The totally ripped star of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Sandy Wexler starts everyday with a unique ritual:Swallowing a frog.
![Terry Crews Is Always On](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/3401/223093/5927cc05357b2/Terry-Crews-Is-Always-On.jpg)
TERRY CREWS WAKES UP AT LEAST TWO HOURS before every early-morning call time to get in an intense workout. Many of these training sessions begin at a time most people consider the middle of the night. “The first thing I do when I get out of bed is swallow the frog, no matter what else I have scheduled later that day,” he says.
What the hell is “swallow the frog,” right? It’s Crews’ pithy encapsulation for his entire life mantra: Perform the hardest thing first. Don’t think, just do. Undoubtedly, the spirit of the maxim would make Yoda proud.
It's a way of life Terry Alan Crews has known quite a while, and a trait—along with his unbridled charisma and wit—that helps drive his continued success. After earning All-Conference honors as a defensive end at Western Michigan, Crews enjoyed a successful but unspectacular NFL career, playing on defense and special teams for five different NFL squads (and one NFL Europe team) from 1991-97. Yet during his gridiron days he never managed to cash in or become a household name like J.J. Watt or Von Miller. “I got cut every year,” says Crews. “But I kept coming back. I didn’t know how to quit.”
When his NFL career ended, Crews and his wife, Rebecca, moved to Los Angeles. Having worked in a super tough business for seven years, he wanted to transition to another super tough business: acting. Initially, he found himself depressed and inert. “I didn’t work out for more than a year,” Crews says about his arrival in Hollywood. Instead, he sat on the couch, watching TV, and gaining 30 pounds.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![7 Things Fitness Insiders Want You To Know](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3401/419011/5e6b8cca36a8f/crp_7-THINGS-FITNESS-INSIDERS-WANT-YOU-TO-KNOW.jpg)
7 Things Fitness Insiders Want You To Know
We asked seasoned coaches and trainers in the fitness industry for tips and advice that they wish all their clients and social media followers knew. From dispelling myths about training with injuries to assuming all box gyms suck, your training IQ is all but guaranteed to rise a few points after digesting these tidbits.
![GRAGE AGAINST THE MACHINES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3401/419011/5e6ba4677a529/crp_GRAGEAGAINST-THEMACHINES.jpg)
GRAGE AGAINST THE MACHINES
Fitness entrepreneur James Grage ditched the gym for resistance band workouts to spend more time with his family. Judging by his results, he won’t be returning anytime soon.
![GO TO BED TIRED](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3401/419011/5e6ba8f2aa4d1/crp_GO-TO-BEDTIRED.jpg)
GO TO BED TIRED
Forget brains, talent, or genetics. For Special Forces operator and former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy, hard work is the most important factor to a rewarding life.
![FINE ART: CHISELING A COMPETITION-QUALITY UPPER BODY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3401/419011/5e6b8f650b653/crp_FINE-ART-CHISELING-A-COMPETITION-QUALITY-UPPER-BODY.jpg)
FINE ART: CHISELING A COMPETITION-QUALITY UPPER BODY
How physique competitor Osamoje Imoohi shaped his mind and impressive body through fitness.
![Light Up Your Legs](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3401/419011/5e6bab0fca87a/crp_Light-Up-Your-Legs.jpg)
Light Up Your Legs
Juan Morel’s continued quest for bodybuilding’s top prize begins with his killer leg workout.
![ROMAN'S SECOND REIGN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3401/419011/5e6b8946e30a6/crp_ROMANS-SECONDREIGN.jpg)
ROMAN'S SECOND REIGN
After being sidelined with leukemia in 2018, WWE Superstar Roman Reigns returned bigger and stronger—both inside and outside the ring.
![COOL RUNNINGS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3401/419011/5e6ba213561c9/crp_COOL-RUNNINGS.jpg)
COOL RUNNINGS
To break out of his fitness funk, M&F ’s chief content officer, Zack Zeigler, challenged himself to complete a 5K, a 10K, a half marathon, and a 24-hour, 30-mile Spartan Race all in a week’s time.
![THE FUTURE OF STEROIDS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3401/419011/5e6ba796362a6/crp_THE-FUTURE-OF-STEROIDS.jpg)
THE FUTURE OF STEROIDS
M&F explores the advancements being made to PEDs, emerging drugs, and what this all means for the future of bodybuilding and other sports
![BRAIN FOOD](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3401/419011/5e6bb0d02de5d/crp_BRAIN-FOOD.jpg)
BRAIN FOOD
These seven foods will nourish your body and sharpen your mind.
![THE MODERN RUNNING SHOE...DISSECTED](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3401/419011/5e6badfee7768/crp_THE-MODERN-RUNNING-SHOEDISSECTED.jpg)
THE MODERN RUNNING SHOE...DISSECTED
More innovations have been made in the past decade to the running shoe than ever before, resulting in a product so efficient it was almost banned from all running events. Here are the major changes that have led us to the pinnacle of performance footwear.