Rob McMurtrie of LifeSpace US joins BBQ Therapy to share an incredible story of leaving South Africa, starting over in Texas, and building a successful business in the barbecue industry.

We discuss entrepreneurship, family, risk, resilience, outdoor living, premium grills, South African braai culture, and how barbecue brings people together across cultures.

Rob shares the challenges of starting from scratch, lessons learned in business, and why passion and perseverance matter more than comfort.

If you enjoy stories about entrepreneurship, barbecue, and building something meaningful, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Subscribe for more inspiring conversations with leaders across the barbecue world.

#LifeSpaceUS #Braai #BBQTherapy

Tags

Rob McMurtrie,LifeSpace US,LifeSpace,South African braai,Texas BBQ,BBQ podcast,outdoor kitchens,entrepreneurship,BBQ grills,premium grills,braai,BBQ lifestyle,backyard BBQ,BBQ interview,BBQ Therapy,outdoor living,Tavis Bryant

What does it take to become a World Barbecue Champion?

In this episode of BBQ Therapy, we’re joined by Sterling Smith of Loot N’ Booty BBQ. Sterling is a U.S. Navy veteran, 5-time World Champion, 2022 World Barbecue Champion, cookbook author, BBQ instructor, and one of the most accomplished pitmasters in competition barbecue.

We discuss his journey into BBQ, building the Loot N’ Booty brand, winning on the world’s biggest stages, developing championship rubs and sauces, and the mindset it takes to stay at the top.

With over 60 Grand & Reserve Grand Championships, 850+ Top 10 finishes, 24 perfect 180 scores, and a 2023 California BBQ Hall of Fame induction, Sterling shares lessons every backyard griller and competition cook can learn from.

If you love barbecue, competition cooking, and hearing the stories behind the pitmasters, this episode is for you.

🔥 Subscribe to BBQ Therapy for more interviews with the biggest names in barbecue.

#BBQTherapy #LootNBootyBBQ #SterlingSmith #CompetitionBBQ #BBQPodcast #Pitmaster

Tags

Sterling Smith,Loot N Booty BBQ,Loot N Booty,competition BBQ,KCBS BBQ,BBQ podcast,brisket,BBQ rubs,BBQ sauces,pitmaster,BBQ interview,smoked brisket,BBQ competition,backyard BBQ,barbecue podcast,BBQ tips,champion pitmaster,Texas BBQ,BBQ Therapy,Tavis Bryant

🔥 What does it take to go from a kid growing up in Mississippi to becoming one of the most recognizable names in barbecue?

In this episode of BBQ Therapy, host Tavis Bryant travels to Columbus, Mississippi, to sit down inside Hank's Championship BBQ with legendary pitmaster Hank Vaiden, known by many as the "Bad Boy of BBQ."

Hank shares the incredible story behind his barbecue journey—from learning to cook in the backyard, discovering competition BBQ, and earning championships, to appearing on BBQ Pitmasters and building a successful restaurant.

You'll hear about:
🔥 Growing up in Mississippi and the food that shaped him
🔥 Learning to cook and finding competition BBQ
🔥 The highs and lows of his early contests
🔥 The story behind the "Bad Boy of BBQ" nickname
🔥 Behind-the-scenes stories from BBQ Pitmasters
🔥 Opening Hank's Championship BBQ
🔥 Mastering championship whole hog barbecue
🔥 Leadership, perseverance, and building a lasting legacy
🔥 Why barbecue is more than food—it's therapy

Plus, stick around after the interview for an exclusive dining room tour of Hank's Championship BBQ, where Hank shares some of the stories and history behind the restaurant that his customers experience every day.

Whether you're a backyard griller, competition pitmaster, restaurant owner, or simply love great stories, this episode is packed with decades of barbecue knowledge and inspiration.

🎙️ Listen. Learn. Get Inspired.

🌐 BBQTherapyPodcast.com

On this episode of BBQ Therapy, host Tavis Bryant sits down with Richard Fergola of Fergolicious BBQ — one of the most accomplished and respected pitmasters in competition barbecue. Known for consistency, flavor, and championship-level execution, Richard has built a reputation as one of the elite cooks in the game.

We talk about the mindset required to compete at the highest level, the sacrifices behind success, and how Richard developed the systems and confidence that made Fergolicious BBQ a powerhouse. This episode is loaded with competition insight, hard-earned lessons, and motivation for cooks at every level.

Some barbecue traditions are passed down through generations.

Others are created by people willing to challenge everything we thought we knew.

In this special double-feature episode of BBQ Therapy, host Tavis Bryant sits down with two guests who are shaping the future of barbecue in very different ways.

🔥 Interview One: Kiplon Taylor – Slap Someone Sauce

Before there was a business, there was a family recipe.

For more than 100 years, that recipe was carefully preserved through generations before Kiplon Taylor answered what he believes was God’s calling to share it with the world.

This conversation explores:

• The family legacy behind Slap Someone Sauce

• Turning faith into action

• Protecting a century-old recipe

• Building a brand without losing its roots

• Leadership, family, and entrepreneurship

• The vision behind the Slap Someone Sauce Food Truck Cook-Off

Then…

🔥 Interview Two: Nakia Coco Charcoal

What if the next major innovation in barbecue isn’t your smoker or your seasoning…

…it’s the charcoal?

Nakia Coco is changing the conversation by producing premium charcoal from recycled coconut shells, creating a cleaner, longer-burning fuel while reducing waste.

In this interview, we discuss:

• The story behind Nakia Coco Charcoal

• Why coconut shell charcoal performs differently

• Sustainability in the BBQ industry

• Winning trust in a tradition-driven market

• Entrepreneurship and resilience

• Building a company with purpose

• The future of barbecue fuel

Whether you’re a backyard griller, competition pitmaster, BBQ business owner, or simply someone who loves hearing powerful stories of faith, family, innovation, and perseverance, this episode delivers inspiration from beginning to end.

