The Art of Manliness Podcast
Episode: The 6 Practices of the Ultimate Morning Routine
Air Date: October 14, 2025
Guest: Hal Elrod

Overview

In this episode, host Brett McKay speaks with Hal Elrod, author of The Miracle Morning, about building a transformative, practical morning routine. Together, they break down the six key practices (the S.A.V.E.R.S. framework), delve into the origins of the routine, and discuss how anyone—regardless of time or whether they consider themselves a “morning person”—can implement these life-changing habits. Peppered with personal stories and actionable advice, this episode is a handbook for jumpstarting your day and, potentially, your whole life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origins of The Miracle Morning

• [03:31] Hal’s Near-Fatal Car Accident

  • At 20, Hal survived a car crash, was told he had permanent brain damage and would never walk again.
  • Adopted a dual outlook: unwavering faith in recovery and acceptance of possible outcomes.
  • Quote (Hal): "If I never walk again... I'm not going to allow that to dictate my mental and emotional wellbeing... but I'm not accepting that as my only option." ([04:06])
  • Relates to the “Stockdale Paradox”: hold optimism with acceptance of harsh realities.

• [07:19] The Role of Personal Setbacks

  • The 2008 financial crisis pushed Hal to create the Miracle Morning as a tool for personal development amidst adversity.
  • Inspired by a Jim Rohn quote: "Your level of success will seldom exceed your level of personal development."
  • Hal: "I determined I want a level 10 in terms of my success... but my personal development is all over the place." ([08:10])
  • Searched for top personal development habits and synthesized six core practices.

The S.A.V.E.R.S. Framework: Six Essential Morning Practices

1. Silence

[11:21]

• Stillness at the start of the day leads to breakthroughs and clarity.
• Hal: "The calmer and quieter your mind is, the more there is space for you to access your highest truth, your highest wisdom..." ([11:37])
• Silence can be prayer or meditation. Use this time for insights, not checking your phone.

2. Affirmations

[15:55]

• Affirmations get a bad rap for being cheesy or unrealistic. Hal’s approach is practical:
  1. Affirm your commitment
  2. State why it’s a must
  3. Decide the specific actions you’ll take and when
• Hal: "For me, I use three steps. And to me, they've got to be rooted in truth, they've got to be practical, and they've got to be actionable." ([17:50])
• Practical affirmations serve as reminders and motivators rather than magical solutions.

3. Visualization

[24:35]

• Two parts: envisioning the ideal outcome and mentally rehearsing the specific actions needed to get there.
• Visualization is not just about “seeing” the win but about preparing your mind to follow through with daily steps.
• Hal shares detailed athletic examples (visualizing the routine for running an ultramarathon).

4. Exercise

[31:05]

• Quick movement first thing (jumping jacks, planks, stretching) wakes your body and brain.
• Not a full workout—just enough to boost energy and mental acuity.
• Hal: "It's move your body first thing in the morning... you go from tired and lethargic to alert and awake." ([32:11])

5. Reading

[33:52]

• Hal prioritizes non-fiction (especially about family and business), while Brett notes the personal development value he finds in fiction.
• Hal: "During the morning, it's all non-fiction. I'm trying to optimize my mindset and learn something..." ([35:16])

6. Scribing (Writing)

[36:48]

• Journaling clarifies thinking, provides a record for reflection, and grounds you in gratitude.
• Hal sees hand-writing as particularly meaningful: "You're forced to be coherent, to qualify your thoughts..." ([36:53])
• Practical tips: gratitude journaling, reflecting on positive events, or typing with AI tools for insights.

Implementation: Customization & Overcoming Obstacles

How Long Should It Take?

[42:10]

• Highly customizable: dedicate 1–10 minutes per practice depending on your schedule.
• Can be compressed into a 6-minute routine or expanded to an hour.
• Hal: "One thing with the miracle morning, it's completely customizable... divide whatever time you have by six for a start." ([42:13])

For Non-Morning People

[45:10]

• Start with baby steps—wake 10 minutes earlier and add one practice at a time.
• 72% of Miracle Morning practitioners used to believe they weren’t “morning people.”
• Hal: "Don't start with all six Savers... baby stepping your way. All of a sudden... it's effortless now, and I'm doing all six." ([47:15])

Flexibility Over Perfection

[48:01]

• Don’t let the “all-or-nothing” mindset prevent you from getting started.
• If you can’t do every practice in the morning, do them later in the day.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Accepting Reality vs. Pursuing Optimism:

  • Hal: "How do you expect the best... and also be at peace with, like, hey, sometimes things go my way, sometimes they don't..." ([04:22])
  • Brett: Relates to the Stockdale Paradox.

• On Personal Development:

  • Hal: "Your level of success won't exceed your level of personal development... my personal development is at a 2 or 3." ([08:25])

• On Affirmations:

  • Hal: "You're affirming what you're committed to. Not 'I am wealthy', but 'I am committed to increasing my income by 30% this year.'" ([18:00])

• On Routine Adaptability:

  • Hal: "Don't let what you can't do get in the way of what you can do." ([43:37])

• On The Power of Routine:

  • Hal: "It's like hitting the reset button every day... creating this self-care routine." ([49:00])

Key Timestamps

• [03:31] Genesis of The Miracle Morning (Car accident story)
• [07:19] 2008 Financial Crisis sparks the routine
• [11:21] Silence: why and how to practice it
• [15:55] Affirmations: practical vs. cringy, how to write them
• [24:35] Visualization: outcome + action, practical examples
• [31:05] Exercise: quick and invigorating, not overwhelming
• [33:52] Reading: approach to content and purpose
• [36:48] Scribing: journaling benefits and techniques
• [42:10] Routine timing and customization
• [45:10] Adapting for non-morning people
• [49:00] Routine as daily “reset button”

Final Takeaways

• The Miracle Morning is built on timeless, proven practices, but Hal’s real contribution lies in making them accessible, practical, and customizable—regardless of whether you have an hour or six minutes, or believe you’re not a morning person.
• You can start small and still reap benefits; consistency is key.
• The routine is about more than productivity: it’s a holistic approach to living, aiming to optimize mindset, health, relationships, and gratitude.

Resources:

• Book: The Miracle Morning
• Movie: Free on YouTube, also via MiracleMorning.com
• Hal Elrod: halelrod.com
• Full episode notes and bonus resources: A Morning Routine (as described on the episode)

This summary brings together insights, guidance, and powerful stories from the episode, offering a practical primer for anyone seeking to upgrade their mornings—and their lives.