Kreatures Of Habit Podcast (Michael Chernow)

Morning routines are everything for me and while I do keep them pretty consistent, I am always looking for ways to improve wherever I can. In today’s episode, I share 3 simple things with you that you can work on incorporating into your morning routine. 

[Editor’s Note: This episode was manually recorded by cell phone while Michael was on a hiking trip. As a result, the audio may sound different than what you’re used to]

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Michael Chernow dives into how much time you have to find out what you’re made of. Life is long and things will be okay if you just keep going. 

Timestamps:

0:30  - Life is long

3:30 - You have opportunity to take a lea

Kaylor Betts is a life and business coach and the host of the Awake & Winning Podcast. He joins Michael Chernow to dig deep into staying in control of your actions.

On this episode: 

4:11 - The hustle and bustle of Manhattan

7:42 - Michael’s 80/20 rule

8:47 - Kaylor’s morning routine

16:33 - Building a strong foundation

24:48 - Changing your day from a negative to a positive

33:06 - Don't let external forces change your behavior

40:23 - Reflection and evening routine

48:36 - Why morning routine is important to Michael

Josh Funk is the founder of Rehab 2 Perform.A lifelong athlete, Josh became interested in becoming a physical therapist when going through PT as a D1 lacrosse player at Ohio State. After avoiding shoulder surgery for a torn labrum and rotator cuff, Josh has been entrenched in the world of physical therapy and sports performance. Over the years, he has continually developed his knowledge base and expertise as a physical therapist, and as a business owner. Dr. Funk is committed to ensuring that Rehab 2 Perform is one of the most well-run and well-known health care companies in the country. He has immersed himself in business programs and community initiatives over the past few years in his efforts to ensure that the team and clients of Rehab 2 Perform are receiving everything they need to be at their best. It is his goal to push Rehab 2 Perform to the forefront of the community through innovation, progressive business operations, strategic growth and clinical excellence.In this episode, Michael and Josh discuss the best stretches for increasing mobility, how to optimize your recovery for muscle growth, and the importance of having a dynamic warm up before training.

The Kreatures of Habit Podcast is joined by Dr. Jonathan Levine, renowned prosthodontist, thought leader, and innovator. Today, Dr. Levine and host, Michael Chernow, dive deep into the vital connection between oral hygiene and overall health. In this episode, Dr. Levine shares his journey into dentistry, how he’s reshaping the dental industry, and the importance of maintaining proper oral care routines to optimize overall health. Plus, he discusses going into business with his kids and his personal approach to mindfulness and intentionality in relationships.

Together, the two explore:

More than dentistry: Dr. Jonathan Levine’s career journey

Driving innovation: Dr. Levine’s desire to overhaul the dental industry as we know it

Top tips for the best oral care routine: How oral care is healthcare

The most important part of Dr. Levine's morning routine: Can you guess what it is?

GLO Good Foundation: Dr. Levine’s mission and foundation 

Building meaningful relationships: How Dr. Levine approaches relationships with mindfulness & intentionality 

The four phases of plaque: The impact of plaque on our oral & overall health

Today’s episode blew us away! We had no idea the impacts of oral care on long-term health outcomes, the gut microbiome, and one’s wellness journey. If you learned something from today’s show, don’t gatekeep that knowledge, be sure to share it with a friend. We’re off to brush our teeth, see you next week, Kreatures!

TIMESTAMPS:

4:10 More than dentistry

16:18 Driving innovation

21:56 Top tips for the best oral care routine

35:39 The most important part of Dr. Levine's morning routine

42:43 GLO Good Foundation

48:56 Building meaningful relationships

1:01:35 The four phases of plaque

Links:

Twice: https://smiletwice.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorMmMECpyzgb5NX8gOhNF7eVb88wkSVVIorxyNp_4_45nUvK3wn

Open app: https://o-p-e-n.com/

Bonus for Listeners:

If you're in NYC, Dr. Levine is offering one complimentary whitening treatment when you book a Mouth Mapping appointment at Smile House or JBL. Mention KOH when booking.

Not in the city? Dr. Levine has curated a comprehensive Home Care Guide just for you. Visit @SmileHouseTribeca on Instagram and DM "GUIDE" to receive your free guide!

If you operate or work in a business, you are always going to encounter negative situations. These situations will sometimes bring the negativity out of your coworkers or employees, but they don’t have to bring it out of you. Maintaining a positive mindset in a negative situation is not naive. It’s leadership. 

