At 60, country star Craig Morgan is just getting revved up.
While many artists might retreat to relaxing retreats after a tour, Morgan opts for hands-on grit—spending his winter clearing pathways and cutting trees in Alaska’s harsh weather. He believes that accepting a certain level of pain can lead to greater rewards. “In our society today, we’re not willing to accept pain,” he explains. “But if you teach yourself to embrace it, the rewards on the other side are much greater.”
He recently told Country Muscle Podcast host Jeff Tomko how at age 60, he feels like he’s in as good as shape today as he has been in decades.
He also has a new album, American Soundtrack, which was released on February 28, features six songs that delve into themes of faith, family, resilience, and patriotism. Morgan’s desire to push limits stems partially from his 20 years of service in the U.S. Army. He has not only served in the military but also worked alongside the CIA in Panama and pursued sex traffickers in Thailand.
Remarkably, at the age of 58, he re-enlisted in the Army and excelled at every fitness test thrown at him. “I knew there would be naysayers who thought that because I’m Craig Morgan, I’ll have an easy time,” he states. “So I was adamant about not just passing the Army Combat Fitness Test, but I wanted to score really well, and I did.”
Craig Morgan CMP Highlights
- Work Ethic Makes the Man
Craig Morgan tells CMP how he’s developed a strong ability to remain calm under pressure. Whether it’s chopping down trees in the frozen Alaska wilderness to singing the national anthem in front of fellow service members, the “International Harvester” singer has made himself ready for every moment. - Hunting for Year-Round Health
Morgan has a farm in Nashville, and as an avid hunter, has his freezer continuously stock with lean meats. He still boasts that he’s the best hunter in Nasvhille, especially compared with his teammates, Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts’ Gary Levox:” I’m a better hunter than any one of them,” he says - He Relies on Intermittent Fasting
Morgan practices intermittent fasting while sticking a high-protein, low-carb diet, aiming to minimize his carb intake to around 50 grams per day as often as possible. While strict on some food choices, he makes time for the occasional wine and some small treats. One hard-no, however, are protein bars. “I don’t care what anybody says, look at that s*** that’s inside a protein bar. It’s not good for you.” - Work Through Your Insecurities
Even with a string of top-selling records, it took becoming a member of the Grand Ol Opry for the singer to finally realize he had made it in music. - Punctuality Matters
Morgan aims to mentor young artists with “boot camp”-style lessons from his experiences in music and the military. His first piece of advice focuses on the importance of respect for others’ time: punctuality is vital in the industry. “if you’re supposed to be at the radio station at 6am and you’re not there at 5:45, you’re late. That’s something I learned in the military. - Always Stay Grounded
Even with his successful career and a fully healed knee, Morgan retains the humility he had during his first recording session. He remains surprised by his fame. “If my wife and I are walking through an airport or if I go into Lowe’s and someone’s staring, my first thought is if my sipper’s down. Then I think, That’s right, I’m Craig Morgan.”