The Series

Those moments between turning off the alarm and getting into our work routine can be the most defining 60 minutes of our day. Benjamin Franklin set a day's worth of plans by 5 am and Steve Jobs asked a simple question: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" Whether it's exercise, time spent with the family or simply enjoying a cup of coffee, our rituals are a reflection of us. So we've ventured out to discover how some of our most influential and fruitful peers get started.

"Summer means outside hose showers for me."

My Morning Routine

Luke Ditella

By Ronald Miller

July 19, 2017

Ask 10 people to take one look at Luke Ditella and guess his profession, and you might get 10 different answers. Woodsman, blacksmith, Civil War-era movie stand-in. Suffice it to say, not many would guess professional surfer, model and in-demand tastemaker. And while the beard evokes a blue-collar aura, Mr. Ditella is as comfortable in a Rolls Royce on 5th Avenue as he is tearing up the waves on the New Jersey coastline.

It's this renaissance approach to life that has earned him many a lucrative modeling and ambassador gigs (count American Crew, Tom Wood, Shinola, and Abercrombie on his resume), and what attracted Lab Series to the world traveler. Between the constant globetrotting, various business ventures, acting and modeling, things can get hectic. So we hit him up to talk about how his morning routine keeps him centered and focused.

My Routine

Depending on the previous day/night, I try to wake up and start my day around 8 am. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't.

I target 6-8 hours of sleep. But, like most people, it's less most of the time.

The first 60 minutes is definitely the strangest part of my morning. I kick things off with a shot of apple cider vinegar and a few glasses of water right away. Oil pulling comes next to release toxins and help fight bacteria, followed up with my red eye coffee (shot of espresso + cup of coffee). Emails, of course, are being read and answered throughout this process.

I like to get outside first thing in the morning, so I usually get my red eye from a local cafe. Occasionally, if things are really crazy, I'll just make it at home.

It's rare that I eat breakfast. I've been that way my entire life. I don't really follow the three meals a day plan. Honestly, I just eat when I'm hungry, and that's it.

The the most important part of my morning is all about visualizing success and creating positive energy. I try to mentally prepare positivity and let my inside world dictate the outside one, rather than the other way around.

My grooming routine is pretty bare bones.

But I swear by quality products. Simple coconut oil for various uses, old school Italian cologne, aluminum-free blackcurrant deodorant and a range of Lab Series products.

Future
Rescue
Repair serum,
$25 by
Lab Series

No Offense deodorant,
$19 by Origins

Max LS
Power
Lifting
cream,
$80 by
Lab Series

Apple cider
vinegar and
honey tonic,
$26 by
Fire Cider

Organic coconut,
$5.99 by Spectrum

Colonia
Ebano,
$235 by
Aqua di Parma

Clockwise, from top left:
Future Rescue Repair serum, $25 by Lab Series; No Offense deodorant, $19 by Origins; Max LS Power Lifting cream, $80 by Lab Series; Apple cider vinegar and honey tonic, $26 by Fire Cider; Organic coconut, $5.99 by Spectrum; Colonia Ebano, $235 by Aqua di Parma

My Daily Uniform

Timelessness is important to me. Money, in my opinion, can't buy good style. It can buy fashion. I try to find clothes that are cool now, were cool ten years ago, and will be cool ten years from now.

Sea washed utility shirt, $148 by Taylor Stitch

The Series

My Morning Routine

Luke Ditella

My Routine

My Daily Uniform

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