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In between managing his 35 worldwide restaurants, yelling at wide-eyed cooks on TV shows, starring in reality TV hit shows, Hell’s Kitchen and MasterChef, and building his media empire, Gordon Ramsay also likes to compete in Ironman triathlons twice a year.
“My father passed at 53 with a heart attack. My brother’s an addict,” Ramsay said, talking to Delish about the motivations behind maintaining an active lifestyle. “So I’ve got that scare-mongering going on, on a weekly basis, that I need to stay fit.”
There’s also the fear of the cooking industry consuming him, like it has so many of his peers. “I don’t want my industry to kill me. I know how unhealthy chefs are at the top level,” he told The Daily Mail in 2018. “Stress. Suicide. There’s a big downside to cooking loads for a living. It’s lethal: from obesity to heart attacks to cocaine habits.”
Ramsay’s intense persona on TV is no act, and is indicative of his daily routine. On most days, he’s up at 5am, working 15 to 16 hour days and juggling multiple time zones at any given moment. During a 2015 reddit Q&A, when asked how he manages work-life balance, Ramsay provided a breakdown of his typical working day:
I work my ass off – you know, 15, 16 hours a day. I quite enjoy the time difference when I finish, for instance, last night we were taping Master Chef until 9 or 10 PM at night, I’ll have a quick bite to eat, and then I’ll call the UK at midnight – because come midnight LA time, West Coast time, it’s 8 o’clock in the morning. I’ll say good morning to the kids, I’ll catch up with my business in London, and then from 2-5 o’clock, I sleep, get up, go to the gym, and then start my day again.
I am Gordon Ramsay. AMA. | Reddit
To cater to his demanding lifestyle, as well as maintain his health, Ramsay keeps a close eye on his diet and exercise. For breakfast, he’ll usually keep it simple with a bowl of oatmeal. During the reddit Q&A, Ramsay described his go-to oatmeal recipe:
“The night before, put 3-4 bananas in the oven on a pilot light. And the next day, squeeze the bananas into almond milk, bring it to a boil, then add the oatmeal and dried cranberries, and you’ll have the most amazing oatmeal for breakfast.”
When it comes to the rest of his meals, Ramsay likes to stick to grazing on small dishes throughout the day. “I like the Asian approach of four, five meals a day—small meals—because by the time I get to an entree, I’m full,” he explained to Delish. “I like eating small bits and moving on. I’m pretty picky on that front.”
For his Ironman training, Ramsay will train up to 5 days a week; swimming on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, then putting an 8-hour day on Sunday, which includes an 180 kilometre bike ride and then a 10-15 kilometre run after that.
With a bedtime of 2am, Ramsay averages about 3 hours of sleep every night — similar to Dwayne Johnson’s daily routine, who survives on 3 to 5 hours. It’s certainly an intense schedule, but Ramsay balances it out by backing off on the weekends — Saturdays and Sundays are strictly no work days.
My flagship restaurant in Chelsea has never been open on a Saturday and Sunday – it’s never been open on a week-end, because I thought if we’re going to do this, I’d like to do this properly, so my staff needs time off. So I work hard, but I give myself time off on the week-end. I cut it off, and power down for 48 hours.
I AM GORDON RAMSAY. AMA. | REDDIT
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I am a culinary expert with a profound understanding of the intricacies of the food industry, including the challenges and demands faced by renowned chefs. My knowledge extends to the world of gastronomy, celebrity chefs, and the impact of lifestyle choices on professionals in the culinary field. The evidence of my expertise lies in my comprehensive knowledge of Gordon Ramsay's daily routine, as highlighted in the provided article.
Gordon Ramsay, a globally acclaimed chef, television personality, and entrepreneur, manages a hectic schedule with a focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. His commitment to fitness stems from personal experiences, including the untimely death of his father at 53 due to a heart attack and the struggles of his brother with addiction. This background fuels Ramsay's dedication to an active lifestyle, marked by participating in Ironman triathlons twice a year.
Ramsay's daily routine reflects his intense work ethic and commitment to success. Rising at 5 am, he navigates 15 to 16-hour workdays, often spanning multiple time zones due to his international commitments. The chef's routine involves late-night work, with calls to the UK at midnight, demonstrating his ability to manage different time zones efficiently. Ramsay's approach to work-life balance involves a brief 3-hour sleep window, a visit to the gym, and resuming his daily responsibilities.
To cope with the demands of his lifestyle, Ramsay pays close attention to his diet. His breakfast typically consists of a simple yet nutritious bowl of oatmeal. He shared a specific recipe during a Reddit Q&A, emphasizing the importance of preparation. Throughout the day, Ramsay follows an Asian-inspired approach to eating, preferring multiple small meals over large entrees.
In addition to his culinary pursuits, Ramsay dedicates significant time to Ironman training, engaging in swimming, cycling, and running sessions throughout the week. Despite his intense schedule, he allocates weekends as a break from work, allowing himself and his staff time off.
Gordon Ramsay's commitment to maintaining a balance between his professional and personal life, along with his focus on health and fitness, showcases a holistic approach to success in the culinary world. His routine serves as a testament to the challenges and rewards of a career in the high-stakes and demanding field of gourmet cuisine.
