On Daily Routines, we profile successful leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, executives and athletes to explore their routines, schedules, habits and day in the life.
Rishi Sunak has come a long way from his humble beginnings to become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Leader of the Conservative Party. Born to Southeast African-born Hindu parents of Indian Punjabi descent, Yashvir and Usha Sunak, Rishi’s journey has been a testament to his dedication, hard work, and tenacity.
“British Indian is what I tick on the census, we have a category for it,” Sunak said in an interview with Business Standard in 2015. “I am thoroughly British, this is my home and my country, but my religious and cultural heritage is Indian, my wife is Indian. I am open about being a Hindu.”
Sunak attended Stroud School, followed by Winchester College, where he became head boy. He later graduated with a first in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Lincoln College, Oxford. During his time at Oxford, Sunak interned at Conservative Campaign Headquarters and joined the Conservative Party. He later earned an MBA from Stanford University in California as a Fulbright Scholar, where he met his future wife, Akshata Murty, daughter of Indian billionaire N. R. Narayana Murthy of Infosys.
Following his graduation, Sunak went on to work for Goldman Sachs and later as a partner at hedge fund firms The Children’s Investment Fund Management and Theleme Partners. He also served as a director of the investment firm Catamaran Ventures, owned by his father-in-law.
In 2015, Sunak was elected to the House of Commons for Richmond in North Yorkshire. He supported the Brexit campaign and held a junior ministerial position in Prime Minister Theresa May’s second government. Sunak backed Boris Johnson’s bid to succeed May as Conservative leader and Prime Minister, leading to his appointment as Chief Secretary to the Treasury in July 2019.
Following the 2019 general election, Johnson promoted Sunak to Chancellor of the Exchequer. In this role, he played a crucial part in the government’s financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises. Sunak resigned as Chancellor in July 2022 amid a government crisis that culminated in Johnson’s resignation.
After losing the Conservative Party leadership election to Liz Truss, Sunak returned to the backbenches. However, he stood again in the October 2022 leadership election, succeeding Truss as Conservative leader and Prime Minister. Sunak is the first British Asian and Hindu to hold the office of Prime Minister.
It is the greatest privilege of my life to be able to serve the party I love, and to be able to give back to the country i owe so much to. The United Kingdom is a great country, but there is no doubt we face a profound economic challenge. We need stability and unity, and I will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together.
Rishi Sunak: The super-rich former banker who will be the first person of color to lead Britain | CNN
Rishi Sunak’s workout routine & diet
In a 2021 interview on The Twenty Minute VC podcast, Sunka, who was the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the time, opened up about his daily routine. From early morning workouts to breakfast habits and indulging in sugary treats, Sunak shared the details of his routine, which begins with a workout session between 6 and 7 am.
While the UK PM’s exercise routine has changed over the years, still manages to squeeze in three workout sessions per week. One of his preferred workouts is a 6 am spin class on his Peloton bike, where he follows high-energy instructor Cody Rigsby. Despite Rigsby’s penchant for Britney Spears’ music, Sunak says it’s “no bad thing” and appreciates the instructor’s enthusiasm. He also occasionally tries classes with Leanne Hainsby and Hannah Frankson, based on recommendations from his daughters and colleagues.
When not on his Peloton, Sunak opts for treadmill sessions or High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) classes at his local leisure center in North Yorkshire. He particularly enjoys their Sunday morning HIIT class whenever he can attend.
Sunak revealed on the podcast that he practices intermittent fasting on some days, skipping breakfast on those occasions. When he does eat breakfast, he typically opts for Greek yogurt and blueberries. However, he also admitted to having a mid-morning sugary pastry craving, choosing between a Gail’s cinnamon morning bun, pain au chocolat, or a chocolate chip muffin. He confessed, “I have this problem; I need to have this sugary pastry thing most mid-mornings.”
On weekends, Sunak enjoys a wholesome family life, indulging in a full cooked breakfast on Saturdays with his wife and two daughters. Sundays are reserved for either pancakes or waffles, served American-style with thin crispy bacon, blueberries, and strawberries.
Sunak also shared his love for Coca-Cola, though he now limits himself to just one can per week. He prefers Mexican Coke, which is made with cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, making it his favorite fizzy drink. Sunak’s appreciation for the occasional indulgence and commitment to a healthy, balanced lifestyle provide insight into the daily routine of one of the UK’s most influential political figures, now serving as the Prime Minister.
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