How Tommy DiDario Built His Own Path in a Cutthroat Industry

Summary

Stronger with Don Saladino — Episode Summary

Episode Title:

How Tommy DiDario Built His Own Path in a Cutthroat Industry

Host: Don Saladino
Guest: Tommy DiDario
Date: November 11, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode, featuring media personality, host, and podcaster Tommy DiDario, delves into the essence of strength—not just in fitness, but through resilience, reinvention, and authenticity. Don and Tommy explore Tommy’s unconventional rise in the world of entertainment and media, touching on setbacks, career pivots, developing a personal brand, and the importance of human connection. The inspiring journey is full of actionable insights for anyone seeking to carve their own path in a competitive industry.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tommy’s Origin Story & Career Pivots

[05:17 – 14:11]

• Unclear Dreams and Taking Chances
  • Tommy describes arriving in New York with a "blurry" dream, uncertain about the specifics but driven to be in the arts and communications.
  • “I knew I wanted to always be in the business. I didn’t necessarily know in what capacity, but then when I figured it out, I went for it full force.” (Tommy, 05:26)
• Early Break: Modeling By Accident
  • While working at Abercrombie, he’s scouted by Ford Models, leading to international campaigns.
  • “Suddenly I’m in the fashion world at the top agency in the world. Never saw it coming.” (Tommy, 07:43)
• Transition into Acting and the Limits of the Industry
  • Tommy’s acting credits include “Broad City” and “Gossip Girl,” but negative experiences deterred him from pursuing it full-time. “It sucked the joy out of it for me, which is actually quite sad because I let people take that away from me.” (Tommy, 09:01)
• Corporate Detour: Social Media for Aeropostale
  • Pivot to running social, growing followers from thousands to millions. He learns vital, transferable skills.
  • “[It was] a crash course in social and digital, and I learned it and I rose quickly and I kept getting promoted.” (Tommy, 10:24)
• Launching His Own Brand & Consulting
  • Created a website focused on fitness, fashion, and lifestyle; began making self-financed video interviews for social.

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2. Breaking Through: Hosting & The Rachael Ray Show

[12:54 – 14:11]

• Ten months into his self-driven content creation, Tommy gets approached via Instagram DM for a segment on Rachael Ray, quickly becoming a regular contributor.
  • “Rachel looked at me, she’s like, ‘What are you doing next week?’… And then I became a regular. So I did six years on that show.” (Tommy, 14:02)

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3. Developing Trust on the Red Carpet

[14:17 – 22:38]

• The Art and Integrity of the Interview
  • Tommy never uses notes on the carpet and focuses on true listening.
  • “One thing I’ve never done on a carpet is look at a note. I won’t.” (Tommy, 15:58)
• Making Interviewees Comfortable
  • Builds trust instantly, leading to candid moments, even with guarded celebrities.
  • Story: Jennifer Lawrence’s team requests only Tommy to interview her after a previous breach of trust. “They called the show and said, ‘We’re gonna give you Jennifer Lawrence, but Tommy has to interview her, or you can’t have her.’” (Tommy, 18:27)
• Highlight: Jennifer Lopez Moment
  • Shares smart tactics for handling high-pressure red carpet moments with JLo, aiming for authentic, non-invasive questions.
  • “I said, ‘Jennifer, you and I have something in common…we both love love.’ …She lit up…Extra ran the headline, ‘Jen opens up about Ben on the carpet.’ I didn’t have to do that.” (Tommy, 21:24)

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4. Building a Podcast in a Saturated Market

[26:23 – 34:49]

• Initial Steps: Instagram Live During COVID
  • Launches “Let’s Stay Together” Instagram series, building audience without immediate payback, driven by the urge to connect.
• Big Break: Partnership with iHeart
  • Radio legend Elvis Duran notices Tommy’s work, offers him a flagship show on iHeart: “I’ve Never Said This Before.”
• Viral Moments & Human Connection
  • Invites guests to share something they’ve “never said before”—leading to powerful, deeply personal revelations.
    • “People tend to [share deeply] because it’s their space to put something in the world that maybe they feel like can help somebody else.” (Tommy, 30:15)

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5. Power of Short-Form Solo Podcasting

[30:23 – 34:49]

• Launch of “Tommy Talk”
  • iHeart encourages Tommy to add personal, 10-minute Friday episodes—unexpectedly, these outperform even celebrity interviews.
  • “It ripped and it went nuts…it was, you know, just as popular, if not more than, let’s say, the biggest star I’ve had on my show.” (Tommy, 31:41)
• Topics range from friendships to grief, showing the power of vulnerability and relatability.
  • “I almost told iHeart, like, let’s not run [the grief episode]…It was really weird to sit on…but it meant a lot to people.” (Tommy, 35:54)

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6. Philosophy on Career, Passion, and Listening to Your Gut

[36:22 – 37:42]

• Don and Tommy agree that trusting yourself, following passion and purpose over safe options, and being open to pivots is the blueprint for authentic success.
  • Don: “I don’t think we trust our gut enough…and I just got. Life’s too short. Yeah, we got to go for it.” (Don, 37:36)

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7. Fitness & Nutrition: Structure, Discipline, and Joy

[37:42 – 45:15]

• Early Roots and Family Influence
  • Grew up in a fitness-oriented family; started lifting at 6th grade as an anchor during family turbulence.
• Consistency & Routine
  • Rigid morning schedule: up at 5:30-6; full-body workouts designed by Don; highly structured diet.
  • “For breakfast, I have a shake. Like, I load it up with all the things…And I eat that breakfast seven days a week.” (Tommy, 42:39)
• Nutrition Approach
  • Focus on simplicity and foods that make him feel good; avoids alcohol/sugar out of preference, not just discipline.
  • “It’s not by restriction. It’s just how I like to eat, like how I like to live and what I like to do.” (Tommy, 45:13)

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8. Perspectives on Natural Fitness & Expectations

[45:15 – 48:43]

• Tommy discusses the value of staying natural and consistent, noting a cultural shift toward valuing realistic, sustainable approaches to fitness over extreme “enhanced” bodies.
  • “Consistency trumps intensity. We’re not saying it’s going to be 110% workout, but we are. This is part of our lifestyle.” (Don, 47:38)
• The fitness community online is starting to show more respect for attainable physiques and routines.

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9. Looking Ahead: Ambitions & Goals

[48:47 – 51:24]

• Tommy shares his dream of selling a romcom movie script, loosely based on his own life: “It’s better than half the stuff I watch on tv.” (Tommy, 50:08)
• Don and Tommy discuss the need for more uplifting stories and laughter in film and TV.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pivots:
  “I feel like I’ve had 85 careers, so where do I even begin?” (Tommy, 06:12)
• On Interviewing:
  "Why I love my job is because I love people's stories, and I genuinely am interested in your story." (Tommy, 15:18)
• On Integrity:
  “I call this human being one on one. This is about integrity.” (Don, 18:53)
• On Consistency:
  "It's not by restriction. It's just how I like to eat, like how I like to live and what I like to do." (Tommy, 45:13)
• On Fitness:
  "For me, the real turning point…was in sixth grade…I started doing like push ups and sit ups in my room…It became, from that point forward, a big part of my life." (Tommy, 39:20)
• On Trusting the Gut:
  "I don't think we trust our gut enough, and I don't think we go after the things that are meaningful to us enough." (Don, 37:36)

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Listener Q&A Highlights

Q1: Elements of a Great Interview

[51:24 – 53:44]

• Tommy’s Tips:
  • Research: “I walk into a room, and I will know more about the person I’m about to interview than I know about myself.”
  • Connect on Common Ground: Find relatable points of connection—hometown, experiences, interests.
  • Listen for Real: Go beyond the standard questions; show your investment in their story.

