Subject: Eric Rutherford
Provenance: Muskegon, MI
Age: 54
This multi-hyphenate creative—he’s an actor, model, podcaster, and social media icon—knows what being ageless is all about. The @mr.rutherford star talks meditation, gratitude, and Princess Cake (!).
What is your daily routine?
I wake at 7:30am. I read my daily inspiration and prayers to center my mind. I drink my first cup of coffee before I begin my 20 minute morning meditation. I have practiced TM for 6 years. It calms the mind as well as the body. It increases wellness and lowers stress.
After my meditation, I journal while I finish my coffee. I practice writing a gratitude list every day. Because as a society, we can constantly find ourselves comparing our lives to others, this has helped me to appreciate all the good in my life and embrace the positives while facing the negatives that we can experience.
All of this takes less than an hour. Once completed, my day shifts and picks up speed. Depending on if I’m shooting new content in the morning or meeting with future collaborators in the afternoon, I’ll shower quickly and get dressed in my ‘uniform’; usually a black T-shirt or navy polo with dark denim and a pair of classic white Stan Smith sneakers. It’s an outfit I know I can throw a jacket over depending on the client or weather and still look great.
I enjoy a good lunch meeting. It’s an easy way to come together, share personal or professional updates, and eat a healthy meal in an hour. For most lunches, I’ll eat a light salad or small piece of fish. Rarely will I eat anything heavy or filling as it always slows my creativity down. If I’m not shooting new content, I’ll head back to my home office to finish the rewrite of a new story I am working on. Four-five days a week, I work out with light weights or do cardio. As I’ve gotten older, I enjoy having more lean muscle instead of bulk like when I was younger. Plus, I think I look better in a suit.
If I don’t have a work event to attend, I usually have dinner with my partner or a close friend. In the past year, we’ve used the time at home to re-watch favorite TV shows or binge great new ones like “Ted Lasso” or “Hacks.” I like to stay up late but I also enjoy a good night’s rest. It’s about finding the balance.
Can you describe your approach to beauty and wellness?
My approach to wellness and beauty has evolved over the years. When I was younger, my beauty routine consisted of washing my face with a harsh soap or stealing a makeup wipe if there was one nearby. As I aged, I could see the difference in my skin when I took care of it, drank water, got enough sleep, and watched my diet. Mental and spiritual wellness impacts our internal and external beauty. Meditation and practicing positivity can bring a glow to my face as much as the Biologique Recherche p50 Original “1970” or the Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream that I use in my daily skin routine.
How do you incorporate Ourself into your beauty regimen?
“It was quite easy adding the Ourself products into my daily regimen. Each morning after I shower, I apply 4 pumps of the Daily Dark Spot Intercept. Once I’ve massaged that in, I layer in 3 pumps of the Daily Renewal Cream. I get dressed, blow dry my hair and add the Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 to my face. At the end of the day, I clean my face and repeat the steps without the Sunscreen. I go to bed knowing I’m ready for the next day.”
What is your greatest indulgence versus your healthiest habit?
My greatest indulgence is to always live life to its fullest. Whether it’s enjoying a delicious bowl of my favorite pasta or rushing to see a last minute Broadway show or jumping on my bike to explore new parts of the city, it’s all about fueling the joy in one’s life.
With regards to food, I love to eat. I savor the flavors of a great dish or slice of the perfect piece of pink Princess Cake at Sant Ambroeus. Sunday has become my ‘cheat’ day when I can indulge my palate. For the rest of the week, I try to balance it all with smart and healthy choices. I fast once a week to give my body a rest and a reset. I don’t drink alcohol but I do drink a lot of water. For me, every day is about continuing to find ways, both big and small, to enjoy your life.
What is something your followers don’t know about you?
My followers don’t know that I used to love stuffed animals. I still have two from my childhood; a sleeping dog who has a little bell on his ear and a brown teddy bear.
Best ageless advice you ever got?
It’s never too late to live your dream.
How do you freeze time?
You can’t freeze time. It took me turning forty to finally realize that time is finite. In our youth, we think we have all the time in the world. We can “waste time” easily, knowing there’s more time coming. Now, when I meditate, I know I am actively using that time to be still, calm my mind, and let go. Every choice we make and how we choose to live is based on time.
When do you feel like the self you love most?
My daily intention is to live my life as my full, loving, unapologetic, and unique self. Whether it’s when I’m meditating or working, stuck in traffic or riding a bike with the wind in my hair and sun on my face, it’s living in the freedom to be me.
