A Day in the Life of Ryan Seacrest: How the “Busiest Man in Show Business” Gets It Done

Millions of Americans have wondered how Ryan Seacrest manages to do it all – after all, he has about a dozen jobs. Now, thanks to a new profile from The New York Times, we get to find out.

Ryan Seacrest recently wrapped up American Idol’s first season on ABC (after hosting the reality TV singing competition for fifteen seasons on Fox). He shares the stage with Kelly Ripa each morning on ABC talk show Live with Kelly and Ryan. He’s a radio personality, with shows like On-Air with Ryan Seacrest and American Top 40). He hosts red-carpet shows for E!, along with other special televised events. He produces TV shows like Keeping Up with the Kardashians. He has his own menswear brand, Ryan Seacrest Distinction, along with a skincare line called POLISHED, which he developed with celebrity dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer. His Ryan Seacrest Foundation builds and operates broadcast media centers in children’s hospitals across the country. He isn’t called the “busiest man in show business” for nothing.

In his New York Times profile published online on June 12, Ryan Seacrest finally gives fans a chance to see how he gets it all done – he provides a glimpse into his daily routine as part of a Times series on men’s self-care habits. So how does he do it? According to the Times article, with a health-conscious daily schedule that he’s fine-tuned over his years in showbiz.

Per the Times, this schedule begins at around 6 am with a shower, a shave, and a moment to apply facial moisturizer. (An onscreen presence like Ryan Seacrest can’t skip the skincare – especially given that he’s the face of his skincare line POLISHED, which was designed with men’s needs in mind.) Then he gets dressed to head to the studio where he films Live with Kelly and Ryan. “[Generally], I have a uniform: I get into a pair of sweats, a zip-up hoodie and a T-shirt,” he explains.

He catches up on the news and watches a little TV while he gets ready. Then, before he heads out the door, Ryan Seacrest – like so many of us – enjoys a cup of coffee to jumpstart his day. But unlike most of us, the healthy star precedes the coffee with a different hot beverage: matcha tea. “I do matcha to set the tone for my body, because it has so many great things in it,” he explains to the Times.

Ryan Seacrest’s commitment to his health doesn’t end with his morning beverages – he also regularly works out with a trainer. “Most recently I’ve been boxing with a boxing coach. If anybody ever jumps me, I’m ready,” he jokes to the Times. His exercise routine also includes running (preferably outside) and riding a Peloton stationary bike.

Ryan Seacrest’s commute from his townhouse on New York City’s Upper East Side to the Live studio is an enviably brief seven minutes long. He always commutes by car so he can read on his way to work – and he tries not to get too distracted by his phone when he doesn’t need to be looking at it. “I’ve found simply not having my device on me is a very good thing and the world lives on,” he says.

Ryan Seacrest also reveals to Times readers that his ability to be so productive each day is largely due to how well he knows himself. “I’ve learned… that I only have the capacity to engage in so much for certain amount of times. I will only take a phone call interview or other requests after I get through the first half of the day. The afternoon is when I can think about things that are more long term,” he says.

But it’s not all work and no play for Ryan Seacrest. While the healthy star eats “mostly vegan,” as he tells the Times, he’s also a “massive foodie” who is “only working to eat well and drink wine.” So despite his jam-packed schedule, he loves making time for leisurely weekend meals: “During the week, it’s impossible, but Fridays and Saturdays, it’s fantastic to have a two-hour meal, family style, with a fantastic bottle of wine,” he enthuses.

While Ryan Seacrest remains the “busiest man in show business,” fans will surely be glad to hear that he’s making time to keep himself in tip-top shape – and that he manages to take a little time to relax, too.