The Secret Sauce of Endless Energy

There are peculiar things in life I’ve always found fascinating. Take heartburn, for example: I’ve never experienced it. I’ve never taken a Tums, and honestly, I’m not even sure I’d recognize heartburn if it happened to me.

In my industry, physical exertion is part of the job. Working 15, 16, even 17-hour days isn’t unusual. Months without a day off, high stress, endless movement—fatigue is inevitable. Yet, much like heartburn, burnout is something I’ve never truly known. I might feel tired, sore, or exhausted at times, but I don’t seem to hit that wall others describe as burnout.

I’ve spent years wondering why.

I believe it comes down to this: we are both spirit and flesh—two natures woven into one being. The body absolutely grows weary; it needs rest, food, and recovery. But the spirit—the soul, the consciousness, the spark of God within us—doesn’t seem to tire the same way. Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is within you.” I believe He was speaking of that unshakable, inexhaustible part of us.

When we sleep, our bodies recharge. Our souls, though, continue their journey—whether we remember it as dreams or not at all. The spirit never truly rests; it simply is.

A couple of decades ago, I realized I’d been living most of my life on autopilot. Every now and then I’d catch a fleeting glimpse of reality—moments of awe, clarity, and beauty—and then slip back into routine. Those moments felt like being fully alive. I began to ask myself: How do I live in that state, not just visit it?

Over time, I noticed something: those glimpses happened when I was inspired—in spirit. So, I began to pursue inspiration intentionally. I read, listened, and surrounded myself with ideas, conversations, and practices that kept my spirit awake. Slowly, the glimpses became a way of life.

Now, I live more “Spirit-forward” than “flesh-forward.” I walk this earth led by spirit rather than dragged by flesh. And because of that, I seem to have a well of energy that lasts until I lay down at night. I no longer experience the same burnout, exhaustion, or mental depletion that once defined my life—or that I see so many others battling.

When we live flesh-forward—guided mostly by the body, with only occasional flashes of spirit—we feel drained, exhausted, burnt out. But when we live spirit-forward—intentionally inspired, awake, and present—the experience of life shifts dramatically.

I believe this is why we’re drawn to philosophy, religion, and spiritual practice. Whether through scripture, prayer, meditation, or inspiring texts, we’re seeking ways to live spirit-forward. And when we do, our daily experience changes. I’ve seen it in myself.

This isn’t to say my mind, heart, or body don’t get tired—they do. But living spirit-forward means the spirit carries more of the load. It infuses the flesh with purpose, stamina, and peace. It’s my “secret sauce,” if you will.

I don’t fully understand why I need less sleep, why I resist burnout, or why I can handle what others cannot. My ego would love to take credit for it. But deep down, I know the truth: it’s the spirit within me. And I believe that same spirit is within you, waiting to lead, to inspire, to carry.