Q2: Favorite Exercises

[54:49 – 56:17]

• Don emphasizes back training for posture and overall health.
• Tommy champions training glutes: “Many men neglect training their ass…I think butt’s a great thing to train.”
• Both agree: train everything, stay consistent, enjoy the process.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Episode Theme: 01:00 – 02:06
• Tommy’s Origin & Early Career: 05:17 – 14:11
• Hosting Breakthroughs: 12:54 – 14:11
• Red Carpet Techniques: 14:17 – 22:38
• Podcast Journey: 26:23 – 34:49
• Solo Podcasting Success: 30:23 – 34:49
• Passion & Pivoting: 36:22 – 37:42
• Fitness & Daily Routine: 37:42 – 45:15
• Natural vs Enhanced Fitness: 45:15 – 48:43
• Future Goals: 48:47 – 51:24
• Listener Q&A: 51:24 – 56:17

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Tone & Atmosphere

The discussion is upbeat, candid, relatable, and infused with humor and friendship. Don’s admiration for Tommy’s willingness to reinvent himself and Tommy’s humility and honesty create an encouraging atmosphere for listeners facing their own uncertainties and aspirations. Practical advice blends seamlessly with rich personal anecdotes throughout.

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Recommended For

Anyone seeking motivation to chase a creative or unconventional dream, aspiring interviewers or media hosts, and listeners striving to build resilience, find purpose, or adopt more authentic approaches to health and success.

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Listen to this episode for a reminder that strength is about adaptability, integrity, and showing up—over and over—for yourself and your dreams.

Transcript

[Tommy Daddario]

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[Don]

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[Tommy Daddario]

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[Don]

I can never find anything in my size.

[Tommy Daddario]

I don't even know my size. I buy my clothes the same place I buy my groceries. There's a better way. Make it easy with Stitch Fix. Just share your size, style, budget and done. Your personal stylist sends pieces picked just for you. That was easy. Stitch Fix online personal styling for everyone. Free shipping and returns. No subscription required. Get started today@stitch fix.com.

[Don]

Hey everyone. Welcome back to the Stronger podcast. Today I had the privilege of being able to interview my really good friend Tommy Daddario. He's a successful podcaster. He's on the red carpet interviewing some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Tommy's also a friend and to be honest, has pivoted more impressively than anyone that I know in New York City. This is, this person came into New York City with a little bit of a blurred dream of what he wanted to do and to see what he's created in the space. I think is. Is so motivating, it's so inspiring. It's going to make so many of you want to just get off the couch and go chase down your dreams. Because this guy is writing the book for what it is he wants to accomplish in life right now. And he's doing it all. So we jump in on a lot of points in the ups and downs in his career. We talk about his fitness regimen, we talk about it takes to be a good interviewer, how to research people and the questions to ask. So I'm still smiling from this episode. I know you guys are going to enjoy this as much as I did. Hopefully half as much as I did.

[Tommy Daddario]

Let's go.

[Don]

First off, the Stronger podcast wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for our amazing sponsors. And right now I want to thank Vuori. I tried Vuori a few years ago, started diving into their gear. I was wearing their workout shorts cause I have more of an athletic build. Their T shirts are amazing because I find now when I work out, I don't wanna wear a dingy T shirt. I wanna wear something that looks nice because I'm on camera. And I'm on the gym floor a lot, but if I was gonna pick up with a bunch of my training partners and go grab a bite to eat, I don't look like a schlep. All right. It actually looks good. So for our listeners, they're offering 20% off your first purchase. Pretty significant. Not only will you receive 20% off your first purchase, but enjoy free shipping on on any US orders over $75 in free returns. Get yourself some of the most comfortable and versatile clothing on the [e-mail] stronger that's V U O R I.com stronger exclusions apply. Visit the website for full terms and conditions. Tommy, I don't know how you and I met so late in life. I even talk about your husband, Gio. I mean, you guys are literally one of the couples that Mel and I get together with. And every time we leave, we're like, we need to spend more time with them. You just find these meaningful people. But, you know, you and I have similarities with our Italian heritage, and I think a lot of background there that we've always shared. But, you know, when I think of my great grandparents coming from Italy, you know, I think of Ellis island showing up to the city, and I think of this excitement that they had, but also uncertainty. When I think of the modern days and people who come into New York trying to make it. Your story resonates well with me because you had this dream. You came to New York City with this dream, and you're like the epitome of someone who comes to New York City in a way, gets kicked, beat up a bit, stands back up and keeps fighting and makes it work and makes it work at a high level. It's like the Rocky story. I call you. Like, you're like my gay Rocky, so I'll take it. But, like, it really is. I think it's the ultimate compliment because this city will get chew you up and spit you out. And I don't think anyone has done it better that I know in my life than you because I. I met you later. But to hear your story of the ups and downs, to see the stuff on the red carpet and to see the work that you've done with clients I'm really close with that I know are awkward, and the second you get in front of them, you neutralize them. It's a gift. I don't think it's something that can be taught, but I think it's a skill that you continue to hone in on. Let's back it up a Little bit. Let's, let's start like, how did this. And what do I want people to gain out of this today? I want to look at you as inspiration. I want them to say, wow, this is someone that started a podcast in a very diluted time to start podcast. Let's admit it, no one's doing it better than you. I'm not. I'm not. Fine. The Rogans are more popular. They're more popular. No problem. It was timing. You're doing it better than everyone.

[Tommy Daddario]

Why?

[Don]

I want them to hear this. I want them to be motivated about it and I want them to say if they want something, they're going to go get it.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

So let's, let's start from the beginning. Tell me a little bit about how this started for you.

[Tommy Daddario]

Oh, God, man. Well, what an intro. Thank you, God. I feel not worthy for any of that, but thank you.

[Don]

It's the truth.

[Tommy Daddario]

That's very kind. Yeah, man. I've had a very interesting journey. I mean, I'm not going to lie and tell you that I thought I would end up where I am today because I never could have predicted it. And I think that that's part of my story, is taking chances and going into areas of my career that I'm in now that I didn't necessarily wake up and say, as a four year old, I want to be this when I grow up. Because that's the story you hear a lot of. Right. You hear people that have a dream, they go for it, they accomplish, Accomplish it. Mine was a little bit, a little smoky, if you will. I knew I wanted to always be in the business. I didn't necessarily know in what capacity, but then when I figured it out, I went for it full force. And I was like, I am not going to be stopped and we're going to make this happen. So, I mean, I feel like I've had 85 careers, so where do I even begin? Yeah.

[Don]

But that's the beauty of it. And this is. Let me, let me jump in quick. Because everyone thinks that their career is going to be like, I'm deciding what I want to do and that's it.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

And it's not. You have been malleable, you have pivoted, you found opportunities, it's opened doors to other things and you've went with it. And so it's. Where do you start? Start anywhere. It doesn't matter. You don't have to get all of it. But I want people to hear how many turns you've had to make. Along the way.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah, there's been a lot. So I'll give you kind of the condensed version. I went to school here in New York. I went to NYU and I studied communications and acting. So I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted it to be in that world. I have always had a business brain, but I've always had an arts brain and I equally love them just the same. So I graduated nyu, thought I would pursue acting a little bit. Was working in my last semester as the shirtless door dude at Abercrombie on fifth Avenue, and a guy came in from an agency and he's like, hey, I work at so and so and you're awesome. And have you thought about modeling? I'm like, no, I don't. I don't know nothing about fashion. Like, absolutely not. And then he was getting kind of weird and like, I thought he was honestly hitting on me. And I'm like, oh God, this. Trying to like, come on, dude. Like, let me just do my job. Go away. And he gives me his card I put in my pocket. I go home, I call my, my best friend and he's like, how's your day? What? And I said, oh yeah, Some like creepy ass dude came in and trying to pick me up and he said he's from some modeling agency and he goes where I take out the car and I'm like, Ford, like the car company?

