Travel and High Performance Living

Travel Days, Airport Pastries, and the Reminder We All Need

As I sit in the airport waiting for my flight home after a long, intense weekend serving in the wrestling community, I find myself observing something I’ve seen for years—but today it hits me a little differently.

Airports are incredible places for people-watching. They’re also loud reminders of how easily our health and fitness habits can slip when life gets busy. Between delayed flights, tight connections, and long days on the road, it’s tempting to reach for whatever is quick and comforting. Today, I watched dozens of travelers starting their morning with nothing but high-carb pastries, sugary drinks, and the kind of “fuel” that leaves you crashing long before your boarding group is called.

And trust me—after a weekend of nonstop work, long hours, and little sleep myself, I understand how easy the slide can be.

But moments like this reinforce why High Performance Living matters. Not for perfection… but for awareness.

Travel Doesn’t Have to Derail Your Health

One of the most common patterns I see—whether in athletics, officiating, coaching, or corporate life—is that health habits are the first thing we let go when we get busy.

• Workouts get skipped.

• Sleep gets sacrificed.

• Nutrition becomes whatever is closest to the gate.

And yet, energy is the currency that determines how we show up—in our careers, with our families, in our relationships, and even in moments of stress and travel.

Where the AOC Model Becomes Real

My AOC Framework isn’t just a coaching tool. It’s a lifestyle compass—especially on days like today.

Awareness

It starts by simply noticing:
What am I reaching for when I’m tired? What patterns do I fall into automatically? How does my body feel after I travel vs. when I’m in rhythm?
Awareness isn’t judgment—it’s clarity.

Ownership

Once you notice, you get to choose.
You don’t control flight delays or long weekends… but you do control whether you grab a pastry or a protein source, whether you stretch for five minutes at the gate, or whether you commit to getting back into your routine the moment you land.

Commitment

This is where High Performance is built.
Not when things are easy—but when they are hard.
Commitment isn’t about motivation. It’s about small, intentional actions that move you toward feeling your best, even when life is messy.

Small Wins Matter

I didn’t write this to criticize anyone I saw today. I wrote it as a reminder to myself—and perhaps a nudge to anyone who needs it—that we can stay on a High Performance path even during chaotic travel days.

Carry a protein bar.
Get 10 minutes of movement between gates.
Choose water over a third coffee.
Protect your sleep when you get home.
Forgive yourself quickly and re-center even quicker.

High Performance Living isn’t about being perfect. It’s about consistently returning to the habits that support your best self—no matter where you are.

And as I board this flight, I feel grateful for the wrestling community I get to serve, the opportunities to grow, and the continual reminders—like this morning—that High Performance starts with simple, daily choices.

One airport, one decision, one commitment at a time.