travis horn shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi travis, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
My mornings are the anchor of my entire day. I wake up at 5:30 a.m., before the world around me stirs, and the stillness feels like a gift. The first thing I do is take a deep, intentional breath and remind myself how grateful I am for another day to live my purpose. I open the blinds to let in the soft morning light, setting the tone for clarity and focus.
Before anything else, I hydrate. A tall glass of lemon water wakes up my body and refreshes me after a night of rest. As I sip, I open my journal and jot down three things I’m grateful for, along with my intentions for the day. This short ritual clears my mind and helps me approach everything with a positive attitude.
Movement comes next. Depending on how I feel, I might go for a brisk 30-minute run, flow through yoga by the window, or do a quick strength circuit in my living room. I treat this time as non-negotiable, because it energizes me physically and mentally. I finish my workout with stretching and a few minutes of slow, deep breathing to center myself.
Once my body is activated, I fuel it with something simple and nourishing. Often it’s a smoothie full of greens, berries, and protein, or oatmeal topped with fruit and nuts. While I prepare and enjoy breakfast, I keep my phone on silent and listen to an inspiring podcast or uplifting music. This helps me stay focused on my own energy before I step into the busyness of the day.
After breakfast, I shower, get dressed in comfortable yet professional clothes, and glance at my schedule. This is also when I tidy up the kitchen or water a plant—small actions that give me a sense of calm and control in my environment.
Before heading out, I take a moment to ground myself. Sometimes it’s a two-minute meditation, sometimes an affirmation spoken aloud: “I am ready. I am capable. I am here to make an impact.” I pack my essentials—water bottle, healthy snacks, planner, and any materials I’ll need for clients or meetings—then step out the door.
By this time, I already feel centered, energized, and motivated. My morning routine is more than just habits; it’s how I live the values I teach—balanced living, intentional movement, mental clarity, and self-respect. When I leave my home, I’m not just prepared to help others; I’m already operating from a place of vitality and purpose. My morning sets the tone for the day and the life I’m building.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Travis Horn, but most people know me as The Balance Guru. I built this name and brand out of my own life’s work. I grew up in Las Vegas and, at 18, joined the U.S. Marine Corps. That experience shaped the discipline, mental toughness, and sense of service that still guide me today.
Over the years I discovered that my deepest passion is teaching balance—not just as a physical skill but as a way of living. I’ve spent years developing methods to improve proprioception, movement quality, and mind–body connection. Everything I teach is something I practice myself.
I’m a Licensed Massage Therapist and movement educator, and my background has allowed me to blend hands-on bodywork with performance coaching. I’ve become known for advanced balance demonstrations, from handstands to kinetic chain training, and for explaining how the nervous system and muscles work together.
Through my platform, I’ve created manuals, courses, and programs like Body Manual, Handstanding 101, Stretch Manual, and Sleep Manual. Each one is designed to help people understand their bodies, improve movement, and find more equilibrium in their lives.
Along the way I’ve also set a couple of Guinness World Records—one for the highest handstand on interlocking platforms (18 feet, 5 inches) and another for the highest “hippie jump” on a longboard. Achievements like these aren’t just stunts for me; they’re expressions of what’s possible when you train balance, strength, and focus together.
My work has taken me onto podcasts, into interviews, and into collaborations with people who care about health, fitness, and performance. On Instagram, @thebalanceguru, I share videos of my training, educational content, and glimpses of the philosophy that underpins it all.
At the core of everything I do is a simple belief: balance is freedom. When you learn to balance—your body, your nervous system, your mindset—you move better, recover faster, and live with more presence. That’s what I want to teach through my content, my programs, and my brand.
This isn’t just a business to me. It’s a life’s mission. From my Marine Corps beginnings to my current work as The Balance Guru, I’ve devoted myself to building a method and a community around balance, strength, and self-awareness. The courses, the videos, the records, and the products you see are all part of a bigger vision: helping people move, feel, and live better.
