
Hosted by Michael Chernow · EN

In this Monday Moments episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, entrepreneur Michael Chernow shares why choosing your life partner may be the most important decision you’ll ever make. Drawing from nearly 19 years of marriage to his wife Donna and his personal journey through sobriety and growth, Michael reflects on how the quality of our closest relationships directly impacts long-term happiness and fulfillment.He explains that healthy marriages will always include disagreements, but the foundation must be shared values, morals, and a deep sense of alignment. Too often, couples commit without truly understanding each other’s core beliefs, which can lead to toxic dynamics and painful divorces later on. Michael emphasizes that when a relationship feels fundamentally misaligned, having the courage to change your mind and move on can ultimately be the healthiest choice for both people involved.This episode is an honest reflection on love, commitment, and building a life with someone who shares your values. For anyone navigating relationships, marriage, or long-term partnership, it offers perspective on why great relationships—and great families—are built on alignment, honesty, and mutual respect.

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit podcast, Michael Chernow shares his deeply personal story of addiction, recovery, and transformation. Growing up in Manhattan, Michael turned to drugs and alcohol at a young age while trying to cope with childhood trauma and instability at home. What began as experimentation quickly escalated into selling drugs, struggling with addiction, and entering rehab by the age of sixteen.Michael reflects on losing friends as opioids and fentanyl spread, and recounts the near-fatal heroin overdose that almost ended his life in 2004. After hitting rock bottom and being fired by a restaurant owner he saw as a father figure, he finally made the life-changing decision to ask for help.With the guidance of his mentor Marcus, Michael adopted a disciplined plan centered on faith, AA, Muay Thai training, healthy habits, and personal accountability principles he still follows today. He also shares lessons about recovery, relationships, and how structure and humility helped him rebuild his life and dedicate himself to helping others.TIME STAMPS01:44 Home Life and Upbringing07:37 Self Harm and Survival10:58 Parenting and Attention18:04 Early Rehab at Sixteen22:18 Heroin Overdose Story25:24 Rock Bottom and Mirror Moment30:25 Fired and Final Wake Up34:21 Marcus Plan for Sobriety40:33 Addiction Misconceptions46:45 Meeting His Future Wife58:35 Learning Self Love01:03:48 Advice for Getting Sober01:09:27 Protein Bar Taste Test01:12:06 Final Thanks and Wrap

In this Monday Moments episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow shares a deeply personal story about growing up with a difficult relationship with his father and the life-changing wisdom passed down from his grandmother, Grandma Chickie, a practicing Buddhist. Her mantra “Bless you, change me” became a guiding principle that transformed how he handles conflict, emotional triggers, and challenging relationships.Michael explains that the phrase is a reminder that we cannot control or change other people—only how we receive, interpret, and respond to them. Instead of reacting with defensiveness or anger, the mantra encourages blessing the other person with positivity while doing the inner work to shift your own mindset. Whether you’re dealing with parents, bosses, coworkers, or anyone you can’t easily avoid, this episode offers a practical and spiritual framework for navigating conflict with maturity and emotional intelligence.From childhood struggles to tattooing the mantra on his arm as a permanent reminder, Michael reflects on loss, perspective, and the discipline of responding instead of reacting.If you’re working on personal growth, emotional resilience, or healing difficult relationships, this episode offers a simple but powerful tool you can start using today.

In this episode of the Creatures of Habit podcast, host Michael Chernow sits down with Andrew Aguero to delve into the intricacies of the restaurant industry, sharing personal anecdotes and discussing the nuanced challenge of leading a team in such a dynamic environment. They talk about the essentiality of leading by example, the concept of service both in and out of the restaurant, and the inevitable transition from the restaurant world to a more balanced lifestyle focusing on wellness. From hilarious and stressful restaurant stories to key lessons in leadership and the importance of supporting one's community, Michael and Andrew provide a heartfelt exchange about life, leadership, and personal growth. Don't miss this heartfelt, informative, and truly inspirational episode filled with practical advice and genuine human connection.TIME STAMPS03:44 The Restaurant Industry: A Community of Opportunity09:29 Opening Restaurants: Challenges and Rewards13:31 Restaurant Nightmares and Lessons Learned27:17 The Magic of Restaurant Atmosphere32:50 Creating Memorable Guest Experiences33:59 Leading with Empathy and Emotional Intelligence35:44 Understanding and Connecting with Your Team37:06 The Complexity of the Restaurant Industry42:52 Transitioning to a Wellness-Focused Lifestyle47:36 The Power of Habits and Fitness54:31 Building Meaningful Relationships and Networks01:00:59 Final Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode of Monday Moments, entrepreneur Michael Chernow introduces the Daily Bar, Kreatures of Habit’s revolutionary plant-based protein bar designed to redefine clean, functional snacking. Packed with 20 grams of plant-based protein and 3 grams of creatine, the Daily Bar was developed over two and a half years with more than 50 research and development iterations to perfect its taste, texture, and formulation.Michael breaks down what sets this bar apart from traditional protein bars—including ultra-low added sugar (under 1 gram in Chocolate Peanut Butter Banger and under 3 grams in Cookie Dough Dazzler), real food ingredients, and absolutely no seed oils or sugar alcohols. The Daily Bar is also non-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy-free, making it a gut-friendly option for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone committed to high performance and healthy habits.If you’re looking for a clean protein bar with creatine that actually tastes incredible, this episode dives into the full story behind its creation, the community response since launch, and why this could be a true game-changer in functional nutrition.Try the Daily Bar and get 20% off your first purchase with promo code KOH POD 20.Share this episode with anyone who eats protein bars or wants a better, plant-based alternative built for performance and daily discipline.