[Don]

Like just Ford.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah. And he's like, that's legit and you should call him back. Yeah, call him back. Going for a meeting, sign a three year deal and suddenly I'm in the fashion world at the top agency in the world. Never saw it coming. A week later, booked an international campaign for Footlocker. My face was in every store in every mall in the world. So it just all happened very quickly and I went with it. And at the same time, I was still auditioning and going out for things in the acting world, but it really took over my life full time because I was working, I was grateful. Woke up one day towards the end of that contract, said, don't want to do this. Never signed up for it, grateful for it, but I just need more than showing up to sets and being told to smile. Right.

[Don]

What year was this, by the way?

[Tommy Daddario]

This was 2009. 10, 11.

[Don]

And when did you move into the city?

[Tommy Daddario]

5. So it was when I was graduating college. Yeah. So yeah, I decided to end my contract early and focus on more of the acting side of it and was auditioning and things were coming up, and I was booking parts on a show called Broad City at the time and Gossip Girl. And, you know, Scream 4 was being made, and I was in eight weeks of auditions for that and was being prepped to go film it. And then, you know, another dude got it. But it was just like, I was in it it. I was in it, I was doing it. And I had some experiences on that side of the business with people in power that were not great and who just really ruined it for me. And I thought, you know, it's not for me. Like, I just want to. If this is what the game is that you have to play, I'm out. Like, as you said, I'm a Jersey Italian. Like, I don't deal with bullshit. It was in the. It sucked the joy out of it for me, which is actually quite sad because I let people take that away from me. But I don't regret it because I also felt like maybe this isn't what I want to do full time. I enjoy it. It's fun. Like, playing basketball is fun, but do I want it full time? I don't know. I don't know. So then I had to figure out, what am I pivoting to? Needed a clean break. Joined the corporate world. Started running social media for Aeropostale. And, you know, social media started exploding. And I brought their account from a couple hundred thousand followers to, you know, over a couple million followers. And I was really good at it and creative and making content and on with Twitter and going to their headquarters in San Francisco and like, I was in corporate America. Did that for a few years. And I said, I miss the arts. I miss the arts. I always have that voice in my head. I miss it, but what do I want to do if I want to get back into it?

[Don]

And I thought, this experience you're gaining along the way, it almost. Don't laugh me right now, you're talking about this. You remind me of Karate Kid in the sense of when Miyagi was telling him, wax on, wax off, paint the fence, sand the floor, and he's learning all these things unknowingly. You're going to be using all of these things, whatever it is, five, 10 years later.

[Tommy Daddario]

Ten years later, 100%. Yeah. Like, I was a crash course in social and digital, and I learned it and I rose quickly and I kept getting promoted. So much so that I felt my life was either going to be that full time, like, I was ready to become eventually a president of some company and their social media marketing digital team, or I needed to make a switch. And I said, I don't. I don't want to do this full time anymore. So Gio and I met kind of near that period of time. Time, and almost 10 years ago. And he's like, well, what do you want to do? And I'm like, I don't really know. Like, I. I don't know. I want to launch my own website. And he helped me do that. And I started talking about things that mean a lot to me in the fitness space and health space and fashion and wellness and all of it. And I said, you know, I just want to, like, build my own brand and see where it goes, and maybe. Maybe it will lead into hosting, maybe not. Like, who knows? But I didn't even know I wanted to do that for sure. Launched a website, started getting involved with a lot of brands, and then I hired a dude from YouTube. And this is where it gets interesting. And I said, hey, I want to start interviewing people around the city and making these really cool experiential videos of me talking to people and putting them online and just seeing what it is.

[Don]

It's just an idea. You're just like, hey, why not?

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah, I didn't get paid for it. In fact, I had to pay him for it. But I knew if I wanted to start pivoting in that direction, I had to really leave corporate behind. So I left corporate, launched a consulting company, helped brands on my own run their social media, and started pursuing my other passion. So I was balancing both worlds. But I officially opened my own corporation, you know, almost 10 years ago and supported myself while I pursued this other area that I didn't know what it would be. So made the videos, you know, everything from going to Brooklyn and the first Matcha cafe opened up. And, like, people were like, what the hell is Matcha? What is this green drink? Like, this was 10 years ago and interviewed the owner of one of the first cafes that popped up in New York and made Matcha drinks and put it online.

[Don]

But you were taking a loss at that time because you're paying this.

[Tommy Daddario]

I was paying him. Yeah, right.

[Don]

Which is something that people just don't want to do nowadays. They wanted to. How am I going to be profitable on day one? I'm like, you're not always going to be.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah. You know, you got to just go for it. And then Steve Weatherford is a former NFL super bowl champ. I met him at a shoot once. We stayed in touch. I said, hey, let's go do something crazy, like upside down, anti gravity Yoga. Like, two dudes just hanging on ribbons. And, like, let's talk about it. And we did it, and it, like, did really well online. So I just kind of started putting this out. My social was growing and. And a producer from the Rachael Ray show reached out on Instagram 10 months in. So I was doing this for, like, 10 months, not knowing where it would go.

[Don]

But you felt it.

[Tommy Daddario]

I felt it. I felt like I was investing in me and something was gonna come from it. He DMed me. So they're looking for a new lifestyle contributor for the show. Do you wanna come in for an interview? And I'm like, oh, my God.

[Don]

That must have been like, holy shit.

[Tommy Daddario]

I couldn't believe it. Cause usually when you make a jump like that, you kind of start in a local market or you start very, very small and you work your way up. And I'm getting this opportunity, by the grace of God to be on this national show. I almost didn't believe it. So I go in, I meet the team. They said, we want to try you out next week.

[Don]

Were you nervous, or did you just feel like you belonged?

[Tommy Daddario]

I had butterflies, yeah. But I knew I was meant to do it. Yeah. Like, I never. I never am someone that had crippling nerves or anxiety from any of this stuff. I just kind of grabbed the bull by the horn and say, let's go.

[Don]

Let's go for it.

[Tommy Daddario]

Let's go. And I walked in the room and they said, you're on air next week. You're doing a segment which in total time was like 15 minutes live on TV, which is a lot of time.

[Don]

A lot of time.

[Tommy Daddario]

You know what I mean? Like, two different blocks of time. And I gave a makeover to a deserving person. They liked my fashion background and whatnot, did it afterwards. Rachel looked at me, she's like, what are you doing next week? I'm like, I feel like I blacked out. Are you talking to me?

[Don]

Yeah.

[Tommy Daddario]

You know, because it was just such a rush. And she was like, come to my Christmas party. I'm like, all right. I guess I did all right. And then I became a regular. So I did six years on that show.

[Don]

About to say it was five or six years before she called it.

[Tommy Daddario]

Right. And that's what kind of started my career in the, like, hosting correspondence space.

