When your alarm clock hits at 4:00 a.m., most people are still drooling into their pillows. Not this guy.
My mornings start early and intentional. I do a quick phone check, nothing more than making sure the world didn't explode overnight, then jump straight into my Day One journal. I’m 348 days deep in a streak that’s become the cornerstone of my mental game. It’s a blend of gratitude, expectations, and good old fashioned think time. My version of therapy, hustle, and vision all wrapped into one.
Next stop: the shower. Then it’s time to tame the mane.
I towel off, grab my straight razor, and clean up the edges around the beard. Then the real work begins: I massage Beard Swag's The Gamer Beard Oil deep into the beard, making sure it hits the skin. Follow that with The Gamer Beard Balm, warmed between my palms, and worked through every inch of beard until it’s shaped, styled, and solid. A comb, a brush, maybe a few head nods in the mirror. Beard: activated.
But I don't stop there. Whatever balm is left on my hands gets worked into the hair. It's all natural and doubles as a killer styling product. Then it's hair products like Level3 Styling Powder, a Joey from Friends look, and a hit of Jean Paul Gaultier to wrap it all up.
Wardrobe? Steve Jobs it. I don't overthink it. Shirt from the rack, match it to pants, grab a zip up, and done. I stick with Levi’s, Travis Matthew, or Vineyard Vines. Same brands, same cuts, same confidence. I’m efficient. No prep the night before, just sharp decisions in the moment.
My morning sets the tone for everything. It's not about rushing through a checklist, it's about intention. I write. I groom. I get centered. And when I run, which I do a few times a week on the trail, I hit the woods at 5 a.m. Nothing clears the mind like a few miles through nature.
Coffee? That’s not even a question. 2 to 4 shots of espresso and I’m in beast mode.
I used to scroll endlessly on my phone in the morning, pretending it was "educational." That habit’s dead now. Replaced by real focus and clarity. My beard behaves best in the morning, but I always carry a Kent comb and travel-size Beard Swag Balm just in case.
This routine isn’t about perfection. It’s about power. Starting your day with purpose, with presence, and with a beard that demands respect.
What You Can Steal from This Routine:
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Journal with Intention: Start your day with gratitude and a vision. One minute or ten, just do it.
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Simplify Your Style: Stick to brands and fits that work for you. Eliminate decision fatigue.
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Invest in Grooming Gear: A beard deserves attention. Beard Swag oil and balm are nonnegotiable.
Beard Grooming Checklist
✔️ Cleanse your face and beard in the shower
✔️ Shave around the beard edges for a clean frame
✔️ Apply Beard Swag oil to moisturize skin and beard
✔️ Work in Beard Swag balm to shape and style
✔️ Use leftover balm on your hair for extra hold
✔️ Comb and brush to refine the look
✔️ Optional: Hit with cologne and get dressed to kill
✔️ Toss a travel balm and comb in your bag — just in case
Whether you're rising at dawn or snoozing till 8, the secret isn’t when you wake up, it’s how you show up.
You and your beard deserve a damn good morning.