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In this episode, Will Ahmed shares how routine and structure add so much to your life. They give you the daily wins that create momentum. The momentum that creates opportunities. BUT, it's so important to make sure forced deviation does not set you off of the rails. You need to be okay even in the times your routine is checked.

And always remember, control the controllables. 

Shoutout to Will Ahmed for an absolutely incredible convo. This dude is the real deal in all that he does, and I gained so much through this episode.

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Wyatt Ewing is the Founder and CEO of Ice Barrel, Inc. which produces a cold therapy training tool that offers an easy way to add ice baths to your routine. In this episode, Wyatt explains the benefits of cold therapy, the science behind it, and how you can try it out for yourself today. Whether you’re a cold therapy expert or just curious about it, there’s something here for you!

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Check out Ice Barrel: icebarrel.com

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Check out the Show Notes HERE

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Moving your body is important, especially in the currently landscape where a sedentary lifestyle is common. Making walking a daily habit comes with some impressive health benefits for your mind and your body. Besides the various physical benefits studies show walking can help reduce anxiety, depression, and a negative mood. It can also boost self-esteem and reduce symptoms of social withdrawal. 

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A nine year veteran of VaynerX, Tyler Schmitt is the General Manager of ONE37pm.

Tyler oversees the organization across all content output & operations, including recruiting & hiring of talent and growth of the team from 10 to 45 in the past 12 months.

Previously, Tyler served in the Office of the CEO for Gary Vaynerchuk and has been responsible for managing Gary's countless relationships, leading some of his efforts across web3, gaming & esports.

With the growth of VaynerX over the years and its portfolio companies, Tyler serves as a conduit between the many internal organizations and Gary’s world. Prior to his time in Gary's office, Tyler served as Executive Assistant to former COO and Co-Founder of VaynerMedia, AJ Vaynerchuk.

A graduate of Penn State University, Tyler resides in New York City. You can find him on instagram @Tyler.

In this episode, Michael and Tyler discuss when it’s okay to “quit,” why you should make your bed every single morning, and how your habits dictate your identity.

In this powerful episode, health and fitness coach, Mister USA Universe, and former Love Island contestant, Cormac Murphy, opens up about his incredible journey of personal transformation. From struggling with drug addiction to achieving sobriety and becoming a successful fitness coach, Cormac shares the pivotal moments that reshaped his life.

Host Michael Chernow and Cormac dive deep into Cormac’s story, exploring the challenges he faced, including a difficult period during Love Island, how he relapsed, and the tools and routines that helped him regain control. His message is one of resilience, strength, and the importance of asking for help when you’re struggling.

2:56 – Cormac’s Backstory: Struggles with Drug Addiction

12:09 – Love Island: Reality TV as a Dark Chapter

21:18 – Falling Back Into Old Habits: The Reality of Relapse

30:43 – Gaining Sobriety: What Helped Cormac Turn His Life Around & Maintaining Sobriety

33:36 – Cormac’s Morning Routine: Key Habits for Success and Improved Mental Health

37:59 – The Power of Asking for Help

Every day you make thousands of little CHOICES that end up dictating how you feel and how you perform and how you live overall. You have the ABILITY to make decisions from the moment you open your eyes to put the right foot forward. In today’s episode, I’ll share WHY decisions truly are everything and HOW you can make better ones throughout your day.

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Vincent Fisher is a best selling author and entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience.  He's had multiple 7 and 8 figure businesses and through his company Fully Accountable, he helps entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses to the max. Vincent is incredibly passionate about leadership and that growing the culture of a company will lead to true success.

In this conversation Vinnie and Michael break down the importance of culture at every organization, and how it can make or break the growth of any company. Plus, the need for accountability and self awareness for every leader in order to give every employee the ability and support to grow. 

Vince has hooked up the Born Or Made audience with some exclusive gifts at Fullyaccountable.com/promos/bornormade.

