It’s hard to believe it’s only been a year since Matt Shirvington became a full-time Sunrise host, and for the Olympian, it’s been a whirlwind.
“I look back and I think it has gone quick, but, gee, we’ve jammed a lot in. We’ve had some amazing guests in that time, the Logies, the AFL Grand Final and Tom Cruise,” he tells 7NEWS.com.au.
But there have also been tragic stories, including the devastating Hunter Valley Bus Crash in which 10 people were killed and dozens injured, which occurred on Shirvo’s first day in the new job.
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“That kind of started the journey,” he says. “Just after midnight, the bus crash happened, and I saw the emails start to come through from home so I knew it was going to be a tough day.”
The 45-year-old credits his “amazing” colleagues for guiding him through that first day on Sunrise and he says he learnt a lot.
“I’m proud of the way the whole team handles stuff like that,” he says.
“I’m proud of the way that we can get into a breaking story really quickly and really get to the heart of it.”
Since that first day, Shirvo says he has made a habit of analysing his segments on Sunrise, once the show has finished.
It’s a technique he developed as an Olympic athlete — he is the third-fastest Australian sprinter of all time, and competed in the 100m sprint in the Sydney Olympics back in 2000.
He also credits Nat Barr with helping him through.
“I‘m trying to do a crash course sitting next to Nat because the lessons that she’s learnt along the way, I can learn from a lot.”
Another habit his co-host has instilled in him is having a morning routine and sticking to it.
For Shirvo, it’s drinking his signature smoothie with “as many kinds of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, as I can possibly pack into it”.
The smoothie includes spinach, Greek yoghurt, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and beetroot, with a teaspoon of cinnamon and a splash of coconut water.
He also tries to work out before the show, waking at about 2.20am to complete a 30-minute routine at home on his exercise bike, because he’s discovered the job is surprisingly physical.
“Even in the ad breaks, it’s not like we’re lounging on the other couch,” he says.
“We’re recording promos, intros and openers, and we’re also talking to the people we’re interviewing.
“I think something that shocked me is the physicality.
“I think I’m a fairly strong and fit person, but even sitting there in that position and understanding that you’ve got to move and react in a certain way, it’s quite draining physically and even mentally, so I think that was a big shock.”
After the show, Shirvo returns home to have lunch —the biggest meal of his day.
“Sometimes I’ll have a nap, maybe half an hour to get me through to the rest of the day. Then I go to bed pretty early at about 7.30pm.”
But it is all worth it.
“The beauty of what Sunrise is, is that we do feel the human element of news a lot more,” Shirvo says.
“It’s so unique to have that direct connection with the viewers because we feel what they’re feeling.
“I think for someone who hasn’t come specifically from a journalistic background, I’m proud of the way that I’ve been able to fit in with the team.”
Looking ahead, Shirvo says he has one goal in the job, and it’s very simple.
“To adapt and change. We always scrutinise things and change things that didn’t work, improve things that can be better, and we’ll keep doing that.
“And even though we’re the number one breakfast TV show, we still can always be better, and we’ll keep doing that.”