Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we LOVE hearing about them. Some of our favorite members of the community share their morning rituals below.

Bridget Francis

The first 90 minutes of my day really set the tone for everything that follows. Honestly, I spend about the first 15 minutes talking myself into getting up (I’m not one of those people who jumps right out of bed!). Once I’m up, I start with prayer—it grounds me and puts my focus where it needs to be. After that, I read a chapter from my Bible to center my spirit, and then I switch gears and read a chapter from whatever book I’m currently working through. That mix of faith and learning helps me approach the day with both peace and fresh perspective. From there, I grab my to-do list that I made the night before, and that becomes my roadmap for the day ahead. Read More>> 

Caleb Ziegler

I typically start my day between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m., and I’m in the gym by 5:00 a.m. every day. Waking up early gives me an incredible advantage… more time in my day and the peace and quiet that comes from being up before the world wakes. The gym is non-negotiable for me; it’s both my therapy and a way to set the tone mentally and physically for everything that follows. I’m intentional about not looking at my phone first thing in the morning. Keeping a clear mind for the gym is crucial; if I start checking emails or messages too soon, my focus shifts to those instead of my workout and mindset. Read More>> 

Rick Heinz

Groggily waking up in the morning, where the eternal energy of a gigantic ball of nuclear fire (my mortal enemy) launches it’s daily attack upon my world yet again. I squint my eyes and shake my fist in futility, hoping that my plans to rid the earth of the orange inferno take fruition this day. But alas…I will be left wanting. So I retreat back into the shadows and pour myself the black elixir of life that allows me to sustain another day of radioactive beams… Read More>> 

Elizabeth Carlile

Honestly, the first 90 minutes of my day are my little sanctuary before the chaos of emails, hockey practices, and “Mom, where’s my…?” kicks in. I start with my morning pages, just me, a pen, and whatever jumble is rattling around in my head. It’s not always profound; sometimes it’s just me writing “I need more coffee” three different ways, but it clears the cobwebs.

Then I move into scripture study because I need that grounding and bigger-picture reminder before the day tries to tell me what’s important. After that, I’ll read a book or flip through a magazine, something tactile and real, not glowing at me. Read More>> 

Lindsay Shockey

LOL well…..its starts at about 4:15AM, when the alarm goes off and head to the gym. This is about the only time I can get a work out in but it is a great start to the day and a quick check of the list. After getting back to the house its a shower and get ready for work. Somewhere during this time my toddler wakes up and comes into the room and then its finish “painting my face” as I tell her and start to wrestle getting her ready for the day. Toddler moms know the struggle of trying to dress a little one, especially one with an opinion! Read More>>

Jeff Heggie

My mornings start at 4:00 AM. I’m a big believer that the way you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows, so I’ve built a morning routine that I protect fiercely. I head straight to the gym for a workout, which gets me going both physically and mentally. When I get home I take some time for personal development – prayer, reading, filling out my Mindset Journal, and setting my Most Important Tasks (MIT’s) for the day – my daily accountability. Read More>> 

Debby Mayer

The alarm rings at 5:30 a.m. I push the button to start coffee and say Good Morning to Carrot and Zucchini, the two Guinea pigs snoozing in their cage, across the living room from my desk. I open the vertical blinds and examine the morning through the sliding-glass door next to my desk. I get a cup of coffee and examine the morning further, over my balcony to the “forest” of adobe buildings punctuated by small trees, in this strange but pleasant place of Southern California. By 6 a.m. I’m writing. Four mornings a week, I write Travels with Sizzle, my Substack series.  Read More>> 

Ja’Rian (Jay) Liggens

The first 90 minutes of my day always consists of listening to Napoleon Hill Inspiring messages on YouTube while getting ready for whatever the day has in store. I usually can get a good workout in as well during all of this. Read More>> 

Jayson Johnson

I love kicking off my day with a quiet moment of gratitude, just thanking God for another sunrise and a fresh start. I’ll sit for a bit, meditating on how I want the day to unfold, picturing the best possible version of it—like nailing a big meeting or just feeling at peace. Then, I grab my shoes and head out for a long walk. A few months back, I ditched the gym for these walks, and I haven’t looked back. They give me a solid workout, but the real magic is being out in nature—feeling the breeze, hearing the birds, and just soaking in the world around me. It’s like a reset button for my soul. Read More>> 

Matthew Hinsley

I love mornings. I love the peace, the stillness. I look forward to the morning every time I go to sleep.

