The Road Test: Will Travel Make You Weaker or Stronger? It's Your Call.

Your Zip Code May Change, But Your Standards Don’t.

Whether you’re in 96753 (Maui) or 56001 (Mankato), why would your approach to mindset, sleep, nutrition, fitness, and hydration be any different?

Yet, most men let travel derail them. They return bloated, sluggish, and off-track—blaming flights, client dinners, or a lack of gym access.

Not you.

You see travel differently. You see it as a test—a chance to prove that your standards aren’t dictated by your surroundings. A chance to return stronger, leaner, and sharper than when you left.

Because as Garrett Unclebach says:

That’s the “zip code doesn’t matter” mindset—a principle that separates those who let travel be an excuse from those who use it as an advantage.

Most men step onto a plane already assuming they’ll “just get back on track” when they return home. But why go backward in the first place? Why accept that business trips have to mean poor choices? Why assume vacations have to include excess that takes weeks to undo?

You don’t have to play by those rules.

Travel isn’t a break from discipline. It’s a proving ground. It’s the opportunity to execute, adapt, and thrive—regardless of the environment.

The key? Preparation. Execution. Non-negotiable standards.

With the ABC(D) Goal System, you’ll have the exact framework to stay locked in—whether you’re on the road for work, taking a family vacation, or hopping time zones.

This isn’t about doing the best you can given the circumstances.
It’s about knowing exactly what you’ll do—no matter the circumstances.

Plan right. Execute daily. Return better.

Set Your Travel Objectives — Plan for Success, Not Excuses

Most men wing it when they travel.

They book a flight, pack a bag, and assume they’ll “figure it out” on the road. Then reality hits—bad sleep, poor food choices, a skipped workout—and suddenly, they’re in damage control mode instead of execution mode.

That’s not how you operate.

Success in travel—like anything else—comes down to a clear plan and non-negotiable standards.

Before your next trip, ask yourself three questions:

1. What will happen?

Anticipate the challenges. Jet lag, late-night client dinners, unpredictable schedules, and hotel gyms that barely qualify as gyms. What’s the game plan?

2. What do you want to happen?

Set the outcome. Are you maintaining? Progressing? Will you get stronger, leaner, sharper on this trip? Define success before you step on the plane.

3. What will you do no matter what?

These are your non-negotiables. The core actions you will take regardless of location, schedule, or excuses.

This mindset puts you in control. It eliminates guesswork and weak excuses. It ensures that, no matter where you are, your standards stay locked in.

Write it down. Plan it out. Commit.

The ABC(D) Goal System—Your Travel-Proof Strategy

Most men rely on motivation to stay on track when they travel. You know better.

Motivation is unreliable. Systems win.

The ABC(D) Goal System is your travel-proof framework—allowing you to execute at any time, in any place, without excuses.

It’s built for adaptability. Whether you’re jet-lagged, crunched for time, or in a city that doesn’t cater to your habits, this system keeps you moving forward.

Here’s how it works:

A — Ambitious Goal

When conditions are perfect, go big. These are the days when you get in a full workout, optimal meals, and deep sleep.

• Book a hotel with a real gym, not a treadmill and some dumbbells.

• Find a local training facility. Drop in. Make it count.

• Eat clean, hit your macros, and double down on hydration.

• Stick to your sleep schedule and maximize recovery.

B — Baseline Goal

The minimum standard you commit to—no matter what.

• A 20-minute bodyweight circuit in your hotel room.

• A brisk walk between meetings or during a layover.

• A protein-dominant meal even if everything else is off.

• Prioritizing six hours of sleep even in subpar conditions.

C — Conservative Goal

When travel throws a curveball—flight delays, packed schedules, zero control—this is your fallback.

• Stretch and move before bed.

• Eat something high in protein instead of caving to junk.

• Get any movement possible—walk the terminal, take the stairs, do some squats.

• Hydrate aggressively.

D — Did Not Do

This is the line you do not cross.

There’s a difference between adjusting and abandoning your standards.

• Skipping all movement? Unacceptable.

• Eating garbage at every meal? No.

• Letting travel be an excuse to go backward? Never.

Even on your worst travel days, you do something.

That’s the ABC(D) System.

It removes the guesswork. It forces execution over excuses. It ensures you always have a plan of action—regardless of the conditions.

Travel isn’t a reason to fall behind. It’s an opportunity to prove that your standards don’t break under pressure.

Real-World Execution: Applying the ABC(D) System to Travel

It’s one thing to understand the ABC(D) Goal System—it’s another to execute it in the real world.

Argent Alpha member Larry Pobuda is our travel pro. Unlike most men who let travel derail their standards, Larry raises his. His approach? Use travel as a way to sharpen discipline, not let it slip.

Here’s how you apply the same principles—battle-tested by men who refuse to let a zip code dictate their performance.

Mindset: Your Standards Don’t Change—Your Zip Code Does.

Most men let travel become an excuse.

Flight delays. Client dinners. No gym access. The list goes on.

The problem isn’t the situation—it’s the mentality.

The solution:

• Anticipate disruptions. They’re inevitable—be ready.

