Up at 4 AM, On Stage by 8 PM: A Day in the Life of a Magically Mental Magician (a.k.a. The magician who runs on coffee, chaos, and card tricks)

Two minds. One mission: blow yours.

They say magic happens in the blink of an eye—but for me, it starts at 4 AM. Yes. While most people are hitting snooze, I’m already vertical, mildly coherent, and commuting to Fort Irwin with nothing but caffeine, the Holy Spirit, and a playlist that ranges from Disney ballads to 90’s gangster rap (don’t judge me).

By day, I’m at the National Training Center. By night, I’m one half of Magically Mental with the brilliant mind-reader James Knight. We’ve been known to read minds, blow brains, and ruin people’s trust in reality—just the usual evening activities.

The Props, the Prep, and the Perfectionism

Now let’s bust a myth: I don’t just throw props in a bag before showtime like I’m packing for a sleepover. The real prep happens days before. I’m cleaning every item like it’s headed to a TSA inspection, organizing props with military precision, and fine-tuning every single moment of the show.

That includes reviewing old performance videos, tweaking lines, reworking timing, and asking myself deep artistic questions like, “Did that joke land?” and “Why is my bald head so shiny?” It’s all in pursuit of the perfect performance—because the audience deserves the best. (And because magicians are obsessive maniacs.)

The Commute to Wonder

Once the day job’s done, it’s time to head to the Magic Castle. Depending on L.A. traffic, that drive can take anywhere from 1.5 hours to an epic 3-hour saga. It’s like the universe’s way of saying, “You want to perform magic? First, survive this enchanted freeway.” So, I gear up with tunes, patience, and the knowledge that I might arrive at the Castle either fashionably early or just in time for the finale!

The Calm Before the Curtain

Then comes my favorite part: standing behind the curtain at the Magic Castle. The lights are dim, the crowd is buzzing, and I’m about to step out. Just before I’m introduced, I take a moment. I think of my boys—Sebastian, Lennon, and Asher. That puts a big ol’ smile on my face. I tell them each I love them, that this one’s for them. And I say a quick prayer—asking God for the strength to inspire and make the audience laugh, smile, and maybe say, “Okay, that was actually insane.”

Ready for a Grown-Up Night of Mind-Blowing Magic?

If you’re reading this thinking, “I need to see this show!”—first of all, you have excellent taste. Second, here’s the catch: Magically Mental at the world-famous Magic Castle is strictly for adults. No kids, no clowns, no birthday party chaos—just world-class magic, mentalism, and mischief, all with a grown-up twist.

And it’s invite-only—so you’ll need to know a guy (hint: it’s me). Want in? Reach out. Send a message. Bribe me with coffee. If you’re cool (and promise not to yell “I know how you did that!” during the show), I just might send you a golden ticket.

www.JonathanMolo.com