In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the realities of entrepreneurship — the stress, the identity crisis, venture capital pressure, and what no one tells you about scaling a company.Our guest shares:• Why she walked away from her startup• The heartbreak of watching it shut down• The hidden stress of venture-backed businesses• Why she’ll never raise VC again• How delegation saved her sanity• Designing life instead of being consumed by work• Spiritual habits that ground her daily (gratitude journaling, tarot, reflection)We also discuss founder identity, investor pressure, scaling retail, AI in business, legacy vs exits, and what success really means.If you're a founder, entrepreneur, executive, or someone navigating burnout this conversation will hit home.

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow shares invaluable insights on overcoming the ego and dealing with negative self-talk. He emphasizes the importance of 'pausing' to combat the inner voice that fosters doubt and fear. Michael introduces a mantra, 'The power is in the pause,' as a practical method to regain control and push through the challenges. Drawing from personal experiences and motivational advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling with self-confidence and wanting to break free from the constraints of their ego. Tune in for empowering strategies to stay motivated and achieve your goals.

In this powerful episode, we explore the realities of addiction recovery, habit-building, and personal transformation with a guest who turned his life around and now leads the latest version of P90X, inspiring millions worldwide.Once trapped in addiction and hopelessness, he shares the turning point that changed everything, the importance of finding your “why,” and how fitness, structure, and daily routines became the foundation for long-term sobriety and success. The conversation dives into addiction as a disease, the role of mindset and philosophy, and how habit stacking can create real, lasting change.This episode is a raw and motivating look at overcoming adversity, building discipline through wellness, and proving that transformation is possible one day, one habit at a time.If you or someone you love is navigating recovery, purpose, or personal growth, this conversation offers hope, tools, and perspective.Connect with Waz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wazashayer/?hl=en#AddictionRecovery#PersonalTransformation#FitnessMotivationTIME STAMPS00:36 A Personal Journey Through Addiction09:43 Breaking the Cycle20:23 Fitness as a Tool for Healing27:28 Navigating the Nightlife Industry37:36 Morning Routines & Structure43:39 Cardio, Discipline & Mental Strength48:12 Nutrition & Habit Stacking58:58 Words for Those Struggling01:02:56 Final Thoughts

In this Monday Moment episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow discusses the significant impact of maintaining a clutter-free environment and establishing a solid routine on mental clarity and overall productivity. He emphasizes the importance of setting a go-to-bed alarm, ensuring sufficient sleep, and starting the day with key habits like making your bed. By implementing these practices, Michael shares how anyone can create structure and set themselves up for success. Tune in for practical tips and inspirational advice to kickstart your week.

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Michael Chernow sits down with Robby Sansom, co-founder of Force of Nature, to explore the journey of meat from farm to table. They discuss ethical and regenerative meat production, the differences between grass-fed and grain-fed beef, and the impact of our choices on health, animal welfare, and the environment.Robby shares his personal connection to hunting, the challenges of running an ethical meat company, and the importance of transparency, consumer education, and responsible sourcing. This conversation is for hunters, conscious consumers, and anyone curious about where their food really comes from and how reconnecting with it can create a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.01:03 The Importance of Knowing Your Food Source03:57 The Reality of Feedlots and Antibiotics06:38 Nutritional Differences in Meat Production13:07 The Rise of Regenerative Farming19:23 The Personal Connection to Hunting22:47 The Mission of Force of Nature28:52 Consumer Awareness & Responsibility37:14 Meat Quality and Health Impact40:10 Introduction to Force of Nature Meat Company47:45 Sourcing & Selling High-Quality Meat50:38 The Journey & Challenges of Force of Nature54:14 Benefits of Eating High-Quality Meat57:24 Final Thoughts & Call to Action#EthicalMeat #RegenerativeFarming #KreaturesOfHabit