Our next guest has struck a balance between work, family, and hobbies. He’s known to some as a jiu jitsu phenom by consistently training 6 days per week on top of his already busy schedule with work and fatherhood. We reflect on his journey through school and pivoting from a solely finance career to a tech career with a focus in finance. We explore his love for jiu jitsu and how he got so good at it. He's currently part owner of the second iteration of the Valko Jiu Jitsu Academy and he shares what their goals are with their second location. We chat about his streetwear/training gear company, ANTIHERO and the importance of finding something that puts you in a state of flow. We end the episode with his experience of discovering when his son, Noah, could possibly be diagnosed with Trisomy 13 during pregnancy to eventually processing Noah’s death at 33 weeks. Overall, it was a discussion of balance, fulfillment, and meaning. Please enjoy my conversation with Rex Vargas.

https://www.instagram.com/rexvargas/
https://www.instagram.com/antiherofit/
https://antiherofit.com/
https://www.instagram.com/valkostudiobjj/

Our next guest shares her journey through dietetics and opening up a private practice as a board-certified sports dietitian during the pandemic. Her witty and relatable hot takes or as she calls it, yapping caught my attention and I’ve been hooked ever since. She specifically aims to work with combat athletes that require peak mental and physical performance but is open to supporting anyone seeking her help. She offers 1 on 1 coaching, corporate consultations, and speaking engagements. If you like the content on her page, you’d love her Patreon page. Please enjoy my conversation with Christina Chu.

https://christinaychu.com
https://www.patreon.com/ChristinaChuStudios
https://www.instagram.com/christinaychu/

Our next guest is the Founder and Executive Director of the Fatherhood Initiative, The Dovetail Project. An organization that provides African American and Latino fathers from ages 17-24 with the skills and resources to be great fathers. We reflect on their tumultuous upbringing, becoming a father themselves, and what their organization has been up to recently. Please enjoy my conversation with Sheldon Smith.

https://thedovetailproject.org/
https://www.instagram.com/dovetailproject

Our next guest has been making waves in the pizza community with his take on the pan pizza. He had childhood dreams of opening a restaurant one day and after 16 years of waiting tables, he decided to go all-in on himself at the start of the pandemic. What started as a personal project for him and his wife is now a brick and mortar with two locations. After being inspired by the well-known Burt Katz and receiving some help from some pizza legends, Milly’s Pizza in the Pan was born. Please enjoy my conversation with Robert Maleski

https://www.millyspizzachi.com/
https://www.instagram.com/millys_pizza_in_the_pan

Our next guest revisits us after almost 5 years. She reflects on how she lost her way and almost gave up her lash and brow business. She shares how she reprioritized herself which inevitably cultivates discipline and clarity of what’s truly important to her. We then explore her current iteration and how she’d like to change the culture of lash artists by emphasizing the amount of work it takes to truly be great. Please enjoy my conversation with Gianna Carpanzano

https://www.rebellashandbrow.com/
https://www.instagram.com/rebellashandbrow/
https://www.instagram.com/giannamiac/

Our next guest is shifting the perspective of Cannabis from simply a vessel to get high to more of a modality for wellness. Whether that be through the run club he co-founded, Runner’s High, where they normalize cannabis with an active lifestyle and community clean-ups or through his non-alcoholic cannabis infused cocktails, these groups are destigmatizing what we previously thought about cannabis. As someone who was convicted of a felony for selling cannabis, we eventually round out the episode with a discussion on leveling the cannabis playing field for the black and brown community. He’s a Father, Activist, and Community Builder. Please enjoy my conversation with Carlos Ramos

https://instagram.com/radshitdadshit
https://instagram.com/runnershighchi
https://instagram.com/upelevatedcocktails

Our next guest is the creative force behind Drip Collective, West Loop’s newest coffee spot. He reflects on his earliest memories working for Peet’s Coffee as well as being the coffee buyer at Whole Foods. He then leans further into coffee by taking on a manager role with La Colombe and even relocated to LA to help open a West Coast location. Only to come back to Chicago to have a string of positions with La Colombe, Metric Coffee, and a hospitality job until he lands at Side Practice Coffee. (Shoutout Francis Almeda) We then reflect on the journey leading up to opening Drip Collective. A space that hosts events, latte art throw downs, and seasonal beverages. He’s thoughtful, inclusive, and a force. Please enjoy my conversation with Ty Banks.

172 N Racine Ave. Chicago, IL
https://dripcollective.coffee/
https://www.instagram.com/drip.collectivechi

Our next guest is the owner of a unique bottle shop in Lincoln Park. He helped us find a handful of anniversary wines that we had our wedding guests sign. He reflects on his earlier memories of hospitality in the kitchen, moving up to the bar, and then becoming responsible for a wine list. It was then that he developed his palette and appreciation for wine and spirits as an investment vehicle. It is this philosophy that led him to purchase what is now known as Off Premise. Stay til the end as he walks us through the process of picking a wine for the table when you’re at dinner! Please enjoy my conversation with Adam Kamin.

https://www.offpremisechicago.com/
https://www.instagram.com/off_premise_chicago/