After selling fax machines door-to-door for seven years, Sara Blakely set off with her lucky red backpack to find a hosiery mill that would bring her revolutionary idea to life.

Following months of dead-end phone calls and unsuccessful meetings, she worked endless nights and weekends to create Spanx, a company that is now valued at over a billion dollars.

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Photo Credit: Paul Morigi / Getty Images

Today, Sara Blakeley continues her busy lifestyle at the helm of her business empire. She travels, gives interviews and speeches, works closely with her team, and still finds time to take care of her four young children.

Where on earth does she get all that energy from? Like many entrepreneurs, she has specific routines that keep her wheels turning.

Starting the day without coffeeWhy you should be selfish in the morning

Working overtime usually equals copious amounts of caffeine. But this self-made billionaire has never touched a cup of joe in her life.

Instead, she found another way to invigorate herself and keep her energy up and running. It’s none other than the dreaded “healthy smoothie.”

The Spanx founder tells New York Magazine’s The Cut how she starts her day with yoga at 6:30 A.M., then has the exact same breakfast every single morning.

“It has frozen wild blueberries, a few dark cherries, kale, dates, cinnamon, spinach, cilantro, fresh mint, lemon, water, ice, chia, and walnuts,” Blakely shared. “It’s thick and I eat it like ice cream, so it makes me feel like I’m having dessert.”

While it may sound enticing to some, many will agree with Blakely’s husband, who reportedly, “thinks it’s disgusting.”

Blakely then continues her healthy streak with a mug of green tea and homemade cashew milk, sweetened with honey from a local honey beekeeper. (Yum?)

Ending the day with lavender

After a full day at the office, Blakely picks up her children from school and drives home for some much-needed rest. Her preferred way to unwind is with a warm bath.

“I take a bath every single night. I’ve done it my entire life,” Blakely says. “I pretty much always light a candle. I sit in the bath for usually five or ten minutes.”

Baths have a proven calming effect, which can be elevated even further with scented oils, candles, and gentle music. Blakely uses drugstore lavender Epsom salts every night with her bath to calm her body and keep her warm in bed.

How can you upgrade your own routine?

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Photo Credit: Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Don’t panic, coffee lovers, you don’t have to give up your favorite dark roast to channel Blakely’s energy. In fact, various studies have shown that coffee is beneficial for your health, provided you take it black and without adding fatty creams or sugars.

For a pick-me-up during your busy day, do try and incorporate a healthy smoothie or at least a few fruits and veggies. They’ll give you an energy boost without the crash that inevitably comes after filling up on sugary or caffeinated drinks.

As for a bath, this is a common nightly ritual for many entrepreneurs, like Ariana Huffington. But a warm shower can have the same calming effect. (Tip: In contrast, experts recommend having cold showers in the morning to wake yourself up and kickstart your day.)

Whatever you choose to take away from Blakely’s routine, don’t be nervous to experiment until you find the right combination of habits that suit your lifestyle. Ensuring your mental and emotional well-being reflects positively on every other aspect of your life, so finding your perfect routine is a wise investment.