Craig Melvin’s role at the TODAY show has evolved, but his morning routine remains largely the same—except for one crucial change: an earlier wake-up time. 

With his recent promotion to co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie, Craig’s early morning regimen is all about efficiency, 

ensuring he gets ready without disturbing his wife, Lindsay Czarniak, and their two children, Delano, 10, and Sybil, 8.

A Carefully Planned Start to the Day

Craig is meticulous when it comes to his morning schedule. To avoid waking his family, he prepares the night before by laying out his clothes, 

ensuring he can get dressed and out the door as quietly and quickly as possible. In fact, the entire process—from getting out of bed to heading out—takes him just 25 minutes.

“I take great pride in the speed with which I can get out of the house,” Craig says.

Having been part of the TODAY team since 2018, he is no stranger to early mornings. However, his wake-up time has shifted significantly since stepping into his new role. Previously, he would set his alarm for 4:15 a.m. on busier news days, or 4:30 a.m. on slower ones. Now, he is up at 3:45 a.m.—a time he admits is shockingly early when spoken out loud.

Balancing Work and Family Life

Adapting to this earlier schedule required practice. In preparation for the new role, Craig worked on adjusting his bedtime to ensure he gets enough rest. On work nights, he aims to be asleep by 8:30 or 9:00 p.m., which means his wife, Lindsay, often handles bedtime duties with their children during the week.

“She’s going to get a medal at some point for putting the kids down most nights,” he jokes, adding that he makes up for it by taking over parenting duties on weekends.

To prevent oversleeping, Craig has a foolproof system in place: a triple alarm setup. He relies on a radio alarm clock by his bedside, along with two additional alarms set on his phone. This method, he says, makes it nearly impossible to sleep through all three alerts.

A Structured Routine for Success

Craig’s streamlined morning routine includes essential personal care tasks like showering, brushing his teeth, and shaving. He also makes sure to take his daily multivitamin, an electrolyte mix, and allergy medication before heading out the door.

One thing he takes pride in? Never hitting the snooze button.

The Commute: A Musical Journey

Craig’s drive to work, which takes about an hour, is accompanied by a carefully curated playlist that helps him transition into the day. For the first 45 minutes, he listens to gospel music—a collection he has been building for nearly a decade. This time allows him to reflect, find inspiration, and mentally prepare for the day ahead.

However, in the final 15 minutes before he arrives at the studio, he takes a completely different approach.

“I switch over to the most ratchet hardcore hip-hop and rap that I can stand,” he says with a laugh. “I go from uplift and inspiration to ‘let’s get it going.’”

Commitment to the Role

Despite the grueling schedule, Craig embraces the challenge. His dedication to balancing work, family life, and personal well-being is evident in his disciplined approach to mornings. With his meticulous planning and commitment to routine, he ensures he is prepared to take on the fast-paced demands of live television while still making time for his family.

As he settles into his new role, Craig’s ability to maintain structure and efficiency will continue to be an asset, proving that a well-organized morning is key to a successful day.

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