Make sure to follow the show on Instagram @bornormade, and follow Michael at:

Twitter: @MichaelChernow

Instagram: @michaelchernow

Facebook: @MichaelPChernow

LinkedIn: @McChernow

Jennifer Jacobs is the founder and creator of J METHOD, which embodies Jennifer’s strong belief that health and wellness is a lifestyle and mindset around creating habits, training consistently, efficiently and effectively.
Jennifer’s focus is on making health and wellness a lifestyle for everyone at all levels.  Her extremely successful strength training program called “Job 1” on Beachbody, continues to allow her to reach thousands to change their mindset and make their health and wellness a #1 priority.
Also a former Peloton Senior Instructor, Jennifer is a mother of two, a global ambassador for the charity organization SmileTrain, and most recently expanded her reach into fashionwear through the launch of “HER”.  A collaboration with Heroine Sport which is designed to make every woman feel Heroic, Empowered and Radiant!
In this episode, Michael, and Jennifer discuss how to reach your goals by training with purpose, keys to gaining back time in your life, and actionable tips for building confidence.

On today’s episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, we’re joined by Francesca Sipma, author, coach, speaker, founder, and CEO of HypnoBreathwork. Francesca went from working in the fast-paced world of New York advertising to discovering the life-changing power of breath and the subconscious mind. She shares how HypnoBreathwork has helped her—and countless others—unlock a deeper sense of purpose and self-awareness. Francesca’s personal development journey is inspiring! Now, she’s helping others use breathwork to clear out old conditioning, break through mental blocks, and step into a life they love.

Together, Michael and Francesca explore:

What exactly is HypnoBreathwork and how does it work?

The physical benefits of breathwork and why it’s such a game-changer.

Francesca’s morning routine for mental clarity and focus.

Francesca’s meditation practice.

Francesca’s evening routine to wind down and release stress.

Francesca’s experience with plant medicine.

Everything you need to know about her book, Unblock Your Purpose.

The one story Francesca feels everyone needs to hear.

If you’re looking to level up your life with breathwork, better routines, and a deeper understanding of your purpose, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

TIMESTAMPS:

2:48 What exactly is HypnoBreathwork

7:32 The physical benefits of breathwork

11:39 Francesca’s morning routine

24:14 Francesca’s meditation practice

31:41 Francesca’s evening routine

35:52 Francesca’s experience with plant medicine

37:55 Everything you need to know about her book, Unblock Your Purpose.

42:02 The one story Francesca feels everyone needs to hear.

https://francescasipma.com/

Books referenced:

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene

The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida

Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal

Mark French is a serial entrepreneur who has created and operated multiple disruptive businesses in the sports, consumer goods, media, and technology industries. Throughout his career, he’s partnered with several top-tier athletes including Kawhi Leonard, Dwyane Wade, Serena Williams, Derek Jeter, Carmelo Anthony, and more. In this episode, you’ll hear Mark’s incredible origin story and the lessons he’s learned along the way. You’ll also hear about his latest venture, X2 Performance, which is disrupting the energy drink market. You DO NOT want to miss this one!

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Check out X2 Performance: X2performance.com

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Check out my new brand KreaturesofHabit.com

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Danny Meyer grew up in a family that relished great food and hospitality. Thanks to his father’s travel business, which designed custom European trips, Danny spent much of his childhood eating, visiting near and far-off places, and sowing the seeds for his future passion. In 1985, at the age of 27, Danny opened his first restaurant, Union Square Cafe, launching what would become a lifelong career in hospitality.
Thirty years later, Danny’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) comprises some of New York’s most beloved and acclaimed restaurants, including Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, Maialino, and more. Danny and USHG founded Shake Shack, the modern-day “roadside” burger restaurant, which became a public company in 2015. USHG also offers large-scale event services, foodservice solutions for public and private institutions, industry consulting, and educational programming.
Under Danny’s leadership, USHG is renowned not only for its acclaimed restaurants but also for its distinctive and celebrated culture of Enlightened Hospitality. This guiding principle of prioritizing employees first and foremost has driven and shaped USHG’s ongoing evolution from a small group of restaurants into a multi-faceted hospitality organization.
Danny and USHG’s diverse ventures have added to the hospitality dialogue in many contexts including dining options in museums, sports arenas, and cultural institutions, as well as prescient investments in burgeoning neighborhoods.
Danny’s groundbreaking business book, Setting the Table (HarperCollins, 2006), a New York Times Bestseller, articulates a set of signature business and life principles that translate to a wide range of industries. A celebrated speaker and educator, Danny has set industry standards in areas such as hiring practices, innovative leadership, and corporate responsibility and addresses a wide range of audiences on such topics around the country.
Danny has been generously recognized for his leadership, business achievements, and humanitarianism, including the 2017 Julia Child Award, the 2015 TIME 100 “Most Influential People” list, the 2012 Aspen Institute Preston Robert Tisch Award in Civic Leadership, the 2011 NYU Lewis Rudin Award for Exemplary Service to New York City, and the 2000 IFMA Gold Plate Award. Together, Danny and USHG’s restaurants and individuals have won an unprecedented 28 James Beard Awards, including Outstanding Restaurateur (2005) and Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America (1996).
Danny and his wife, Audrey, live in New York City and have four children.
In this episode, Michael and Danny discuss how to build a company culture, tips for working in the service industry, and why you should never ask someone “How are you?”

