THE WARRIOR'S MORNING ROUTINE

How to Start Your Day Like a Savage

Dan Cheshire

3/11/20252 min read

Your morning routine dictates the kind of man you become. Wake up soft, stay soft. Wake up strong, dominate. Here’s how to build an elite morning routine that fuels strength, discipline, and mental clarity—a blueprint for warriors, not civilians.

1. Wake Up With Purpose (No Snooze Button)

You hit snooze, you already lost. That extra five or ten minutes of sleep isn’t doing anything but reinforcing weakness. When the alarm goes off, get up immediately. It’s a small but critical test of discipline. Train your mind to win the first battle of the day. A warrior doesn’t negotiate with comfort. Set your alarm across the room if you have to—whatever it takes to ensure you start the day with action, not hesitation.

2. Get Sunlight in Your Eyes (Before a Screen)

Before you touch your phone or stare at a screen, step outside. Morning sunlight directly signals your brain to wake up fully, syncing your circadian rhythm, boosting dopamine levels, and increasing testosterone production. Ideally, get outside within 10 minutes of waking. Even if it’s cold, even if it’s cloudy—natural light is far superior to artificial indoor lighting. Let your body know it’s time to dominate.

3. Cold Exposure: Ice Bath or Cold Shower

Cold water shocks the system, wakes you up faster than caffeine, and triggers a surge in norepinephrine—a neurotransmitter that enhances focus, mood, and resilience. Cold exposure also reduces inflammation, aids muscle recovery, and builds mental toughness. If you start your day comfortable, you’re training yourself to be weak. Take an ice bath if you have access. If not, a 2-5 minute cold shower will do the job. Pro tip: control your breathing and embrace the discomfort—it’s making you stronger.

4. Hydrate With Electrolytes (Not Sugar Water)

Your body is dehydrated after 6-8 hours of sleep. Replenish it with high-quality water and electrolytes. Skip the sugar-laden sports drinks and overpriced “hydration formulas.” A simple mix of filtered water, a pinch of sea salt, and a squeeze of lemon jumpstarts hydration, supports muscle function, and enhances brain performance. Want an extra boost? Add a few drops of trace minerals for maximum effect.

5. Move Your Body Like a Beast

Forget the morning doom scroll. Movement is the real way to wake up your body and mind. A quick 5-10 minute burst of physical activity—push-ups, kettlebell swings, jumping rope, or a sprint—fires up your nervous system and primes your body for the day. Mobility work, stretching, or yoga also helps counteract stiffness from sleep. This isn’t about “working out”; it’s about activating your body for peak performance.

6. Fuel With Real Nutrition (Not Processed Garbage)

If you’re eating breakfast, make it count. Your first meal (or lack thereof, if you’re fasting) should be designed for sustained energy and mental clarity, not a crash. Prioritize high-quality protein, healthy fats, and nutrient-dense foods. Eggs, steak, raw dairy, and organ meats provide the building blocks for testosterone production and muscle growth. Avoid seed oils, processed carbs, and sugar-laden junk that spike insulin and tank your energy levels. If you’re fasting, black coffee or a salt-infused electrolyte drink can keep you sharp without breaking the fast.

7. Focus Ritual: Plan Your Attack

A warrior doesn’t drift through the day—he executes. Spend 5 minutes writing down your top 3-5 priorities for the day. No endless to-do lists, just clear, actionable goals. Whether it’s work, training, or personal growth, know what you’re attacking before the day takes control of you. Bonus: visualization. Picture yourself crushing your tasks, dominating your workouts, and moving closer to your ultimate vision of success.

This is how warriors start their day. No excuses. No wasted time. Just strength, clarity, and purpose. Now go dominate.