Sam Anderson

Sam Anderson has spent much of his life chasing flavor and endurance. In New York City, he helped define the beverage programs at restaurants like Mission Chinese, Contra, Wildair, Sel Rrose, Hotel Delmano, and Vinegar Hill House. At the same time, he was a competitive marathoner, appearing on the cover of Runner's World and helping shape the city's early urban running culture.

Today, Sam lives with his partner, Taylor Patterson of Fox Fodder Flowers, and their two young children in a stone cottage in northern Delaware. From there, he founded Nocturn Sleep, a tea company born from his love of nuanced drinks and the simple art of winding down.

Read our interview with Sam below.

What projects are you currently working on?

My sleep tea brand Nocturn has been a big project that I've been working on for the better part of two years. It launched this past February. Sleep has always been a struggle for me–especially when I worked late nights in restaurants as a sommelier. Then waking up early to train for marathons. I rarely felt naturally rested and recovered until I discovered the amazing hack of drinking sleep tea. Not only are you getting the efficacy of natural sleep aid ingredients such as valerian but the sensory experience of the tea’s aroma and flavor has an immediate calming effect.

I created Nocturn with somewhat selfish intentions because I wanted an improved sleep tea but also wanted to share this with people with similarly high-pace lives who can benefit from better rest.

What is your favorite place to spend time in nature, and why?

The ocean, easily. I am an avid surfer and take any chance I can to get the beach for a good swell. Surfing is the rare endeavor where I truly unplug. I specifically love surfing at dawn before the world wakes up. Riding waves never gets old but also the ocean is a great tool for keeping perspectives in line; few things are all at once as calming, humbling and energizing as the ocean.

Is there a scent from the natural world (e.g. a particular flower, a particular beach, etc.) that connects to a personal memory, and how so?

I love the earthy scent of the trails near my home on the Brandywine River… long mornings of running up and down hills, the minerality of the river’s scent. There are wild roses and wild chamomile that grow alongside the trails and all those aromas are pretty magical.

When do you feel most beautiful? (in whatever sense of that word)

When I am taking gym selfies obviously!

What is your daily routine for skincare?

Skincare is really important to me especially because I spend a lot of time in the sun. I started stealing Danuta products from my wife Taylor’s side of the bathroom after overhearing how much she loved them. My morning routine is lots of really cold water on my face (ideally ocean water). I love Danuta Hydrating Serum along with Danuta Nourishing Oil. In the evening, I'll use an exfoliating scrub and then Danuta Revitalizing Oil before bed. I also use Freaks of Nature sunblock—a brand started by a friend of mine.

What beauty or self-care ritual keeps you going?

Exercise–whether biking through NYC streets, surfing, yoga, weight-training… some form of exercise every day is non-negotiable. I used to run marathons competitively but after 11 of them, my body is no longer interested in being pounded in that way. Meditation is also a big part of my life; it's always what I lean into deeper when life feels scrambled.

In your approach to wellness, what are you leaning away from and/or toward?

I've always been very good with intensity and extreme behavioral patterns. I am really really good at being hard on myself. Historically, that was often substance abuse but the turned into other extreme behaviors like running 90 miles a week, training for 2-3 marathons a year, surfing obsessively, strict vegan diets or sobriety. This can all make me feel a bit isolated or a bit too "locked-in" as the kids say. These days, I am trying to taking things easier. Relax and enjoy. Amazing how hard that can be.

What is one thing that helps you get energized? (e.g. breathwork, a particular musician, a type of exercise, etc.)

Ideally, surfing but if there are no waves, an early morning trail run, listening to something heavy– bands like Deafheaven, The Cure, Boy Harsher, Fcukers, Iceage.

How do you wind down for bed, what rituals do you have to help wind down?

Ice cream + Nocturn Sleep tea + Danuta Revitalizing Oil + listening to music in bed.

When have you recently cried because something was beautiful? (e.g. a performance, a family event, etc.)

I love to cry. Ugh, feels so good everytime.
Recently: Watching my daughter graduate from pre-school, the new Olivia Rodrigo record, bicycling at midnight through several boroughs of NYC on the night the Knicks won the title.

What is your sun sign (moon and rising too, if you want to share), and is there a characteristic of it that resonates with you?

I have no idea about the zodiac! I know I am a Triple Leo but no clue what that means practically. Someone please help me understand!

What book or movie has left an impression on you?

I studied literature and film in college, so this is a tough question.
But I’d say, books:
“Jesus’ Son” Denis Johnson
“White Noise” Don DeLillo
“Duino Elegies” Rainer Maria Rilke
“Barbarian Days” William Finnegan
“Let My People Go Surfing” Yvon Chouinard.
Films:
“Days of Heaven”, “Badlands”, “Tree of Life” all directed by Terrence Malick
“8 & 1/2” directed by Fellini
“Moonlight” directed by Barry Jenkins
Recently saw a film called ‘Train Dreams” based on a Denis Johnson novella and found it to be very moving.