• Control what you can. The hotel, the schedule, the food choices—stack the odds in your favor.

• Execute the ABC(D) System. Know what’s required, and do it—no matter what.

Sleep: Protect It Like an Asset.

Sleep impacts energy, recovery, and mental sharpness—and travel can wreck it.

• A Goal: Stick to your normal routine. Use blackout curtains, eye masks, and adjust lighting to maintain circadian rhythm.

• B Goal: Get at least six solid hours, even if the schedule shifts.

• C Goal: Nap strategically—20–30 minutes to recharge.

• D Line: No all-nighters, no running on fumes. You don’t “push through” sleep debt—you pay for it later.

Nutrition: Plan Ahead or Pay the Price.

When you don’t control your food environment, the environment controls you.

• A Goal: Track macros, eat clean, and maintain your usual diet.

• B Goal: Stick to protein-dominant meals and prioritize hydration.

• C Goal: Hit one good meal per day to avoid a total breakdown.

• D Line: Eating junk at every meal. You don’t need to be perfect—just not reckless.

Winning the Food Game While Traveling

One of the best tactics for staying in control while eating out comes from Clint Murray, an Argent Alpha member and coach, who simplifies it down to this:

Don’t order off the menu. Always go with grilled or broiled protein + veggies + healthy fats. Almost every restaurant will accommodate. No guesswork. No junk.

✔ Pack protein bars, beef jerky and peanut butter packets for backup.
✔ Follow the “protein first” rule—it keeps hunger and cravings in check.
✔ Hydration is key. Flying dehydrates you—electrolytes help.

Fitness: No Gym? No Excuses.

Your body doesn’t care if you’re in a 5-star hotel or an airport terminal—it just knows if you moved.

• A Goal: Full workout in a gym. Lift heavy, push hard.

• B Goal: Get in a solid bodyweight circuit or a long walk.

• C Goal: Do something—even 50 air squats in your hotel room.

• D Line: No movement at all. Unacceptable.

Travel-Proof Fitness Hacks

✔ Jump rope—packs small, delivers a killer workout.
✔ Hotel room circuits—push-ups, squats, lunges, planks. No excuses.
✔ Airport strategy: 5-minute wall sits or walking lunges while waiting.

Hydration: The Silent Travel Killer.

Flying, changing time zones, and long hours on the road wreck hydration levels—which impacts performance, mood, and recovery.

• A Goal: Hydrate aggressively—water + electrolytes.

• B Goal: Always carry a water bottle, drink throughout the day.

• C Goal: At minimum, drink water with every meal.

• D Line: No hydration. Dehydration equals fatigue. Period.

✔ Limit alcohol—travel already dehydrates you.
✔ Electrolytes help combat travel fatigue.
✔ Drink water before, during, and after flights.

No More Excuses. Just Execution.

The difference between most men and high performers?

Most men let their environment dictate their choices. High performers dictate their choices, no matter the environment.

The ABC(D) Goal System isn’t theory—it’s a battle-tested blueprint.

No matter where you are. No matter the conditions.
You execute. You adapt. You come back stronger.

Vacation Travel: Honor Your Standards and Still Have Fun

Some guys hear “stay disciplined on vacation” and assume it means sitting in the corner sipping water while everyone else enjoys themselves.

That’s not the case. You can have fun and come back better.

It all depends on how you define fun.

If your idea of a great trip is reliving Spring Break ‘87—knocking back shots, crushing keg stands, and waking up dehydrated in a hotel room with zero memory of the night before—then yes, you’ll struggle.

But if that’s still your version of fun? Let’s be honest—you’re not serious about your health, and this newsletter isn’t for you.

For the men who are serious—the ones who want to enjoy travel while staying sharp—it’s absolutely possible.

Fun isn’t about wrecking yourself for a weekend and undoing months of progress. It’s about experiences that energize you, not drain you.

• Train somewhere new. Drop into a local gym, run the beach, or hike a new trail.

• Eat like a man who respects his body. Enjoy great meals without losing control.

• Sleep well. Move daily. Hydrate aggressively.

• Make memories you actually remember.

Coming back stronger, leaner, and sharper doesn’t mean missing out. It means making a decision before you leave.

Your standards don’t ruin fun. They redefine it.

The Road Test: Will Travel Make You Weaker or Stronger? It’s Your Call.

You now have the blueprint. The ABC(D) Goal System eliminates excuses and ensures you execute—no matter the zip code.

Now, you face the real test.

Most men will return from their travels bloated, tired, and out of rhythm. They’ll chalk it up to "circumstances"—as if discipline is something that only works in a controlled environment.

That’s not you.

You execute, adapt, and return better than you left.

What’s Next?

You’ve got two choices:

1️⃣ Wing it like everyone else—hope for the best and “get back on track” later.
2️⃣ Use travel as a weapon—execute the ABC(D) system and prove that your standards are unshakable.

If you’re reading this, you already know which path you’re on.

Ready to Level Up?

At Argent Alpha, we don’t just talk about discipline—we live it. If you’re serious about raising your standards, join men who operate at a higher level.

🔗 Apply now to become part of Argent Alpha.

No more excuses. No more setbacks. Just execution.