The sun hasn’t fully risen yet, but Boulder is already in motion. The crisp mountain air carries the scent of pine, the city waking with a rhythm that feels both effortless and intentional. And no early morning bears awake yet.

A little tired but alive with curiosity, I step onto the trail, the dirt still damp from last night’s chill, my breath visible in the morning air. This is my space—where clarity meets movement. Some mornings, I walk with purpose, fully present. Other mornings, I catch myself drifting—thinking about the emails I haven’t answered, the meetings stacked ahead, the noise before the day has even begun.

That’s when I remind myself: this moment is a choice.

Leadership is a Choice, Not a Reaction

Every morning, we stand at a crossroads:

Wake up with clarity, set our intention, and lead the day—or… Start in reaction mode, check the emails, answer the texts, and let the day lead us.

I’ve done both. And I know the cost of drifting.

The Drift is Expensive

Drifting isn’t just about wasting time—it’s about losing control of your impact. One moment, you’re in charge of your day. The next, you’re reacting to a hundred demands that aren’t yours. It happens fast.

Without setting clear intentions:

• You let the loudest voice in the room dictate your focus.
• You react instead of leading with purpose.
• You feel drained at the end of the day, without knowing what truly got done.

And by the time you realize it, you’re running on someone else’s priorities, not your own.

The Primal Edge: Wake. Lead. Win.

The edge in leadership doesn’t come from theory—it comes from presence, clarity, and bold decision-making. This is what Primal Leadership is all about:

• Decisiveness over doubt – No waffling. No waiting. Leaders make the call and own it.
• Presence over posturing– You don’t need to prove yourself when your actions speak for you.
• Conviction over comfort – Playing it safe never built anything great.
• Trust over control – Influence isn’t about forcing people; it’s about making them want to move with you.
• Action over excuses – If it’s in the way, you handle it. No complaining. Just results.

The Leader Within doesn’t care about your inbox. It doesn’t wait for a better time. It doesn’t negotiate with doubt.

It moves. It decides. It takes the first step.

The question isn’t whether you have a Leader Within. It’s whether you let it lead.

Here’s an example of a CU student who knows her Leader Within.

The 3-Minute Primal Morning Ritual

Before you check your phone. Before you let the world pull you in. Take three minutes to reclaim your leadership edge.

1. STOP – Interrupt the noise. Where is your mind? Leading or drifting?
2. LOOK – What’s the one thing that matters most today? Say it. Write it. Own it.
3. CHOOSE – Move with purpose. Act like it’s already done.

Boulder as a Leadership Training Ground

Boulder isn’t just where I live—it’s a daily lesson in leadership.

The mountains don’t force you to climb, but they invite you to rise.

The fluctuations in the day-to-day temperatures don’t ask permission, but they demand adaptation.