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A
Cause I think the biohacking space, and I'm sure you have thoughts on this too, it can go a little bit too far. And now you've gotta do 800 morning routines and you're like, who the hell has time for this? And now I'm more stressed that I gotta do all this stuff, which is now not good for my body. Now I'm stressed. And so lately I've been thinking about what are the. The basics? What are the things that I think are truly matching biological living that I can do that aren't too crazy, or what can I actually stick to?
B
I'm Michael Chernow and this is the Creatures of Habit podcast. Our habits will make us or break us. It's just that simple. I've lived on both sides of the tracks and have learned that the decisions we make on a consistent basis truly define who we are as human beings. On this show, I will be interviewing some of the most inspiring, motivating and high performing humans I've encountered to share their daily habits, routines and rituals that help them stay on top of their game and ultimately happy. So sit back, relax, and pay attention because what you hear over the next 30 to 45 minutes could potentially change your life. Let's go. For the last three months, I've been on a severe gut rebuild.
A
Like, oh my God, I need to do that too. I got back my stool test.
B
Okay, so I got back my stool test.
A
Let's get to know each other by.
B
Talking about our shit. What's better? And yeah, no, I got my stool test back and I have can. I had Candida H. Pylori, two parasites and, you know, two worms. Yeah, me too. Two worm, pinworm, and something else I don't remember. And so, yeah, I connected with a coach and I've got this guy named Vince Pitstick.
A
Yeah, Vince.
B
Are you working with Vince?
A
No, I know Vince. Yeah. Because my friend Anna works with him. So I might work with wins.
B
Definitely do it. It's three months in.
A
Really? Is it helping your gut?
B
Game changer.
A
Do you have to like, fast all the time though?
B
Not yet, but I will.
A
Okay. I'm like, Vince, I can't be doing too much.
B
So, Angie Lee, we're talking.
A
We're talking about your parasites for an hour.
B
Yeah, we're talking about worms in our poop. Let's divert. I've got a question for you.
A
Yeah.
B
As a, as you're a founder, you are a. You have a podcast, you're a speaker. Um, and I'm sure there's other things that you do that, you know, we'll learn more about. But I just want to talk to you about being a founder of a CPG brand CBD company.
A
Yeah.
B
And now you've recently launched a CBD plus THC company. What is the hardest thing you've been through, honestly, as a founder? The hardest. If you can close your eyes and think about the hardest, most scary moment that you've been through as a founder, I'd love to hear about it.
A
I don't think anyone's ever asked me that question.
B
Here we go.
A
Wow. We're getting into it right away. It's so fascinating because. Wow, that's probably good that I'm like, I feel like one of my gifts. There's a lot of things I feel like are not my strengths in business, but I kind of always am flipping things, like, oh, that will get better, or that's for the best, or, you know, I feel like I'm pretty good at seeing the positive of things, so I've never really sat with something like that. But there was a time where my brother and I own it together, and we started it, and I think it was about two years in two and a half years. And I remember we were both living in San Diego, Louisiana. I did LA and then San Diego. And I can remember the moment on the beach where he was like, this is working, but this is costing us a lot to do. We're in the red. And I can remember the moment where he looked at me. He's like, this has been fun, but I don't know if we can keep doing this. This is just a lot. And I think for a lot of entrepreneurs, there's that tipping point at about two years in where it kind of sucks. It's like the growing pains where I'm not a parent yet, but I assume it's like, when you're like, I can't. This is. You're in it. You're just, like, really in it. But it gets better. But we didn't know it gets better once things are rolling and you have more money to then spend and invest and have a team. And so I can remember that moment of him and I being really nervous because we put our own money into this. We didn't initially take investors. And so my brother was a professional athlete. He was a top boxer. And so he took some of his money from that. I took my money from my brand, from speaking and podcasting and courses and coaching, and I put it into it. I was 26 or 27 when we started, and So I felt like that was a big deal to be young and say, you know what? I'm just going to put money into this and see what happens. So I was, I was terrified because I really was planning on this working out. And so, yeah, I think there was a few of those moments that I would say were really difficult and really scary. Anytime you've put your money on the line or somebody else's money that you have from investors on the line, it's. It's terrifying. And I said if we need to, that, that's absolutely like we gotta do what we gotta do. You're the numbers guy, you're the CEO. But I'm really happy that we push through some of the really, I would say like the awkward, crunchy stages of business.
B
What do you think?
A
To get to a place where now we're in the best it's ever been and it's, it's beyond what we ever, ever thought soul would become. And I think, I think we almost had to go through some of those years first of like, holy shit, can we do this? So, yeah.
B
What do you think it took? Like, if you had to point to one thing or two things that you essentially committed to or applied in that moment in those times where it was like, oh shit, like we might have to fold this thing up, like, what do you think it was?
A
I think what's funny is my brother's a little bit more risk averse and I am like, let's spend money to make money. I'm very like, let's just do it, let's go. And so I think he had to for the first time, let go and trust a little bit and trust the process and say, we can't do this with alone. We only had, we had a small team at the time and we had to hire more people. And so it's, there's this weird moment where you have to spend money in order to obviously hire somebody to come in who's smarter than you. A new, you know, hiring consultants or a CMO or somebody who's done this before to come in and you have to kind of let go and trust, which is really scary because you want to control this thing. It's like you're, it's like a kid, right? Like it's like your baby that we've been growing. We're like, no, no, no. We know what's best. But there got to a point where we didn't actually know because we only knew so much. My brother's background was, was as an athlete and mine was as content creator, speaker, influencer. I didn't know about cpg, DTC or cbd, all the, all the acronyms. And so I, we weren't, we didn't have expertise in E commerce or dtc so we had to be humble enough to say who can we hire right now? Who's smarter than us? Who's just a few steps ahead of us? Who can do this? And that's scary because again, you're like risking putting money into it to see if it's going to come back. And you know, I'm sure as an entrepreneur that's really scary. It's terrifying, it's risky. So there's a few moments of that and just getting really clear on again, like if you want to get into real nerdy marketing things, I think we really, we've been really good at listening to the customer and what they want and working backwards. And I think anytime we've just got a little too let's just do this skew because it sounds cool or because everyone else is doing it in wellness, that's never really worked for us versus doing less, better and really niching down and saying this is what we do, this is what our customers want help with, this is the pain point that we solve and doubling down on that versus oh, let's just launch a bunch of SKUs because it looks fun or because everyone else is doing that. So less is more was a huge thing for us too.
B
Were there any big mistakes that you made that you had to actually like reverse out of?