My next big project is my Supplement brand BRAVEHEART SUPPLEMENTS, RELEASING SOON ON AMAZON
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I was never told that I was powerful, capable, or extraordinary. My early years were not filled with warmth, encouragement, or a sense of boundless potential. Instead, my upbringing was defined by survival. My father did his best to keep a roof over our heads with the help of government assistance, but emotional support and empowering messages were scarce. I grew up without being told that I was strong, fit, or balanced.
That absence shaped me. It created a deep awareness of what was missing and a determination to build it for myself as an adult. From a young age I made an unspoken promise: I would not live my life believing I was weak, incapable, or limited. I decided that my adulthood would be a deliberate reversal of the patterns I experienced as a child.
This decision has guided everything I’ve done. I’ve focused on developing strength, health, and resilience—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Today, I am the strongest, fastest, and healthiest I’ve ever been. More importantly, I have cultivated a mindset grounded in self-belief, discipline, and balance. What was once absent in my childhood has become the cornerstone of my adulthood.
As a parent, this transformation carries even greater meaning. I’ve been intentional about passing a different message to my son. I want him to grow up knowing that he is capable of anything he sets his mind to, that his potential is limitless, and that strength comes from within as much as it comes from training or achievement. I know firsthand how powerful these messages can be—both when they are present and when they are not—and I am committed to breaking that cycle for the next generation.
This journey has also shaped my philosophy, which I often express in my own words: “We are everything. What you focus on is what you become.” This quote is not just a phrase I share; it’s a reflection of my lived experience. By focusing on strength, health, and personal growth, I have become the person I once needed as a child. By teaching my son to focus on his own potential, I am helping him become everything he dreams to be.
While my childhood lacked the direct installation of a strength-based mindset, it indirectly gave me something else: clarity. It showed me exactly what I wanted to change, what I wanted to embody, and what I wanted to pass on. Today, I stand as proof that your beginnings do not define your destiny. The mindset you cultivate and the focus you choose can transform not only your own life but the lives of those who come after you.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve always believed there are two ways to look at life. You can choose to live as if everything is preordained, that things happen for a reason and your path is already written. Or you can decide that your choices matter, that your ego and your discipline shape your days, and you live with the decisions you make one moment at a time.
Most mornings when I wake up, I feel powerful, strong, and accomplished. Paradoxically, that sense of accomplishment doesn’t always make me eager to attack the day. Sometimes it makes me feel like slowing down or even giving up — even though I’ve never given up on anything in my life. And deep down, I know that not doing something for a day is not the same as giving up.
But then I think about the one life we all get. I remind myself of one of my own truths: my one dollar will never outweigh my one second to live. Time is the most valuable thing we have. Another quote I live by is: What happens today is from the past, and what you do today is for the future. Every day matters. Every decision is an investment. That’s why, even on days when my motivation dips, I never break the schedule.
The Marine Corps taught me this discipline. It taught me to do the right thing when no one’s watching, to show up even when no one is clapping, to keep moving forward even when the results aren’t immediate. Discipline for me isn’t about punishment; it’s about freedom. It allows me to live today to the fullest even when my mind wants to slow down.
I also think about legacy. Whatever I don’t do today will follow me into the future. The work left undone, the goals left untouched, the habits left to slip — they don’t disappear, they accumulate. That’s why I make myself act even when I don’t feel like it. Each day is a chance to build the future version of me, to honor the discipline and the mindset that got me this far.
Living this way doesn’t mean I don’t have doubts or hard days. It means I’ve chosen a standard for myself. I know the power of focus, and I know that showing up every day is how you transform your life. Even when motivation is low, my principles stay high. My discipline, my Marine Corps training, and my commitment to living fully keep me on track.
This is how I live: present but forward-thinking, grounded but ambitious, disciplined but still human. I’m not just surviving anymore; I’m building something — for myself, for my family, and for the future.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
One of the things I value most about myself — and that I believe my friends value most about me — is my willingness to speak up. Many of my friends work in environments where they can’t always express their opinions openly. Whether it’s politics, religion, spirituality, or any kind of controversial topic, they have to stay quiet or hold back. I’ve become, in many ways, a voice and a presence for them. I say the things they wish they could say. I embody the courage they sometimes can’t display because of their jobs, their positions, or their circumstances.