[Don]

So what fascinates me about a lot of the celebrity that we've been around is you get to know them. I'm not going to mention any names, but some of them are, I think, very true to Themselves and others. You can tell when they put on a facade. I've seen you do five dozen interviews. I've been on the red carpet with you at certain premieres. We haven't even known it. I've listened to interviews of you running someone through questions that I know would normally put up a facade, and they don't. And that was kind of what got me about your process, because most people are going to be like, oh, here's this guy trying to extract information out of me. Or.

[Tommy Daddario]

Or.

[Don]

Or get this. The. The word is trust. You somehow can sit with someone and gain this level of trust instantaneously, and you don't have time. It's not like me and you were sitting here for an hour right now. Or you have sometimes 30 seconds.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah. And.

[Don]

And 10 out of 10 times, I feel like you knock it out of the.

[Tommy Daddario]

Out of the park.

[Don]

Have you always been like that? Is that something that you feel like you've always had?

[Tommy Daddario]

Oh, that's. That's an interesting question. I. I've always been good with people. I've always. Why I love my job is because I love people's stories, and I genuinely am interested in your story. I don't care what you do necessarily. I just care, like, what got you here, what keeps you going, you know, all of it. And I. I listen because I want to listen. And I think so many people who do the job I do don't truly listen. They, like, have kind of questions in their head or on their sheet, and they're reading from their sheet. Like, one thing I've never done on a carpet is look at a note. I won't. I won't. I won't.

[Don]

I'm a rookie.

[Tommy Daddario]

No, no.

[Don]

But I have it here. No, Chio's laughing. I. I have it here in case I. I have it here to keep my thoughts organized. By the way, she knows I ramble.

[Tommy Daddario]

But I have that for. I have that for my podcast, too. No, pick that up there. I have. But I have notes for my podcast because there's a lot you cover and you want to hit some show, so that's. But on a carpet, when you're, like, with someone for such a short amount of time, you got to connect right away.

[Don]

You got to connect right away.

[Tommy Daddario]

And I've always wanted to. As a kid, I didn't know I'd be where I am today, but I did dream about it, like Kelly Ripa. And when. When Regis, I think, left, had a nationwide contest to be her co host for a week. And I Filmed like, my little video in my apartment in New York and submitted it.

[Don]

But you know Kelly, don't you? Haven't you met.

[Tommy Daddario]

No, I've never met Kelly. Believe it or not, I know Mark, her husband. Actually, I did interview Kelly on a carpet, but I don't know know her. I'm not one of those people that's gonna pretend like I know everybody, you know? Cause that's annoying and obnoxious, and there are a lot of people like that in our business. But I submitted a tape like, I've always kind of dreamed about it, but didn't know it's what I really wanted to step into. But to answer your question, I. I pride myself on wanting to make whoever I'm talking to shine. Right. You know, And I want to get a great piece of content. Of course I want a great interview. I want a great bite. I mean, there's a lot of noise out there. Let's be honest. We have a job to do. But I also know if it comes from a truthful and real place, it is going to be all those things. I don't need to know who you're sleeping with or who, you know, what. What you spent on the mansion you bought or anything stupid like that. Like, who cares? Nobody really cares. At the end of the day, the world has change, changing. We want real and transparent. So over time, people have kind of, I guess, come to learn that about me. And they know, oh, he's not an asshole. Like, he'll. He'll be a good dude. When we have a conversation. Here's actually a quick story. Jennifer Lawrence. So I work on a show called Extra as well. And I guess maybe six years ago, there was something that came out in the press about her. Somebody released photos of her that were private and should never have been released. And I guess somebody on the show years before I worked there, brought them up, even though they promised not to. And so they banned the show from interviewing her. Totally banned the show. And they haven't gotten an interview with her in a very long time. And this is not private information. I'm not sharing something she's sharing.

[Don]

Of course.

[Tommy Daddario]

And she had a movie come out a couple years ago, and they called the show and said, we're gonna give you Jennifer Lawrence, but Tommy has to interview her. Yeah. Or you can't have her. Yeah.

[Don]

No, that's not the first time I've heard. That's the first time I heard it with Jennifer Lawrence. But that's definitely not the first time that's happened to you.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah. And they have. And they didn't tell me what I can and can't say. It wasn't like the censored interview, but it was like, no, we trust him. And that, to me, is so valuable because, look, it's a job. And like I said, we need great interviews, but we're also people. And, like, why would you treat somebody disrespectfully?

[Don]

But I call this human being one on one. This is like. This is about integrity.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

And the celebrity piece, it's tough because, I mean, there have been people very close to me that, you know, have, you know, had some terrible press on them. And when you're sitting here as someone that's on the inside and, you know those things aren't true, it becomes very hurtful. Or when, you know, someone has created some type of smear campaign about someone else. Yeah. I take it personally. These are. The people in my life now, are special people. Probably one of the biggest benefits to what the work that I do now is I'm pretty much working with people that I like.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

If I'm in business with you or I'm doing business with you, it's not with anyone I dislike. So I feel like that. It's like that line, birds of a feather flock together. Like, in time. As you go through the ranks and you start building your business network, you're able to start weeding out a lot of the. I don't wanna use the word but crap.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah, yeah. No, a hundred percent. It's a business. I'm in this business because I love art, I love cinema, I love tv, I love music, I love theater. I'm a fan of the arts. That's why I cover it. I'm not in it for the gossip or, you know, divulging information from people that you shouldn't know. Like, I'm in it because I love what they do and what they put out in the world. Do you sometimes have to get a bite that is a little more personal? You do or you won't work. But there's a way to do it. One of my favorite examples is Jennifer Lopez, who I love. She is, like, you did a big.

[Don]

Interview with her recently where she really kind of trusted you on.

[Tommy Daddario]

She did? Yeah. When her documentary came out, I'm actually interviewing her again on Sunday for her new movie that's all Kiss of the Spider Woman. But when I interviewed her, everybody wanted a bite about Ben Affleck. It was like, just breaking that. They were together. They were getting together at the time. So everybody Wanted a bite. And I'm here. I'm there at her documentary premiere, which is about her, like, preparing for the super bowl and the hard work she's put in and all of that. But I knew my boss was going to call and say, we want to bite about this. And I expected it, to be honest. I don't fault that. It's. It's entertainment journalism. It's new. Like, I get it. But I thought, oh, man. Like, she's here for this night. Everyone's going to ask her about this. Like, she could walk away if you piss her off. How am I going to get a bite about Ben? So again, to your point, two minutes on a carpet, she walks over. First question about her documentary, right off the bat, you gotta ask about why you're there, which many people don't do, believe it or not. So as I'm asking her. And by the way, she gets to me after two other outlets next to me pissed her off, and she walked away from both.

[Don]

Oh, so she already has a bad shot. Yeah, she's already annoyed, right?

[Tommy Daddario]

So I'm like, great. So she comes over, I ask about the documentary. She gives a beautiful answer. I ask her about, you know, she wasn't always Jenny. She wasn't always JLo. She was Jenny from the Bronx. Like, about becoming that and what that means to her and seeing little kids outside from the Bronx, like, cheering her on. And it was a beautiful moment. And then I'm like, all right, all right, I gotta ask him a fun. What do I do? So I look at her and I go. And her press agent's right next to her. Like, we're right next to her, like, giving you the eye. And I said, jennifer, you and I have something in common. And her and her PR both lean in, like, okay, where is he going? And I said, we both love love. And recently you said, you're so excited to have a second chance at true love. So what are you most looking forward to? I didn't even say his name. Perfect. I didn't bring up his name. And she lit up, big smile. And she goes, I'm just looking forward to being present. Like, I just want to be present this time around.

