111. Yosef Herzog, Today Show Stage Manager

"I wanted to see if I could do it. And then once I did it, I wanted to see what else I could do." —Yosef Herzog

For most people, 3:30 AM is the middle of the night. For Yosef Herzog, it's time to get to work. As stage manager for NBC's Today show, Yosef starts his day early. As a two-time marathon runner, he ends it late. Yosef is on set at NBC by 4:30 AM, leaves after the show wraps at 11 AM, and then runs in the evenings with Brooklyn Track Club. On this episode, he talks about making it all work, shares why he decided to leave his steady, well-paying career in finance to get into television, and opens up about his impressive 50-pound weight loss. Plus, he talks about what it's like working at the Olympics, and what it was like meeting the Obamas.

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What you'll get on this episode:

• All the moves that led Yosef to his job at Today, including the a-ha moment that made him realize he needed to make a total career change (3:15)
• What it's like being a part of NBC's prestigious Page program (6:40)
• How Yosef landed at the Today show, and what his job as stage manager entails (13:15)
• What Yosef's day looks like (17:10)
• What Yosef says are the biggest challenges about working on live TV (21:25)
• Yosef talks about major NBC events including Christmas in Rockefeller Center, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Halloween on the Plaza, the concerts, and the Olympics (24:00)
• What it's like covering national tragedies (29:30)
• How Yosef got into running — and lost 50 pounds in the process — and what his lifestyle looks like now (33:00)
• Why Yosef got into racing (47:40)
• What's next for Yosef? (53:30)

What we mention on this episode:

The Day I Met Celine Dion

NBC Universal Page Program

Fast Money

Yosef in Men's Health

Natalie Morales on Episode 33 of the Ali on the Run Show

New York City Half Marathon

Team in Training

New York Road Runners

Follow Yosef:

• Instagram @yosefherzog

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• Instagram @aliontherun1
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• Twitter @aliontherun1
• Blog
• Strava

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