Many individuals are looking for motivation day-after-day. Whether or not it’s to pursue a health aim, set up a platform or enterprise, and even perform the duties of their profession, they attempt to discover that psychological spark to get them going.
Probably the most profitable folks will verify that it’s not motivation that’s wanted however relatively self-discipline. Anybody can get fired up after seeing a YouTube video or listening to inspiring phrases on a podcast. Nonetheless, that feeling is fleeting, and it takes that further degree of dedication that comes from self-discipline to achieve the following degree.
United States Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant Kagan Dunlap resides proof of this, and there’s loads of proof to confirm his degree of self-discipline. It’s apparent when he trains, goes to work, or is difficult at work on a venture in his function as a content material creator. Sustaining a set schedule helps him in all sides of his life. It could not have been what Newton had in thoughts along with his first legislation, however it applies in Dunlap’s case.
”A physique in movement stays in movement.”
Dunlap has had previous relations serve, together with each of his paternal grandparents, however he was really impressed to serve himself by Rory Grosso, a co-worker that had previous army expertise. Listening to about Rory’s expertise is what made Dunlap resolve to serve himself.
“I’m unsure if Rory even is aware of that or not,” Dunlap contemplated. “He’s an superior dude.”
Quick ahead to present instances, and Dunlap is about to be promoted to Captain in early 2026. His decade plus in service has included a number of deployments and orders to attend the Provide Chain Administration Officers Course (SCMOC), adopted by a deployment to CENTCOM in direct assist of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). Whether or not he’s supporting these he stands alongside or defending others in want, the decision to serve has been one which he not solely takes severely, however he appreciates the chance.
“That’s what makes me really feel like I’ve a function right here. I’m serving for one thing that’s larger than me.”
WHY PHYSICAL READINESS MATTERS
If you put on the nation’s fabric, then staying prepared is non-negotiable. That’s one cause why Dunlap makes coaching a precedence after he finishes work. That mentioned, health isn’t solely about staying in form or sustaining excessive bodily coaching (PT) scores. It’s part of who he’s and one thing that he enjoys.
Dunlap defined, “I work out extra for psychological well being than something. That’s one thing that was a turning level for me after I was youthful, coping with melancholy and self-respect. I found health in 2006 or 2007 and located it made me really feel good.”
Whereas he’s not involved about being the strongest or greatest in his late 30’s, Dunlap continues to be as dedicated to coaching as he ever was.
“I do it to be a succesful human being and look good for my spouse in addition to in uniform,” he shared. “In the event you’re within the army, then you ought to be in higher form than the typical citizen.”
Coaching and being in form imply a lot to him that he commits to it as severely as a piece schedule or his devoted time to podcasting or posting on social media. That type of self-discipline is what it takes to honor that dedication to self.
“I positively should finances time for it,” he mentioned. “I end the workday and depart straight for the fitness center, and that makes it a assure that I get it in. Earlier than I get anything finished, I have to go to the fitness center.”
CONSISTENT CONTENT CREATION
Many younger People have goals of being influencers or streamers or pursuing a profession in creating content material. They might consider that it takes a full work schedule to make that potential, however Dunlap serves for example that somebody can nonetheless serve their nation and construct a private model on the similar time.
“My day begins at 4:30 within the morning. I shave and have breakfast, then I work on making round 5 movies a day and scheduling them to submit. I movie and submit between 4:30 and seven:30. They’re scheduled to submit all through the day so I’m not all the time on my cellphone.”
Dunlap has a private studio the place he movies and information his podcasts. He’s invested each money and time into this ardour venture as a result of he noticed the potential of what a big platform might do after serving to a younger Marine out within the face of tragedy. This Marine misplaced each mother and father in 2022 within the aftermath of the Uvalde, Texas taking pictures. His mom was killed, and his father died that very same week resulting from coronary heart failure. Dunlap shared this particular person’s Go Fund Me info on a number of bigger army affiliated platforms, and it resulted within the aim of that marketing campaign being met and exceeded. He was glad to assist however noticed that he might do that one other method.
“That’s after I realized that I must develop my social media sufficiently big in order that I don’t should ask for assist sooner or later, I can do it myself.”
As of December 2025, Dunlap has over 1 million followers on Instagram and over 970,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel. That following didn’t come in a single day. It was due to the self-discipline of filming and posting constantly.
“There have been quite a lot of twists of turns alongside the way in which. If you wish to develop it, you might want to spend cash, which suggests being profitable,” he said. “The entire basis of why I began it within the first place was to assist folks.”
THE END GOAL IS ALWAYS SERVICE
Staying bodily match, being within the army, and dealing on a private model are all very separate endeavors, however they’ve a standard thread for Dunlap. All of them require self-discipline to be his greatest for himself in addition to these round him, and so they all are for others as a lot or greater than himself. Youthful People can see him for example that they’ll attain many objectives in the event that they’re prepared to work laborious sufficient and put the betterment of others over their very own priorities. He additionally feels that committing to being your greatest self bodily will grow to be an awesome asset that serves you when you serve others.
“You need to wish to be a succesful and bodily match human being as a result of these round you possibly can depend on you for regardless of the scenario is. The factor that makes me really feel the perfect is after I do one thing to assist different folks or takes care of individuals.”
To be taught extra about Dunlap, go to his web site.
M&F Army Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this text.