[Don]

What a nice way to put that, you know?

[Tommy Daddario]

And so I. So extra ran the headline, Jen opens up about Ben on the carpet. I didn't have to do that.

[Don]

Not really.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah, right. Like, I just. It was a moment about love. And that's what I try to do. Get these real moments that aren't too in your face or invasive. Of their privacy, but also pleasing my boss. So it's a game you have to play.

[Don]

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[Tommy Daddario]

Well, thank you for that. I mean, I, I. To be fair, I do have an editor, so I don't edit my show myself, but I, like, I heart gave me an editor, which is very nice.

[Don]

But that was later.

[Tommy Daddario]

I thought I edit my, like, social and videos and stuff like that. So that's true. But the actual episode, I have a good team, and that helps me with that. Perfect. But, yeah, man, the I Heart thing came about because when Covid hit, I was on Rachel consistently and doing a bunch of shows, they all stopped and I was home and had nothing to do. And they were like, you can't come to studio and basically you can't work until we figure out what's going on. I'm like, oh, my God, what am I gonna do now? And at that point, I was very heavy in the lifestyle space, doing a lot of segments in that space. And I said I always wanted to cross over to interviewing. So I launched a show on Instagram Live called let's Stay Together, where I would bring on people and we'd have conversations from our living rooms about whatever we wanted. Right. About shows they're on or movies or what they're doing during COVID So I asked a few people I was friendly with at the time to come on as like my first guests. So I think Billy Porter came on and Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent came on and a few others. And like, I saw the numbers of who was watching and it was like 4000-005000-00600,000. Yeah, that's. And I was like, oh my God, there's like a market for this right now. Again, not making money off of it, but just boosting me as an interviewer and showing the world, like, oh, I can interview this dude, can carry a 40 minute conversation. So I did that and it became a five day a week talk show on Instagram Live that I booked myself by reaching out to publicists and managers and people, like people directly DMing them. And people said yes because they had nothing else to do. And once I started building my, my, you know, bank of people that have been on like, oh, this person did it and that person did it, like, I gotta.

[Don]

It becomes a little easier.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah. So that all happened during COVID Elvis Duran. The iconic Elvis Duran from Z100 and Elvis Duran show called 40, 40 Years.

[Don]

I mean, he's got 40 years.

[Tommy Daddario]

Like, I don't know if anyone's more iconic in the business than him in broadcast drive.

[Don]

Ex member of my club and was. Honestly, he was top of the list of members that would walk in that would just light up the room. Everyone loved him.

[Tommy Daddario]

He's such a good dude.

[Don]

He's a great dude.

[Tommy Daddario]

He's such a good dude. He called me and said, can I take you to lunch? And I'm like, this is so random. I don't know him. And oh my God, all of a su is calling me as a kid from Jersey who would drive to the Jersey shore every day in the summer and listen to him, like, I'm freaking out. We go for a meal. And he said, I'm launching a new unit of podcasts at iHeart and I want you to be my first show. And I'm like, what? Really? Yeah, I saw what you did during COVID and let's just like bring that to iheart.

[Don]

Babe Ruth of talk shows calling you up, being like, hey, I want to, I want to. I want to launch your own show.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah. And he's like, let's bring it to iheart. And you know, it will take time to grow and build and you got to be in it for the long run. But trust me, like, it will work out. And I'm like, okay, let's do it. And that's how it began almost, I guess, two and a half years ago, maybe. And I love it. It's called I've never said this before. And I bring on, you know, today's stars, and we talk about the projects that people love, but we also then talk about things they've never said before. I end every show with, what is something you've never said before? And it's a moment to be real and show human connection. And they can get as personal as they want or they can keep it light. I don't know.

[Don]

You've had some big, revealing moments.

[Tommy Daddario]

Huge revealing moments. There's a show called the Boys. Karen Fukuhara is amazing on that show. And she revealed she's single, in her late 30s, and froze her eggs and wants to encourage women to, like, you know, go over your options if you're single and want babies one day because she's not sure she'll find somebody. So she talked about freezing her eggs, which is a very personal thing. You know, dudes have come on who struggle with body dysmorphia. I mean, there's just so many things. And not that you have to come on and say something that deep, but people tend to. Because it's their space to put something in the world that maybe they feel like can help somebody else.

[Don]

Right.

[Tommy Daddario]

So it's a really cool show. So that every Tuesday is a celebrity interview, and then every Friday, I launched two months ago, a new part.

[Don]

Okay. And this part. This part fascinates me because they're almost these little short clips.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

And you almost feel like. I mean, the other. The show is doing amazing, but the clips are a little unexpected. Right. You're. You're. You're kind of blown away by what it's giving you there. Right.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah. I had. I had a call from iHeart, and they were like, listen, your show is killing it. We're so proud. It's one of the top performers here. We want more. And I'm like, oh, my God, More. I don't. Like, what. What do you want? They said, we want a second episode a week. He said, okay. I said, it has to be just you. I'm like, but I interview people. Like, what do you mean, just me? I don't. I'm an interviewer. And they're like, we have feedback that people want to learn more about you and they want to get to know Tommy.

[Don]

And. Yeah.

[Tommy Daddario]

You share things in your interviews that are personal here. And There when you. But it's not you, like, it's about the other person. So we want you to develop a 10 minute talk series every Friday. You pick the topic and launch it. And I'm like, oh my God. So I go home and I'm like, geo, I don't want to do this. He's like, well, you're doing it like you don't have a choice.

[Don]

Why did you want to do it? Because you, because you felt like so much was based on the interview process of you coming in and propping that person up. Is that. Yeah, I get it.

[Tommy Daddario]

I have anxiety even thinking about that day because I was so freaked out. I'm like, oh my God. Like I just don't, I don't make things about me, you know, So I thought hard, what would I want to share with people? Like what, what has value? I don't want to just talk about. And I said, let me do themes based off things I've gone through in my life. And maybe not that I'm a guru and this all knowing person, but I've lived an interesting life and I've had experiences. So maybe through what I've gone through, I can help somebody navigate the same thing. So I launched with, when is it time to let go of a friendship? Because I recently had that experience of letting go of a friendship. And I turn on the mic, I talk for 10 minutes, I don't edit it, I don't write notes. Whatever you get is what you get. And it ripped and it went nuts. It was, it was, you know, just as popular, if not more than, let's say, the biggest star I've had on my show. And I thought, oh my God, I can't believe it. Why? And I'm realizing and learning that people want more and more of a real connection and sometimes that, you know, the celebrity space has tremendous value and people love their work and they want to hear it, but sometimes they feel like I need something a little bit more accessible and not maybe a PR talking point. Right. It's just real. And they know with me what you see is what you get. So launch that. And we've now done two months of these talks and they have consistently surpassed every single celebrity interview I do the week of the show. Which I never would have guessed because in my mind I'm like, people don't want me, they want my guests. They listen to my show for my guest. Which I didn't realize that's not true.

[Don]

Not sure.

[Tommy Daddario]

But, you know, I don't. I just, I still can't believe I have one listener of my show or that It's a top 10 show like Let alone. So I just don't think, think like that. But I have realized through this that these bite sized conversations, by the way, that are 10 minutes long, like you said, and you can listen on the way to the gym or driving in the morning, they're making people feel like they're part of my community.

[Don]

And there's such a, and there's such a market for that.

[Tommy Daddario]

Right.

