Own Your Day: Aubrey Marcus’ Life Hacks We Live By

Hey friends, James and Cara here—Kerouacs Cruising from our sun porch with Bella, Norman, and Jewels wrestling in the back. Ep 44’s all about Own the Day, Own Your Life by Aubrey Marcus—science-backed hacks we wish we’d found years ago. Off-grid 8 years, we’ve hacked health, mindset, and routines—this book’s a cheat code!

Morning Kick: Sun + Stretch = Energy Boom

Aubrey’s big on starting with sunlight—10 minutes, no sunglasses, right at dawn. Science says it sets your circadian clock (think melatonin studies—Sleep journal, 2019). We roll out of bed, crack the curtains, and stretch while Norman begs to be freed. Energy’s wild after—pups feel it too, bounding outside. Off-grid, no alarm clocks—just sun.

Try it: 10 minutes pre-coffee, watch your day shift.

Play Like Pups: Joy’s Non-Negotiable

“Play more,” Aubrey insists—stress melts, dopamine spikes (see Neuroscience Letters, 2020). James built a jungle gym—ropes, climbing wall, pure kid stuff. I grabbed a coloring book and lost hours to it, grinning. Bella rolls in the grass, Norman chases lizards, Jewels digs—play’s their jam. We’ve added game nights too—online games and Catan with pals. Point is: fun’s fuel. What’s your play? Steal ours—your pups’ll thank you! James built a jungle gym, I’m coloring—joy’s fuel. Aubrey says play’s not optional and we agree!

Sun-Up, Sun-Down: Circadian Living Rocks

Eat when the sun’s up, crash when it’s down—Aubrey’s circadian hack’s gold. Your body digests best during daylight hours (gut studies, Cell Metabolism, 2018); the night is for rest, not calories to fat. Winter? We’re out by 8 PM, reading or snuggling. Spring’s longer days? More zip—sunset’s our cue now. Pups sync too—fewer late-night zoomies.

Hack: Skip dinner past dusk, and feel the difference.

Real Life, No Guilt: Booze, Pot, Sex Prep

Most self-help says ditch the “bad”—Aubrey’s real: moderate, don’t mourn. Sip a beer? Fine—unwinds us post-trail. Toke a joint? Chill vibe, not daily. Sex prep? Light meals, skip the bloat—science backs it (Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2017)—no judgment here, just balance. Pups don’t care if we’re buzzed—they still get cuddles.

Takeaway: Own it, but don’t overdo it.

Bounce Back: One Day’s Not Your Life

Slip up? Aubrey says forgive, reset—perfection’s a trap. James skips workouts, I binge chips—used to spiral us. Now? One day’s just one day—stress hormone research (Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2016) agrees: guilt’s worse than the slip. Next morning, we’re back—sun, play, routine. Pups don’t judge either!

Hack: Miss a day, start fresh, and don't beat yourself up.

Why It’s Our Jam (and Yours Too)

Eight years off-grid, we’ve hacked life through trial—Own the Day ties it together. Science (circadian rhythms, play’s brain boost) meets real talk (booze, sex, slip-ups)—it’s us: raw, joyful, pup-obsessed.

Snag it—Audible, paperback, whatever.

Aubrey’s podcast

Want our trail spin? Grab Paws + People—$7 at [ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising/shop]—pup + human fixes (purchase gets you an episode shoutout!).

Custom travel plans there, too—$75, your rig, your vibe.

Gear at [kerouacs-cruising.printify.me/products]

Tips at [ko-fi.com/kerouacscruising].

What's your hack? Hit join@kerouacscruising.com—we’re all ears!