Today’s guest is Steven Arena, founder of masa chips.

He is a software engineer turned chip maker in an attempt to help make people healthier one seed-oil free chip at a time. 

The mission is to educate people on the dangers of seed-oils and unhealthy foods by showing by example that whole foods are the gateway to a healthy life.

During this convo Steven did an excellent job of breaking down why the culprit of poor health isn’t necessarily specific types of foods, but instead the different processes that the foods go through that negatively impact our health. 

He also puts his money where his mouth is by leading by example. His Masa chips are both phenomenally tasting and are produced in a way that will leave you eating them guilt free. 

So go grab your bag of MASA CHIPS and welcome Steven Arena to the show.

No really, go to the MASA CHIPS website and use code THRIVEONLIFE for 10% off your order. 

Key Topics

• Why Steven created the social media persona, 'Tan Man."
• How he grew to 80k followers on TikTok
• How to leverage personal brands to grow business brands
• Tactics for choosing the right name for brands/businesses
• The difference between 'Ancient Crunch,' and its product 'Masa chips,' 
• Steven's personal motivation for creating healthy chips
• The diets Steven tried over the course of his life
• His experiences with fermenting foods, sprouting grains, and trying various production methods of "real foods."
• Why sourcing food locally is important to both health and the economy
• Tackling the issue of food desserts and how to get healthier foods to more geographic areas
• The challenges of food production, especially in terms of the prevalence of seed oils in current mass manufacturing processes
• Limitations of existing food manufacturing systems and the unwillingness to change to accommodate different, healthier ingredients.
• The difficulty of marketing higher quality, more expensive products to a general population that's used to paying less.
• Discussions around the buyout of health-conscious companies by larger corporations and the potential degradation of quality in these scenarios.
• The reality of consumer choice and responsibility in supporting small  businesses with purchasing decisions.

In this short episode, CJ talks about the concept of personal responsibility and how it shapes our experiences and reactions, especially during difficult times. He urges listeners to move from a state of bitterness - which is rooted in blame and resentment - to one of betterment, emphasizing the need for full ownership of actions, decisions, and attitudes.

Key Topics:

• Understanding the dichotomy between people who get bitter and those who get better in tough situations.
• The importance of taking complete ownership of your actions and experiences, even when circumstances seem out of your control.
• Observations on society's tendencies towards blame and deflection, including examples from the CJ's personal life.
• Practical steps towards taking complete ownership of your life, replacing bitterness with betterment.

In this episode CJ is joined by his wife, Erin Finley, to discuss the story of her giving birth to their son. They reflect on the experience leading up to Erin going into labor, the process of having a doula with them at the hospital, how their birth plans changed numerous times, and their overall experience during their first month of parenthood. 

Key Topics

• Mention of going past the due date and attempts to induce labor naturally
• Description of various techniques used, such as curb walking and the Miles Circuit
• Acknowledgment of the importance of their doula from Austin Birth Company
• Reflection on the lack of guidance and advice from doctors during pregnancy
• Emphasis on laboring at home for as long as possible before going to the hospital
• How their was in a "sunny side up" position and strategies suggested to encourage the baby to flip, despite Erin's pain.
• Making the delivery room comfortable with optimal lighting, sounds, and smells. 
• Explanation of baby's "stations" in the birthing process and the complications arising from the baby's face-up position.
• Decision to get an epidural to manage the pain after progress had stalled.
• How Erin's doctor flipped the baby
• The importance of immediate skin-to-skin contact post-birth, and insistence on delaying medical checks to facilitate this.
• Reflections on the hospital stay after the birth: initial shock, recovery from the epidural and Pitocin, adjusting to nursing schedules.
• The challenge of the first few nights at home with the baby without medical personnel or a doula present.
• Why communication is vital in the early days of parenthood
• How CJ is helping Erin throughout her recovery
• The most fulfilling moments as their first month as Mom and Dad

In this short episode, CJ encourages listeners to consciously choose to sacrifice what they want now for what they truly desire most in life. He highlights the importance of understanding the cost of one's dreams, the sacrifices required to achieve them, and the willingness to follow through.  

Key Topics:

• Understanding Life Goals: Listeners are urged to identify and write down their most coveted dreams and understand the sacrifices required to achieve these dreams.

• Cost of Dreams: Emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the sacrifices and costs involved in pursuing one's dreams, and asks listeners if they are ready to bear those costs.

• Personal Example: CJ shares his personal journey of buying properties with the goal of long-term investment, which involved sacrifices like not living in a place they loved or near friends and family.

• Intention and Sacrifice: Discusses how his intention of long-term financial freedom guided his decisions, and how he made sacrifices in line with that intention.

• Encouragement and Motivation: Encourages listeners to give up immediate desires for long-term dreams, asserting from personal experience that the sacrifices are worth it.

• Achievement Through Teamwork: Highlights that CJ and his wife achieved their lifestyle through decades of hard work and sacrifices, both individually and as a team.

In this episode CJ is joined by his wife, Erin Finley, to discuss her pregnancy journey. With Erin at 39 weeks during this recording, they reflect on how she has been managing her health and fitness throughout the pregnancy, and the changes she has experienced along the way. Erin also shares her experience of getting certified in pre- and post-natal fitness and what she's learned about staying active during pregnancy.

Key Topics

• How Erin discovered her pregnancy through health metrics and her WHOOP device
• The importance of tracking biometrics during pregnancy
• How Erin adapted her fitness routine during the first trimester
• Getting certified in pre and postnatal fitness
• Major takeaways and debunking myths about working out during pregnancy
• Changes in Erin's Whoop scores and stats during the first trimester
• Erin's plans for staying fit and active postpartum
• Resting heart rate & heart rate variability during pregnancy
• Mental changes during pregnancy
• Managing stress and anxiety better
• How Erin has handled cutting out caffeine during pregnancy
• CJ's alternative caffeine sources: Focus Aid, Yerba Mate, and plant-based drink
• Comparing pre-pregnancy energy and neuroticism to calmer energy during pregnancy
• Preparing for postpartum hormone changes
• Natural healing modalities: sauna, ice bath, red light therapy
• Second trimester experiences
• Adapting fitness routines during pregnancy
• Embracing slower workouts and focusing on effectiveness
• Lifting for strength during pregnancy
• The importance of not associating workouts with body image during pregnancy
• Nutrient intake and cravings during different trimesters
• Enjoying desserts and allowing flexibility in diet
• Preparing for birth and the third trimester with research and doula support
• The value of hiring a doula and learning from various sources