Up next, mom, producer, television, and podcast host, Catt Sadler’s morning routine.
One of my favorite quotes says, “Be the energy that you want to attract,” meaning, if you share kindness and positivity with the world, it’ll come right back to you. Catt Sadler is one of those people who exemplifies this law of attraction in action. If you’ve followed her on Instagram or watched her many red carpet interviews as one of the hosts on E! News, Daily Pop, and other E! shows, you couldn’t be blamed for assuming she lives a charmed life. There’s no doubt that Catt is gorgeous, whip-smart, and hilarious. But a closer look reveals a woman who’s worked incredibly hard to build her decades-long career, chooses kindness and positivity in the face of challenges, and prioritizes her relationships above all else. In other words, she puts a lot of goodness out there and gets a lot of goodness back.
I’ve been a longtime fan of Catt’s podcast (she launched her newest, It Sure Is a Beautiful Day earlier this year and just recently kicked off a weekly show, A Drink With Live! where she interviews incredible women before a live virtual audience) and felt like we were already friends although we’d never met in person. So, of course, I pulled the “Wake Up Call” card and asked if we could interview her on her morning routine. You know, so we could hang out IRL. It worked! Catt invited us into her light-filled Hancock Park bungalow and spilled the details on her favorite books for AM inspo, her on-point skincare routine, and her unexpected career highlight.
Read on for Catt Sadler’s morning routine…
Tell us about your new podcast, It Sure Is A Beautiful Day. What inspired it?
I’ve created an upbeat inspiring space for people who want more joy in their lives. For people who want to feel less alone in their struggles. It’s girl gab-sesh meets enlightenment sprinkled with stories, as shared by my various guests.
It is completely unfiltered, and for me professionally, it’s very rewarding to share more parts of myself with the world. It feels like by me doing more of that, others are given permission to do the same—and there’s powers in that!
It’s been inspiring to see you continue to evolve through these different stages of your career. What has been your biggest learning over the past year?
Thank you! When the pandemic forced me to slow down, I took real inventory of my life. The stillness taught me to take better care of myself, so in turn I could be of better service to others. Also, I learned commitment through various disciplines that molded me into a happier human. More consistent exercise. Consistently saw my therapist. More writing and praying.
Sticking with healthy practices day after day, week after week, really does work if you’re wanting to stretch into your most powerful self.
Let’s get into your morning routine. What time is your wake-up call?
I generally wake up between 6:30 and 7:00am. I don’t like less than seven hours sleep anymore. The older I get the more sleep I require. I make listening to my body a priority. Luckily my boys are 16 and 20 so they set their own alarms (and generally sleep much later than me), so this time of day is quite calm and serene.
What’s always on your nightstand?
My SLIP eye mask, lavender room and linen spray, a large glass of lemon water in my YETI (stays cold longer), and my phone on a charger.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
The first thing I do is pet and cuddle up with my rescue, Nipsey. He’s my small dog who sleeps with me. Luckily, Scarlett my German Shephard prefers her bed on the floor next to us.
What does a typical morning look like for you?
First, I let the dogs outside into our backyard. Then I beeline to the kitchen to make coffee. It’s a sweet ritual for me. I grind the beans, boil the water for the press, and even steam my own oat milk. Divine! Afterwards, it’s straight to my desk in my home office where I’ll journal for a few minutes. It sets the tone for my day before I open up my inbox and things get crazy.
Catt’s living room is an oasis of calm—perfect for a moment of reading and mindfulness.
What morning rituals set you up for success?
My pre-work rituals are making my bed (most days), opening the curtains (I love the Cali sunshine!), making my coffee, taking my supplements, and writing in my two journals with some easy, chill, instrumental music accompanying me. One is a gratitude journal, the other is where I keep letters to my spiritual guides. In this journal I ask for guidance, how to be used or directed on the right path, or I share anything else that’s on my mind or weighing on me. I once heard that in order for the universe to really listen to your desires, you must not only think about them, but write them down. It shows commitment.
What are your favorite books?
Currently I’m obsessed with How to Do the Work by Dr. Nicole LePera and Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker.
Describe your morning beauty routine from start to finish:
Somewhere between the coffee and writing and first few work emails, I will make my way to the bathroom and enjoy my morning beauty routine.
First I wash my face with Mario Badescu Gentle Foaming Cleanser.
Before I add any other products I’ll use Nurse Jamie’s Instant Uplift Massage Roller to get the blood flowing and bring some color to my face. Reduces puffiness, too.
Then I use REN Ready Steady Glow AHA Tonic on a cotton ball.
I follow that up with various serums (I alternate a lot.) Some of my favorites are Skin Ceuticals CE Ferulic and Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum.
I never skimp on eye cream. I like GOOP Beauty’s GOOPGENES All-in-one Nourishing Eye Cream or Kate Somerville Lifting Eye Cream.
After that I use my lash serum: Vegamore.
My favorite daytime moisturizer is Murad Essential C with SPF 30.
Sunscreen is the holy grail so I’m often reapplying Kate Somerville Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 and also Sun Bum Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 30.
If I’m not heading out the door I often wear 111Skin Rose Gold Illuminating Eye Masks while I work in the morning.
Catt’s incredible fragrance collection includes several picks from Byredo.
What do you eat for breakfast?
I don’t eat breakfast, only coffee first thing. I guess by default I’m technically intermittent fasting most days. I listen to my body and typically get hungry or need some fuel around 11am. Some favorites at home are the world’s simplest avocado toast or the world’s most complicated smoothie (I add so many superfoods and super powders it’s ridiculous—recipe below.) I also have Think! bars at my desk as easy snacks I can grab that are good for me.
Catt’s (It’s Complicated) Smoothie
- 3/4 cups frozen berries
- 1 banana
- pinch of spinach
- 1 tablespoon Navitas Superfood and Adaptogen Blend (maca + reishi + ashwaganda)
- Dash of chia seeds
- Dash of hemp seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 scoop Form Superblend Plant Based Protein
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- Dash of honey
- 1 cup almond milk
Blend it all up, and drink!
What will we always find in your refrigerator?
Sound sparkling waters, almond butter, oat milk, eggs, hummus.
What are your morning media rituals?
When I’m at my desk, I listen to the Productive Morning playlist on Spotify. If I sneak out to walk the dogs or walk myself (ha!) I don’t miss The Daily podcast.
What’s your favorite getting-ready soundtrack?
I generally play the TOP HITS soundtrack on Spotify which is always changing. Usually peppered with energetic songs from my favs like Dua Lipa, Cardi B, Saweetie, Justin Bieber, Harry Styles, Ava Max, Lil Nas, Billie Eilish.
What has been the highlight of your career so far and why?
Whoever thought quitting a job would be the highlight of one’s career? But for me, it was. Taking a stand and walking away from an unfair situation felt like a singular story but the response was so massive that in the end, my leap meant something for many women, not just me.
A necessary conversation about equal pay got louder because of my decision, and that is pretty damn cool.