A
Yeah, I mean there was, there was a few SKUs that we launched that we put a lot of money into because we thought people wanted it and, or not people wanted. We thought it was the thing to do then and we ended up losing a lot of money cuz that skew did not do well and it always went back to the home base of people really, truly just wanted. Our focus is anxiety, sleep and pain. And whenever we diverted from that, we tried to launch a, a fat loss weight loss product. And my gut was like, I don't know. But the team was like, oh, this is what people will want want. I'm like, we're not, we're not a fat loss brand and I don't want to be that. And I didn't listen to my gut, I didn't listen to what was true for me and it ended up like losing a ton of money on that. So it's always comes back to you as I'm sure you know, if you don't Listen to your intuition on what the right next step is. Sometimes that can really cost you a lot.
B
How do you listen to your customers? Like what do you like? What is a technique that you use to actually get that feedback?
A
That's really good question. I feel like more people should ask that. More people should ask that in, in marketing and business. So obviously we have a social team that will ask people. We send out surveys, we email our list, we nurture our email list a lot. But something that I still do to this day that I think is really important, it's tedious for sure is I. If anybody tags me in the product, I'm answering every single dm. If somebody likes the product or says this helped me, I'm either voicing or messaging that person back and saying how did it help you? What did you love? And would you go leave a review on the site. It'll take five seconds. Leave a review on the site. I'll send you a free product if you do. I am just like I am a hustler when it comes to the grassroots of products. I treat every single comment DM response review of it like it's the only person who's ever bought it. And I think that's really paid off. And I'm like really proud of that because I think there's a lot of founders who don't give a shit. They won't respond to their community because they're busy. Which I understand it gets to the point where you can't. But to this day, like today, there's a few girls who tagged. I'm like, what did you like? Why did you like the sleep drink? Oh cool. What would you do different? Duh, duh. And I'm just kind of like seeing if there's then themes and I'm like, wow, it's so crazy that I've heard from everybody this same thing that they're feeling. And I'll take their language and then I'll put it on our sales page. So then when people are reading they're like, how did she's in my head. I'm like, well yeah, because Cindy, Becky and Sarah 10 minutes ago just said that's how they feel. And I assume that's probably how you're going to feel, you know. So I am obsessed with listening to the customer because it helps you with your copy too. You could just take what they're saying, be like, oh my God, this is how people want to feel.
B
You know what I do Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3 to 6pm, take a guess.
A
Take stool tests.
B
Yes, yes, no. But Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 3 to.
A
6Pm Wait, I love that this is so scheduled. This is. You're my idol already. Wow. Mine's not scheduled. It's messy. I need to get scheduled with it.
B
Well, it's because I'm trying to scale the unscalable and as CEO of the company, if I'm trying to scale the unscalable, I have to schedule it out. Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 3 to 6pm I open up my Shopify and I open up my orders and I start at the top and I call customer after customer after customer after customer.
A
You just beat me.
B
Wow.
A
I thought I was cool in the DMs. You're picking up the phone.
B
I called them.
A
This is very 90s. Let's bring it back to the 90s.
B
Here's the deal. It is A, like I get like real direct feedback. B, I'm developing like real community. And C, I, I'm actually learning, I'm finding out and I've found out that, you know, you don't get to see how old people are when you see their name or when somebody DMs, you necessarily, you don't get to like see.
A
Anything about them really. Yeah.
B
And so in this sort of relatively new, in the last eight months kind of adventure I've taken, it's self serving not because self serving for the company, it's self serving for me because I get to hear the stories.
A
Feels real.
B
And these people.
A
Yeah. I mean everything's so virtual now. Right? Think about it. You have this physical product that goes to someone's house. You don't see that part. And then she takes it and consumes the product. And then you're getting this digital thing in a bank account, these numbers that equals money. And then it's just this cyclical nature of where's the human. So if you're like me or somebody who craves that human connection with your brand, I bet you get so excited when you hear their voice on the phone. You're like, oh, this is a real human.
B
Because it takes, it takes, it takes. I probably call, I would say I probably make 30 phone calls in that three hour period of time and. But only, only five or six pick.
A
Up if I'm lucky. I hope you become a billionaire because you deserve it. You're sitting there doing the cold calling. I love this. Do people ever like, they like weirded.
B
Out or they like, they don't believe that it's me.
A
They think it's like an AI Voice?
B
Yeah. No, no. They think it's like somebody that works there. And I'm like, no, like, not only is it me, but now you have. Because I call from my personal cell phone. I'm like, not only is it me, but you now have my personal cell phone number. So if you ever have an issue, do me a favor, lock me in and call me.
A
Are you going to get some creeps though?
B
Some stalkers I haven't yet.
A
Some girls in your bushes?
B
I've had customers call me after I've spoken to them. And by the way, one of them happened to be a super high level executive at CrossFit.
A
Okay, cool.
B
And so he called me up the other day and was like, hey, CrossFit is. CrossFit is just announced that they're doing their. We're doing the CrossFit games in Albany next year and we'd love to work with you.
A
Oh, my gosh.
B
And I'm like, boom. Like, you know, these things are happening. Right. Like, I've called so many people and anyway, it's not about me, but I'm just. I. I love the fact that you mentioned listening to your customers because I really do think a lot of founders and a lot of entrepreneurs build businesses for them.
A
Mm. Yeah.
B
You know, and I think that that ultimately is always how it's gonna start. For the most part. Like, you. You either have an itch that you wanna scratch through a business, or you think that there's a hole in the market that is not fully fulfilled.
A
Right.
B
Or you look at the comp, you know, the competitive landscape and you're like, well, they're doing that, but it's not great. Like, maybe I can bring something to the lawyer. But then once you're there, I think if you're not thinking about the consumer.
A
Yeah.
B
Or if you're not making their response to your product a massive part of your marketing strategy. So I love that you said that.
A
Yeah. It's almost like, I don't know if it's Rick Rubin or I'm reading the Creative act right now, which is such a good book. I think they say, one for you, two for them. Which is basically like any artist or creative, one for you. Paint the painting because you like it, sing the song because you like it, write the song you like, and then make one for them. And I always think about that with artists. It's like half of the time they're probably doing it for me because they think I need this song. And then maybe Taylor Swift's like, fuck it. I like this song, it's for me because I want to express this. So I kind of think it's the same. Like, sometimes I'm creating a product usually for them, but sometimes I'm like, I like this. I want to do this. So how do you make us? How do you. How do you both be happy? I feel like, is the dance. And one last thing I'll say that I think is interesting. If anybody listening does work with a family member, working with a sibling, I think is awesome. But anytime you work with family, I think there's a dynamic there that can be really beautiful and hard because we're extremely close, my brother and I. But it's also. I don't know. I don't know if you've ever worked with family, but it's like, it's the best thing ever. Cause you love and trust this person so much. But then also it's like, damn, this is also your family. So you're like, we never turn it off.
B
Well, it's also super easy to be like, fuck off.
