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Follow Baker's adventures and training both on and off the field via Instagram at @bakermayfield.
Baker Mayfield isn't the kind of guy who does things quietly. He does what he wants, speaks the unvarnished truth and lives up to his promises. As Sports Illustrated put it, he's a "walk-on turned Heisman Trophy winner, a six-foot powder keg who slings it like Favre, trash-talks like Shaq and dances like Bruno." In his first NFL appearance, the natural-born leader guided Cleveland to their first win in 19 games—ending a 635 day winless streak. He then broke the record for touchdown passes by a rookie (previously held by Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson). To say that his unique influence has electrified Cleveland Browns fans and reinvigorated a long-dormant franchise is an understatement. We caught up with Mayfield, not long after a busy Super Bowl weekend, to see how he starts his day and maintains his motivation and consistency. Take a few pages out of his play book.
Follow Baker's adventures and training both on and off the field via Instagram at @bakermayfield.
The Series
Those moments between turning off the alarm and getting into our work routine can be the most defining 60 minutes of our day. Benjamin Franklin set a day's worth of plans by 5 am and Steve Jobs asked a simple question: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" Our rituals are a reflection of us. So we've ventured out to discover how some of our most influential and fruitful peers get started.
My Routine
When I wake up totally depends on the day ...
And what I did the night before or what I have going on that day. In season, I'm usually up a little before 5 am. On game-days, I sleep in until 8:30 or 9. During the off-season, I try to be up around 8 for a 9:30 workout.
I've always been someone who can survive off of minimal sleep.
I can get five to six hours and still be productive, but I know to shoot for eight hours, and that's always the goal. On game days, I sleep in for sure. I can tell it makes a difference.
As soon as I wake up, I hop in the shower.
I shower and brush my teeth (usually at the same time) and get dressed. Then I brew a big pot of coffee and get ready to attack the day. The whole process only takes me about 20 minutes.
My music starts playing almost instantly.
Music plays a huge role in my mental preparation for the day. Usually we play music right when we wake up and I always play it in the car when I'm headed to wherever I'm going. While I'm in Los Angeles, I usually have a 20 minute drive, whether I'm driving to the facilities or Proactive for training, and it really helps focus my attention. During the season, I listen to my game day playlist before every game. Tune in with me soon on EarBuds Music.
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Coffee is what really gives me that extra pep in my step.
But I'm not picky. I'll make it at home or pick it up from a coffee shop, just as long as I've got some when I need it. I drink it black and prefer cold brew over hot. At our facilities in Cleveland, we have cold brew on tap and that's my favorite.
I'm a big food guy.
Love, love my breakfast foods! Growing up in Austin, Texas, breakfast tacos were always a staple. My go-to taco is potato, bacon, egg and cheese. If I'm being extra sinful (and, well, honest) I'll go for donuts. But if I'm being healthy, I'll opt for a protein-heavy omelet with extra egg whites, spinach, turkey and some jalapeños.
When I'm on the road, I don't have to drive anywhere, so I definitely take extra time waking up to enjoy my quiet time.
Other than that, my morning routine stays pretty consistent. The less disruptions, the better.
I don't use a calendar.
I'm not really a to-do list kind of guy. Honestly, that's an Emily job—my fiancé. The people closest to me know how go-with-the-flow I am and it can stress them out occasionally. I focus on what's in front of me now and I've always said "If it's meant to happen, it'll happen." I pretty much live by that.
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My go-to products are a mix of
high and low.
I swear by the classics like Old Spice deodorant and Colgate toothpaste and Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Lately, I've been loving the beard oil from David Beckham's grooming line.
Clockwise, from top left
High Endurance deodorant,
$4.69 by Old Spice
Total whitening gel toothpaste,
$4.99 (for two) by Colgate
Softer Touch beard oil,
$27 by House 99
Nitro cold brew coffee,
$2.99 by Stumptown
Original blend coffee,
$8.59 by Dunkin' Donuts
Sullivan Street boots,
$445 by Allen Edmonds
Halo 3,
$19.99 by Microsoft
("For those that don't know, I'm also a big time gamer.")
Wireless noise-cancelling headphones,$349 / $329 by Bose
High
Endurance
deodorant,
$4.69 by
Old Spice
Softer Touch
beard oil,
$27 by House 99
Total whitening gel toothpaste,
$4.99 (for two) by Colgate
Nitro cold
brew coffee,
$2.99 by
Stumptown
Original blend
coffee, $8.59
by Dunkin' Donuts
Sullivan Street boots,
$445 by Allen Edmonds
Halo 3,
$19.99 by
Microsoft
Wireless
noise-cancelling
headphones,$349 / $329 by Bose
"For those that don't know, I'm also a big time gamer."
I don't really shave—just trim up my facial hair as needed.
As you can tell from my Instagram, I pretty much shave when I'm told to. Or I'll have it cleaned up when I get my hair cut. But I'm extremely picky about who touches my beard.
My outfits are geared toward what I'm doing that day.
When it comes to working out or anything sports related, I choose a "clean" Nike outfit. My go-to is joggers, a hoodie and a nice pair of sneakers. If I'm going to meetings or appearances or just need to look cleaned up or professional, I wear my Sullivan Street Allen Edmonds. I like their stuff because I can dress it up or down, and I can always still put my own spin on it.