[Don]

Like, I think one of one thing that I'm really trying to work on for myself is understanding news going on in the world because I wake up early and everything's like, about my work. And I think a lot of times things are going over my head because I'm not immersed in the news. So what I was like, what can I find that's like a quick 10 to 15 minutes a morning or maybe there's a piece. So I found, I don't know. I'm curious to hear from Gio what he thinks. But like there's, there's this Wall Street Journal podcast that does an a.m. and p.m. and it just kind of, it's not right. It's not left. It's just like this is what's going on. It's not saying what Trump's doing that's good or bad. It's just like, it's very neutral and I liked it. And I found myself every morning like listening to that maybe if I'm in the red light bed, listening on the train, maybe going in and I'm just, I find myself listening to these shorter forms for me. And it's ironic because I'm putting out these hour long videos, but it's very difficult for me to sit through something for an hour. I don't have the time.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

I want to like, I want to get my steps up. Let me go walk around the block. 10 minute video, 10 minute audio on.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

Instead of that hour. So I think it also, a lot depends on what are people really interested in. And it's. I'm happy to hear that you're embracing that a bit because I think sometimes people are like, oh, well, it's not as scientific or it's not as organized or it's not as like, it's not what people want.

[Tommy Daddario]

No, people want, want real. Right. And then the topics are fun. Like a few of my favorites and a few of the best performing ones have been. Should you tell your friend their partner sucks? Wow. Right. Like a very interesting thing, which I did that once.

[Don]

What was. What was the Cliff Notes on that? What did you. What did you.

[Tommy Daddario]

I would not advise doing that. And this person doesn't talk to me anymore. But I go through how I got to that point and why. I mean, I was asked my opinion, and, you know, so. But anyway, yeah, that was an interesting one. You know, I did. One of the ones I'm more proud of is I lost somebody very close to me. So I did a whole episode on grief and how to navigate grief, and it was really weird for me because I was super emotional and, like, raw, and I put it out. I almost told iHeart, like, let's not run it a day before, because it was just. It was very weird to sit on.

[Don]

It a little bit. Right.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah. And I'm glad we did, because it meant a lot to a lot of people. So it's every Friday Atomy Talk drops on my show, which I've never said this before, is the podcast, and I. I'm telling you, man, like, I don't know where it's all gonna go. And I love entertainment so much, so it will always be a part of my. My show and my brand. But this could very well be the main focus going forward, based off, you know, what people want more and more of.

[Don]

But it's also passion and purpose. So when you. You were connecting. Yeah, I connected with you on something earlier that you. That you said you said. At a certain point, I didn't know what I was really doing or what the end goal was, but I knew I wanted to be doing this. Like, it felt right. Like, this is the industry I want to be in. For me, it was always fitness.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

Did I think I was always going to be a trainer? My whole life, I knew I wasn't. I knew there was something else. I didn't know what it was. I just knew I had to kind of go down that path of doing this. And in seeing the doors that open, in the opportunities, then it's like, for me, it's a lot about passion and purpose. What feels right. Yeah, that looks really interesting, and that's a challenge, and I'm really intrigued in doing this. And, you know, it may not make sense for a lot of people, but for some reason, something's telling me to go over here, I'm going to go over there, and I've learned to embrace that a lot more. And I got to be honest, the majority of the time, it just works out for the best. It really is. I don't think we trust our gut enough, and I Don't think we go after the things that are meaningful to us enough. We want to play it safe and take that desk job that's paying X or we're going to go, you know, slide into the family position that was handed to us because it's easy. But I really want to be doing that. And I just got. Life's too short. Yeah, we got to go for it.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah, you do, you do. And keep growing and evolving and I don't know, man, I never thought I'd be doing this, but I love it. I love it.

[Don]

I'm curious to see in the next five years. Think about the last five years, how your career's changed. What's going to happen in the next five years. I want to pivot now to something that we have. We have a lot in common, you and I, but fitness, wellness, you being a non trainer. Non. I can't call you a non fitness person because you're still one of the most fitness fit people that I know. I mean, you and your husband literally breathe it and that's one of the ways that we connected early on. But you are very disciplined and you are very regimented. And I'm not saying that you're not going to have those ricotta cookies that you like to make or whatever they are like you are going to do that, but you do it in moderation. Where did this stem from? Is this something that you just felt like at a young age you were into athletics, you were into eating, right? Or was there a turning point for you?

[Tommy Daddario]

So I grew up in a very fit, fitness oriented family. My grandfather owned a gym in New Jersey off Route 22, King George Racket Club. It was like a racket, but also, you know, a real gym gym. So I grew up like, like going there and playing and having fun there. My, my mom taught fitness classes when I was young there. My dad always worked out. So I was around it my whole life. But for me, the real turning point where I like actively got into working out modern, you know, in a, in a low key kind of way, was in sixth grade I asked my dad to buy me dumbbells. So he bought me, I think like five pounders, you know, little blue plastic five pounders. And I started doing like push ups and sit ups in my room, in my like tiny little room in my, my mom's townhouse. And I started getting really interested and involved in it.

[Don]

What did you like about it at that age? I'm curious. Was it a feeling?

[Tommy Daddario]

I liked how you looked. I liked the control of it. I liked knowing that I could do something and control, I guess, at that age, physically what I would look like. I was, like, super skinny, and my parents are going through a divorce, and I was figuring out who I was, and I just. There was so much of my life that I wasn't in control of that I could control and escape with. So it became, from that point forward, a big part of my life. And then I started, like, I got a membership at the local ymca, and I just never really stopped. I did sports off and on throughout, you know, my younger years, too. But, like, the fitness side of it really was beginning for me in sixth grade.

[Don]

So you feel like that's almost part of your survival now. What I've gained from you and your husband is that this is something that lives in your life. It's not a chore.

[Tommy Daddario]

No.

[Don]

It's not something you feel like you have to do. You need to do it.

[Tommy Daddario]

Oh, I need to. I love it. It's my mental health time. I mean, I. I need to do it. And even on, like, an off day. Well, then be like, let's go walk for, like, 18 hours. You know what I mean? Like, we just like to move or be active or physical. And. Yeah, it's very much a part of my life. And it's funny because I've literally done it my. My whole life. Like, it's not like I woke up one day four years ago and said, this is what I'm going to do. And I think that's great if you do and you should, like, there's. It's never too late to get into a fitness journey or, you know, embrace your wellness. But I've been doing it for so long that it is a part of me. It's who I am, and it's not to look a certain way. I mean, am I going to lie to you? Of course I like that. It's a perk, of course, but it's not for that. It's. It's mind, it's spirit, It's. It's what keeps me sane.

[Don]

But all the greats say that the people who really find that level of being fit. And I think on the outside, when people look in and go, wow, I want Tommy's body or I want Gio's body or I want to look like that, they're not drawn to the scale. They're not drawn to body fat calipers. They're not drawn to how much they bench press. I'm drawn to the fact that every time I leave that Session. It is an immediate on switch for me. Yeah, it's like, oh, we're back, baby. Yeah, it's like, here we go. Would you mind walking us through just a sample day? What does a day look like for you from the moment you wake up, what time to the moment you go to bed? Because I know a lot of people are interested to hear the discipline and how you mix work in there and nutrition and training.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah, it's. It varies every day because of what I do. Right. Whether it's a carpet or I'm at iheart shooting a podcast, or I. I'm traveling for hosting a series. Like, so it's so different. That's why I really stick to what I can, when I can. So, like, I wake up pretty consistently every day. Usually 5:30 or 6 workouts are either early morning when I'm getting. When I get up, or a little late morning, depending on what I have to do for work. Works. You know, like I said, very unpredictable. But I eat the same. Like, I, you know this about me. Like, I'm a creature of habit. So I literally, like, during the week, mostly I don't stray from what I eat. And I won't bore you walking through my whole diet, but it's like, very cool. I want to hear it.

