Living Your Legacy
Host: Rudy Mawer
Episode: Microwake: How Functional Mushrooms Are Transforming Mental Health
Release Date: December 12, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Amy Stankoven and Jan Trembli, the founders of Microwake, a brand specializing in functional mushroom supplements aimed at addressing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Host Rudy Mawer guides a candid conversation exploring their entrepreneurial journey, the science and experience behind their product line, and the broader movement toward holistic health alternatives. Listeners are provided with actionable insights both on natural mental health solutions and building a mission-driven business.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Motivation Behind Microwake

• Origins in the COVID-19 lockdowns: The founders observed a rise in anxiety and depression and noticed the prevalence of quickly prescribed, often addictive pharmaceuticals ([02:53]).
• Personal turning point: Amy shares a pivotal doctor’s visit where she was quickly offered antidepressants, prompting her to seek natural alternatives after learning about side effects ([04:59]).

"I knew right away walking out of there, the list of the many, many bad side effects and how addictive this medication was. And I'd never taken medication in my life."
— Amy Stankoven, [04:59]

Functional Mushrooms for Mental Health

• Neural pathway rewiring: Jan explains that microdosing functional mushrooms over weeks can help shift ingrained thought patterns, leading to less triggering by stressors and greater clarity ([03:23]).
• Holistic vs. pharmaceutical: Rudy and the founders discuss how pharmaceuticals can blunt emotions but rarely resolve underlying causes, while functional mushrooms aim for long-term change ([04:00]-[04:59]).
• Collaboration and formulation: The product line was developed over four years with the guidance of naturopathic doctors, mindful of ingredient interactions and customer safety ([07:22]).

Product Experience & Outcomes

• GoCaps: Their bestseller, designed for focus and mental clarity, unexpectedly resonated with people with ADHD, restoring both focus and creativity without the dulling often reported from prescription drugs ([09:07]).
• Bliss/Happy Caps: Uses St. John’s wort and Rhodiola to naturally support serotonin production, providing an alternative to chemical antidepressants ([09:49]).
• Other blends: Range now includes products for sleep, gut health, hormone balance, etc. ([10:59]).
• Immediate and long-term effects: Some users feel lighter or clearer within an hour, but consistent use over weeks is key for full neurological benefits. Users are advised to cycle off regularly to prevent tolerance ([10:59]-[12:05]).

"You're not going to expect things aren't going to move, you can still work, drive... it's more in there for that long term brain health benefit."
— Jan Trembli, [12:55]

Addressing Fears and Common Questions

• No hallucinogenic effects: Microdosing won’t cause psychedelic experiences or impair function ([12:41]).
• Retrospective results: Amy emphasizes that changes are subtle and often only noticeable in hindsight through improved resilience to stress ([13:27]).
• Education focus: The team encourages people to ask questions and values transparency ([16:53]).

Broader Impact and Legacy

• Mission-driven growth: Amy and Jan aim for Microwake to become the standard product for clinical trials on anxiety and depression treatment in North America, even though regulatory hurdles are significant ([14:11]-[14:33]).
• Commitment to integrity: They refuse shortcuts, committed to quality, transparency, and genuine impact ([14:29]-[14:33]).
• Empowering other entrepreneurs: Words of encouragement for those considering their own ventures — act even if scared and stay connected to your “why” ([15:10]).

"Life rarely happens how you expect it... If you have a big why, the how's going to figure itself out."
— Amy Stankoven, [15:10]

"...the reward at the end of the day... we can touch so many lives worldwide... So that sacrifice of discomfort and all the growing pains... it's just bound to happen."
— Jan Trembli, [15:33]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The need for alternatives:
  "We just knew that there had to be an alternative treatment, a tool."
  — Jan Trembli, [00:17], [04:59]
• Community impact stories:
  "People that were stuck in their homes for months because they had too much anxiety to leave their house or someone who, you know, almost lost relationship because their OCD was too strong."
  — Amy Stankoven, [07:22]
• Immediate vs. lasting change:
  "Sometimes you don't even notice that you took it. But at the end of the day you look back... this would have triggered me. It didn't... And that's when you know it's working."
  — Amy Stankoven, [13:27]
• Message for aspiring founders:
  "If your why is not big enough, you shouldn't be doing it in the first place."
  — Amy Stankoven, [15:10]
• Creating a ripple effect:
  "...we can touch so many lives worldwide with our products and just this holistic movement. We hope to create a ripple effect."
  — Jan Trembli, [15:33]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Motivation behind Microwake: [02:53]
• Amy’s turning point with pharmaceuticals: [04:59]
• How functional mushrooms work: [03:23], [09:07]
• Product safety, cycling, and experience: [10:59]-[12:05]
• Addressing fears/misconceptions: [12:41]
• Legacy and clinical trial ambitions: [14:11]
• Advice for new founders: [15:10]

Resources & Next Steps

• Learn more/contact: www.microwake.com | Instagram: @Microwake | Facebook: Microwake ([16:39])
• Direct encouragement:
  "Don't be shy. Any questions? We're used to it. All we want to do is help you."
  — Amy Stankoven, [16:53]

Tone: Warm, candid, and passionate about both holistic health and entrepreneurship.
For Listeners: This episode is a blend of science-backed discussion, inspirational founder wisdom, and practical advice for anyone considering natural mental health solutions or their own purpose-driven business.