Last Tuesday, I woke up at 5 AM, ate breakfast, had coffee, and hit the road by 6AM. Three hours later, I was in Austin for a 9 AM workout with Lance Armstrong, Tim Kennedy, and a few other guys.

That didn’t happen by accident.

I was invited by their trainer, Juan Leija—not because I knew Lance or Tim, but because Juan knew me. I’ve followed and respected him for a long time. I always want to know who the best in the world train with. And Juan knew that if he invited me in, I could hang.

Even on short notice.

You Don’t Have to Get Ready If You Stay Ready

When Juan texted me, “Come join us Tuesday morning,” I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t need to scramble or second-guess. Staying in peak condition isn’t something I do for occasions like this—it’s my standard.

And that philosophy extends beyond fitness.

Top professional speakers rehearse constantly, ready for any opportunity. Firefighters remain vigilant for the next alarm. Navy SEALs live in a state of constant readiness.

Preparation isn’t just about avoiding last-minute panic—it’s about becoming the kind of person opportunity seeks out. When you maintain readiness, you cultivate reliability. You attract possibilities. You move through life with confidence, not hesitation.

You Attract (and Repel) Exactly What You Deserve

“If you drink, you hang with drinkers. If you smoke, you hang with smokers. If you party, you hang with partiers.”

Simple math.

The people around you shape what you do and who you become. You attract and repel exactly what you deserve. That’s not motivational fluff—it’s the truth.

For years, I was exhausted. Chasing authenticity in places where it didn’t exist. Out at bars until 2 AM, trying to impress people I didn’t even respect. Back then, I had a high alcohol tolerance and zero gym stamina. Now? I’ve got the liquor tolerance of a 7-year-old and the endurance to train with some of the best athletes around.

Look at your life. If you’re stuck in the same routines with the same people, telling yourself your best days are behind you, I’ve got news: They’re not. You just need to start making different choices. Wake up earlier. Train consistently. Take care of yourself. The moment you do, you’ll start meeting different people—the kind who fuel you, not drain you.

Just Show Up

That workout in Austin was brutal. These guys are serious athletes. But here’s what I noticed:

They didn’t care how much weight I lifted. They didn’t care if I ran slower.

Fitness communities don’t judge you by where you start—they respect you for showing up. No one expected me to beat Lance Armstrong in a race. What mattered was that I was there, putting in the work.

If you’re thinking about making a change, remember this: You don’t need to be in peak shape to begin. You don’t need to match what others are doing. You just need to show up and start.

Consistency Compounds

The more you show up, the better you’ll feel, the better you’ll perform, and the more people will take notice.

Consistency is the ultimate cheat code. Anything you do repeatedly, you get good at.

This workout with Armstrong and Kennedy wasn’t luck—it was five years in the making. Five years of early mornings, hard workouts, and daily discipline. That’s how real change happens. One workout, one meal, one decision at a time.

From Motivation to Inspiration

“Motivation fades. Inspiration sustains.”

That’s the difference.

Motivation gets you started. But inspiration—the desire to keep going, to set an example, to push yourself—that’s what keeps you on the path when motivation runs dry.

I didn’t just wake up one day training with elite athletes. I earned that respect by showing up, day after day, until I became someone who could inspire others the way these guys inspired me.

Living and Leading by Example

I shared this story with my kids—not to brag about training with famous people, but to show them what happens when you commit to a standard.

Words are cheap. Advice is meaningless if you’re not living it yourself.

As men in midlife, we have a responsibility to model what we want our families to see. It’s not just about self-improvement—it’s about demonstrating what’s possible when you dedicate yourself to something better.

I can tell my kids to be disciplined all day long. But when they see me wake up at 5 AM, drive three hours, and train with some of the best, that speaks louder than any lecture. When they see my choices leading to real opportunities, they understand:

Your environment is a reflection of your decisions.

Making the Change

This isn’t about working out with celebrities. It’s about what happens when you refuse to stay comfortable and commit to change.

It starts with a simple choice: Put yourself in better situations.

Join that morning workout. Sign up for that event. Surround yourself with people who push you forward. Show up consistently. Need more motivation? Read our Editor-in-Chief’s column on the Art of the Comeback and his road to becoming a top ten national swimmer at 46. We don’t just talk-the-talk here at MLM. We live it, every day.

Over time, when you adopt this new policy of doing hard things, your body will change. Your mind will sharpen. Your social circle will evolve. And opportunities you never expected will appear—not because you chased them, but because you became someone who attracts them.

Midlife isn’t the end of the road. It might be the perfect time to start.

The only question is: Are you ready to show up?