I’ve always worked out, and I’ve always made my health a priority. But, when COVID hit, I ramped things up. I wanted to come out of it in the best shape of my life. So, now my routine is pretty disciplined. Sleep is non-negotiable for me, and I’m in bed by 8:30 PM when I can. I wake up around 6:30 AM, take a cold shower, stretch, meditate, get some sunlight, and then I start my day. I also do intermittent fasting and include red light therapy, sauna, and cold plunge at night.
MLM: That’s intense! It sounds like a real commitment. But it takes a lot of alone time to keep up with a routine like that. How do you balance your time and set boundaries?
Troy Aikman: Boundaries are something I’ve gotten better at with time. When I was younger, I had a hard time saying no to anything. But I realized that I have to set boundaries for my health and time. Through meditation, I’ve learned to let go of the guilt when I do say no.
MLM: How has your mindset evolved from when you were the 22-year-old quarterback to now at 57?
Troy Aikman: I think it’s about valuing time differently. At 10 years old, I experienced my grandfather’s passing, and it made me aware of life’s limited time. Since then, I’ve tried to maximize every day. I’m more focused on ensuring that my health span matches my lifespan. I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life and hope my best years are still ahead.
MLM: What’s on your scorecard now? I think so often we see these milestone moments as the pinnacle, but they don’t always fulfill us long-term.
Troy Aikman: Right, I’ve known from a young age that milestones alone aren’t going to fulfill me. Now, I look at goals and purchases with a sense of purpose—why do I want this? Does it truly make me happier? My new brand, Eight, and my broadcasting career keep me busy, but I feel there’s always another frontier to challenge myself. Success for me is more about continual growth rather than just ticking off achievements.
MLM: You’ve mentioned meditation a few times. When did you start practicing, and what has it brought to your life?
Troy Aikman: About 12 years ago, I started dealing with social anxiety and panic attacks, which led me to Dan Harris’s book, 10% Happier. That was my introduction to meditation, but it wasn’t until COVID when I read The Untethered Soul that meditation clicked for me. It’s not about being good at meditation; it’s about being good at life. It’s helped me find joy, deal with childhood traumas, and feel lighter in general.
MLM: I heard you attended a silent meditation retreat. How did that experience go for you?
Troy Aikman: (laughs) It was intense. I only made it three days out of the ten. I thought I’d make it all ten, but it was challenging. I felt a bit of disappointment, but after speaking with some meditation instructors, I realized it’s okay to go at your own pace.
MLM: Balancing family commitments with work and personal growth is tough. How do you navigate that with your daughters?
Troy Aikman: My daughters, who are now 21 and 22, have always been my top priority. But like you mentioned, we can’t be at every single event. I try to balance it as best as I can. I think it’s important for them to know that they’re the priority, even if I can’t always be physically present. And it’s true, our time with our kids is limited.
MLM: With our kids being in similar age ranges, I know how fleeting time with them can feel. We make an effort to spend as much time as we can with them, so they know it’s a priority.
Troy Aikman: Absolutely. That time is invaluable. I try to make the most of it whenever possible, and though I sometimes wonder if I could have done more, my daughters assure me I was there for them when it mattered.
MLM: Let’s talk about friendship. You’ve obviously had a lot of teammates over the years. But I often hear from guys that it can feel lonely at the top. Has that been an experience for you? And who makes up your inner circle?
Troy Aikman: It takes me a while to really open up to people. I do have friends outside of teammates, but those deep connections are rare. I’ve got friends from way back—my best friend and I have been close for 45 years, since I was 12. My college roommates and some teammates from the Cowboys are also close friends. A few of those people even moved to Dallas with me, so I’ve had this cocoon of longtime friends. While I do have some newer friendships, that original group is my core.
MLM: Your beer brand Eight seems to align closely with who you are, not just in name and logo but in its whole ethos of no shortcuts and living with purpose. What led you to want to launch a brand like this, and how did it go from vision to reality?
Troy Aikman: I’d been around the beer business in different ways—working for a distributorship in college, having friends who own distributorships, endorsing a national beer brand. So I had that background. But over time, I started thinking about how I could make a beer that aligns with my health-focused lifestyle, one that’s better for you. Even though I’m focused on health and wellness, balance is key, and sometimes that means having a beer with friends or family. Eight is my way of creating a healthier option for those moments. It’s made from 100% organic grains and antioxidant hops, with no added sugars or sweeteners. It’s the best-for-you beer on the market, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come. We’re doing well in Texas and Oklahoma, and we’re just trying to build a great American beer brand.
MLM: Are there any struggles or “demons” that you still wrestle with in midlife? A lot of people might look at someone like you and think you have it all figured out, but there’s always more beneath the surface.
Troy Aikman: Not really demons, but I do constantly wrestle with my drive to achieve and my desire to find peace. For a long time, the idea of being content was like a four-letter word to me, but that’s changed. My sister has found a way to balance her drive with a sense of contentment, and she’s a role model for me in that regard. I’m better at it now than I used to be, but it’s always a juggling act—trying to figure out what’s adding value to my life and whether I need to pull back and relax. It’s tough for me to do, honestly, but it’s something I’m working on.
