Many individuals are looking for motivation day-after-day. Whether or not it’s to pursue a fitness goal, 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 individuals will affirm that it’s not motivation that’s wanted however reasonably self-discipline. Anybody can get fired up after seeing a YouTube video or listening to inspiring phrases on a podcast. Nevertheless, that feeling is fleeting, and it takes that additional degree of dedication that comes from self-discipline to achieve the subsequent 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 tough at work on a challenge in his position 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 together with his first regulation, nevertheless 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 navy expertise. Listening to about Rory’s expertise is what made Dunlap determine to serve himself.
“I’m undecided if Rory even is aware of that or not,” Dunlap contemplated. “He’s an superior dude.”
Quick ahead to present occasions, 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 Supply Chain Management Officers Course (SCMOC), adopted by a deployment to CENTCOM in direct help 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 significantly, however he appreciates the chance.
“That’s what makes me really feel like I’ve a goal right here. I’m serving for one thing that’s greater than me.”
WHY PHYSICAL READINESS MATTERS
Whenever you put on the nation’s material, then staying prepared is non-negotiable. That’s one purpose 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 remains 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. “If you happen to’re within the navy, then you have 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 significantly 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 must price range time for it,” he mentioned. “I end the workday and go away straight for the health club, and that makes it a assure that I get it in. Earlier than I get anything accomplished, I need to go to the health club.”
CONSISTENT CONTENT CREATION
Many younger People have desires of being influencers or streamers or pursuing a profession in creating content material. They might imagine that it takes a full work schedule to make that doable, however Dunlap serves for example that somebody can nonetheless serve their nation and construct a private model on the identical 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 publish. I movie and publish between 4:30 and seven:30. They’re scheduled to publish all through the day so I’m not all the time on my cellphone.”
Dunlap has a private studio the place he movies and data his podcasts. He’s invested each money and time into this ardour challenge 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 capturing. 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 navy 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 manner.
“That’s after I realized that I have to develop my social media sufficiently big in order that I don’t must 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 persistently.
“There have been a whole lot of twists of turns alongside the best way. If you wish to develop it, it’s essential to spend cash, which implies earning money,” he acknowledged. “The entire basis of why I began it within the first place was to assist individuals.”
THE END GOAL IS ALWAYS SERVICE
Staying bodily match, being within the navy, and dealing on a private model are all very separate endeavors, however they’ve a typical 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 keen to work exhausting sufficient and put the betterment of others over their very own priorities. He additionally feels that committing to being your greatest self bodily will turn out to be an excellent asset that serves you when you serve others.
“It’s best to wish to be a succesful and bodily match human being as a result of these round you may depend on you for regardless of the state of affairs is. The factor that makes me really feel one of the best is after I do one thing to assist different individuals or takes care of individuals.”
To study extra about Dunlap, go to his website.
M&F Army Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this text.