Larry Hagner is the founder of The Dad Edge, a company that helps men become the best people, partners, and dads they’ve always wanted to be. He also hosts The Dad Edge Podcast where he’s interviewed experts on parenting, mindset, communication, and more. 

In this episode, Larry and Michael discuss why Larry started the company, how the podcast has helped him, how crucial communication is with both your kids and your partner, and much more. 

Topics:

4:07 - How The Dad Edge came to be

15:15 - What Larry learned conducting over 1,000 interviews

19:23 - Larry getting called out by his son for being on his phone during a game

25:48 - The importance of communication in relationships

32:54 - Larry’s body shutting down

40:57 - Cherishing time with your kids

The Dad Edge: https://thedadedge.com/

Christian Harris is a husband, father, CrossFit athlete, entrepreneur, and coach. Four words Christian Harris lives by day in and day out are “Work Hard, Stay Humble.”

Christian has been to the CrossFit Regionals five times and to the CrossFit Games in 2016.

His team made it to the CrossFit Games in 2020, but due to COVID the games were canceled. He made the CrossFit Games in again in 2021, but due to an issue with a member of his team and a drug test he could not compete. His team MOVE FAST LIFT HEAVY came in 8th place in 2022.

Christian plans to create at least two teams that will have major goals at the 2023 CrossFit Games in Wisconsin this summer.

In this episode, Michael and Christian discuss sleep hacks to utilize if you differ from your partner’s sleeping habits, the importance of taking time for yourself every single day, and the one thing you should never forget to do when you train.

Steve Eckert is a Personal Discipline and Development Accountability Coach. He is a United States Marine, Entrepreneur, Husband, and Father.

His unique style of blending Military Leadership, strategies and tactics, with the mindset and methods of an entrepreneur, combined with running at home businesses with his wife full time, have helped over 20,000 clients achieve Results and Life Transformations, over the past 22 years. He has built several successful companies and brands from scratch in the Coaching and Fitness industries. 

Steve is an Instructor and Co-Founder of the Men's Personal Development program called the Project as well as the Father and Son rite of passage experience called The Squire Program.

Steve's way of Life is to have a No Excuses, Role Model Mindset.  Operate to Dominate in your Discipline, Energy, Confidence, Action, and being your Freak self always remembering, You Are F@cking Awesome!

In this episode, Michael and Steve chop it up about the power of morning affirmations, why what you do in the morning dictates how the rest of your day will unfold, and why you should always have something fearful to look forward to.

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order.

Happy Monday Moments y’all! Today, Kreatures of Habit host, Michael Chernow, shares the powerful role family plays in supporting us through life’s ups and downs. He shares his personal journey of keeping a strong marriage for almost 20 years, the importance of having a solid support system, and how family relationships are key for personal growth and success.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your family bonds, cultivate lasting relationships, or anything in between, this episode is for you. Be sure to like and subscribe for more Monday motivation and inspiration.

On Episode 98 of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, our founder, Michael Chernow, is back with another impactful solo show!!
Michael launched KOH because he wanted to share his belief in habits through his personal story of change — and how our habits determine whether we are going to be successful in our personal and professional lives, just get by, or worse, be miserable.
In this episode, Michael discusses how meditation will help you become more present in everyday life, how to make it a part of your morning routine, and what you will learn from deepening your meditation practice.

Georganne Moline specializes in the 400 meter hurdles. She won a spot in the 2012 Summer Olympics representing the USA where she placed 5th in the final. She also made the World Team, running the 4x4 relay that won gold and took home the American Record.

