When you see the Today show hosts all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on television, it’s easy to think they’re just naturally morning people. But let me tell you, they don’t get that way by accident. The NBC stars wake up earlier than most people have even thought about turning on their coffee machines. These folks are pros at being morning people, and they’ve got routines that would put most of us to shame. Sure, everyone has their own way of tackling the day, but one thing they all seem to share—besides the absurdly early wake-up calls—is the need to carve out some personal time to prepare for the day ahead. And you won’t find a snooze button in sight! So, buckle up and scroll down to discover more about the daily routines of these early-rising television icons.

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Waking Up: The Alarm Clock Wars

Each of the Today show hosts has their own unique alarm clock story, but one thing’s for sure—they’re all up and ready to go before most of us have even hit the snooze button for the first time. Back in 2015, Hoda Kotb, who was hosting the fourth hour of the show with Kathie Lee Gifford, was out of bed by 4:00 a.m. every single day. And let me tell you, she takes that alarm clock seriously. “If I hit snooze, it’s 4:05 a.m., and by the time I’m ready to go, it’s 4:15 a.m.,” she once revealed. “By the time I get back, it’s 4:30 a.m., and by that time, it’s too late!” Matt Lauer, who’s no longer with the show, used to set his alarm for 4:10 a.m. each morning. Though, I’m guessing he’s probably catching a few more Zs these days.

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Then we’ve got Natalie Morales, who confessed in 2014 that she woke up promptly at 4:05 a.m. “4 o’clock is too early, 4:05 a.m. is just right,” she joked. But the real early birds? That would be Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker. These two powerhouses wake up at 3:00 a.m. and 3:05 a.m., respectively. “I’m not going to lie,” Savannah admitted. “The alarm hurts.” You think?!

Early to Bed: Resting Up for the Morning Rush

Given the brutal hours they keep, it’s no surprise that the Today show hosts hit the hay pretty early. Matt Lauer used to be in bed by 9 p.m. when he was still hosting, while Natalie Morales pushed the limits a little with a 9:30 p.m. bedtime. But the real champ of staying up late? That would be Al Roker. Despite waking up at 3:05 a.m., his bedtime rarely happens before 10 p.m. Now that’s dedication!

Sticking to a Morning Routine: The Key to Success

Just like the rest of us, the Today show hosts have their own morning rituals—they just happen to start way earlier. Hoda Kotb, for instance, kicks off her day by walking her dog around the block. “It’s the best way to clear my head,” she says. After that, it’s time for coffee and a trip to the gym. “Sometimes I get a green juice in the gym. It’s nasty, but I get it. You must!” she jokes. While she’s on the Stairmaster, she reads any show notes that might have come in from the producers. After her workout, it’s off to work to get beautified and indulge in some craft service snacks. “After I feel healthy (from the gym), I go into the donut area. Sometimes I walk into the makeup room with an apple in one hand and a whole bunch of little donuts on the other hand,” Hoda has said. “I usually try to limit myself to seven. That’s usually the max!”

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Reunited in #Studio1A and it feels so good! #todayshow (photos via @photonate)
A post shared by TODAY (@todayshow) on Feb 26, 2018 at 8:01am PST

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Savannah Guthrie also gets her show prep done shortly after waking up. “I do the homework that I have, the preparation I have for the show, in the morning,” she told Refinery 29 in 2017. And a lot of her research happens while she’s sitting in the makeup chair. Talk about multitasking!

Unwinding After a Long Day: The Perks of Early Rising

One of the big perks of starting work so early is, of course, finishing earlier than most people. And after being awake and working for so long, the anchors want nothing more than to unwind. As soon as Hoda Kotb is finished filming for the day, she “rips off her dress” and changes into “jeans, a sweatshirt, and comfy shoes.” Of course, she then spends time with her baby daughter, Haley. Savannah Guthrie takes a similar approach, rushing off to be with her two kids, Vale and Charley, once she’s wrapped. Each day, the 46-year-old comes home to have lunch with her daughter before she heads off to preschool. “It’s right in the neighborhood so I walk her to preschool,” she once revealed. “Charley goes down for a nap. If he naps, then mama naps. We try to do a quick family nap in the afternoon.” A nap after being up at 3 a.m.? Now that sounds like a pretty good idea to me!