Eat Play Crush with Mary Shenouda

What happens when you stop living the life you think you’re supposed to live and fully bet on yourself? Olivia Tiedemann’s path to becoming a private chef and building an audience of millions was anything but planned. After a turbulent adolescence, she traveled to a remote island in Madagascar, found her way into restaurant kitchens, attended culinary school in Ireland, and spent years working in an industry that she loved but eventually left her burned out and deeply unhappy. 

Olivia shares what led her to walk away, how being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s forced her to pay closer attention to her body and food, and how reclaiming her health created space for the next version of her life. 

We also talk about the private-chef opportunity that changed everything, the first cooking video she almost didn’t post, her creative process, navigating sudden attention, and why success has not changed the way she wants to work or live. 

In this episode: 

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Olivia’s experience with Hashimoto’s, fasting, and dietary changes is personal to her. This conversation is for educational and informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Being unapologetically yourself means embracing every part of who you are, without fear of judgment or rejection. It’s about standing tall in your truth, knowing that your quirks, flaws, and unique qualities are what make you extraordinary. When you stop seeking validation from others and start owning your story, you unlock the freedom to live authentically, create fearlessly, and connect deeply with those around you. True success begins when you show up as the most honest version of yourself, unapologetically and with confidence.

Today, let's welcome Jake Karls, the co-founder and "Rainmaker" of Mid-Day Squares, a revolutionary chocolate brand focused on authentic connections and clean, functional ingredients. Known for his bold personality and unconventional approach to business, Jake has built a loyal community by sharing the raw, unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship. Passionate about storytelling, community building, and making people feel something, Jake brings energy and heart into everything he does, both in business and life. 

Throughout the episode, Jake tells his story in a way that’s both inspiring and eye-opening. He begins by recounting his early ventures, including throwing college parties and a fitness business that went bankrupt, before finding his footing with Mid-Day Squares. Jake, now known as the "Rainmaker" for his ability to build genuine connections, opens up about the emotional toll of building a brand, from struggling with burnout to battling anxiety and self-doubt. Despite his success, Jake shares the importance of therapy and the challenges of balancing mental health with the demands of running a rapidly scaling company.

As the conversation unfolds, listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of Mid-Day Squares, from hand-making bars in a tiny condo to building a full-scale chocolate factory. Jake highlights the importance of storytelling in creating a loyal fan base, showing how sharing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship has been key to the brand's growth. He also touches on his personal struggles with health, reflecting on how years of putting the business first left him feeling exhausted and disconnected from his own body. Now, he's on a journey to prioritize self-care and rediscover the joy in both life and business.

What We Discussed:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:24 “My job is to make friends!”
• 02:18 The Mid-Day Squares
• 03:50 Life Before Building the Business
• 15:57 Who Were the Initial Customers?
• 24:29 “I now have limitations.” 
• 26:20 Therapy Can Help You
• 29:27 The Goal is to Break the Costco Record
• 35:30 “I stopped caring about my body.”
• 40:13 Finding Your Purpose in Life Again
• 44:52 Energy and Vibes in the First Meeting
• 46:52 Don’t Neglect Your Own Health Issues
• 50:28 Transparent Storytelling
• 54:46 The Fear of Death
• 57:50 What Would You Do with Uninterrupted Time?
• 01:04:01 What’s Next for Mid-Day Squares?
• 01:07:33 How to Effectively Deal with Anxiety
• 01:09:36 What Will Your Future Self Do? 
• 01:12:11 New Flavors to Look Forward to

Responsibility and accountability form the bedrock of personal integrity and growth. While being responsible means acknowledging our role in actions and decisions, understanding their impact, accountability is the bridge that transforms responsibility into tangible growth, requiring us to answer for our choices and learn from them. Together, they craft a powerful narrative of self-awareness, pushing us to navigate life with purpose, resilience, and a commitment to continuous improvement.  