[Don]

Yeah, please. Yeah.

[Tommy Daddario]

So I, for breakfast, I have a shake. Like, I load it up with all the things gol.

[Don]

Right. Your garden.

[Tommy Daddario]

Garden of life. Yeah. And I put, you know, creatine in it and collagen and, you know, blueberries and maybe a scoop of almond butter and make like a really big hearty shake.

[Don]

Like robust shake.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah. With oatmeal. Like to get some good fiber in and some more berries on top of that. And I eat that breakfast seven days a week. Seven days a week.

[Don]

It's easy, it's quick.

[Tommy Daddario]

I don't have to think about it.

[Don]

Easy.

[Tommy Daddario]

You know, then either I go to work or I go to the gym and do a full body workout, which you've designed for me so nicely. And I. We've updated it over the years, but you gave me a killer full body because that's how I like to train.

[Don]

I like the plug, by the way. Thank you.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah, you designed it for me. You did. So I do that and then, you know, factor in some more work lunch. I. It's so random and boring you. I don't know if you're gonna even like this, but I do two pieces of sourdough toast with almond butter with four hard boiled eggs and a handful of nuts because it's like, so random.

[Don]

It's not, though. But it works.

[Tommy Daddario]

But it's protein. It's protein. Yeah.

[Don]

Yeah.

[Tommy Daddario]

So, like, do that all.

[Don]

Yeah, but, but. But it. But it works.

[Tommy Daddario]

It does work.

[Don]

And that's why, like, not to interrupt you, but when. When someone says, that's not what I would do, I'm like, look at Tommy. Look at his health. Look at his blood work. Look at how you sleep.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

I know anyone who sleeps.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

Better than you. I'm jealous. Yeah, right. Look at your. Look at your physique.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

Like, you've got. It works. Keep doing it.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah. So I do that.

[Don]

It's healthy.

[Tommy Daddario]

And then I'll have maybe like a turkey burger in the afternoon as a snack instead of like a protein bar or something in a bag. You know what I mean? Just like a burger.

[Don]

Yeah, yeah.

[Tommy Daddario]

And then for dinner, we'll. We switch that up sometimes, but we pretty much rotate between, like, chicken, veggies, salad, or, you know, like a burger kind of mixed in a pepper rice dish. Deconstructed pepper. Yeah, Italian, you know. Deconstructed pepper.

[Don]

I like it.

[Tommy Daddario]

So it's very simple.

[Don]

Do you eat out a lot of dinner or do you. Do you guys a couple nights a week type of thing?

[Tommy Daddario]

A couple of nights will. Because we're of our schedule, we might. You take it takeout. But it's the same. It's like chicken and veggies or, you know, usually chicken and veggies from different places. So. Yeah. And then, like, we'll go for dinner with friends or whatever. I don't drink a lot. Like, I maybe have two drinks a month, if that. Yeah, it just. I did. I had a lot of fun in my 20s and doesn't say, well, 30s, which I won't share those stories about, but I was a little bit of a party boy. But I don't really drink a lot right now. I haven't in years. It's not my thing. So, yeah, I'm very. Boy, I do green tea. I don't drink coffee. I don't do a lot of sugar. And this isn't all by, like, restriction. It's just how I like to eat, like how I like to live and what I like to do. Right.

[Don]

I think you relate a feeling to, like, you and I have talked about going overboard and yeah, we like to dabble here and there, but if you do too much, you feel a certain way. And again, that's getting back to what you said earlier with like, yeah, of course I want to look good, but this is more about a feeling. You're doing all this because you feel strong and powerful from eating that way and sleeping that way. Your sleep's pretty good.

[Tommy Daddario]

I mean, yeah, solid sleeper.

[Don]

Consistent.

[Tommy Daddario]

I probably get, like, seven solid.

[Don]

It's really solid.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah. Seven solid. Yeah. So that's kind of like the gist of it. It's so funny. I just got stopped in the street by a big, like, Instagram fitness account and. And, like, just asking me my routine and what I do, and I was looking at the comments. I'm like, oh, God, I'm so scared for this to go live because the fitness community can be brutal sometimes.

[Don]

Yeah, brutal.

[Tommy Daddario]

And the Internet can be brutal. I'm like, oh, God. And he put it up this week, and I was looking at the comments, and one of the most interesting things I saw is a lot of dudes, like, a lot of bros were like, respect for this guy who's clearly not on, you know, like, all the steroids and whatever. Yeah. But, like, fit and, you know, in their words, ripped. Not my words.

[Don]

We all know that.

[Tommy Daddario]

I'm not calling myself. I'm just saying what they said. But, like, it was cool to see that bros were, like, honoring. Right. Because I'm not like, this massive dude. I'm. But, like, I. You know, it's just. I think people's ideas of what they want are shifting too, and they want real.

[Don]

It's. It's. It's a very difficult conversation for me, even being in the business, because I am. Everyone knows about me as I've been. I've been natural.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

I just have been. And it's choice. I don't think I'm better than anyone else. I've done my share of partying growing up and having fun and drinking and all that fun stuff. But when it comes to performance enhancing, I never went there. And there were several reasons why I didn't go there. I buried a really close friend who battled with it. Say it was from. He died from that or not. People are going to argue it. I saw what I saw, and I think you start getting this, you know, this perception of what these things can do and how they can change you over time. And that's what's upsetting me. One of the things that upsets me about the industry is I think people are going into it so quickly, and they're going to, you know, hormone replacement therapy so quickly, even though, yes, that's not steroids, but they're leaning on this stuff so fast before they want to make these lifestyle changes. And what you're talking about, what you've done and what we've done in here is consistency trumps intensity. Yeah. We're not saying it's going to be 110% workout, but we are. This is part of our lifestyle. It's part of what gives us joy. And eating well most of the time is something we enjoy doing. If I was to have pizza every day, I wouldn't enjoy it. I wouldn't feel right. So that's why I don't do it. That's exactly what you're talking about here. That's what's giving you.

[Tommy Daddario]

So I was surprised to see like all those comments too. I think there is a shift with people wanting, wanting to see more realistic depictions of health and wellness and fitness. Right. And I think it extends beyond just physical. I think it's skin care, I think it's hair. I think it's everything. Right. You want to feel as good as you can in all the areas for as long as you can. And sometimes when you do all that crap, it affects that, you know, it just does 100. So, yeah. So I, I, I'm very kind of boring in my routine, but I love it. And your workouts kick my ass. Like, I, I literally burn anywhere from 7 to 900 calories in a 70, 80 minute workout.

[Don]

And you, but you're always consistent. You feel good? Pretty much, yeah.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I feel really good.

[Don]

So before we take our two questions, I've got one question for you now. What is something you want to do now? I mean, your career has gone in so many positive directions. If you were to, so you're, so you're building up this incredible resume. Right. What is the one thing that you'd like to add to that right now that you're hoping to do in the next, you know, three to five years?

[Tommy Daddario]

I wrote a movie and I want to sell it.

[Don]

Wow.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

Are you allowed to talk about what it's about?

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah, it's a rom com loosely based off my life.

