Think about your relationship to practice—that is what separates the amateurs from pros. The center of our world, our communities, our families and ourselves is about practice, is about rehearsal and running all those miles. That is the center of our universe. It is our big game. It is the big show.

I can promise you that you will be the best in the world at that thing at the end of all those miles. How about that? I don’t know about you but that’s the life I’m interested in. That’s a cool life. It’s all I think about. I think every thought you have should be that—how and where can I be the best. Let me put my foot on that field, put my butt in that seat.

I’m telling you right now that 90 percent of your day should be about preparation. If it’s not, you’ve sealed your fate. You have a ceiling. You have boundaries. Leaders don’t have limits. When I get on stage or when I have to perform in other ways, whether it’s being a husband or a father or a speaker or a coach, I’m going to come through for myself because I’ve trained more than anybody else.

If you spend 20 years practicing a thing, who is going to be able to catch you?

(A big thanks to the folks over at 24LIFE magazine, which is published by 24 Hour Fitness. I had a blast hanging out with their crew. Check out more of my conversation with the magazine here and here.)