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He didn’t just switch jobs, he switched directions. One day Tyrean Lewis is teaching PE and mentoring kids in St. Louis. A few turns later he’s managing teams, trying to “do the responsible thing,” and still feeling that internal pull that says, this isn’t it.

Then food becomes the wake-up call. After a year of eating vegan and chasing healthier options, Tyrean starts noticing what’s missing in his own neighbourhood: real produce, consistent quality, and simple access. He connects the dots to food deserts and food justice and makes a decision that sounds small at first, grow something in buckets, but quickly becomes a full-on urban farming mission. We talk about the risk of leaving steady work, the rough first seasons, and the lesson he learns the hard way.

Tyrean also brings a perspective you don’t hear every day in conversations about sustainable agriculture and local food systems. He shares how ancestry, spirituality, and intention shape his identity as a “soul farmer,” including his African naming ceremony and practices that keep him grounded in purpose. From land leases and community trust to accelerators, pitch competitions, grants, and building a real team, Heru Urban Farming grows into a model that mixes farming, education, and outreach, including school field trips and partnerships across the St. Louis metro.

If you’re in a midlife pivot, craving a second half adventure, or stuck in something that no longer fits, this one is a reminder to listen to the knot in your stomach and move anyway. Subscribe to The Mango Times, share this with a friend who needs permission to pivot, and leave a review if the story hits home.
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Guest Information
Tyrean "Heru" Lewis is an urban farmer, educator, and community builder based in the St. Louis area. After years working as a physical education teacher, Tyrean made a bold midlife pivot into regenerative urban farming, founding Heru Urban Farming to help reconnect people with food, health, and the land around them. Through hands-on growing, teaching, and storytelling, he has become a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, local food systems, and personal transformation. Tyrean brings a grounded, practical approach to farming while encouraging others to rethink what’s possible in the second half of life.

Resources and Links
Facebook: Heru Urban Farming
Instagram: Heru Urban Farming
Website: Heru Urban Farming

Music used in this episode:
All music in this episode is licensed for use through Epidemic Sound.

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