A
Yeah, I kind of miss also when he was. I saw him just. Just my brother, too. So I'm kind of excited for that again one day where it's like, aw. And when we hang out, we're able to stop talking about business and have that healthy separation. But sometimes we're not. And I'm like, man, I see you now as a business partner sometimes, which that's like, the last thing you want to stress about with family is money. Right. It's like, I just want to hang out. I want to have fun. I want to enjoy life with you. I don't want to be stressed about, like, money and blah, blah, blah, and roas. And I don't want to talk about that stuff with you. So that's the only thing I will say is there's a beauty to that, but there's also a difficulty to that.
B
So I think you and I have a very similar trait in common, which is just overly uncautiously optimistic, probably.
A
I'm hoping. I hope I am. I'm trying to be.
B
I'm. Well, I think that. That there. That as an entrepreneur in a super competitive world.
A
Yeah.
B
You kind of have to have that. And not all entrepreneurs do. I mean, a lot of the smart ones don't, you know.
A
Yeah.
B
And not. And a lot of the smart ones end up closing their businesses, quite frankly, because they. They really, really analyze the data to the point of making anything that could potentially seem impossible on paper. The end of the road. Right. Like, okay, this Isn't this doesn't look like it's headed down the right direction. Obviously, we're gonna run out of money here. Let's wrap it up.
A
Yeah, I think it's good to have the balance. I'm the creative, I'm the visionary. I'm add. I've got all the weird ideas. I'm like, let's do this, then we'll do this. And people will love this. And Mike is more numbers, logical left brain. So when we come together, it's really nice. I think if I worked with me, I don't know if we'd get much work done. So I think you have to balance it out. I think it's really healthy to have massive self awareness on what are the strengths that I bring? Oh, I bring a level of creativity and ideas that he may not have or be risky enough to have. And then he's able to be like, yo, hold on, we're not spending, you know, I don't know, $2 million on these bags right now or this gift box that you want to make. Like this. Like, let's bring it back down to reality. So I think it's kind of fun to also have that, that male, female dynamic also in business. So any business I do, I always think it's really cool to have women, men, and then left brain and right brain people. I think we all need each other to kind of balance each other out.
B
So, yeah, you and I are the same.
A
Really.
B
And the way I kind of describe it to other people is like, and this is. But this is for me, anyway. In my experience, I've founded three companies and I've exited the first two, and I had partners in the first two. I don't have a partner in Creatures of Habit. And what I found for me, and this is only like an experience that I can speak to, is that, like, I function far better without a partner. But I love, like, I love being told, hey, dude, you're doing 60 in a 30 and there's fucking speed bumps, dude. You got to slow it down. And I love being able to say, holy shit, you're totally right. Like, let me pump the brakes. Or you gotta, you gotta have faith. You have no idea that I just put new shocks on this thing.
A
Yeah, like, we're, we're working a funny analogy.
B
We're working with, like the best shocks in the world. So, like, just, just buckle up and.
A
How old are you?
B
44.
A
Okay, so you, you. How does it. How do. I'm 34. So you're exactly 10 years older than me, has it? Well, you're a man, so I don't know. I feel like you guys just never. You guys just. You're in your prime, but, like, do you feel your energy and that passion, that drive? Has that changed? Or is it. You know what I mean? That sense of, like, starting things and selling things, Is it different now? In your 40s?
B
Oh, I don't even. I feel like I haven't even begun.
A
I love that.
B
That's the way I feel.
A
That's so great. Yeah, my. My fiance's 48, and he feels like he's like, I'm just start getting started, too. Yeah.
B
And I feel it's funny as a.
A
Woman, because I'm like, oh, my God, am I gonna be tired then? Like, I'm done with that.
B
And I also feel like I'm like. Like don't know shit. I really do. Like, I kind of feel like, you know, I'm just so. Every day, you know, I'm learning, and I surround myself with a lot of people, and I think, obviously, I've built confidence in being able to, like, I think it really does come down to that. That optimism.
A
Yeah.
B
For me, it's just like, hey, man, like, just, you know, do what you think is right and be able to, like, pull the plug fast if it doesn't work, you know?
A
I love that. I think that's so cool. And it's very like, Gary Vee talks about this a lot too, right? I think our society has made you think, all right, if it's not, you don't have it all figured out by 30, you're screwed. And I'm like, I feel like my life is just getting started.
B
Gary's the lead investor in my company.
A
Oh, really? So cool. Gear. Gear. I love Gary.
B
I just love Gary. I want to talk to you about the Creature Habit podcast. So really what we talk about here is obviously, we tell stories, and I get to meet really cool people that are doing really cool things that are inspiring. But I also really like to talk about habits, rituals, and routines, because that is ultimately the ethos and what motivated me to want to create creatures, a habit, the brand. Do you have a morning routine?
A
I love this question. I was just talking to my friend earlier about this because I want to be a mom soon. And so we've been. I've been having some interesting thoughts about this concept of how I have all this time right now to, you know, I could red light therapy for seven hours and meditate for another 10 hours. You know, I could do Whatever the fuck I want right now. Pretty much. Right? With my time at least, I think it's pretty flexible. So we were laughing today. Cause she was like, dude, just wait for your morning routine. Once you have kids, it's gonna be like, wake up, brush your teeth, all right, who needs me? And I was like, wow, I'm really trying to enjoy this time in my life, this season right before. I don't know what it'll be like to wake up and not have. And actually have to. Like, my first thought will be someone else. Right. But I'm sure I will still need to obviously do things for myself. But it was just funny. We were just talking about this today. You know, I try to keep it pretty simple, but I am obsessed with two things, which is sunlight. I think circadian stuff is absolutely fascinating and so important for women's hormones, brain health, everything. So I do try to get out into the sun as soon as possible. So I'm a psychopath who. The minute I'm up, I have only red bulbs in our house. And so I'll turn the red bulbs out. All the. We have salt lamps everywhere. I'll shut those off and then I'll go outside. I'll go into the backyard or I'll walk the dog. And. Yeah, I think that is so important for setting your day. I will. I do a lot of ice stuff, but I don't do ice plunging. So I'll do ice on my face. I'll stick my head in like a. Like a bucket of ice.
B
I've seen a lot of that.
A
It's great. It's fun. It wakes you up. It feels so good. So. So I'll do a lot of that. I have ice roller. I like ice on my face in the morning to wake me up and get some dopamine as well. So honestly, sun and ice are huge for me. And then movement. I was an athlete most of my life, so for me, it's like I can't not move. I will go crazy if I don't move. And so usually it's a walk. I do a lot of weighted vest walks right now. So then I'm getting my steps, my son, a little bit of strength training in. Maybe I'll ice roll on that walk, you know, if I really wanna just look like a crazy person in my neighborhood. And that's honestly what I'm focusing on right now. And then by 9ish is when I like to be done with all of that. So then I can get into anything creative, whether that's content Podcasting meetings. So that's what I like to do. Right now. I'm pretty much obsessed with the sun right now. Trying to play with circadian stuff. Cause I think the biohacking space. And I'm sure you have thoughts on this too. It can go a little bit too far. And now you've gotta do 800 morning routines and you're like, who the hell is time for this? And now I'm more stressed that I gotta do all this stuff which is now not good for my body. Cause I'm stressed. And so lately I've been thinking about what are the basics, what are the things that I think are truly matching biological living that I can do that aren't too crazy or what can I.