Five months ago, Georganne retired from the sport and is now using the knowledge and tools she has learned over the past 15 years to give back. She is currently a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Arizona, but is moving to LA to work closely with her agent to organize her own camps/clinics. She has hopes of traveling the country and hosting clinics in small towns/underprivileged areas.

In this episode, we discuss the fitness hacks of an Olympian athlete, why you MUST take advantage of the present, and how to best implement new habits that will change your life.

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order.

On Episode 95 of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, our founder, Michael Chernow, is back with another powerful solo show!!
Michael launched KOH because he wanted to share his belief in habits through his personal story of change — and how our habits determine whether we will live a happy, healthy life or prevent us from reaching our fullest potential.
In this episode, Michael shares his personal experience with addiction, the key habits that have helped him stay sober for 19 years, and how to make a decision and stick with it.

Have you ever been in a relationship with someone and wanted to CHANGE something about the other person? Typically, it doesn’t work out well. While you can’t usually change other people, you can change yourself. Today’s mini-episode will dive into what exactly I mean.

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Adam Bornstein is an award-winning fitness and nutrition writer and editor, and has been  named "one of the most influential people in health." A highly respected fitness authority with a ton of accomplishments under his belt, he's currently the Chief Nutrition Officer at Ladder, a sports nutrition company, founded by Lebron James and Arnold Schwarzenegger, that is dedicated to creating high-performance workout supplements for daily use. He is the author  of 7 books (3 of them NY Times Best Sellers) and the founder of Born Fitness,  a digital platform that provides clarity in the world of health, and offers personalized online fitness and diet coaching. He founded Pen Name Consulting,  a full-service content creation and growth agency that helps scale businesses. Clients include Microsoft, Equinox, Dollar  Shave Club, Beachbody, and individuals such as LeBron James, Arnold  Schwarzenegger, and Tim Ferriss. His work  has been featured everywhere from The New York Times and Fast Company, to ESPN the Magazine and GQ. Adam attributes all his success to kindness, positivity, his ability to listen to people and respond with empathy.

Together, Michael and Adam delve into Adam's beginnings studying psychology and human physiology, which led to his love for research and writing, which then gave way to his unique style of writing about health, nutrition and human performance. Adam's story is inspiring, from his start as a columnist for Muscle & Fitness and Men’s Fitness, to his role as fitness editor of Men’s  Health magazine, and the editorial director of LIVESTRONG.COM.  To then leave a stable, lucrative, successful career and follow his entrepreneurial passions. He bet on himself, launched Born Fitness and hasn't looked back.

Don't forget to share this episode with your circle and be sure to follow the show on Instagram @bornormade. Follow Michael Chernow at:

Twitter: @MichaelChernow

Instagram: @michaelchernow

Facebook: @MichaelPChernow

LinkedIn: @McChernow

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, the hard and the hurt hit us all at one point or another. Life will always throw obstacles at us. There isn’t any avoiding it. That’s why I choose to not only embrace it, but LOVE it too. 

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Truly successful people will tell you one of the biggest keys to leading a successful life is to be proactive, not reactive. Stop waiting and start doing. 

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Chloe Harrouche is the founder of The Lanby. She joins Michael Chernow to discuss the healthcare system, and how her own journey within the healthcare system motivated her to do something different. Focusing on the root cause, Lanby aims to treat the WHOLE person, not just a symptom. On this episode: 2:25 - Chloe’s background 8:33 - Running optimally should be a focus for everyone 13:18 - Chloe's morning habits 19:42 - Intermittent fasting 30:02 - Tips for people who struggle with their relationship with food 47:38 - Sleep habits The Lanby: https://www.thelanby.com/ Follow The Lanby on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.lanby/

This week, Michael Chernow is joined by Dan Churchill to discuss his life as a chef, why you have to be able to do hard things, the importance of community, and much more. 

4:35 - Enjoying the journey when doing hard things

11:20 - The ability to win no matter what

12:43 - Dan's morning routine

14:52 - Sleep schedules

19:13 - Having a community outside of the city

21:50 - Creating good cooking habits

31:07 - Wind down routine

34:38 - How age plays into fitness

Follow Dan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dan_churchill/?hl=en
Check out Dan’s website: https://danchurchill.com/

Lauren Abney and Stephanie Biegel are on a mission to empower listeners to live their best lives with Well Behaved Podcast. They met each other on the job a decade ago, and have been besties ever since. They are a yin and yang duo that deliver fun uplifting knowledge on wellness and living the life you're supposed to. 