Today’s guest needs no further introduction, but for those who don’t know him yet, Andre Iguodala is a legendary basketball player. During his career, Andre played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors. He played a crucial role in the Warriors' success, contributing to 4 NBA championships with the team. Andre was recognized for his outstanding performance and impact on the court, earning the NBA Finals MVP (Most Valuable Player) award in 2015. 

Embark on a captivating storytelling journey with Andre as the conversation unfolds organically, spanning from Andre's morning routine and tech insights to his small-town upbringing and the struggles that shaped him. Exploring individuality, emotional intelligence, and the significance of teamwork, this episode navigates the complexities of life, mentorship, and the pursuit of purpose.

As Andre shares his non-negotiables in collaboration and insights on responsibility in young athletes, he touches on contemporary issues, including healthcare and the perceived decline of grit in society. In the concluding moments, Andre imparts a powerful reminder to surround oneself with those who uplift and bring out the best. 

What We Discussed:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:41 What were you reading this morning?
• 01:12 Listening to a podcast to keep up with tech updates
• 03:11 Take a look at Andre’s impressive resume
• 04:16 If you were asked what you do for a living, what would you say?
• 06:35 Growing up in an environment surrounded by struggles
• 11:04 What were you trying to proof against a small-town mindset
• 12:20 Did you know you are different in some ways?
• 13:41 When did you pick up on your emotional intelligence?
• 16:44 What’s your workout routine now?
• 18:51 The team that you build can make or break you
• 21:19 What are the non-negotiables when you’re working with someone?
• 25:55 “Knowing your role, knowing your time.”  
• 29:01 How do you make young athletes more responsible?
• 32:30 Why do you do what you do?
• 34:49 There’s so much stimulus for the younger generation
• 35:46 Healthcare situation nowadays
• 39:26 Are we losing grit?
• 44:07 We all have a human side in us
• 46:40 What’s wrong with you?
• 50:40 Not everyone wants to go viral
• 54:01 There are three types of Americans
• 58:21 We’re always told to humble ourselves
• 01:01:54 Do you think everybody has a purpose?
• 01:07:10 Surround yourself with people who can help bring out the best in you

Follow Andre Iguodala:

• https://twitter.com/andre
• https://www.instagram.com/andre
• https://www.youtube.com/@pointforward
• https://www.instagram.com/pointforward/
• The Sixth Man: A Memoir

Follow Mary Shenouda:

• https://www.instagram.com/paleochef
• https://paleochef.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryshenouda/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@paleochef

Valuing your worthiness involves recognizing and appreciating your inherent value as a human being, independent of external factors or validation from others. By nurturing a positive relationship with yourself and honoring your inherent worth, you can cultivate a deeper sense of fulfillment, confidence, and resilience in all areas of your life.

Today, let’s welcome renowned relationship expert Vienna Pharaon. Vienna is a licensed marriage and family therapist and one of New York City’s most sought after relationship therapists. She has practiced therapy for over fifteen years and is the founder and owner of the group practice, Mindful Marriage and Family Therapy. 

Vienna and Mary touch on the essence of human existence and the dynamics of relationships. Explore the origins of our identity and the restorative power found in therapy and discover the delicate balance between self-assurance and vulnerability, and the importance of expanding our skill sets to navigate life's complexities. 

Together, they unpack the intricate landscape of emotional wounds that shape our interactions and perceptions. From the struggle with self-worth to the challenges of belonging and trust, we uncover the layers of our innermost struggles. Along the way, we challenge societal narratives and misconceptions about therapy, emphasizing the significance of genuine connections and emotional honesty.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of human emotion, relationships, and self-discovery in this transformative episode.

