Introduction
The way we start our mornings can set the tone for the entire day. That’s why it’s no surprise that some of the world’s most successful people are religiously devoted to their morning routines. But while many of us are familiar with habits like waking up early or journaling, some millionaires swear by truly bizarre rituals—from taking freezing showers to drinking butter-laced coffee.
Curious (and a bit desperate to break out of my snooze-button habit), I decided to test five weird but popular morning routines from various millionaires and entrepreneurs. Over five days, I tried a different one each morning, documenting the physical, mental, and emotional effects of each.
Here’s what happened—and which routine (if any) is actually worth your time.
Day 1: The “Ice Bath Awakening” – Wim Hof Method (Endorsed by Tony Robbins)
Routine:
- Wake up at 6:00 AM
- Practice Wim Hof breathing (3 rounds)
- Take a 3-minute ice-cold shower
Experience:
The breathing left me light-headed but focused. Then came the cold shower. It was brutal. My skin screamed. My breath came in gasps. I questioned my life choices. But after I toweled off, I felt… invincible.
Result:
My mental clarity shot through the roof. I felt energized for hours, and tasks that usually drain me (like emails) felt manageable. But the emotional toll of anticipating the shower every morning? Debilitating.
Verdict:
Powerful, but extreme. Excellent for building resilience, but not sustainable daily for the average person.
Day 2: “Bulletproof Morning” – Dave Asprey (Biohacker Entrepreneur)
Routine:
- Wake up at 6:30 AM
- No food, only Bulletproof Coffee (coffee + MCT oil + grass-fed butter)
- 20 minutes of red light therapy
Experience:
I was skeptical about coffee with butter, but the result was surprisingly satisfying. It curbed hunger and gave me a steady energy lift without the usual caffeine crash.
Red light therapy? I don’t own a full-body panel like the pros, so I used a facial one. It felt indulgent and relaxing but didn’t deliver any immediate magical effect.
Result:
I stayed full until noon and had laser-like focus. However, skipping food made me cranky by late morning.
Verdict:
Interesting biohack. Worth a try for those who don’t mind skipping breakfast. Likely better when paired with keto or low-carb lifestyles.
Day 3: The “S.A.V.E.R.S” Method – Hal Elrod (Author of The Miracle Morning)
Routine:
- Silence (Meditation – 5 min)
- Affirmations (5 min)
- Visualization (5 min)
- Exercise (10 min)
- Reading (10 min)
- Scribing (Journaling – 10 min)
Experience:
This felt like the most balanced and holistic of all the routines. By the end of the hour, I had exercised, reflected, read, and clarified my goals.
Surprisingly, the affirmations and visualization weren’t as cringe-inducing as I expected. They gave me a sense of purpose and motivation.
Result:
I was calm yet energized. My anxiety levels dropped. Productivity stayed steady all day. It felt like a routine I could return to.
Verdict:
Highly recommended. Flexible, adaptable, and touches every important mental/emotional aspect of a strong morning.
Day 4: The “No-Stim, No-Phone” Start – Cal Newport (Author of Deep Work)
Routine:
- Wake up at 6:00 AM
- No screens, no coffee for the first 90 minutes
- Use first hour for deep work or journaling
Experience:
This was the hardest for me. My fingers itched for my phone. I had to hide it in another room.
No coffee meant my energy levels were sluggish. But working without distractions? Magic. I finished a writing task in 40 minutes that usually takes two hours.
Result:
The absence of stimulation allowed my brain to focus deeply. Once I got over the morning fog, I found my “thinking mind” was sharper.
Verdict:
Challenging but transformative. Best for creatives and knowledge workers. Not great if your mornings need quick energy or movement.
Day 5: The “Gratitude First” Routine – Oprah Winfrey
Routine:
- Wake up naturally
- Spend 10 minutes listing what you’re grateful for
- Follow with 20 minutes of silent walking or nature time
Experience:
This was the most peaceful morning of the week. Waking without an alarm felt luxurious. I sipped herbal tea, wrote in my gratitude journal, then walked in the park near my home.
I felt grounded, slow, and immensely present.
Result:
While I didn’t feel the productivity boost of other routines, the emotional payoff was high. It helped me reframe challenges and approach the day more optimistically.
Verdict:
Heart-centered and healing. Less about hustle, more about happiness.
What I Learned: Key Takeaways
Each millionaire’s routine reflected their values. The hardcore entrepreneurs built discipline. The creatives fostered clarity. The spiritual thinkers cultivated presence.
Most Energizing: Wim Hof Ice Shower
Most Productive: Cal Newport’s No-Stim Start
Most Balanced: Hal Elrod’s Miracle Morning
Most Peaceful: Oprah’s Gratitude Walk
Most Biohacker-y: Bulletproof Coffee + Red Light
So… Which One Actually Works?
The answer depends on your goals.
- Want mental focus and don’t mind discomfort? Try the Wim Hof method.
- Craving emotional peace and reflection? Oprah’s approach may speak to you.
- Need structure, growth, and habit stacking? Hal Elrod’s S.A.V.E.R.S. method is the winner.
My Personal Favorite:
The Miracle Morning. It gave me the widest benefits across mood, energy, and productivity, and I’ve continued using a modified version ever since.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to mimic billionaires to build a better morning—but experimenting with their habits can teach you a lot about what you need. Sometimes, weird works. Sometimes, it doesn’t. The trick is finding your personal blend.
Whatever you do, don’t start the day on autopilot. Even a 10-minute conscious morning ritual can change your life, one sunrise at a time.
Are you brave enough to try a millionaire morning tomorrow?