B
Actually stick to the non negotiables?
A
Yeah, the non negotiables that I think for the rest of my life, even with kids and even with life getting busier, I can still stick to versus thinking. Okay. I gotta also like chant for five minutes and then do breath work and then stick a yoni. I got my butthole. And then also like it's just like the biohacking space. You know, it's like, yo bro, some of these guys online, I'm like, what are they doing?
B
So you know, so here, so here, here's. Here's the interesting thing about that, right? Like, so I. I have all the things. And there was periods of the yoni eggs.
A
Okay.
B
Yeah. I don't stick anything in my. That's actually not true.
A
But sunning.
B
I do stick things in my butt.
A
Okay. Is it an enema? Let's hope it's an enema. I hope it's an enema. It is. But no judgment if not cuz he just met. So I don't know.
B
So part of my.
A
Yeah, but I try to butt son too.
B
I've never butt sunned.
A
What you're missing out on life. You're just outside in your backyard just five minutes.
B
You do that?
A
No. Well, not right now. Cause my neighbors could see, but hopefully the next place we move to. Yeah. You just lay naked in the sun just five minutes a day. It's really good for you.
B
Okay.
A
Think about our clothes. Like it's so bad that our body isn't getting the red light.
B
Okay.
A
So I appreciate that new biohack for.
B
You, but I do sure your wife.
A
Will love that one.
B
So when I started this gut cleanse.
A
Yeah.
B
Vince from vital coaching was like you, you know, part of this thing is going to be enemas. I've never done an Enemy. Before, I had no idea what I was, you know, no idea what to do. Okay. So I was like, dude, you're gonna have to walk me through this, man. This is fucking scary.
A
It's way scary than it is.
B
It sounds way scarier than it is, actually. I'm obsessed with it. And I'm not obsessed with shoving the thing in my butt. I am obsessed with the feeling I get when I'm done with a coffee enema.
A
Yeah, it does feel nice. It feels great. You're like, whoa. You feel like you put contacts in. You're like, yes. Wow.
B
It's like, yeah. The only thing that I can. I can actually. It's very funny. But, like, I've been in Sabri. I've been sober for 20 years, but I do remember before I got sober when I was a teenager, specifically, I loved ecstasy. I loved ecstasy. It was like my favorite thing.
A
I've never done it, but I want to.
B
Oh, so many mdma. Well, MDMA was really not even available when I was using ecstasy. It was like. It was ecstasy. It was like, in the 90s.
A
Yeah.
B
And I, I, I took a shit ton of it. Like, I'm talking about, like, I've probably done it over a thousand times. Like, a lot, a lot of times.
A
Oh, my God. I have so many questions for you now.
B
Yeah. Like, the first thing that happens that I remember is everything becomes very crystal clear. Everything you look at just go. It's like. It's like. It just becomes super vibrant for me. And it's not like I'm, like, being. Seeing visions and things moving. It's just like, boom. The sky is bluer, the tre. Greener, the grass is greener. Like, everything's just like.
A
All your brain fog's gone.
B
It's just like, very, very crystal clear. And I get that after a coffee enema.
A
Wow. Mine's not that amazing. Wow. I'm missing out. I gotta. What? Whatever coffee beans you're using.
B
No, you gotta find. So there's a company called Pure Life. Pure Life. And they make a. They make a very, very strong. It's not even. It's gold. It's. It's not even roasted coffee. It's like. They're like. They're like light color. It's like a. It's like a ground. It's intense shit.
A
Okay.
B
You gotta be careful. No pun intended, but pun intended, I guess. And that. And. And it just. It's like, poof. Like, it's very, very intense. In a good way, though, but. But now you know, because I'm deep into this, into this gut cleanse. Like, I'm. I'm having to enema like three to four times a week.
A
Oh, wow. You're doing them a lot right now.
B
Yeah.
A
Wow. Yeah, I'm more in. I don't have parasites or anything, which was good. I just am trying to get my good gut bacteria back up, I think, from stress. I just kind of like my good, good gut bacteria went down. So I'm not doing animals right now, but I'm trying to do more. Just like prebiotic rich foods, probiotics, more of like healing, like adding things in versus, like detoxing stuff out. But there was a season where I did enemas and clonics and they were really fun. I liked them. You know, they're like, I feel like every health person needs to try it once. It's not as crazy as people think. I think people think it's going to be gross. But then once you've done it, you're like, oh, that's not a big deal. No, you just lay on your bathroom floor, watch a YouTube video.
B
Totally.
A
It's great.
B
But it's, it's. It also. It's not easy. I mean, it hurts. Like, there's moments like, for me, where, where I'm like, oh, like, I feel like I'm going to explode.
A
And what does your wife say about this?
B
She is not stoked on it. She wants nothing to do, really.
A
You'll just think, I gotta go. I'm.
B
She's. She knows what I'm doing. As soon as that pot of coffee goes on, she's like, oh, Jesus Christ. Yeah.
A
I mean, there's seasons for it again, just like anything in wellness. You could overdo enemas then. And your body is like, yo, we need some good. We got. We need the good bacteria too. Don't be flushing out everything. And so I think, like, anything, you have to be working with someone to properly cycle it. Yeah, I think everything needs to be cyclical. Every single supplement, every single biohack, everything has to be in cycles. If you do anything good for too long, I think it's not good either. And I think there's women who like, will do animals like, every day because they feel so good. And it's like, well, I think your body digestive system needs to know how to do it itself too. So I just question how often we should be doing everything, you know, interrupting.
C
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B
Back to the pod. Do you have an evening wind down routine?
A
Oh yes, I'm a baby grandma. That's my name of my community is the baby grandmas because I'm obsessed with sleep. So. Oh I do a lot.
B
I want to hear all about this sleep stuff.
A
I'm obsessed. I mean what time is it now? I would I got to start the sleep routine now so I can be in bed by nine so it's usually like a two hour thing. So again, going back to light, I turn on all the red light bulbs in the bedroom, in the bathroom, everything like that. So I love salt lamps as well. It's really good for melatonin obviously to shut off all blue light. So I'll do that. Put on my blue light blocking glasses. I try not to be on a lot of technology at night, but if I am I wear the blue light blocking glasses. I'll usually do some sort of melatonin, some sort of magnesium, obviously our sleep drink or our sleep gummies here and there, but those I will cycle every few days. Sometimes I'll do a bath if I'm feeling it. I love baths. What else am I doing? Tongue scraping. Gotta do my whole skincare routine. It's a whole thing, you know?
B
Give it to us.