With full time gigs in the corporate world and entrepreneurial space, Lauren and Steph have stepped into their power by cultivating a community and empowering listeners to find what works for their personal wellness journey. 

This conversation is all about using your strengths and embracing that achieving the perfect work/life balance may not be possible, but there are small changes you can make within your life to accomplish mental/phsyical wellness. Also, that it's ok to pivot because what gets you somewhere does not always have to be why you stay.

Make sure to follow the show on Instagram @bornormade, and follow Michael at:

Twitter: @MichaelChernow

Instagram: @michaelchernow

Facebook: @MichaelPChernow

LinkedIn: @McChernow

Dr Lisa Paz is a clinical sex and marriage therapist and a friend of Michael's for over 30 years. Today the two discuss the importance of partners communicating about sex (and life in general,) fears, physical limitations, negative beliefs and more.

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It is so easy to overcomplicate things nowadays, especially when it comes to reaching goals. When you drill down though, it really only comes down to three core elements: Commitment, Planning and Doing. Check out today’s episode where I expand on this so that you can focus on reaching your goals WITHOUT overcomplicating the process.

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Teddy Pantelis is a professional Natural Bodybuilder in the WNBF, a Legion Athletics sponsored athlete, and a Precision Nutrition Certified coach.
As an accomplished bodybuilder competing for a decade he has learned that all of the awards, medals and accolades are not why he loves this lifestyle.
The heart of what he is, is about achieving his personal best and guiding others to achieve theirs!
For Teddy, physical and mental toughness are a journey of self-discovery, no other experience makes a person feel more clear, focused and accomplished.
In this episode, Michael and Teddy discuss the importance of communication, building your foundation for better health & wellness, and how to get the results you REALLY want to see in the gym.

Will Ahmed is the Founder and CEO of WHOOP, which has developed next generation wearable technology for optimizing human performance and health. WHOOP members include professional athletes, Fortune 500 CEOs, fitness enthusiasts, military personnel, frontline workers and a broad range of people looking to improve their performance.

WHOOP has raised more than $400 million from top investors and is valued at $3.6 billion, making it the most valuable standalone wearables company in the world. Ahmed has recruited an active advisory board that consists of some of the world’s most notable cardiologists, technologists, marketers, and designers. Ahmed was recently named to the 2021 Sports Business Journal 40 under 40 list as well as 2020 Fortune 40 Under 40 Healthcare list and previously named to Forbes 30 Under 30 and Boston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.

Ahmed founded WHOOP as a student at Harvard, where he captained the Men’s Varsity Squash Team and graduated with an A.B. in government.

In this episode, Michael and Will discuss the benefits of cryotherapy, how to optimize your exercise routine, and the most important thing that’s helped Will build a $4.6 billion company.

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order.

In today’s episode, Michael chats with entrepreneur, trainer and fitness influencer Devon Levesque! Last year, Devon bear crawled 26 miles in 20 hours and 48 minutes to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for FitOps foundation, a non profit organization that helps veterans build fitness careers as personal trainers, coaches etc. Devon also completed the bear crawl in memory of his father who took his life when he was 16 years old. Devon shares how that experience changed his life and how he's now dedicated to spreading awareness about mental health.

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How often do you check out, avoid uncomfortable social situations, or pass the time scrolling? The Kreatures of Habit podcast is back this morning, bringing you a little motivation for your Monday! Michael shares his new challenge of no screentime on public transportation. Why? You’ll have to listen to find out. Learn the motivations behind this challenge, how screens may be stunting our creativity, and how this practice has changed Chernow’s experience as an entrepreneur.

If you loved today’s episode or plan to give the challenge a go, share it with a friend and be sure to leave us a 5-star rating & review! BIG love, y’all! Happy Monday.

David Ghiyam is a spiritual teacher of Kabbalah and the co-founder of Mary Ruth’s Organics. He joins Michael Chernow for a deep dive into his spiritual journey and to discuss how it’s helped him run a business. 

On this episode:

7:15 - What is Kabbalah?

