Podcast Summary: CHEERS! with Avery Woods - EP 55 | "Honey, What Do We Got?"

Release Date: December 9, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 55 of CHEERS! with Avery Woods, host Avery Woods welcomes her close friends, Tom and Rachel Sullivan. Having met them in the Hamptons during the summer of 2023, Avery shares her immediate connection with the couple, highlighting their warmth and genuine personalities. The episode delves deep into the Sullivans' personal journey, their venture into social media cooking, their new book, and the challenges of parenting.

1. The Sullivans' Journey: From Infertility to Pregnancy

Avery opens the conversation by exploring Tom and Rachel's unique story, particularly focusing on their struggles with infertility and Tom's diagnosis of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).

• Tom on PCOS Diagnosis:
  [03:07] “I was like, okay, why aren't we pregnant yet.”

• Rachel on Intentional Pregnancy:
  [04:09] “When Rachel got pregnant, it was very intentional that every week we were, we weren't going to try to get through it. We wanted to savor each moment.”

The couple emphasizes the importance of gratitude and being present throughout their pregnancy journey, especially given the higher risk of loss associated with PCOS. They adopted a mindful approach, ensuring they celebrated each week and remained thankful for their progressing pregnancy.

2. Starting Their Social Media Cooking Account

Tom and Rachel's foray into social media cooking began as a private endeavor to document their journey towards managing PCOS through diet and lifestyle changes.

• Rachel on Documenting for Data:
  [06:08] “I needed the approach that I could look back at the data.”

• Tom on the Account's Beginnings:
  [06:26] “I was making these cute little pictures of the food I had made and that's how the account started.”

Initially a secret Instagram account, it was intended as a private space for Rachel to track recipes aligned with her menstrual cycle phases. However, the account unexpectedly gained traction, leading to broader engagement and support from the community.

3. Balancing Careers and Building a Platform

Before embracing their social media presence, both Tom and Rachel maintained demanding careers. Tom served as a flight attendant for American Airlines, while Rachel was entrenched in the corporate world of medical sales.

• Tom on Balancing Flight Attendant Duties and Social Media:
  [16:08] “I was posting TikToks while I was doing it.”

• Rachel on Corporate Ambitions:
  [21:25] “I was very much, I'm going to be a corporate guy. I'm going to put in the hours... then I met her, and it threw a wrench in it.”

Their professional lives provided a backdrop against which they navigated their personal challenges, ultimately steering their focus towards a more fulfilling path through social media and entrepreneurship.

4. The Proposal Story

A heartfelt moment shared by the Sullivans recounts Tom's spontaneous proposal to Rachel during a trip to Nashville.

• Rachel on the Proposal:
  [13:08] “I picked her up and threw her on my shoulder. So that's how you know you got the stamp.”

• Tom Reflecting on the Moment:
  [14:25] “When he proposed, it was like, you know, one day I had... like, we're on stage, pop champagne.”

The proposal, marked by spontaneity and public celebration, underscored their strong bond and set the tone for their collaborative ventures ahead.

5. Growing Their Social Media Presence

The Sullivans' social media accounts began gaining significant attention, leading to viral moments and increased follower engagement.

• Tom on Going Viral:
  [19:53] “My videos were going viral at that point, and my name is Matthew McConaughey.”

• Rachel on Support and Growth:
  [23:07] “Rachel Ray reached out. Thank you, Rachel Ray.”

Their authentic content resonated with a wide audience, leading to collaborations and opportunities, such as an endorsement from Rachel Ray, which significantly boosted their visibility.

6. Philanthropic Efforts: Feeding College Students

Leveraging their social media influence, Tom and Rachel initiated a philanthropic project to feed college students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Rachel on Starting the Initiative:
  [26:12] “We used to feed college students every other week. It started with college kid Kevin.”

• Tom on the Mission:
  [32:08] “It was a home cooked meal on top of that. So that was always my mission and drive.”