A
I'm trying to think what else I do that's weird. People think it's weird. Like, if my friends, like, come over, like, dude, what is all this shit you're doing? Sometimes I'll also do. I'll sit in front of the red light a little bit. Like, the bulbs are red, but then we also have a huge red light panel. So sometimes I'll sit in front of that.
B
And your fiance is all about this, too?
A
Yeah, he's like 90 about it. You know what I mean? But there's, like, the 10% of him. He's just a guy's guy. And, like, he's not like. He's like, dude, calm down. Like, you just need to, like, live your life, you know? And I'm like, no, put on your. He won't wear the glasses yet, so he'll, like, watch Netflix at night. And I'm like, you're gonna die. He's like, no, I'm not. You know, he's a little bit more realistic. And I'm like a psycho about it. I'm like, you got. You gotta put the glasses on.
B
So do you track your sleep?
A
So I did for a while. I tracked on Aura. Right now I don't as much, but, yeah, I did for a little bit. But I found again that I got almost obsessed. Yeah, a little obsessed with it. And I think that there's a time and a place to be obsessed with your wellness. And there's a time and a place to trust the body and to not be so obsessive about everything, because that can also lead to more stress. Sometimes I'll do a little bit of. Well, that's more so. Morning. I have, like, a mini trampoline to get the lymphatic system going. Oh, I have this little machine. Okay. It's like this little. This little, like, Qi lymph machine. It's called for your feet. Have you ever seen this Amazon, 20 bucks Qi lymph machine. And you stick your legs in it, and it just kind of like, gets your chi moving.
B
Wow.
A
So nice. And it just relaxes your body. I love doing that. Yeah. Hot water or. Sorry, hot shower or hot bath will be great. Sometimes I'll drink some tea. I try to stop eating again. I match my eating with the sun a bit, too. So what I'll do is once it's dark, that's my last meal. So I usually eat dinner. Like, I eat my dinner. I mean, I'm a grandma. I eat my dinner at like 6 and I will not eat again till tomorrow. So I do nighttime fasting. Ish, you could say. Nothing hardcore, but I like at least a 15 hour. 15 to 16 sometimes. Depends.
B
So what time do you eat?
A
For my stomach I'll stop at like 6pm and then I'll eat again in the morning. Like 7:30ish.
B
So I got a question for you.
A
So I do think, I do think in the morning is important.
B
What time do you go to bed?
A
When I feel my best is like 9 or 9:30. I feel so good. But realistically, usually it's like 10:30 if I'm like watching a show I like or I'm like.
B
So you'll go from 6 to 10:30 without eating anything?
A
Yeah, but I'm eating enough throughout the day. Like I love breakfast. I think it's really good for blood sugar for women especially, I think women's bodies, it's really good to have. I think women's bodies and men's bodies are very different when it comes to some of these things. Like I think your body can endure more of the fast than women. I think we'd be a little bit more delicate with that. So I won't fast any other time. Just at night. It depends. If I'm really hungry when I get home after this, I'll have something maybe like I'll do a scoop of chocolate protein or it's a little bit of Greek yogurt. So nothing like heavy carbs or anything. But I'll do that at night if I'm really feeling it. But if I feel good, I'm gonna let my digestive system have a break. Do you think that's crazy or no?
B
No, no. But like I just know that like, you know, I, I. So we have dinner at 6 every night.
A
Yeah. Nice.
B
And then I go to bed at 9:30, 10 every night. I love this and that, but there, but between 6:45 after 6:30 after I take my last bite and like 9:30 10, like there's no doubt. And I have a severely brutal sweet tooth. Like I have a sweet tooth from hell.
A
You want chocolate?
B
You know, and I've, and I've been a competitive athlete right. In, in a couple of different sports, in a couple of different arenas. And in some of those arenas, like you know, I've had to, I've. Especially if I'm in a cut.
A
Yeah.
B
Like I have to like very, very, very diligently like have a conversation with myself and just fight the, the urge to Put something in my mouth. Right.
A
Yeah.
B
Do you ever get those, those, those cravings after you have your last meal that you have to like walk away from?
A
What sports did you do? I'm curious.
B
Well, for years I competed in Muay Thai.
A
Oh, okay. So you, you know the fighting world. Yeah.
B
And then I competed in bodybuilding and I became a pro bodybuilder.
A
Okay. Yeah. I did bikini shows.
B
Okay.
A
I did shows.
B
So, you know, like, that's very, very difficult.
A
I died it a lot, many times.
B
In my life, totally up my hormones.
A
Oh, and your relationship with food and everything? Oh, yeah, yeah.
B
And then, and then, and then endurance racing. So I did like, I did like long distance running.
A
Yeah. It's so funny because my brother did boxing, so I've seen my brother, obviously, that life of. It's so. It's so interesting. You have to cut weight, but then you have to maintain performance. So you gotta cut weight and get lean and get all the water out of you to step on the scale to the night before. And then you go fight this guy and you gotta all of a sudden have energy and power. I'm like, this is so messed up. So I've seen him diet a lot. And then me, I did about 20 to what, 19 to 23. I decided it would be smart to do bikini and figure shows. So I did that world, which, I mean, I wish I had more good things to say about it. I mean, I'm sure I learned something out of it, but it, it was intense and I was.
B
You learned a lot about nutrition.
A
I did, I did. I was a gymnast most of my life growing up. So I already had a good muscle base and I already was really athletic. But it took it to a level of obsession that I think wasn't healthy then totally of counting every single calorie crying in the car once because I had six extra almonds. I mean, I was like, oh my God, am I gonna be fat tomorrow? I had six extra almonds. I mean, oh, I just feel so bad for 20 year old Angie, who was that obsessed. And yeah. To get up there on stage and you're wearing this bikini and you have like an eight pack and you're like, I hope these six creepy dudes in front of me give me a good score. It's like, dear God, what was I doing? You know, Totally get a life total. But I loved it. I loved the challenge. And I think that then for a while messed with me with. I had a weird relationship with nighttime eating and. Cause I always felt like the deprivation. But Now, I don't do. I don't diet like that. I don't do two hours of cardio a day, so my body feels safer now, so I don't feel the need for that. But if I do, I think I'm a really active person. I think I'll have something. Like. I was gonna say, you're probably super active. Right. You work out a lot. Your body probably needs, like, a little protein cookie then before bed. Live it up.
B
I call it the last time.
A
You don't need to be 6% body fat, do.
B
No, I call it the last meal smoothie. I have a. I basically have a smoothie every single night.
A
Oh, you have a smoothie?
B
I have a smoothie every night. Like a protein smoothie that I make.
A
I prefer to smoothie at night.
B
Oh. I do a thick smoothie that I eat with a spoon.
A
Like ice cream?
B
Yes.
A
Oh, it's chocolate.
B
It's. No, I. I like vanilla.
A
Okay, but, like, canceled. Canceling you.
B
But I'm a big. I like. I. It's.
A
It's. That's a good idea.
B
It's so good.
A
You're basically having ice cream.