That role isn’t something I take lightly. It’s a responsibility. When I speak up, I’m not just doing it for me. I’m doing it for people who feel unheard, for people who want to know someone out there is willing to stand firm in their beliefs. In today’s world, where conversations can quickly become polarized, I try to bring honesty and conviction — and I think that’s why my friends gravitate toward me and trust me.
My family sees it too, but from a different perspective. They worry sometimes. They know we live in a culture where a single comment or action can go viral and be taken out of context. They’ve tried to encourage me to regulate myself, to be careful with my words so that I don’t harm my brand or throw away everything I’ve built. I understand their concern. They’re not trying to hold me back; they want to protect me.
But for me, authenticity isn’t negotiable. I’ve been living this way since I was 22 years old — speaking my truth, doing what I believe is right, and being who I am without apology. That consistency is part of what has made me who I am today. It’s also what has allowed me to build my brand and my legacy. People can sense when you’re real. They know when you’re speaking from your heart, not from a script.
In a time when cancel culture is a real concern and many people are afraid to say what they think, I choose a different path. I choose to stay true to myself. I believe that’s where my strength lies. It’s also what keeps me grounded and connected to others. I don’t speak just to provoke; I speak to represent, to give voice, to stand up for values that matter.
This commitment to authenticity isn’t always the easiest road, but it’s the one I trust. It’s how I’ve lived my adult life, and it’s how I intend to keep living. My hope is that by being myself, I can give others permission to be themselves too — even if it’s just a little more than they were yesterday.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Honestly, I could almost cry when I think about how much work I’ve put in for the future. Every single day, every action, every decision I make is tied to my belief that what I do today shapes the world I live in tomorrow. This is exactly what I meant in my previous quote: what happens today is from the past, and what you do today is for the future. That philosophy drives me. It keeps me proactive, disciplined, and fully committed to my mission as a humanitarian to make a meaningful impact on the world.
Over the years, I’ve poured my energy into projects that I know will benefit humanity in ways that few others have tackled. One of my proudest accomplishments is creating what I believe to be the only sleep manual in the world. It’s a product of relentless research, testing, and application. I have no doubt that in seven to ten years, this sleep manual will be on every mattress sold globally, helping people rest better, recover faster, and live healthier lives. This is just one of many initiatives I’m working on that will reach people at scale.
Beyond the sleep manual, I have plans that span industries, continents, and decades. In seven to ten years, I intend to have buildings all over the planet dedicated to my work, my mission, and my philosophy. I envision my coffee being served in some of the largest food chains in the world, alongside several inventions I’ve developed that are designed to improve everyday life. These projects are not fantasies; they are the logical outcomes of the effort, creativity, and persistence I invest daily. Every day I wake up, a new opportunity emerges from something I did in the past. That’s the reward of consistent, disciplined action — the ability to create momentum and transform vision into reality.
I am proud of the fact that I have never given up. Even when faced with injuries, adversity, or the daily challenges that everyone experiences, I have continued forward without hesitation. My work ethic and resilience are not just habits; they are reflections of my mindset. I approach every day with a purpose, knowing that the work I do now will ripple into the future in ways that are meaningful and lasting.
The list of my goals, achievements, and ambitions is long and growing, but that is exactly how I like it. Each project, each invention, each initiative is a piece of a larger legacy I am building. I don’t measure success by accolades or recognition alone; I measure it by progress, impact, and the knowledge that I am moving humanity forward. Every injury overcome, every obstacle surmounted, every disciplined choice made adds to this trajectory.
Ultimately, I am proud of myself not because I’ve achieved everything yet, but because I have never stopped striving. I have never stopped creating. I have never stopped believing in the power of what today can build for tomorrow. That relentless commitment is what keeps me going — and it is what ensures that the work I do now will shape a future I, and the world, can be proud of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://donpablocoffee.com/products/limited-release-heritage-reserve-guatemala-coffee
- Instagram: @thebalanceguru
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-horn-640107b9
- Twitter: https://x.com/thebalanceguru
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travisearlhorn?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thebalanceguru?si=FD9Z7mRbWyN1GoMF
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