What We Discussed:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:45 The Origins of You
• 01:52 Being a therapist can be restorative for some
• 05:08 The “I Got This” mindset
• 06:34 Continue to expand your skill set
• 19:35 It’s harder to say, “I’m not fine.”
• 14:00 Our gifts come through our survival
• 18:30 Origin is the first time we question our worth
• 20:33 How do you become an effective listener?
• 24:30 How your behavior is protecting you from something, always
• 26:15 Do you understand yourself?
• 28:11 The Worthiness Wound
• 32:12 “I don’t want to be responsible for someone else.”
• 35:54 How your story gets internalized makes a huge difference
• 38:32 Can you handle someone else’s emotional baggage?
• 39:41 The Belonging Wound
• 44:58 “You’re so unique, just like everybody else.”
• 46:50 We can rationalize things and still need to connect to our emotion about it
• 51:18 The Trust Wound
• 55:32 The Safety Wound
• 56:39 How hard can origin work become?
• 01:00:50 What are the good things to look for in a therapist?
• 01:04:44 Misinformation about therapy on social media
• 01:08:24 The narrative: “You didn’t get into this field to earn money.”   
• 01:15:11 Unsolicited advice are never helpful
• 01:18:59 You're intimidating because you're too masculine
• 01:22:54 When embodied anger rises into our head
• 01:28:37 When saying you’re not okay makes everyone else uncomfortable
• 01:31:20 Can therapists self disclose to genuinely connect with clients?
• 01:34:44 What is EMDR Therapy?
• 01:37:32 Something is always happening at home
• 01:41:36 How unexpressed emotions manifest into the body
• 01:48:23 Relationships with our family can become complicated
• 01:52:10 Sometimes, it’s easier for us to find ourselves in other people’s stories  
• 01:56:21 A book about the final chapter in our life
• 02:02:17 What is an End of Life Doula? 

Follow Vienna Pharoan:

• https://viennapharaon.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmft
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/vienna-pharaon-lmft-a7a66346/
• The Origins of You: How Breaking Family Patterns Can Liberate the Way We Live and Love
• This Keeps Happening with Vienna Pharaon

Follow Mary Shenouda:

• https://www.instagram.com/paleochef
• https://paleochef.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryshenouda/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@paleochef

Anxiety is like a tricky friend we all know. It's not just everyday worry; it's that feeling when your mind won't quiet down, and your heart races for no clear reason. It makes normal stuff feel like a big deal. Living with anxiety means sometimes facing those fears and finding moments to relax. It's not a flaw but just part of being human. .  

Reality television personality, actor, author, and podcast host Vinny Guadagnino joins Mary in a raw and authentic conversation about embracing vulnerabilities and overcoming anxiety. They talk about diverse topics, ranging from the initiation into the world of keto to the psychological intricacies of perfectionism. Unfiltered authenticity is championed, emphasizing the importance of being raw and real both online and offline.

Sleep, anxiety, and the profound link between them surface, unveiling the potential for perception change to facilitate better sleep. Practical insights follow, offering tools to train the mind to avoid overreaction. As the episode draws to a close, personal revelations abound—from navigating OCD, structure, and rigidity to gaining a sense of dietary boundaries. The revelation that "your food has a face" serves as a poignant reminder of the often-overlooked interconnectedness of our choices. 

What We Discussed:

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:26 Can we share our weaknesses openly?
• 04:43 It was the best party ever that I didn’t get to enjoy
• 07:40 Constantly working on getting through severe anxiety
• 09:21 When did you start doing keto?
• 16:04 Perfectionism is the core issue of everything
• 19:10 Just being raw and real online and offline
• 20:56 When you start to fear not being able to sleep
• 25:40 What is Jersey Shore?
• 28:40 Why did it become a hit?
• 30:49 It was the first of its kind
• 31:31 I almost had a law degree
• 32:24 Do you get fulfillment from doing reality TV?
• 34:06 What makes us feel different? 
• 36:59 I didn’t want to limit myself
• 39:00 Link between lack of sleep and heightened anxiety
• 45:06 The perception change to help you sleep better
• 52:14 You can train your brain to not overreact 
• 55:02 OCD, structure, rigidity, and perfectionism
• 59:16 Getting a sense of what you can and can’t eat
• 01:02:59 What is something people don’t know about you?
• 01:05:14 Your food has a face