19:16 - Prayer is misunderstood

25:56 - You're stuck because of competing desires

33:21 - David has an addictive personality

44:17 - How people can learn more about Kabbalah

48:46 - Reframing the phrase "I think" in business

58:59 - David's business system

Josh Bridges is a 6 time elite CrossFit games athlete, former navy seal, father of two boys and Founder of Good Dudes Coffee. In this episode, we discuss how to hold yourself accountable, the key to starting your day with something you don’t want to do, the importance of getting enough sleep, and the habits that have changed Josh’s life. 

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order.

In this solo episode, Michael dives into a new type of breathwork that he discovered at Runningman in Georgia that initially scared him, how he ultimately came to enjoy it, and his continuing work with Michael Gazzo. 

Topics:

4:07 - Learning a new type of breathwork

8:34 - Feeling pure love and joy

14:38 - Wanting love and approval from his father

19:58 - Struggling with being present

Michael Chernow is a Serial Entrepreneur, Restauranteur, Podcast Host and expert in the world of wellness, fitness and nutrition. Most recently, Michael founded and launched Kreatures of Habit, an in-your-face lifestyle and wellness brand, reimagining how you establish healthy habits in your life.

After years in the restaurant business in NYC, he realized that his calling was to be of service in a more personal way, with the ability to impact more lives. Honoring his 17 years of sobriety by launching his newest venture, Michael’s goal with KOH was to create easily-accessible nutritional products that are rooted in adopting the positive habits that transformed his life, and allowed him to replace alcohol with the nutrition and fitness he needed.

Michael launched KOH because he wanted to share his belief in habits through his personal story of change, how our habits determine whether we are going to be successful in our personal and professional lives, just get by, or worse, be miserable.

He’s a firm believer that every time we replace a bad habit with a good one, big or small, the greater a chance we have to live our best lives.

In this episode, Michael discusses the importance of radical communication for success in life, business, and relationships.

Prayer has been a part of my morning routine for many years. This habit has been instrumental in ways I can’t describe. It’s given me the ability to ask for HELP... help from the universe to be the man I want to be. Whether you’re religious or not, you’ll find value in this episode because we can all get a little better at asking for help.

Follow Michael on Instagram: @MichaelChernow

Follow Born or Made on Instagram: @BornorMade

Sign up for KreaturesofHabit.com

Lori Harder is the founder of glōci and the host of Earn Your Happy. She joins Michael Chernow to discuss her journey as an entrepreneur, how she stays grounded, and of course, what her daily habits are. 

On this episode:

7:23 - Lori’s morning routine

13:11 - Walking counts as exercise

17:55 - Lori’s greatest skill set in creating business

28:48 - Using manifestation

41:05 - Tools to stay grounded throughout the day

50:55 - Sleep's role in success and happiness

56:55 - What motivates Lori to keep climbing the ladder of success?

Follow Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loriharder/?hl=en

Check out glōci (use the code HAPPY for 25% off): https://getgloci.com/

This week, we're bringing you a re-run of Michael's episode with James Kent to honor his memory.

Michael and James discuss the mindset of leading a team in a high-stress environment, the key to establishing a positive company culture, and how to carve out time for yourself every single day.

Monica Richards is a former farm girl turned eco-friendly interior designer and trained Hollywood TV Host who launched her lifestyle brand, ecobabe, to empower people to live more sustainably with credence that what they do matters. In addition to the ecobabe blog, YouTube channel and shop, Monica provides Sustainability Consultations for homeowners and brands, as well as Zero Waste and Composting Workshops for companies and groups worldwide. She also co-founded Better Collective - a membership driven, inclusive community built with 'together for a better world' at its core.

Throughout her hosting career, Monica has reported on rounds of red carpets and press junkets, while starring in commercials and online news shows with many a viral video. Currently, Monica is the face of Better Earth, where she hosts a popular solar education series, with more climate projects in development and the launch of a positive climate news program on its way.

Monica's North Star is to evolve sustainable living into daily life with community education, while connecting cultures with nature (and with one another) to support the healing of our Earth and all who reside here.

In this episode, Michael and Monica discuss small habits you can follow to live more sustainably, the transformative power of alchemy, and how to improve your inner space.

Jonathan Yarmeisch and Michael Chernow are back to take you inside what’s going on at Kreatures of Habit. In episode 3, they dive into raising money, having more efficiency in the business, not being afraid to try new things, and much more.

Kreatures of Habit is a brand that truly values transparency and customer relationships. Which is why we would love it if you send us any questions that you would want to hear answered on the podcast. Simply DM us or send us an email at ