Active Ingredient Podcast

This week's episode is with Mari Llewellyn and Greg LaVecchia. Mari is a content creator on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, she is the creator of the Slay App which is a digital workout program and is also the co-founder of Bloom - a supplement company with mental health in mind - that she launched with her husband, Greg.

At 250 pounds, Mari hit rock bottom, both mentally and physically. She decided to take ownership of her health and with the help of Greg she was able to lose 90 pounds and finally find self love. Fitness helped Mari evolve into her highest self and she was inspired to help other women do the same. During her journey, she struggled to find health supplements with high quality ingredients that tasted delicious and also didn't trigger her anxiety. Enter Bloom: approachable and delicious health supplements designed to fuel your fitness journey and give your body the nutrients it needs to bloom.

In this episode we talk about what it's like to transform within a relationship, why school isn't for everyone, building a business together from the ground up, not waiting for when things "fall into place" and instead operating from that place now. 

My new company!

Piano Piano: Tableware company on a mission to encourage us to slow down and come alive ☕️🍋

https://pianopianohome.com/

The Skinny Confidential Episode with Mari Llewellyn: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-mari-llewellyn-lost-90-pounds-transformed-her-life/id1093028505?i=1000557587888

Some Questions I Ask:

• How were you as kids? (3:07)
• Both of you said you didn't thrive in school. What has that journey been, and how did that affect your entrepreneurial journey? (17:06)
• Have you ever felt that you haven't been on the same level at some point in your journey? (32:45)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• There are two people you need to make proud. The 7 years old, and the 70 years old version of you (7:08)
• How can we tell if we are listening to the right inner voice (12:08)
• What is the best way to create a team of intrapreneurs (20:48)
• About Mari's transformation (22:50)
• How Bloom Nutrition started (34:54)

Resources:

• Bloom Nutrition website

Follow Mari and Greg on Instagram:

• Mari 
• Greg

Let's connect!

• Active Ingredient Instagram
• Sophie Weill Instagram
• Join the Active Ingredient Geneva Community

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, in definitely one of my career highlights, I interviewed one of my favorite authors of all time Gay Hendricks!!!! I went to his house in Ojai  and we had the most amazing conversation in his living room about the fear of being seen, the upper limit problem, his 500 years life plan, and the healing power of love. 

The author of The Big Leap, Conscious Loving, and Zone of Genius, also shared the story of his own enlightenment, the moment he connected with his essence: the unprogrammed part of himself. 

Plus, Gay shared his thoughts on the education system, the power of identifying the things that scare us, his own zone of genius, and so much more. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• Talk to me about this enlightenment moment you had at 24. What happened? (13:15)
• What is a tangible next step for someone who is now in a place where they can identify the thing holding them back? What's the next step? (31:43)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Human beings have the power to reinvent themselves (11:34)
• Gay's perspective on the upper limit problem (26:15)
• Blame is the cocaine of relationships (35:42)
• How can we differentiate the kinds of fear we feel (42:19)
• Why are we so afraid of being seen (45:13)
• What is wrong with our education system (53:03)
• The best inbox in the world (58:28)
• Love is the only power that can embrace its opposite (65:33)

Resources:

• Hendricks Institute website
• Gay Hendricks books

Connect with Gay:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

Let's connect!

• Active Ingredient Instagram
• Sophie Weill Instagram
• Join the Active Ingredient Geneva Community

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kim Johnson visits us to talk about all things community, her trajectory and evolution in the space, the changes she witnessed in the last ten years in the industry, and where she sees community heading.  

She is the Head of Community at Geneva and one of the OGs of community building. Kim started as an editorial intern at Into The Gloss, tasted marketing and advertising for a while, and discovered her passion for community building at Glossier.  

In this episode, Kim explains how being painfully shy as a kid served her to develop her career many years later, entities' and creators' roles in community building, and why she believes not every brand needs a community. 

Plus, Kim dissects Geneva; what is it, who is it for, how to use it, which communities are the most successful in the platform, and so much more. 

This episode is brought to you by Seed - my favorite favorite pre and probiotic company - I've been taking it for years (3+). Use code ACTIVE for 15% off your first month of Seed's DS-01™ Daily Synbiotic https://seed.com/daily-synbiotic?utm_source=active_ingredient&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=15p

Some Questions I Ask:

• How were you as a child, and what personality traits from that time do you think you still have? (4:12)
• Let's take a step back. What is community? (14:47)
• What makes a Geneva community successful? (26:54)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The perks of being a quiet introvert (4:44)
• Some people live for the deal. How Kim got clear on what she didn't want to work with (7:34)
• The future is almost here. Community building and content creators (15:29)
• Slow and steady, and watering it over time. The secrets of community building (21:35)
• What is Geneva? (25:03)
• The paradox of being lonely and afraid of human interaction at the same time (36:45)

Connect with Kim:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Let's connect!

