Devin B Testimonial
“If you’re a founder feeling “burnout” or “mentally slower” with all the inbound (emails, projects, etc.) and outbound (initiatives, OKRs, etc.), it might be good to look at your relationship w/food.
I found a lot of benefits in working with Chandra (or finding someone in her line of work):
I used to try to “grind through” stress/work and chronically snack out of stress/eat out/have some pints, then go out and run/train hard, low sleep, and do that day after day, which led to joint issues, digestive issues, and a lot of body stiffness/pain (which makes sense – I wasn’t decompressing/meeting the needs of my body, and therefore, I was getting slowly injured over long time horizons i.e. back pain, bad circulation, light breathing, gut pain). I had a lot of thoughts like “I don’t feel good enough” or “I’ll be happy once we sell or hit X users.” Her program restructured how I process these events through the lens of food.
As a founder, who at times feels “imposter syndrome” i.e. the fear-driven response of B player who hasn’t practiced to be considered an A player yet (or believes that at least), I went in “high ego” i.e. fear of uncertainty with a “food only” mindset to solve my bodily issues, but that soon changed as I realized that I really needed a safe low judgment space to expose my vulnerabilities and weaknesses in order to shift my perspective into one of better service to others (which I view as the route to happiness).
Chandra’s food and mood program is holistic; by that, I mean that she helps connect broad aspects of the human experience to help one understand the interrelatedness. How I respond to food is related to so many other areas of my life like daily flow/presence, relieving stress, and making and executing on goals.
I am now obsessed with performance through self-care and cut out most processed foods and almost all sugar (outside of some fruits/veggies). I have never felt happier/smarter. I am sleeping super deep (comparatively), and my health issues are nearly gone (4 months in/excited for the next 8) – even though only 30, was running my body into the ground. I am probably doing 2x the amount of work (productivity not activity)/have clear boundaries from the clarity to drive that performance. Less coffee etc. The work is more fun.
“If you are depressed you are living in the past.
If you are anxious, you are living in the future.
If you are at peace you are living in the present.”
― Lao Tzu
I resonate with this quote – I was eating poorly (a lot of NYC-style high-quality gourmet/but not healthy) and my body had the wrong fuel. My body was taking on debt and worried about future debt (that is my non-scientific guess).
Perhaps as an ode to Karl Popper (long ago LSE professor/philosopher/staying on that theme in my posts), the empiricism is that
Interview with Devin
Today, I want to share the inspiring success story of Devin, a driven founder who transformed his life through our coaching program. Devin faced immense pressure in his startup, leading to unhealthy habits and stress. Through our journey together, he learned to manage stress, improve his health, and enhance his productivity. Read on to discover how Devin’s commitment to change helped him achieve a happier, healthier, and more productive life.
Coach Chandra Zas: Alright. Hello! Welcome, everybody. I am here with one of my former clients, Devin.
Devin Bostick: Hi, Chandra. Thanks for having me.
Coach Chandra Zas: Devin, thank you so much for being open to sharing your journey with us. I’m deeply grateful for you being here and sharing your authentic truth and experience. So, a massive thank you!
Devin Bostick: Absolutely. It’s great to be here.
Coach Chandra Zas: We’ve been chatting for the last 45 minutes, catching up. I’ve missed our sessions. How long has it been since we last worked together?
Devin Bostick: It’s been about a year and a half.
Coach Chandra Zas: Time flies! Let’s start by having you share a bit about yourself and what you’re doing in the world.
Devin Bostick: Sure. I’m Devin, and I’ve started a few businesses, including one in commercial truck insurance and another to help people with personal injury claims. I also assist a few startups, mostly in the logistics and insurance sectors. Outside of work, I love hiking and being outdoors.
Coach Chandra Zas: Fantastic. Can you share how you found me and what led you to sign up for coaching?
Devin Bostick: I found you through a mutual friend who had done some interesting work in food. At the time, I was under a lot of pressure with my first startup. I felt the need to grow the business quickly and serve a high volume of customers. This self-imposed pressure was tied to my validation and self-worth, and my habits were suffering. I would compulsively overeat, constantly snack, and feel a lot of anxiety. I wasn’t sleeping enough, missed workouts, and drank too much coffee.
Coach Chandra Zas: That sounds intense. What was the tipping point that made you realize you needed to work on your health?
Devin Bostick: I had an identity crisis when I started experiencing lower back pain and realized I needed to take care of my health for a long, happy life. I also started experiencing gout, which was a major wake-up call. I was on gout medication and realized my lifestyle was unsustainable. Additionally, my main goal was to improve my brain performance and productivity, which led me to reach out to you.
Coach Chandra Zas: I remember that well. You wanted to focus better and be more productive. Can you share more about the changes we made together?
Devin Bostick: We worked on cutting out processed foods, managing stress, and improving my sleep. I stopped drinking alcohol, which was significant because I used to drink three to four glasses of wine most evenings. Eliminating alcohol, along with coffee, dramatically improved my focus and productivity. I felt more intelligent and made clearer decisions. This reduced the amount of cleanup I had to do in my business and increased my overall efficiency.
Coach Chandra Zas: That’s incredible. How did these changes impact your cravings and relationship with food?
Devin Bostick: The changes were profound. I no longer felt the urge to overeat or snack compulsively. I became more deliberate about my food choices, which improved my energy levels and overall health. I also started tracking my biomarkers, which helped me stay accountable and aware of my body’s needs. I remember after our 60-day no processed foods challenge, I had some sugar at an Easter gathering and immediately noticed a decline in my focus. It was a clear sign of how much my body had adapted to healthier eating habits.
Coach Chandra Zas: That’s wonderful to hear. How do you feel about the tools and techniques we used during our sessions?
Devin Bostick: The tools, especially the internal human algorithm of change, were incredibly powerful. They helped me gain awareness and make conscious decisions about my habits and actions. Additionally, integrating plant medicine into the program was transformative. It helped me process emotions more deeply and align my mental and physical well-being. Using plant medicine, like psilocybin, allowed me to feel more connected and in tune with my inner self, facilitating long-term thinking and reducing my ego-driven responses.
Coach Chandra Zas: I’m so glad to hear that. Who do you think would benefit most from my coaching program?
Devin Bostick: I believe individuals who are achievement-oriented and goal-driven would benefit the most. Those who want to set their own goals, improve their health, and gain better control over their lives would find your coaching invaluable. On the other hand, it might not be as effective for those who are content with external goal-setting and don’t feel the need for introspection.
Coach Chandra Zas: Thank you for sharing that, Devin. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Devin Bostick: Just that working with you has been a transformative experience. I’ve never felt healthier or happier, and I encourage anyone who feels stuck or overwhelmed to consider your program. It’s an investment in their future well-being.
Coach Chandra Zas: Thank you, Devin. It’s been a pleasure working with you and hearing about your journey. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Devin Bostick: Thank you, Chandra. It’s been a great experience.