[Don]

Who would, who would play the parts? Are you allowed to talk about that? Like, who would be your dream actors to play that part?

[Tommy Daddario]

Well, there's a few. I mean, I think, think Cooper Koch, coach. I should know how to say his last name. He was from the Menendez brothers show. He's amazing. I think he'd be great. He's one. I would definitely be. I feel like you need to audition. There's a few. But yeah, it's loosely based off my life of kind of in my 20s, about to turn when I was about to turn 30 and my friend circle at the time, and it's like a bridesmaids meets Forgetting Sarah Marshall. And I've written a million drafts.

[Don]

Love that movie.

[Tommy Daddario]

And it's. I mean, so good. Right? And it's like that kind of raunchy, funny, crazy humor. I've written so many drafts over the years, I even tweaked it again, like, six months ago. And it's like, it's ready for the world. And it's just. Let's. It's. It's hard to get anything sold and made right. I'm a no credited writer.

[Don]

I'm.

[Tommy Daddario]

I'm known in one field, but not that. So it's. You got to fight. You got to fight hard. You got to send out, go get it done. And I'm doing it. I'm. I'm connecting with people. I'm trying to send it, you know, and we'll see. And it's a journey. It's a long game. I know that. But it's better than half the stuff I watch on tv.

[Don]

It's kind of the disappointing thing about, like, I love movies. Like, my wife and I like, are one of our favorite things to do is just, like, lay on the bed with the dogs or the couch and just watch. Watch a movie. We're running out of stuff.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

I just. I'm like, come on, man, we need more stuff. And romcoms happen to be. I want to laugh. I don't want to watch people dying in movies. I don't want. Some of the action stuff does get entertaining for me, but I don't like death. I don't like morbid. I like to laugh. I want. I want to leave that movie. Not having nightmares, going to bed.

[Tommy Daddario]

I watched.

[Don]

What was the TV show I watched with. With my wife. She made me watch Prison Break, which I. Oh, yeah. Was wild, right? Wow. But I found myself every night going to bed, like, holy. Like, I'm the mess.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah, yeah.

[Don]

Listen, man, I love you. I can't thank you enough for doing this. We got some questions. Chris, you on the back end there? Yo, I'm here. Thanks for being here, Tommy. And our first question is from Blake. So let me go ahead and pull up question from Blake, and we'll get into it. Here we go.

[Tommy Daddario]

Hey, Don and Tommy. My name is Blake and Tommy.

[Don]

I was wondering if you could break.

[Tommy Daddario]

Down some of the elements of a great interview.

[Don]

I'm in college right now, and I'm.

[Tommy Daddario]

Hoping to be a podcaster and interviewer. After I graduate.

[Don]

So if you have any tips, I'd love to know. Thanks for taking my question. That was very sweet.

[Tommy Daddario]

Oh, that's so nice.

[Don]

Thanks, Blake.

[Tommy Daddario]

Thank you, Blake. And rock on. I love that. Keep going for it. I would say number one, and probably the most important is research is so incredibly essential. I walk into a room, and I will know more about the person I'm about to interview than I know about myself. And how do I research them. I read old interviews. If they've done a different podcast, I will listen to it at the gym. So I feel like I know them and I can, you know, learn about their story and even things you won't ask them know and learn, because it just. You can pivot in any moment of a conversation. The more you know about somebody and relate to them, and they'll be like, wait, where did this dude pull that from? Like, how do they get that bite? So research. Research. Research is not glamorous. People don't see that side to it. But it's 90% of the job I do is research. Obviously, watching whatever they're in is. Is essential. And then I think the other thing I'll say, because there's a lot I can go with here, but the other thing I'll say is you want to find something to connect with them on, whether it's a hometown, you share the same hometown, or you have a similar love story, or, you know, they went through something with a family member or friend that, you know, like, you just want to find that connection because then they feel like, a, they care about me, but also, b, they took the time to really know me and not just come in here with the same four questions I've been asked by everybody else.

[Don]

And there's no wars. I mean, it's. It's a bad feeling when you go on a show to be interviewed and, you know, the person doesn't know anything about it.

[Tommy Daddario]

I'm sure you've experienced all the time.

[Don]

Because people want to connect with me because of the celebrity, and they want to use that as clickbait. And I actually stopped doing those interviews a couple years ago. I will go on my friend's podcast or things that I think are meaningful or if they want to talk about business. But if you even bring up celebrity, it's like, I just don't want to. I don't want to go there, because all they want to do is they want to shine light on that to get people to their page. So I think that was in a phenomenal question. I think it was an even better answer. So thank you for that.

[Tommy Daddario]

Thank you, Blake.

[Don]

Thanks, Blake. Chris, let's go to the second question. All right, up next is Connor, and Connor has a fitness related question. So here is Connor. Hi, Das Saldino and Tommy. My name is Connor McAvoy. I just want to know what your favorite exercise is. Both between you, Don, and Tommy, I want to describe my favorite exercise to you too, is back day. I just like back in upper body work because it's just as important just as cardio and legs or whatever. So I just want your take. And I also hope you guys have a great day. And I love stronger. Great episode because it's getting me stronger. Love this guy. So, by the way, Connor, that was so smart because when he said back, everyone talks about chest and shoulders, which is Connor. That's very front of the body anterior chain. And look what we're doing right now. Tommy and I are sitting, so my posture right now is way worse than Tommy's. What I love about training back is it works on those postural muscles. So I think that's so important for, like, overall movement and overall health. So don't neglect your. Your back. I mean, for me. And plus, it is fun when you get a back pump. I mean, it is. It's a good feeling when you're walking out of the gym feeling a bit taller.

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah.

[Don]

But for me, training has just been something that's so universal. I just like training everything. I don't know about you. What's your opinion?

[Tommy Daddario]

Yeah, I mean, I. So, you know, I train full body.

[Don]

Oh. Yeah.

[Tommy Daddario]

But if I. To answer Connor's question, the body part. Oh, man. Okay, Gio, don't kill me, but I think that many men neglect training their ass. Oh, I do.

[Don]

Why are you smiling?

[Tommy Daddario]

I do. I think they do. I think they, like, they go so hard on upper body and, like, legs, but, like, that's a body part.

[Don]

All great athletes have well developed glutes. I think it's the foundation.

[Tommy Daddario]

And I feel like from, like, I have a lot of lady friends who are like, I need my man to just get a better butt. And, like, I think butt's a great thing to train. Butt. Is. Is that a weird answer?

[Don]

It's not a weird answer. And if you. And if you ask the thing in my life that maybe I didn't think about as much back then and I'm thinking about more now, that's the answer, Connor. That's. I love back. We love back. We love glutes. We love it all.

[Tommy Daddario]

We love it all. Connor. Thank you.

[Don]

Connor. That was a great question. Thank you so much. And listen, I just want to thank you for, for, for being on. I mean, this is, you know, I'm still kind of a, you know, rookie in this space right now when it comes to. And again, big thanks to Joe and Chip Gaines and Christian Ponder over at the Post, who's hosted us here, who you met earlier, and then, listen, Mel and I love you guys. We are so grateful to have you in our lives and it's so exciting for us to see you continue to grow and make things happen. And we're just excited to be a part of that journey.

[Tommy Daddario]

Thank you, man. I'm proud of you. This is awesome. And you're really good at what you do, so. I better watch my back. I better watch my back, guys.

[Don]

Thanks for joining in. The views, information or opinions expressed in the series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Chip and Joanna Gaines by Nail Audio, nor Magnolia.