Follow Vinny Guadagnino:

https://www.instagram.com/vinnyguadagnino

https://twitter.com/vinnyguadagnino

https://www.facebook.com/vinnyguadagnino/

https://www.tiktok.com/@vinnyguadagnino

https://www.youtube.com/user/VINNYGUADAGNINO

https://vinnygshop.com/

Something Went Wrong W/ Vinny

Follow Mary Shenouda:

https://www.instagram.com/paleochef

https://paleochef.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryshenouda/

https://www.tiktok.com/@paleochef

Building a community where you can work on personal growth, be your genuine self, and thrive in what you do best is what we all need. We need people that will push us to our limit and influence us to become better, stronger, and wiser.  

Actor, stuntman, former professional MMA fighter, and entrepreneur Tait Fletcher joins Mary in a vulnerable and genuine conversation about growth and healing. Tait Fletcher is known for his roles in movies and TV shows, including appearances in "Breaking Bad," "John Wick," and "The Mandalorian."  

They kick things off by diving into the quest to understand Mary’s pain and illness, a journey that became the catalyst for significant transformation. They also explore the importance of doing what you love and building on those passions, navigating the complex emotions of always feeling like the 'big kid,' and the profound sense of disconnection from life.

The narrative takes a poignant turn as we address the weight of suicidal thoughts and the crucial act of reaching out to those in need. From the evolution of communities to the film industry's wild twists, the two dive deep into the mysteries of our bodies, the slow road of growth, and the positive impact one can have on their community.

This conversation is a tale of resilience, revelation, and the unwavering pursuit of well-being.  It's a reminder that growth is a journey, and sometimes, all we need to do is keep trying.

What We Discussed:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:36 Figuring out why I was sick and in pain
• 09:27 Do what you love and build on that
• 13:08 Are you always the big kid?
• 14:37 The feeling that you’ve dislocated from life
• 17:06 Overcoming suicidal thoughts, guilt, and reaching out to someone who’s struggling
• 22:43 Who is Tait Fletcher?
• 27:11 Dog Brothers, stick fighting, and martial arts
• 30:10 Built to be strong, tough, and tenacious
• 32:39 Community is built and defined differently before 
• 34:25 From mixed martial arts to building a space to train athletes
• 43:59 Meeting a Ukrainian mobster and getting introduced to Carl
• 45:28 Filming at a defunct prison in Santa Fe, getting opportunities in other films
• 54:07 Pharmaceutical companies are trying to kill us
• 56:09 Nutrition is a tool to control your life
• 58:06 We don’t anything about what formulates our body
• 01:00:38 Putting attention into something that you want to focus on
• 01:03:14 Getting a concussion during a match
• 01:05:37 Ignored symptoms, continued training, health neglect
• 01:12:40 Can head concussions cause other health problems?
• 01:17:36 Growth is not a light switch, it’s like a slow road
• 01:19:33 The film business is wild
• 01:22:43 Logan’s positive effect on his community
• 01:26:49 You just need to keep trying    
• 01:32:09 How to find Tait online

Follow Tait Fletcher:

https://www.instagram.com/taitfletcher/

https://www.youtube.com/c/TaitFletcher

https://www.facebook.com/tait.fletcher/

Follow Mary Shenouda:

https://www.instagram.com/paleochef

https://paleochef.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryshenouda/

https://www.tiktok.com/@paleochef

In a very personal episode, Mary sits down to talk about her personal journey. She had suffered a lot in her younger years not knowing she had gluten intolerance and later found out that she had full-blown Celiac. The choice was either to depend on what the doctors tell her and be on medication all her life or start working on herself.

