For many highly successful men, mornings don’t begin with emails or meetings they begin with movement. Exercise has become the cornerstone of productivity and focus, and these routines are as much about discipline as they are about health. While some, like Mark Wahlberg, prefer sneakers of their own design, and Lenny Kravitz famously opts for leather pants while lifting weights, most high-achieving men rely on a mix of Nike, Lululemon, and a growing array of wearable tech to power their mornings.
Across industries from tech and finance to venture capital and brand development these men describe exercise as non-negotiable. And their gym essentials range from $30 performance tops to $4,000 training bikes, with many even integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into their fitness routines.
Here’s a closer look at the gear, technology, and habits fueling their workouts.
Antonio White: Mixing Tech, Sneakers, and Strength
Antonio White, 38, is the founder of 480 Advisors, an executive brand development agency. Before that, he served as a deputy assistant secretary of community engagement at the US Treasury Department. These days, he wakes up around 5 a.m., dedicating his early hours to fitness.
White uses ChatGPT as a personal fitness assistant logging strength training, walking, and yoga sessions directly into the app. “People may laugh at it, but it gives me an opportunity to track my progress,” he says. Instead of carrying a notebook like many gym-goers, he pays $20 a month for ChatGPT Plus, calling it his “virtual personal trainer.” He supplements his workouts with YouTube videos, often ending his sessions with a quick 10-minute core routine.
When it comes to gear, White leans heavily on Nike. He pairs a classic concert T-shirt with $55 Nike mesh shorts, swapping between Nike sneakers and Converse’s $110 Run Star Hike platform sneakers for different exercises. His footwear choice, he says, has directly boosted his strength development. To keep it all organized, he carries multiple pairs of shoes and accessories in Nike’s $70 Elite Pro Basketball backpack.
Bobby Mollins: Loyal to Lululemon
Bobby Mollins, 35, director of internet research at Gordon Haskett and a former Business Insider rising star in equity research, works out six days a week. His training combines stretching, cycling, running, and strength sessions.
No matter the activity, Mollins relies on Lululemon’s $78 Metal Vent Tech T-shirts for comfort. For bottoms, he rotates between two versions of the brand’s Pace Breaker shorts: the $78 lined edition for the gym and cycling (complete with a built-in phone pocket), and the $68 unlined version for running.
Relocating to Miami forced some upgrades to his exercise arsenal. In the Florida heat, he now trains with a $145 Salomon hydration vest, particularly during 20-mile runs. He also invested in Roka’s $210 SR-1x sunglasses, which stay in place during long runs and rides.
For equipment, Mollins blends indoor and outdoor training. He cycles on a $4,499 SuperSix EVO 3 bike, but when weather or terrain won’t cooperate, he relies on his $1,445 Peloton bike. He has a streak of over 129 consecutive weeks using the Peloton app, which he praises for its guided yoga, stretching, and meditation sessions. On his wrist is a Garmin Forerunner 965 watch ($599), which tracks everything from sleep to heart rate and performance.
Samuel Garcia: Faithful to Hoka
For Samuel Garcia, 31, a partner at Amplo and a rising star in venture capital, mornings begin with aerobic exercise. Whether biking, swimming, running, or using an elliptical, he prioritizes endurance.
When running five to six miles, Garcia swears by $30 Nike Dri-Fit tops for comfort, avoiding the irritation that cotton shirts can cause. But his most essential gear is the $155 Hoka Clifton 10 sneaker, which was recommended by a doctor after he broke a toe.
The Hokas proved transformative. “I tried walking in other shoes and it was painful. But when I put the Hokas on, I felt little to no pain. So now I’ve been wearing them for years, kind of religiously,” he says.
Brannon Jones: Blending Lululemon and Wearable Tech
Brannon Jones, 31, a venture capitalist at AlleyCorp, also embraces early mornings. Waking around 5:15 a.m., he’s in the gym by 6:30 a.m., where he alternates between CrossFit and high-intensity workouts inspired by his college football days.
Despite lifting heavy, he gravitates toward lightweight running gear particularly Lululemon shorts and tank tops. He never leaves home without his Hydro Flask water bottle ($13 Wide Mouth Flex Chug Cap), and he tracks progress with both a Whoop band and an Apple Watch.
“The Apple Watch is so functional for workouts,” Jones explains. “The Whoop goes deeper, helping me understand my longer-term strain and recovery.”
Chase Dwyer: Keeping It Simple
Chase Dwyer, 28, founder of Carbon Ridge a company developing carbon capture technology for maritime shipping prefers simplicity. Fitness remains a non-negotiable part of his mornings, whether he’s cycling, running, or at the gym.
He favors $58 Vuori Tuvalu tees and $75 Nike Dri-Fit shorts, calling them both stylish and easy. His footwear of choice is $220 4T2 weekdays sneakers, which he has “run through a number of.” For hydration, he carries a black Owala water bottle, and organizes his gear in a $219 Db Journey backpack.
Modi Oyewole: A Nike Loyalist
At 38, Modi Oyewole has built a career in both athletics and music, working with brands and record labels. Today, he’s the founder of Swang, a golf community, and he maintains an active lifestyle with three trainer-led sessions per week plus additional workouts through ClassPass.
His wardrobe is split between Lululemon and Nike, but his loyalty is clear: Nike Metcons ($155–$175) are his go-to sneakers, and he carries essentials from protein shakes to Crocs in an oversized Nike tote.
Sweat, Style, and Structure
What unites these men beyond their success in industries like finance, venture capital, and tech is the discipline to start their days with fitness. Their essentials range from $30 performance tees to high-tech wearables and AI-powered tracking tools.
For Antonio White, it’s about integrating technology like ChatGPT into his routine. For Bobby Mollins, it’s a balance of comfort-driven apparel and data-rich devices. Samuel Garcia swears by doctor-recommended footwear, while Brannon Jones embraces wearable tech. Chase Dwyer keeps things minimal and functional, and Modi Oyewole leans into his Nike fandom.
Their message is consistent: exercise isn’t just about physical strength it’s about setting the tone for professional and personal success.