• Active Ingredient Instagram
• Sophie Weill Instagram
• Join the Active Ingredient Geneva Community

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I had such a blast recording this episode with husband and wife duo Siff and Nish who are also the founders of Arrae, a wellness brand dedicated to creating 100% natural supplements to help women sleep better, eliminate bloat, be more relaxed and calm, and improve their digestion. 

We learn about how they met, what made them decide to use their wedding money to create a startup, and how challenging it was for them to start a business as a couple. They also share their biggest fears as entrepreneurs, their view on investing in team growth, and how making the right hires can turn into a total paradigm change. 

Plus, we discuss burnout, how to notice it and avoid it from reaching unhealthy levels, what makes them feel alive in their professional and personal lives, self-care routines, and so much more. 

Let's connect!

• Active Ingredient Instagram
• Sophie Weill Instagram
• Join the Active Ingredient Geneva Community

Some Questions I Ask:

• How did you guys meet? (7:24)
• Do you guys proactively have boundaries or check-ins as a couple to avoid talking all the time about Arrae? (16:58)
• What are some of the red flags for burnout? (22:41)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How Siff and Nish decided to start a company together (11:44)
• An idea, a firm conviction, a creator, and an engineer (13:34)
• Why is it so difficult and scary to level up in your business (22:56)
• Marketing and advertising are necessary, but the product is the business (36:26)
• How influencer marketing helped Arrae (43:21)
• Where should someone who feels stuck and wants to live in alignment (48:44)

Resources:

• Arrae website
• Arrae Instagram
• Arrae Facebook

Connect with Siff:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Connect with Nish:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode is all about stories. Why you should share yours, what kind of impact you can create, and the transformational power of getting acquainted with your story as part of your wholeness. 

We explore some of the many reasons why every story must be told and heard, regardless of the teller's platform or audience. We dive into the inspirational example from Jenna Kutcher's book, "How are you, really?" and why I firmly believe the universe rewards sharing tools, resources, and learnings from past experiences. 

Let's connect!

• Join the Geneva Community and be an Active Ingredient in the conversation
• Active Ingredient Instagram
• Sophie Weill Instagram

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How vulnerable and authentic is the story you are telling? (8:19)
• Why the size of the platform doesn't really matter (9:26)
• You have no idea who you can touch with your story (13:33)
• If you tell your story, you'll realize you are not alone (17:22)
• Your message is important; get acquainted with it (22:13)

Resources:

• Female Founder World podcast
• Book - Jenna Kutcher - How Are You, Really?: Living Your Truth One Answer at a Time

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Never stop playing. Leading with a curious mind with Piera Gelardi

Piera Gelardi is one of the most creative and colorful spirits I have ever met. She is a natural storyteller, a multi-awarded entrepreneur, creative director, advisor, speaker, and mother, passionate about awakening creativity in everyone around her. 

In this episode, Piera invites us to explore how leadership looks when we add compassion, creativity, and generosity to it. We learn several ways to talk to and defeat our inner critic, the essential need to incorporate play into our adult lives, and how she managed to knit kindness and generosity into negotiations. 

Some Questions I Ask:

• When you are about to get on stage to do public speaking, and your inner critic's voice gets really loud, what's that inner dialogue like? (16:23)
• Have you always been a natural storyteller? (25:45)
• What tools can we give the audience to deal with those days when they feel stuck or need a break? (39:26)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How public speaking turns into something different when we speak about things that are alive in us (11:08)
• About Piera's unique leadership style and how to lead through curiosity and generosity (18:27)
• How compassion can be a great tool to lead groups (23:32)
• What made Piera change her vision about what a negotiation should look like (32:49)
• Love notes to self. Piera shares some of the tools she uses to check in with herself (40:25)
• Creativity is more physical than we think (44:01)

Resources:

• Piera Gelardi website
• Wild Things World

Connect with Piera:

• Instagram
• TikTok

Let's connect!

