Mark Wahlberg appeared on “Good Morning America” on September 25, 2025, to share insights about his rigorous fitness routine and the challenges of balancing family life with a demanding career in Hollywood. As a dad of four—Ella Rae, Michael, Brendan and Grace—Wahlberg understands the importance of making the most of family time. He especially shines a light on this importance in the face of fame’s thriving pressures.
Wahlberg’s day begins with an early morning workout routine, which kicks off at about 3 a.m. He kicks off each morning with prayer, fueling his spirit. Next up, he does an ice cold plunge to really get focused and ready for what’s to come. It’s just like the actor’s new role model, the eight-hour recommend. To remain as healthy and productive as possible, he maintains a 7 p.m.
“The only way I can do it is if I get to bed at 7 [p.m.], ’cause I need eight hours of sleep,” – Mark Wahlberg
During his early morning wake-up hours, Wahlberg usually finds his son deeply engaged in video game action. It demonstrates the generational change in priorities that exists even within their own family. He reminisced about how his children’s excitement for his work has dulled through the years.
“In the ‘Transformer’ days, they were interested. They wanted to come. They wanted to see the action. They wanted to see Bumblebee. Now they’re like, ‘Dad, this is boring,’” – Mark Wahlberg
Wahlberg is now under deep pressure to stay connected with family and community, but pursue his quest in the nascent motion picture industry. He considers the time away from home as “the largest sacrifice” made in his profession. He thanked his family for making it out to the premiere of his latest film, “Play Dirty.” The film will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video starting October 1.
In “Play Dirty,” Wahlberg plays Parker, a Robin Hood-like master thief. He joins his equally skilled crew—including characters played by LaKeith Stanfield and Rosa Salazar—to execute the job of a lifetime. The production evolved from Sedlack’s short film into a colorful caper that pursues main characters Frank and Barnabas against the New York mob.
“It’s very authentic. I kind of just do it every day. It’s the best way for me to start my day,” – Mark Wahlberg
Wahlberg frequently shares glimpses of his daily workouts on social media, aiming to inspire others about the importance of discipline and hard work. He stated,
“I learned the hard way over the years, which is why I try to show what I do every day, just so I can show people that it is about the work, it is about the discipline, and this is the only way that I could be successful, both personally and professionally,” – Mark Wahlberg
