If you have scrolled through your social media platforms, and seen entrepreneurs drinking green smoothies at sunrise, there is a good chance they are in the 5 AM Club, a club that has taken the world by storm, claiming that waking up early is your ticket to success. But does waking up before dawn really change your life, or is it just another misguided productivity gimmick? Let’s find out what makes the 5 AM club such a cult-like movement, and whether you should become a member especially if you set your alarm twice as many times as you like to admit.
The Morning Force: Why 5 AM?
Waking up when the world is still asleep has an almost magical feeling to it. The 5 AM club was made popularized by Robin Sharma in his book, where he explains the first hour of your day the Victory Hour needs to be divided into moving, reflecting and growing. Taking this practice gives you a mental and physical advantage over the day before the world catches up to you.
You’re not waking up early to simply get up that early, you’re opening space for discipline, stress relief, and personal development. Imagine it: no emails, no interruptions, no disorder. Just you, your thoughts, and your goals.
The Real Stories, Real Shifts
There was this woman consulting me who had become caught up in this destructive torture of procrastination vs. burnout. After a month into trying out The 5 AM Club routine, something changed a whole lot more got done; she felt in control somehow, starting with mornings comprising yoga, journaling, and a good breakfast (yes, she was actually learning about getting better at gut health with fermented foods and mindful eating). She even began exploring how to improve gut health through her morning routine. Within a few weeks, she felt completely energized and clear.
It’s not easy to recognize that this time of day should be sacred because the quiet early hour becomes a pillar for the rest of the day in many lives.
The Benefits of an Early Rise
As science reveals, waking up early comes with unique advantages, especially for one’s health. In fact, morning people seem to be more consistent in their habits. And the wonderful thing is, when you have breakfast early, you’re really working with your body! That early morning is when your cortisol, that’s your “wake up and shine” hormone, is naturally at its highest, so you’re giving it exactly what it needs.
Moreover, the adoption of the 5 AM lifestyle provides better sleep hygiene and healthier overall routines including time for intentional habits. Life also improves when your gut health is in sync with your circadian rhythm. Do remember, the way you begin often dictates your progress throughout the day.
Why Joining The 5 AM Club Might Not Be For Everyone
The truth is; waking up at dawn does not come naturally to everyone, and this is completely fine. The key advantage one can seek from adopting this time is absolute ownership Leveraging 5 AM as the wake up time provides ‘me’ time which when optimally utilized can set a successful tone for the day. For those who feel 5 AM is way too early, you can begin with waking up half an hour early to stretch, plan your day or sip tea while enjoying serenity.
The truth is: rising at 5 is not about this hour on the clock. It is about intention and making a choice to be with yourself before worldly calls demand your attention. Whether it is 5 or 6 or 7, success takes root from the moment your consciousness and mind own the morning.
Morning Mindset Shift
The 5 AM club can transform your life because of your productivity, mindset, energy, and gut health. So ask yourself, “Could I really get up that early?” Well, all that really matters is, “Excellent. But what would I get from this if I did?”
Would you set this hour aside to give your mornings a complete makeover?