Ashton Hall is a temporary sensation

In late March, Ashton Hall hit the internet by storm with the release of his morning routine video: “Day 191 of the morning routine that changed my life (3:50am to 9:30 am).” If you’ve watched it, you’re probably familiar with his  Spartan lifestyle—ice plunges,  banana peel facials, constant running—you name it. Or maybe his Saratoga spring water. 

Ashton Hall is not your average influencer. The former running back-turned-online personal coach has built a following with motivational content, flashy routines and a commitment to fitness that goes beyond the camera—it’s a way of life.

“Fitness is more than the ‘look’ . . . it’s a lifestyle,” Hall claims, championing the idea that physical fitness builds self-confidence and fuels energy. Before his path to fame on social media, he quit his 9-to-5 to pursue online coaching promoted through social media. It wasn’t just about quitting a job; rather, he embraced an unconventional path that required his time and dedication. 

While his advice sounds liberating, it raises the question: how practical is it to trade stability for chance? 

After learning more about Ashton Hall, you’re probably wondering, “Does he really live like this, or is this just satire?”

With personal assistants managing nearly every aspect of his life—preparing his meals, handing him his (apparently unsponsored) Saratoga spring water, and even delivering him a towel after swimming—it’s hard not to think that his routine is staged. The way he conveniently has a camera propped for his three morning facials only adds to the skepticism. Yet, there’s also an undeniable appeal to his routine, which is oddly inspiring.

But here’s the bigger question: is he just an Andrew Tate clone?

Not necessarily. While Tate’s routine is more measured—starting his day with two liters of water, followed by a 45-minute workout and  two cups of coffee—Tate describes his day as work-oriented. “I spend every waking second on my laptop running the empire.” His rise to fame is attributed to his motivational content, exclusivity, and controversial strategies like “Hustler’s University.”

In contrast, Hall leans heavily into indulgence,  as you can tell in his Saratoga water rituals. Could he become the next Andrew Tate? Probably not. His reliance on reposting similar content is likely to lead him into obscurity, much like many influencers targeted towards Generation Z and Millennials.

Whether you see Ashton Hall as a lifestyle influencer or as the Saratoga spring water ambassador, there’s no denying that he has an ability to command attention. His morning routine exposes a harsh reality about our digital era: content today is driven by spectacle, amplified by algorithms that favor views over authenticity. 

Like many influencers, Ashton Hall’s relevance is fleeting. His moment of fame may vanish as quickly as it came.