Their efforts began modestly but quickly scaled, with requests pouring in from students across various states. Through platforms like GoFundMe, they were able to expand their reach, providing nutritious meals to hundreds of students weekly.

7. Their Published Works: “Meal She Eats” and “Honey, What Do We Got?”

Tom and Rachel have authored two impactful books that blend their personal experiences with practical guidance on hormonal balance and pregnancy.

• Tom on “Meal She Eats”:
  [33:04] “Meal She Eats is a hormone balancing guide... it's about balancing your hormones through how you eat.”

• Rachel on Book’s Purpose:
  [34:26] “We wanted a guide for someone to be able to grab and say, okay, I was just diagnosed. What is PCOS? How do I tackle it?”

“Meal She Eats” serves as a comprehensive guide for managing PCOS through diet, offering practical advice, grocery lists, and recipes tailored to different phases of the menstrual cycle. Their second book, “Honey, What Do We Got?” celebrates pregnancy week-by-week, pairing each stage with corresponding meals and personal anecdotes.

8. Parenting Challenges and Experiences

As parents of two children, Stevie and Sutton, Tom and Rachel share the joys and challenges of raising toddlers while managing their public personas.

• Avery on Parenting Struggles:
  [47:04] “Stevie has separation anxiety... Sutton is having major night terrors.”

• Tom on Balancing Parenthood and Responsibilities:
  [53:11] “Feeding is taking me an hour, and then I have to do it again in two hours. It's my whole day.”

They candidly discuss issues like postpartum anxiety, breastfeeding challenges, and the dynamic between their children, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of parenthood.

9. Future Plans: Upcoming App and Further Endeavors

Looking ahead, the Sullivans are excited to expand their impact through technology and additional publications.

• Rachel on the Upcoming App:
  [55:13] “We're making an app that will walk you through getting your cycle, your hormones balanced and just put it into your pocket.”

• Tom on Sustainable Practices:
  [56:25] “No waste. You can take rotisserie chicken bones and make broth, ensuring nothing goes unused.”

Their planned app aims to provide daily support for hormone balancing, integrating meal planning and sustainable living practices. This digital extension of their books seeks to make their guidance more accessible and interactive.

10. Conclusion

Avery wraps up the episode by expressing her admiration for Tom and Rachel's authenticity and generosity. She emphasizes the positive impact they've made through their social media presence and philanthropic efforts, noting how their genuine approach stands out in a digital landscape often clouded by superficiality.

• Avery on Their Authenticity:
  [50:10] “You guys are truly some of the best people I've ever met... you're just that genuine and that good.”

Tom and Rachel reciprocate the appreciation, highlighting the strength of their friendship and mutual support.

Notable Quotes:

• Rachel Sullivan on Intentional Pregnancy:
  [04:09] “We wanted to make sure every single week we stopped. We said we're grateful. This is amazing.”

• Tom Sullivan on Social Media Impact:
  [19:53] “My videos were going viral at that point, and my name is Matthew McConaughey.”

• Rachel Sullivan on Philanthropy:
  [26:42] “Thank you, Rachel Ray. She really gave us our start.”

• Tom Sullivan on Parenting:
  [53:11] “Feeding is taking me an hour, and then I have to do it again in two hours. It's my whole day.”

Where to Find Tom and Rachel Sullivan:

• TikTok: @rachsullivan__
• Instagram: @rachsullivan__ and @mealsheats

Their books are available for pre-order on major platforms, including Amazon, Target, and Barnes & Noble.

Final Thoughts

Episode 55 of CHEERS! with Avery Woods offers an intimate glimpse into Tom and Rachel Sullivan's life, highlighting their resilience, creativity, and commitment to making a positive difference. From navigating infertility to becoming influential social media figures and compassionate parents, their story is both inspiring and relatable. Listeners are encouraged to follow their journey, explore their books, and support their ongoing projects aimed at fostering community and well-being.