Mary assessed her food choices and stumbled upon a paleo diet and how to restart gut health. As she ventured more into eating food that worked for her, she got her first client which then started the chain of clients that ultimately led to her becoming a performance chef. It’s a journey truly worth sharing. 

In the second part of the episode, Mary answers some questions from her community where she gladly shares her tips on nutrition, proper diet, and eating right for optimal performance.   

What We Discussed:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:12 It’s my birthday week and this is how I started as a performance chef
• 06:51 Tested for gluten intolerance, came out with Celiac disease
• 13:47 Getting asked to cook for my first client
• 17:37 Timing, luck, opportunity, and the choice to follow through
• 22:37 I just had to leave San Francisco
• 27:36 Eggs are my go-to food
• 28:26 Foods that can help with focus
• 32:25 Thoughts on genetic testing
• 34:06 Send more jokes
• 34:53 Trying new food 
• 37:59 Blue zone diet versus paleo diet
• 40:19 What has been your favorite thing about starting a podcast?
• 41:41 Have you celebrated the launch of the EPC podcast?
• 43:03 I black seed oil worth the hype?
• 44:16 What movies do I watch?
• 44:56 How did I learn to make recipes?
• 47:52 How to become a private chef
•  55:44 Skin care secrets

Follow Mary Shenouda:

• https://www.instagram.com/paleochef
• https://paleochef.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryshenouda/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@paleochef

Embracing the cliché "New year, new you" as a powerful motivator, many of us strive to shed the burdens of the past and reinvent our journey with the turn of the calendar. Life itself often prompts us to reassess, recalibrate, and make substantial changes. Decisions, inherently uncertain, become stepping stones to accumulated experience and wisdom, shaping our readiness for transformative shifts.

In our first episode of 2024, Mary invites you to reflect on three pivotal questions she initiates her year with: What do you want to start doing, stop doing, and continue doing? Honest responses to these inquiries pave the way for a purposeful path in the coming year.

Mary imparts invaluable advice on dietary enhancements for a healthier, more energized body. She explores the intricacies of a gut reset, providing personalized insights into navigating this process successfully.  

The episode also offers a succinct recap of enlightening conversations with revered experts from past interviews. If you haven't tuned in yet, now's the perfect time to dive into these wealths of knowledge. 

What We Discussed:

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:17 The 3-question prompt I start my year with
• 05:20 This is why I have a PhD in uncertainty
• 08:37 I started simplifying everything in my life
• 14:56 Recommendations from a performance chef
• 18:07 What’s my go-to food?
• 19:41 Ingredients and supplements to consider
• 22:01 Incorporate small bites of movements throughout the day
• 23:25 Your emotional well-being is top priority
• 25:26 The proper way to reset your gut
• 30:34 Checkout Eat Play Crush podcast’s awesome guests
• 51:53 What topics do you want me to cover?

Follow Mary Shenouda:

https://www.instagram.com/paleochef

https://paleochef.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryshenouda/

https://www.tiktok.com/@paleochef

The goal was always to solve problems for people. This is one of the mantras that Jon Bier lives by and has helped him succeed in what he does best. Jon Bier is the founder and chief executive of Jack Taylor PR, a boutique public relations agency with offices in Brooklyn and Venice Beach.

Jon sits down with Mary in a conversation that revolves around PR, winning clients, growing a brand, and running a successful business. There is no shortcut to success and Jon knows the kind of work one needs to put in to get to the top. It’s not an easy task to tackle, but it is definitely now impossible to achieve.

The duo talks about how providing value to your customers can help you win them over, the tactics used by people who manage to build a billion-dollar brand, and the importance of focusing on consumer-based solutions when dealing with client needs and requests. 

Jon also shares snippets of his life before he became a PR brand himself, how he found love, life living on a farm, and how changing his lifestyle has made him a changed man. 

