Published February 16, 2018 03:11PM
How This TV Pitchman Balances The Tri Life
This author and face of many made-for-TV commercials gets his workouts in, even on the messiest days.
Photo: Tommy Zaferes
This author and face of many made-for-TV commercials gets his workouts in, even on the messiest days.
Anthony Sullivan gets kinda-sorta recognized a lot when he’s setting up in transition: “Are you the OxiClean guy?” someone inevitably asks, and Sullivan always smiles and points to his racing kit—it just so happens that OxiClean is emblazoned on his chest. “It’s fun to be recognized,” says Sullivan, best known as spokesperson for the aforementioned cleaning product, “and I’m always up for a selfie.”
A former nationally ranked swimmer in England, Sullivan was inspired to take up triathlon in 2006 to provide balance to his demanding schedule—giving him some “me” time. In the course of any given day, Sullivan wears multiple hats: CEO of Sullivan Productions, television pitchman, author of You Get What You Pitch For, father, and triathlete. His life is a chaotic one, and often requires pulling double duty. “I have a treadmill and bike trainer set up in my office to make it a little easier,” Sullivan says. “If I cannot get my workouts in before or after work, I get them in at the office.”
Surprisingly, Sullivan’s most important training tool is not his treadmill–it’s his calendar: “The biggest mistake I’ve made is trying to wing it when it comes to training. I’ve found that I have to be methodical in my scheduling and planning in order to achieve my triathlon goals.” At the very least, those goals always include the St. Anthony’s Triathlon in St. Petersburg, Fla., every year.
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That means planning ahead for workouts, especially those scheduled to take place on the road. Sullivan’s “go bag” for work includes running shoes, swim gear, and a heart rate monitor so he can get a session in no matter where his work takes him.
Planning ahead also allows him to get in the right mindset: “Before going to sleep, I visualize myself enjoying the next day’s workout, so I am ready to hit the ground running in the morning with a positive attitude,” Sullivan says. “I truly enjoy training, it is the routine that keeps me clearheaded and sane.”
