Whole Foods Market’s 46-Year-Old CEO Works Out Twice a Day and ‘Fully Uses Up’ His PTO: His Keys to Work-Life Balance
Jason Buechel, the 46-year-old CEO of Whole Foods Market, has taken the top job at the high-end grocer since Amazon acquired it for over $13.7 billion in 2017. Despite his demanding schedule, which includes frequent business travel and a minimum of 10 meetings per day, Buechel maintains a strict regimen to ensure he fully utilizes his PTO and maintains a healthy work-life balance.
Prioritizing PTO
Buechel doesn't believe in skimping on PTO. "I highly prioritize PTO," Buechel tells Fortune in a recent interview. "So I do use all of my allocation each year." He emphasizes the importance of using all vacation days to "replenish, relax, and unwind." This philosophy extends to Whole Foods Market's employees, where Buechel has implemented a new policy that caps the number of hours that can be banked, encouraging staff to take their PTO.
Daily Routine and Wellness Habits
Buechel's daily routine is a testament to his commitment to health and balance:
-
6:00 a.m.: Buechel wakes up no later than 6 a.m., checks his phone, and goes for a morning run, averaging five to six miles. He loves finishing his workouts with a smoothie breakfast consisting of mushroom, vegan, and vanilla protein powder, plus oatmeal, bananas, peanut butter, and chia seeds.
-
8:00 a.m.: Work begins with attending to emails, catching up on news, or listening to a podcast while commuting to Whole Foods Market’s headquarters in Austin.
-
Lunch: Being the CEO of one of the biggest grocery stores in the country has its perks. Buechel often picks his lunch from the grocer’s lavish salad bar, emphasizing the importance of what he puts in his body.
-
6:00 p.m.: Buechel wraps up work by 6 p.m., unwinding with a second workout session at the gym or a simple walk to “stay active,” followed by a second round of grocery shopping at Whole Foods to prep for dinner.
-
12:00 a.m.: To ensure “a solid six hours” of sleep, Buechel hits the hay no later than midnight, just after reading a book in bed.
Saunas and Plunges
Buechel also incorporates a unique wellness routine: 30 minutes of infrared sauna followed by two to three rounds of alternating three-minute cold and hot plunges, ending with a cold plunge. "While the cold is definitely painful while you're doing it," says Buechel, "your body feels amazing afterward."
An Enriched Life
When Buechel is not working, he’s traveling, hiking, doing outdoor challenges with friends, watching sports, or enjoying Austin’s live music scene. "I look at it as having an enriched life," he tells Fortune. "For me, it's making sure I always have time to unplug and that I'm taking care of myself."
Buechel's approach to work-life balance serves as an inspiring example for corporate America, where the trend of not using PTO is prevalent. By fully utilizing his PTO and maintaining a disciplined daily routine, Buechel demonstrates that it is possible to lead a balanced and fulfilling life even in the highest echelons of corporate leadership.