Podcast Summary: "Meathead Hippie Energy: Emily Schromm on Creativity, Healing, and Living Inspired"

Podcast: What Are You Made Of?
Host: Mike "C-Roc" Ciorrocco
Guest: Emily Schromm
Date: January 8, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Emily Schromm's journey from a strict, cult-like upbringing in Missouri to her transformative years on reality TV, and her path through physical, mental, and spiritual healing. The conversation covers how creativity, nature, and entrepreneurship intersect, with Emily advocating for inspired living, conscious health, and contributing positively to both people and the planet. Tangible stories about van life, resilience in the face of injury, and her latest project to shift the local food economy bring a rich perspective to personal development and social impact.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Emily's Move to Maui and Commitment to Persistence

• Emily shares her gratitude for finally relocating to Maui after four and a half years of effort, emphasizing the importance of persistence and staying true to one’s path, no matter the obstacles.
• Quote: "Just never give up you all, no matter what you are looking for or no matter what you wish to do. You just stay true to it. Stay the path... Just keep showing up and believe." (Emily, 00:14)

The Power (and Healing) of the Ocean

• The discussion opens with cold plunging, transitioning to Emily's perspective on the ocean as a source of healing and clarity.
• Emily describes how doing cranial sacral work in the ocean accelerated her recovery from a serious back injury ("I broke my back nine months ago" – 02:23).
• She underscores the spiritual and ecological significance of oceanic environments, especially coral reefs: "The ocean is the most healing, no matter the temperature, thing that we could ever experience." (Emily, 02:23)
• She connects personal well-being and creativity to time spent in nature.

Creative Living: Emily Answers “What Are You Made Of?”

• Emily responds to this signature question with an original poem, encapsulating her identity as someone made of "stardust and dreams... creative energy meant to be put to work."
• Quote: “I am made of stardust and dreams, of rivers unseen, mountains higher than high and yet still I ask why. Why am I all that I know? Show me how to be more. Set the goal and let it flow.” (Emily, 05:07)

Roots: From Cult Upbringing to MTV's Real World

• Emily recounts growing up in a restrictive religious cult in Missouri, seeing the ocean for the first time at 19.
• She shares how getting cast for MTV’s Real World (purely by chance through a Starbucks customer) became a catalyst for self-discovery, communication skills, and stepping outside her comfort zone.
• Quote: “At 20 years old, my whole life just went from chill to totally different. And it was this moment where it was like... I can shit talk myself... or I can do something.” (Emily, 05:59–08:46)

The Shift: From Physical Transformation to Holistic Healing

• After her TV experience, Emily sought self-acceptance through fitness. She learned that "the work is not the physical... it is mental, then emotional, then spiritual" (08:46–09:17).
• This multi-layered approach led her from personal training to building businesses aimed at supporting others on similar paths.

Entrepreneurship and Evolution

• Emily talks about seizing opportunities post-Real World and learning that action inspired by genuine passion is the best way to inspire others.
• She describes founding five businesses, including a gym, a tea company, and a backpack company, repeatedly pivoting as her passions evolved.
• Quote: “If we are inspired, we automatically are inspiring. And most people are busy trying to figure out how to be inspiring. It's like, well, if you live an inspired life, you're good.” (Emily, 17:42)

Van Life: Freedom and Self-Awareness

• Emily details her five years living in a van across North America, developing heightened self-sufficiency and a new relationship with her basic needs and sense of safety.
• She describes the joys and challenges of this lifestyle, and finding alignment each morning before facing the world.
• Quote: "If I'm in a bad mood... and I go out of the van into the world, it would be immediately reflected to me... If I was in a good place, that meant that I was gonna meet cute." (Emily, 27:00)

The Birth of Project Peel

• Project Peel (joinpeel.com) is Emily’s current initiative—a platform connecting local food growers, consumers, and businesses to reduce the environmental impact of food transport and promote food security.
• In Maui, the need is critical, with over 90% of food imported. Peel aims to localize food sourcing everywhere.
• Quote: “It's just a way for us to change that conversation of it's just Costco or Cisco. It's like, no, we have a lot of food, but we don't have bridges to connect people, so it feels really exciting.” (Emily, 24:33–25:10)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Resilience: "If this is not what I want it to be, that's up to me to change, and it's a reflection of me. So what needs to change in me?" (Emily, 09:11)
• On Nature and Service: "Now we gotta think bigger, you know... Let's see what you're made of, Emily, you're gonna walk the talk, right? ...Let me do that for nature. Let me be an advocate for Earth..." (Emily, 15:22)
• On Entrepreneurship: “The hard part, as you know, is when things that used to light you up no longer light you up anymore. And then you got to pivot. Because if you don't pivot, it's just felt in every cell of your body.” (Emily, 17:42)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:14: Emily discusses moving to Maui and the importance of persistence.
• 02:23: Ocean’s healing power, aqua cranial work, and breaking her back.
• 05:07: Emily’s original poem answer to “What are you made of?”
• 05:59: Growing up in a cult and getting cast for MTV's Real World.
• 08:46: Insights from the Real World, shifting from physical to holistic healing.
• 17:42: Entrepreneurship, being inspiring by living inspired.
• 20:20: Life on the road: van life apps, safety, and adventure.
• 22:27: Founding Project Peel to connect local food systems.
• 26:53: Reflections on dating and self-alignment during van life.

Resources & Links

• Emily Schromm: emilyshrom.com
• Project Peel: joinpeel.com
• Instagram: @emilyschromm

This summary captures the essence and flow of the episode, highlights Emily’s authenticity and mission, and preserves the enthusiastic, wisdom-rich tone of both host and guest.