• Active Ingredient Instagram
• Sophie Weill Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reach out! Here is the Geneva link to be able to connect with all of you/for you to connect with each other: https://links.geneva.com/invite/01310273-f2e1-4b68-a0f6-7245135a19c4

15% off Otherworld pancakes (aka my fav pancakes ever) when you use code ACTIVE at checkout: https://eatotherworld.com/

Thea Hughes is a Brooklyn-based strength trainer whose method (Max Effort Training) is rooted in making women feel as confident in their bodies as they do in their ideas and to be able to thrive at the gym without her.

In this episode, we get into Thea's journey in the marketing and advertising world and her leap of faith into the wellness/fitness industry. We get into all things strength training, misconceptions, what to know/understand and how it differentiates from other forms of movement.

Some Questions I Ask:

• Was fitness always something that was a massive part of your identity or just something that you were really passionate about? (7:04)
• You're a trained dancer. What was it about that calling? And then what got you to dedicate yourself full time to becoming a wellness coach? (19:18)
• What exactly is strength training? Why is it important for women? Why is it essential for our muscles and our bones as we age? (24:22)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About what was little Thea like as a kid (7:13)
• The biggest thing you should pay attention to if you are looking to find a community (14:31)
• What's the right way to show up for your community (22:25)
• What does a strength training session look like (26:33)
• Simple yet effective tips to start taking control over your body (37:13)
• Thea shares advice for those who feel that they fell off the wagon in their fitness journey (40:42)

Resources:

• Max Effort website

Connect with Thea:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Let's connect!

• Active Ingredient Instagram
• Sophie Weill Instagram
• Geneva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Link to Geneva chat for us to be able to actually talk to each other! https://links.geneva.com/invite/01310273-f2e1-4b68-a0f6-7245135a19c4

Today's episode feels like a reintroduction of myself and the buildup of the podcast's new foundations. I share details of my professional life as the Founder and CEO of my brand building PR agency Nude Nation and the desire to mesh this podcast and Nude Nation since both are personal and professional growth destinations. 

You'll learn more about Nude Nation's mission and goals, how they are intimately linked and aligned with what I'm building with Active Ingredient, and the importance of seeing and recognizing ourselves as whole beings. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Why it made total sense to integrate everything that I do (1:54)
• About what Nude Nation is, its mission, and goals (4:37)
• The intention behind blending Nude Nation and Active Ingredient (6:28)
• We all have something burning inside of us (8:23)
• Why it is crucial to see ourselves as whole beings (11:18)

Let's connect!

• Active Ingredient Instagram
• Sophie Weill Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode is about the dark side of wellness. I explore the guilt in wellness and why we go to the extreme of not feeling enough just by failing to meditate one day, drinking alcohol, or eating out of our meal plan. Today's episode is an invitation to reflect on why we do this to ourselves, to reevaluate our relationship with the things that are supposed to make us feel good, and do the exact opposite, and how to deal with them. 

If you're looking to heal/support your gut and are in the market for probiotics, look no further. Seed, the sponsor of today's show, is offering 15% off your first month's subscription of the DS-01™ Daily Synbiotic with code ACTIVE at checkout. Here is the link: https://seed.com/daily-synbiotic?utm_source=active_ingredient&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=15p

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About the dark side of wellness and how harmful it is, the lack of balance in our lives (5:01)
• What can we do with the guilt in wellness (5:35)
• The need to take a break and avoid being so zoomed in on our wellness routines (8:51)
• There is no need to blow up an entire day for failing to tackle ONE thing from our to-do list (13:00)
• The importance of paying attention to how we speak to ourselves, especially when we fail (14:36)

Let's connect!

• Active Ingredient Instagram
• Sophie Weill Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode is about three books that have had a massive impact on my life. These books helped me find peace, meaning, and most importantly, a direction in my journey, and I feel they are a must-read for anyone interested in personal development and growth. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How "The Big Leap" from Gay Hendricks helped me understand my self-sabotaging conduct (3:12)
• Why it feels so uncomfortable to reach new heights (4:52)
• Louise Hay and one of the most influential books I've ever read (8:01)
• About how we see and what is the best way to deal with those people who trigger us (10:59)
• The intimate link between religion, guilt, and shame and how it affected me throughout my life (14:11)
• The third book on the list. Perhaps the most controversial and impacting of them all (15:13)

Resources:

• Reset with Liz Tran podcast
• active sunrise yoga with Sophie at happie space 
• Book: Gay Hendricks - The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level
• Book: Louise Hay - You Can Heal Your Life
• Book: Meggan Waterson - Mary Magdalene Revealed: The First Apostle, Her Feminist Gospel & the Christianity We Haven't Tried Yet

Let's connect!

• Active Ingredient Instagram
• Sophie Weill Instagram

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.