B
Basically. It's. It's a basic. It's a cup of ice, a half a cup of frozen blueberries. Yeah. A quarter cup of frozen riced cauliflower to just thicken it up. A little scoop of MCT oil, a scoop and a half of protein and almond milk, and it's like, thick and satiating and epic.
A
That's great. Or get the. We just got the ninja creamy.
B
Oh, yeah, that thing is pretty.
A
You can literally make legit protein ice cream. You might need that. I see this for you. Enemas and ice cream.
B
Enemas and ice cream. All me. Let's go.
A
That's who you are.
B
But I think it's no surprise to me that you've been. Been a competitive athlete and now you're an entrepreneur. And, you know, like, it's just.
A
I've been hard on myself most of my life. Yeah. Right.
B
Yeah. So, like, what is that conversation that you have with yourself? What, like, when. When, When?
A
Yeah.
B
Like, why do you think you need to continue to. To attack? Why are you attacking?
A
You know, I don't feel it as much anymore. I'll be honest. I think I'll be 35 in March. And I think I'm at an interesting place now as a woman where I think so much of. If I'm really honest. And you're. You're a parent, right? You. You have one kid or two Two. Oh, I think a lot of it came from my dad. You know, I think that he was a. He was an entrepreneur. He was very. Your first or, you know, if you're last, you lost. Like, you know, there. There is no second place. Like a really tough dad who I think raised me to be somebody who worked really hard. And I think if I filtered out the good parts of that. He gave me my ambition, my drive, my creativity, my desire for more. But I think that can go too far. Especially the male daughter relationship. I think it made me feel like I'm never. It's never enough. Like, I gotta get first place. I gotta run f. I gotta make more. I gotta get more money. Followers. This. It just. It never ended. So it wasn't until the last few years now that I've really come to a place of what is really success for me. And what does that look like? And what is that gonna look like with a family? And I think that anybody who's been successful in sports or athletics will. Or in business. Sports or business will tell you there gets to a point where you don't really feel it anymore. So you're like, oh, shit, I thought this would feel different. And so that's kind of the exploration I've been on the last few years, to be really honest with you, is like, what's next? Because what I thought it would feel like, it kind of does, but it's not the full picture, which is. I'm sure you know what I mean by this. It's like you assume it's gonna be the dopamine hit that it is. And then you realize, oh, it is. But also the sense of fulfillment is. It has to come from something deeper. It has to come from, I think, family or your self love. It has to come from other things. It can't just be like, well, now I've got this amount of money in my bank, all right, I'm set. Now I'm happy. No, that's not how life works.
B
I think about it like this. This is kind of like how I try to articulate it, right? So mountaineers, specifically, like elite mountaineers, their number one sort of north star in their arena is like Mount Everest, right?
A
Yeah.
B
And, you know, they climb and sometimes it takes three weeks to get up to the top because there's weather and there's this. But really, you know, they're climbing most of the time, and then. And then the select few that get to the top of Mount Everest, they get to the top of Mount Everest and they're there. For like, I don't know, maybe a minute and a half. And they look to their left and they look to the right and they like, I've made it to the top of the world. And they high five their friend, they give a hug, and then they walk down.
A
Oh, my God, that's like so sad. Yeah, but this is the journey.
B
But so it's the journey, right? And so the fulfillment, I think, for me and for you and for people like us and for a lot of the people that are listening to the podcast, you know, I don't think the fulfillment is in the destination in any way. I think the fulfillment is the. The. The just constant pursuit to climb and.
A
How old are your kids?
B
Nine and seven.
A
Nine, seven. Okay. Do you feel that? Did that. How did that change your concept? I mean, as a man, it may be different than how women see. I mean, who knows? But how did that change your relationship with. What is success? Like, did they drive you more or do you just see it as like, yeah, how does it. How does that change it?
B
Business and fitness and all that shit is nowhere near in comparison to the fulfillment I get from my family.
A
But you still see why it's important to have those things so they could see that too, right?
B
I love having a balance of business, fitness, and family.
A
Yeah.
B
And, and, and quite frankly, like, all those things are. Are super important, but they're not my. A number one priority. Yeah, my. A number one priority is me. And not in a selfish way, in a way of I know that if I don't show up confident in myself and the way I get there is through like a bunch of things that I do super early in the morning, that my ability to be an amazing dad, because that's the number one thing for me. An amazing dad, amazing husband. Like those two things, like I say, my number one priority is me, and not because I am like the most important thing in my life, because I'm not, but if I don't make myself the priority, there's no way I can be there as the guy I want to be for the most important thing in my life, which is my wife and my kids.
A
Yeah, absolutely. No, I think I get that you're saying it's a byproduct of you taking care of you actually makes you the person that you need to be for them, 100%. And that's where you see a lot of parents, I feel like, get into a place of they've given up almost like the self sacrifice and in a way where actually would have been More beneficial for them to keep some of themselves, for their kids to see that, to then be inspired by that. And so they can serve from a full cup. But I'm sure that dance is hard.
B
It's hard, right?
A
Because when you're working, you want to be with them. When you're with them, you're probably thinking about work. It's like, it's just the dance of life.
B
I think. I do. I do think that there is, you know, there's a lot of, like, you'll hear, you know, work, life, balance isn't a real thing. And I just disagree.
A
Yeah, Yeah.
B
I really do.
A
Yeah. Because I know so many people who have it balanced.
B
Yeah. You set a boundary, and if you can't get done what you were planning on getting done that day, it's all good. But you stick to the boundary because tomorrow is another day. You know what I mean?
A
Yeah. And I think help if you can get to the place in life where you've worked hard enough or you've created the ability or the opportunity, I should say, where you can outsource things to get help, I think that's the key. I don't think we're meant to do all of this alone. I think you need to get a team to help, whether that's things at the home or things in the business. I think that's the secret. Anybody I know who's successful, who's doing both? Because I'm obsessed with that concept right now. Like, how am I going to do both? Like, I want to figure it out. They all have a lot of help. Like, a lot of help if they're being honest. They just don't post that sometimes. Then you're thinking like, wow, how does this girl, she's a successful entrepreneur and she's got three kids and how is she doing it all? And she's healthy, but you're like, oh, I didn't see that. She's got someone meal prepping and cleaning her house and she also has, you know, a nanny. And then, like, you don't see the whole dance of how it's all actually working. All you see is like the cute picture on Instagram and you're like, shit, how am I going to do that? So I think behind anyone who's doing both is. Is support and as a team. Right. I mean, I'm sure you have support in your life. Hopefully. Yeah.
B
As much as I can get.
A
Yeah. Yeah.
B
And I think the kind of number one piece is like, if. If I'm asked about, hey, if there's one piece of advice. You know, what would you say to yourself, 21 years old.
A
Yeah.
