In this episode, I sit down with Jose Peon — a Cuban-born, New York-based fashion designer and 3D artist who built his career from scratch with nothing but a laptop and relentless hustle. Jose shares how he discovered fashion through Virgil Abloh while studying fine arts in Cuba, taught himself Cinema 4D, Marvelous Designer, and CLO, and then moved to New York where he literally went floor by floor through a Garment District building until someone gave him a shot.

We get into the full journey: from making purely digital clothes without realizing the patterns could be cut in real life, to working 12-hour days at a luxury manufacturer (Thom Browne, Marc Jacobs), to getting into Parsons and building his own aesthetic-driven creative practice. Jose also opens up about the mindset behind his work — why collaboration and letting go of ego is essential, how he approaches shooting his shot even with a 1% chance, the role AI is playing in his process today, and what it means to truly connect with your audience rather than just make pretty images.

A raw, inspiring conversation about building from nothing, bridging the digital and physical worlds, and staying obsessed enough to keep going even when someone's chasing you out of the building.

https://www.instagram.com/josepeoon

In this episode, we dive into what it really means to hit a creative low—and how to find your way back.

From losing momentum and questioning your work to rebuilding discipline and confidence, this conversation unpacks the reality of creative dips and why they’re a necessary part of growth. Instead of waiting for motivation to return, we explore how small actions, consistent routines, and a shift in perspective can help you regain clarity and move forward.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unmotivated, or disconnected from your creativity, this episode is a reminder that the dip is temporary—and the comeback starts with simply showing up again.

https://www.instagram.com/andreajelic.design

https://www.awwwards.com/jury-member/Andrea-Jelic

Trying harder feels like the answer—but what if it’s the problem?

In this episode of Mountain Collective, we explore the idea of gentle discipline and why forcing outcomes often creates resistance instead of progress. From creative work to business and personal growth, pushing too hard can lead to overthinking, burnout, and a loss of momentum.

This episode breaks down the balance between discipline and gentleness, using the “bonsai principle” as a metaphor for sustainable growth: guide, don’t force.

We dive into:

• Why over-attachment to results kills creativity
• The difference between intensity and consistency
• How to work without internal resistance
• What “effortless action” actually means in practice

If you’ve been feeling stuck, unmotivated, or disconnected from your work—this episode will help you reset your approach and reconnect with the process.

Less force. More flow.

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, I sit down with Thanos Stathakopoulos founder of The Greek Embassy in Amsterdam.

Before opening a restaurant, Thanos built a community of over 15,000 people through diaspora-driven events—creating a cultural movement long before launching a physical space.

We dive into what it really means to build a brand rooted in identity, why community always comes before product, and how emotional connection can be your biggest competitive advantage.

This conversation is a must-listen for founders, creatives, and anyone building a brand that goes beyond transactions.

This weekend, I went on a hike with friends—nature, fresh air, and a clear mind. But while walking, I caught myself focused on recording content instead of fully experiencing the moment.

In this episode, I reflect on how easy it is to be “one step ahead” or distracted, even when we think we’re present. Inspired by ideas, I explore the balance between creating and actually living.

Because the journey is the message.
And real happiness isn’t in the past or the future—
it’s in the step you’re taking right now.

In this episode, Richard shares a raw and honest perspective on what it takes to grow as a creative and entrepreneur. As the Company Owner of Golden Gate Real Estate NL and previously Fight District Amsterdam, his journey spans from building fitness communities to launching ventures focused on long-term value and impact.

Starting with Rich Fitness and Mind Elevators, where he coached individuals on mindset, energy, and personal growth, Richard has always been driven by helping people evolve — both mentally and physically. That same philosophy now carries into his work as a founder, where he focuses on spotting opportunities and building with intention.

In this conversation, we dive into dealing with self-doubt, navigating uncertainty, and the reality of building something without a clear path. Richard shares why clarity comes from action, how discipline beats motivation, and why reinventing yourself is necessary for growth.

This episode is a reminder that success isn’t linear — and that feeling lost is often a sign you’re moving in the right direction.

Mourad shares a quiet reflection from the mountains after weeks of fasting during Ramadan, including a 37-hour water fast.

He explores how stepping away from constant consumption—food, noise, and content—creates space for clarity and creativity.

This episode is a reminder that creativity doesn’t come from doing more, but from allowing space for ideas to arrive.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or constantly chasing—this is your invitation to pause.

Because sometimes… nothing is missing.

Creative careers rarely follow a straight path.

In this episode of the Mountain Collective Podcast, we explore The Art of Sidequesting — how curiosity, conversations, and small creative experiments can lead to unexpected opportunities.

We break down how to balance exploration with focus using the main quest vs. sidequest mindset, the 70/30 rule, and the Sidequest Flywheel, a simple framework showing how relationships, creative projects, and clients can grow from curiosity.

Your goals give you direction.

Your curiosity creates opportunities.

What if fasting was never about food?

In this episode, we explore fasting as a full reset — not just for the body, but for the mind, heart, and environment.

We talk about how fasting helps the body repair, switch fuel sources, and build metabolic flexibility. But more importantly, we go deeper into the mental and emotional layers most people ignore.

What does it mean to fast from negative thoughts?From ego?From comparison and distraction?

You’ll hear why clutter isn’t just physical — it’s postponed decisions and trapped energy. Why your environment reflects what you believe you deserve. And why wealth begins internally, long before it shows up externally.

We break down:

• ​Fasting the mind and building discipline
• ​Cleaning your environment to create abundance
• ​Training the soul through restraint and self-control
• ​Why modern life is overfed but underdeveloped

And we end with the C.L.E.A.N Protocol — a simple framework to reset your body, thoughts, emotions, actions, and self-worth.

Because fasting isn’t about hunger.

It’s about clarity.

It’s about self-control.

It’s about creating space for what’s next.

Your brain doesn’t fully know the difference between something real and something you strongly imagine.

In this episode, we connect visualization, Ramadan fasting, muscle repair, and creativity. You’ll learn how fasting cleans and prepares the body, how eating protein turns on growth, and how discipline shapes identity.

Fasting is the storm.Recovery is the rebuild.Visualization gives direction.

Train your brain. Train your body. Build your life.