🔥 Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping the world of barbecue.

Follow BBQ Therapy:

🌐 https://www.bbqtherapypodcast.com

#BBQTherapy #SlapSomeoneSauce #NakiaCoco #BBQPodcast #Barbecue #Charcoal #BBQSauce #Pitmaster #BBQLife #CompetitionBBQ #Grilling #OutdoorCooking #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #Faith #FamilyLegacy #Sustainability #CoconutCharcoal

This week on BBQ Therapy, Tavis Bryant sits down with John Maguire of the PIT LIFE BBQ Podcast to talk barbecue media, storytelling, and the relationships that fuel the BBQ community. As a podcast host and content creator, John has spent years highlighting pitmasters, brands, and the personalities behind the smoke.

We discuss the evolution of BBQ podcasting, how content creation has changed the industry, and what it takes to build meaningful conversations in the barbecue world. If you love BBQ culture, behind-the-scenes stories, and the people driving the community forward, this episode is for you.

Mike Krohn returns to BBQ Therapy, and a lot has changed since his first appearance.

In this episode, host Tavis Bryant catches up with the creator of Healthy2HogWild to discuss an incredible year filled with new opportunities and exciting projects. Mike shares what it's like cooking on television, launching his own Italian Chili Garlic Grilling Sauce, writing his upcoming cookbook Smoke, Fire & Pasta, developing a new YouTube series, and working behind the scenes on FX's award-winning show The Bear.

Released during Disability Pride Month, this conversation goes beyond barbecue. Mike opens up about resilience, overcoming obstacles, and refusing to let limitations define what's possible. It's an inspiring discussion about passion, perseverance, creativity, and taking chances when opportunity knocks.

Whether you're a backyard griller, competition cook, foodie, or simply someone looking for inspiration, this episode delivers authentic stories and practical lessons from one of barbecue's most positive voices.

In this episode:
🔥 Mike's recent television cooking appearances
🔥 The story behind Healthy2HogWild Italian Chili Garlic Grilling Sauce
🔥 Writing the Smoke, Fire & Pasta cookbook
🔥 Building a new YouTube cooking series
🔥 Working on the set of FX's The Bear🔥 Celebrating Disability Pride Month through resilience and determination
🔥 Advice for anyone chasing a dream—inside or outside of barbecue

If you enjoy conversations that go beyond recipes and trophies, you're in the right place.

👍 Like this video
💬 Leave a comment with your favorite part of Mike's journey
🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping the world of barbecue.

Listen to BBQ Therapy everywhere podcasts are available.

🌐 Website: www.bbqtherapypodcast.com📧 Business Inquiries: [email protected]

#BBQTherapy #MikeKrohn #Healthy2HogWild #Barbecue #BBQ #Cooking #Grilling #Pitmaster #TheBearFX #DisabilityPrideMonth #Cookbook #BBQSauce #OutdoorCooking #BBQPodcast #TavisBryant

In this episode of BBQ Therapy, we’re joined by Tex Hill of Dress Blue BBQ for a conversation centered on service, discipline, and the healing power of barbecue. Tex’s journey combines military values with running a restaurant and serving the community.

Tex talks about how BBQ became an outlet, the lessons he carried from the service into restaurant life, and why authenticity matters in both life and barbecue. This episode is filled with perspective, resilience, and honest discussion about finding purpose through smoke and fire.

On this episode of BBQ Therapy, Tavis Bryant talks with Brian Leigh of B.T. Leigh’s Sauces and Rubs about building a respected BBQ brand through flavor, consistency, and passion for the craft. Brian’s products have earned attention across the barbecue world, but behind the business is a story built on hard work and dedication to quality.

We discuss the process behind developing sauces and rubs, the challenges of standing out in a crowded BBQ market, and how competition cooking helped shape the flavor profiles people now know and trust. This episode delivers insight for cooks, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to turn passion into purpose.

A bonus episode of BBQ Therapy Podcast, we’re joined by one of the most inspiring young pitmasters in barbecue—Jacey Blurton of BBQ Bugsy.

At just 13 years old, Jacey has already accomplished what many cooks spend decades chasing. Known throughout the BBQ community as “BBQ Bugsy,” she started cooking at a young age and quickly developed a passion that has taken her from local contests to some of the biggest stages in barbecue. Jacey began grilling around age 8 and turned that passion into championship-level success, becoming the Champion of Memphis in May Patio division .  

In this episode, we go beyond the trophies and turn-in boxes to learn about the person behind BBQ Bugsy. Jacey shares how she got started, the people who encouraged her along the way, what it’s like competing against adults, and how barbecue has shaped her confidence, work ethic, and future goals.

We also discuss:

🔥 How BBQ Bugsy got its start

🔥 Learning competition BBQ at a young age

🔥 Family, mentorship, and support systems

🔥 Competing on some of barbecue’s biggest stages

🔥 Challenges of being a young pitmaster

🔥 Memphis in May and championship experiences

🔥 Advice for young cooks interested in BBQ

🔥 What’s next for Jacey and BBQ Bugsy

Jacey’s story is proof that passion, dedication, and hard work matter more than age. Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster, a backyard cook, or a parent looking to inspire the next generation, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎙️ BBQ Therapy Podcast focuses on the people behind the fire—the stories, struggles, successes, and lessons that make the BBQ community special.

#BBQTherapy #JaceyBlurton #BBQBugsy #CompetitionBBQ #Pitmaster #BBQPodcast #MemphisinMay #Barbecue #BBQCommunity #YoungPitmaster #WomenInBBQ #BBQLife #CompetitionCooking #BBQFamily