If you lift first thing in the morning, is it best to eat your pre-workout meal or do it fasted? And how long should I wait to workout if I do eat the pre-workout first?

Eat BEFORE you lift!

Cortisol gets extremely elevated if you lift on an empty stomach and you will basically be working against yourself because when cortisol is elevated your body stores fat easier!

Below is the timing for how long you should wait to workout after eating a meal:

Simple carbs - 30 to 60 minutes before lifting
Complex carbs - 60-90 minutes before lifting

(EVERY pre-workout and post-workout meal should also contain protein. This can be in the form of food or a protein shake)