What We Discussed:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:52 Sticking to the paleo chef
• 04:18 Who is Jon Bier?
• 06:18 Looking back when he practiced law
• 08:21 This is how Mary met Jon
• 10:20 How the fear of failure became a powerful motivator
• 13:25 How to crush PR and bring in more clients
• 15:35 Solving big problems for brands and helping people
• 18:07 Providing value to you and your consumers
• 21:50 People who built billion-dollar brands
• 28:10 The tale of Cerro Gordo
• 33:36 Joe Rogan’s brand builder tactics
• 36:11 When the brand doesn’t have a future
• 39:49 Jeans preferences and functional clothing
• 42:43 Becoming a husband, a dad, and a family man
• 49:38 From being carefree and free-spirited to the current Jon
• 52:47 People use vulnerability and human emotions to sell products
• 58:59 How do you express your anger?
• 01:04:33 Media manipulation to hike up interest in the market
• 01:06:51 What do you think about aliens?
• 01:09:19 Mini bars are out of touch nowadays
• 01:17:23 Consumer-based solution when dealing with clients
• 01:20:13 Everyone has different needs and how you change your lifestyle
• 01:22:37 What does your supplementation look like?
• 01:26:58 What made you start a podcast?
• 01:30:24 Living a life on a farm

Follow Jon Bier:

• One Day with Jon Bier
• https://www.jacktaylorpr.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/jacktaylorpr/

Follow Mary Shenouda:

• https://www.instagram.com/paleochef
• https://paleochef.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryshenouda/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@paleochef

“The hardest part of improving your fitness and nutrition is finding someone that understands why you struggle.” And the best person who can help you overcome this struggle is someone who has helped prominent and successful people overcome the same struggle themselves. 

Born Fitness is one of the leading brands when it comes to getting back in shape and taking care of your overall health and wellness. And the man behind this is Adam Bornstein. Adam is a nutrition advisor for LeBron James, Cindy Crawford, Lindsey Vonn, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He's also the founder of Pen Name Consulting, the former Chief Nutrition Officer at Ladder, and the Vice President of Nutrition for FitOn, the largest fitness app in the world.   

With candor and authenticity, Adam unravels the layers of his career evolution and shares pivotal moments that shaped his path. Discover how to become so exceptional that clients can't ignore you, drawing from Adam's rich experiences in working with industry giants like Tim Ferris and managing Arnold Schwarzenegger's media infrastructure. 

The episode isn't just about professional success; it delves into the human aspects of keeping people engaged in your product, dismantling the illusion of a magic solution, and why Adam wrote the book, "You Can't Screw This Up." 

The conversation extends to the challenges of nutrition education and practical solutions to issues of cost, convenience, and compliance. As the episode unfolds, listeners gain access to Adam's strategies for setting up for success, adding layers of authenticity and wisdom to the narrative.

What We Discussed:

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:03 Adam retells his journalism journey and how he became a fitness editor
• 09:23 The leap you can take if you keep pursuing your goals
• 14:22 Everything is evolving and so does the men’s health industry
• 19:14 Reflecting on being a negligent parent
• 27:57 Feeling unwelcomed in an event where Adam and Mary met
• 36:17 Working with Tim Ferris
• 40:28 Be so good that prospect clients can’t ignore you
• 44:22 Managing Arnold Schwarzenegger’s daily media infrastructure
• 47:22 Tips to keep people interested in your product
• 52:09 When the customer acquisition cost is too messed up
• 56:38 There is no magic pill to make things work
• 01:02:44 Why did you write the book?
• 01:14:00 The way people are educated about nutrition is so backwards
• 01:20:31 You Can’t Screw This Up was the perfect title
• 01:21:33 Addressing issues about cost, convenience, and compliance
• 01:22:56 How do you set yourself up for success?

Follow Adam Bornstein:

• https://www.bornfitness.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bornfitness/
• https://twitter.com/BornFitness
• Books

Follow Mary Shenouda:

• https://www.instagram.com/paleochef
• https://paleochef.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryshenouda/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@paleochef