B
It would be ask. Ask for as much help as humanly possible. So much so that it makes you incredibly uncomfortable. Like, when you're like, I don't want to ask for help for this. I know that I should be able to do this alone. Like, ask for the help. Like, ask for the fucking help.
A
Yeah. Yeah.
B
You know?
A
Yeah.
B
If there's people listening to the podcast that are sort of in the beginning stages of entrepreneurship or athleticism or just, like, on the verge of wanting to take the leap.
A
Yeah.
B
What would you say has been something that you can point to that has just sort of kept you going even through the hardest times? Like what? Like, if there's one thing that you can really kind of think about in a. Not in, like, a technical way. Like, what. What. What kind of advice would you give to somebody who's, like, really. Really contemplating whether or not it's the right thing for them to do?
A
Yeah. You know, I. That's such a. That's such a good way to phrase it. You mean more so for business, right? Yeah. Because the athletics, I feel like, is so different, but I do think that athletics taught me a lot about discipline and knowing what it's like to work hard towards something. But I think you have to find the thing that you. It's so cheesy, but I finally really feel this now. I think you have to find the thing that lights you up. And I just think that we're. I don't know, maybe it sounds kind of, like, morbid and weird, but I've always. Since I was a little girl, I've always thought about that. We have one shot here. And to me, life is a game. Like, it's just a game. Like, this is just a silly little game. We're on a blue ball right now in space. Like, what the fuck are we doing here? You know what I mean? Go watch Interstellar. Best movie ever. And it will just. You realize we're just like this little tiny dot, these little organisms hanging out on this ball in these galaxies. Right? So I don't take life too seriously. And that's just the comedian in me. I create a lot of comedy content because I think that if people. If you don't take it so seriously, it actually works out in your favor better. Like, everyone's so serious about fitness and business, and it's like, guys, this is. It's all a game. It's all a game. Like, it's not that serious. And we're all gonna die. So I think I've always had that attitude which has allowed me to do things that embarrass me or try things that didn't work out or, I don't know, like I, I, I have, my relationship with fear is different because I have such a good relationship with the fact that this is a game, if that makes sense.
B
Totally.
A
And I don't know where I got that, but I've always had that since a young age. I'm like, oh, this is a fucking game. Let me play it, let me see how I can play this. And you realize there's rules, but there's really no rules. And I just, I think about my 90 year old self and I want to know that she, she went for it and she played full out and she tried things and she used her gifts. I think if you're healthy right now and you're listening to this and you're able to see and hear and like you have all your senses and you're a healthy, able body, like, like you're so lucky. Like there's people who wish they could feel that way. And so for me, I feel like I'm, I'm really so cheesy to say, but I feel like I'm blessed. Like, why not? Like there's people who wish that they had the opportunity to do the things that I can do. So I'm kind of like, I might as well do my best with it, right? I don't know. Anytime I'm like feeling like shit. There always will like be somebody on the street who like, obviously like is in a wheelchair or is homeless or something. And I'm just like, oh, why am I complaining right now? Like, why am I complaining about this day? That stressed me out, you know? So I think reality checks are always really good. And Yeah. I just think we take it too seriously.
B
Bring levity to it.
A
Yeah, you gotta just fart around.
B
Fucking fart around.
A
You gotta fucking fart around and find out.
B
I love it. Like if you, if you had to win every single game you played.
A
Yeah.
B
The chances of you playing Monopoly as a kid or poker as an adult, like, wouldn't happen. Yeah. Like you can't expect to win every one.
A
No, you can't.
B
The most learning I've had in my life is in the losses.
A
Yeah. Yeah.
B
You know what I mean?
A
Why does it have to be that way though? You know? I don't know what you believe in, but sometimes I think that I'm like, why did God do that? Like, why can't we learn from the ups? You know, maybe we can. Maybe we can also. Maybe we. Maybe we rewrite that. But for sure, you do learn when you're scared and down and out, but then it builds that resiliency. So, yeah, I think that's a gift that I love to share with others, is I want to bring levity and humor, but I also want people to not take the experience so seriously. Because I. I see, like, at my events, I host for women. It's like, women will say, oh, I want to speak on stage. Is that so scary? I'm like, it kind of is, but also, when you kind of look at it, bird's eye view, it's like, what's the worst thing that's gonna happen? You think someone's gonna be like, boo, you suck. Like, that's not gonna happen. You know what I mean? Even with podcasting, like, what's the worst thing that's gonna happen?
B
You know, I think, like, I want to close it right there.
A
I don't know. I might have something wrong in my brain, though, too.
B
I want to say one thing that I think is, like, it's such a great example of what you're saying. You know, there's always that one or two. There's always one or two people at, like, a party that, like, will be on the dance floor and just going for it.
A
That's me.
B
Yeah. Just going for it. Does not care.
A
Yeah.
B
You know, like, I. Growing up in New York City, there's always, like, musicians playing in the train station, and then there's always just this one woman or man that's just kind of, like, in there vibing. Totally. Like. And you're like, what are they thinking? And they're just. They're, like, living their fucking lives. They're playing the game. Yeah, they're playing the game.
A
Yeah.
B
And, like, it doesn't matter if they win or lose. It doesn't matter if people are laughing at them. It doesn't matter if they look good or not.
A
Yeah.
B
They're playing the fucking game. And I love that you said that, because I think that that is such a great piece for the listeners to just take away. It's a game. And if it's your choice to play it or not.
A
Yeah. Main character energy.
B
Main character.
A
Main character. And I think also, you know, you're listening to a podcast right now, so I'm sure you love personal development. Like, a huge part of personal development is having fun. Like, this is supposed to be fun. We're supposed to have a Good time. Like, this is supposed to be fun. Business is supposed to also be enjoyable. Fitness is also supposed to feel really good. Find movement that you love. Find foods that you love that are obviously healthy. Have a career that you can find some joy. And I don't think we're here to be just, like, so rigorous to the point where we hate our lives every day, but we have discipline. Like, I think we're meant to have joy, right? So I think some of this, you know, with health and fitness, it can go so far that people feel more miserable. They're like, now I hate what I eat, and I hate how I work out. I'm like, find it. I don't know. Go to a dance class. Do something else for cardio. Then find. Find the joy. And then in business, too, I'm always asking myself, how can I make this more fun? How can I make this more enjoyable? Like, if it's a really boring thing, I'm like, oh, my God. How can I make this more fun right now?
B
Like, when you're going through a P. L. Yeah.
A
Like, yeah. I mean, I'm not the CEO thank God. I would stick a pencil in my eyeball, but I don't know. Like, just. There's certain moments where things are still. Yeah. They feel like a lot. I'm like, okay, reframe. How can I make this more fun right now? Because this is. This is supposed to be somewhat enjoyable, so I'm always trying to, like, reframe it.
B
Angie fucking Lee, you're amazing.
A
Thank you.
B
So much fun. Totally fun.
A
Yeah.
B
Tell us where people can find you your business.