I have had the same routine for many years and it goes like this.

I make coffee. I sit with my journal and write what comes into my mind. In this way I express and still my MIND. Next I breathe through Qi Gong meditation, tracking and releasing energy along three meridians, front, back, and sides. In this way I awaken and greet my BODY. Continuing in breath, I repeat a series of personal mantras, keys I’ve discovered that remind me of my greatest strengths and challenges. In this way I bring awareness and strength to my SPIRIT. Last is strength, flexibility, and movement with yoga, and then I’m ready for the day. Read More>> 

Jana Hester

I’m an early riser, generally up between 3am-4am but sometimes earlier. I’ve always been a morning person, no alarm needed. I have coffee (decaf only for all obvious reasons I do not need extra energy) and tea every single morning. I’m a loose tea person and find much joy and comfort in the slowness of steeping tea. Read More>> 

Lorraine Bubar

Coffee first! I am a dedicated runner, so I like to get up very early and get out the door for a morning run. Along the way I am on the lookout for my morning “awe moment,” which can be the sky, a flower, a bird…. But, before I get to my run I need to have my cup of coffee and read a few pages of whatever library book I am reading. So, now you know I love morning coffee, running, nature, reading, and libraries. Read More>> 

Carrie Sporer

The first 90 minutes of my day always involve movement. As the founder of a haircare brand focused on sweat, I definitely practice what I preach. Three days a week I run with a small group of friends – many of us have been running together for over 15 years. Since most days of the week I am working solo, I feel like they are similar to coworkers in that its a group of adults I see and chat with regularly and they know what’s going on in my life.  Read More>> 

Greg Johnston

As an ocean landscape photographer, I am always up early before the sunrise. Usually researching and scouting potential locations. I also study google maps. for spots that offer interesting foreground elements with a clear view of the horizon. I check the tide schedule for access to certain areas and weather conditions for both sunrise and sunset to take advantage of shifting light. By planning ahead, arriving early, and being mindful of the changing light conditions, I can maximize my day and let my creativity flow with the interplay of light, water, and land. Read More>> 

Alice Shikina

Four days a week, I row with a team. I wake up at 4:45 AM. I am at the boathouse by 5:20 AM. We are on the water and rowing by 5:45 AM. It is the best way to start the day. During the colder months, we are rowing mainly in the dark, but we get to see the sunrise over the water towards the end of practice. During the summer, it is starting to get light when we are on the water. It is very serene and meditative. I love this activity first thing in my day. Read More>> 

Sakina Ibrahim

The first 90 minutes of my day are my favorite part. They’re sacred, intentional, and deeply personal, a soft landing into a sometimes chaotic world.

I usually start by playing possum, just lying there for an extra 20 minutes. No alarms, no rush. It’s my moment to be still. I let my mind float through the dreams I just left behind, sometimes reflecting on them, other times just letting them fade. Then, I steer my thoughts toward positive affirmations and intentions for the day. Read More>> 

Dr Graham Guest

I always wake up around 3:30 or 4:00 AM, turn the coffee on, then meditate for twenty minutes. I meditate immediately after waking up because my mind wants to race off uncontrollably as soon as it emerges from sleep, but meditation puts a stop to that and allows me to be aware of my thoughts and emotions. After meditating, I drink coffee, eat a bagel, and catch up on the news and any emails that may have come overnight. Then, I go to the bathroom and get to work. Read More>> 

Sequoyah Branham

Right now is a busy season on the ranch, especially for my husband. So my morning starts early fumbling my way through making him breakfast with sleep still heavy in my eyes. I send him off with a kiss and then get my morning coffee–black. Nursing it in one hand I reply to some texts that came in after I had already gone to bed the night before. Then it’s time to wad up in a coffee chair in the living room with my Bible, a blue pen, and my journal. Read More>>