A
Yeah, absolutely. You guys can go to Angie Lee dot com. You guys can follow me at Angie Lee show and soul is getsoul.com or@get.soul on Instagram.
B
You're amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time.
A
Thank you, Mr. Enema.
B
I'll take the Mr. Enema. You guys heard it. Angie Lee is. Is such an amazing character that I just got to meet today. I love being able to, like, get an introduction through social media to bring inspiring people on the podcast. Life is a game, y'all, and I'm walking away with that piece that I'm gonna take with me in my back pocket. And whenever shit goes down, I'm gonna remember it's a game. And games traditionally are there to provide fun. And if it's not fun, friends, fuck it. Make it fun. I hope you guys got some value out of this one. I know I certainly did share this podcast with a friend, a family member, that is the price you pay to listening to this bad boy hit the subscribe button. Give us a five star rating and a review if you're feeling super fucking generous. I love you guys. I appreciate you all. Until the next one, peace.
Kreatures Of Habit Podcast: Life’s A Game with Angie Lee
Host: Michael Chernow
Release Date: February 19, 2025
In this episode of the Kreatures Of Habit Podcast, host Michael Chernow engages in an insightful conversation with Angie Lee, the founder of a CBD and THC company. The discussion delves into Angie’s entrepreneurial journey, her personal health practices, and her philosophy on life and success.
The conversation kicks off with Angie and Michael discussing their experiences with gut health and biohacking.
Angie Lee shares her recent struggles with gut health, mentioning a stool test revealing Candida, H. Pylori, and parasites:
“I got my stool test back and I have Candida H. Pylori, two parasites and, you know, two worms.” [00:28]
Michael Chernow echoes similar experiences and recommends working with a coach:
“It's three months in. Really? Is it helping your gut?” [01:56]
“It's a game changer.” [02:00]
The duo highlights the challenges of extreme biohacking, emphasizing the importance of maintaining manageable and sustainable health routines to avoid unnecessary stress.
Michael shifts the focus to Angie’s role as a founder of a Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brand in the CBD space.
Michael inquires about the toughest moments Angie has faced as a founder:
“What is the hardest thing you've been through, honestly, as a founder?” [02:17]
Angie recounts a pivotal moment struggling with the business’s financials and the emotional toll it took:
“We were in the red. And I can remember the moment where he looked at me. He's like, this has been fun, but I don't know if we can keep doing this.” [03:01]
Angie discusses the critical decisions and strategies that helped her navigate through the toughest phases of her business.
Trusting the Process and Hiring Experts:
“We had to hire more people. We had to hire somebody who's smarter than us.” [05:31]
Focusing on Core Products:
“Our focus is anxiety, sleep, and pain. Whenever we diverted from that, we tried to launch a fat loss product and lost a lot of money.” [07:28]
Angie emphasizes the necessity of staying true to the brand’s mission and the importance of expert guidance in scaling the business.
The dynamic between Angie and her business partner, her brother, showcases the balance between creative vision and financial prudence.
Creative vs. Risk-Averse Approaches:
“My brother is a little bit more risk averse and I am like, let's spend money to make money.” [05:31]
Gender and Cognitive Balance:
“It's also fun to have that male, female dynamic in business. Women, men, left brain and right brain.” [15:31]
This balance ensures that the business remains both innovative and financially stable.
Angie highlights her hands-on approach to understanding customer needs, which has been pivotal in the brand’s success.
Direct Communication:
“If anybody tags me in the product, I'm answering every single DM. If somebody likes the product, I'm messaging them back.” [08:14]
Implementing Customer Feedback:
“I take their language and put it on our sales page. People feel like she's in their head.” [09:44]
Michael shares his method of personally calling customers to foster genuine relationships and gather direct feedback, despite the time-consuming nature of the process.
“Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 3 to 6pm I open up my Shopify and call customer after customer.” [10:02]
Both Angie and Michael discuss their structured routines, which play a crucial role in their productivity and well-being.
Angie’s Morning Routine:
“I'm obsessed with two things: sunlight and movement. I get out into the sun as soon as possible and do a lot of movement like weighted vest walks.” [19:34]
“I have ice on my face to wake me up and get some dopamine.” [19:50]
Angie’s Evening Wind-Down:
“I do a two-hour sleep routine, including red light bulbs, blue light blocking glasses, melatonin, magnesium, and a strict nighttime fasting until 6 PM.” [28:42]
Michael’s Morning Engagement:
“I make about 30 phone calls in three hours to scale the unscalable.” [10:22]
These routines underscore the importance of consistency in maintaining both physical and mental health.
The discussion delves into the complexities of balancing entrepreneurial responsibilities with family life.
Angie on Working with Family:
“Working with family can be beautiful but also difficult because it's your family. We never turn it off.” [14:41]
Michael on Family Priorities:
“My number one priority is me, not selfishly, but to be the best dad and husband.” [40:18]
Both speakers highlight the necessity of setting boundaries and recognizing the importance of personal relationships in achieving a balanced life.
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around viewing life through the lens of a game, promoting a balanced and enjoyable approach to challenges.
Angie’s Philosophy:
“Life is a game. It’s just a silly little game. We’re on a blue ball in space. Don’t take it too seriously.” [44:29]
“Bring levity and humor. Don’t take the experience too seriously.” [46:38]
Michael’s Reflection:
“Fulfillment is in the journey, not the destination. Make it fun.” [39:45]
This perspective encourages embracing the process, learning from failures, and maintaining joy in all endeavors.
As the episode wraps up, Angie and Michael offer motivational advice to listeners embarking on entrepreneurial or personal development journeys.
Angie’s Advice:
“Find the thing that lights you up. Don’t take life too seriously. Play the game.” [43:46]
“Reality checks are always really good. Don’t complain when others are struggling.” [45:39]
Michael’s Takeaway:
“Life is a game. If it’s not fun, make it fun.” [47:56]
Both emphasize the importance of balance, seeking help, and enjoying the journey despite challenges.
Angie Lee on Overcoming Business Challenges:
“We had to hire more people. We had to hire somebody who's smarter than us.” [05:31]
Michael Chernow on Customer Engagement:
“Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 3 to 6pm I open up my Shopify and call customer after customer.” [10:02]
Angie Lee on Life Philosophy:
“Life is a game. It’s just a silly little game. We’re on a blue ball in space. Don’t take it too seriously.” [44:29]
Michael Chernow on Fulfillment:
“Fulfillment is in the journey, not the destination. Make it fun.” [39:45]
This episode of the Kreatures Of Habit Podcast offers a rich exploration of Angie Lee’s entrepreneurial spirit, her dedication to personal health, and her balanced approach to life’s challenges. Through engaging dialogue and shared experiences, Angie and Michael provide valuable insights into building successful habits, maintaining work-life balance, and finding joy in the journey.
For more inspiring conversations and habit-forming strategies, tune into future episodes of the Kreatures Of Habit Podcast.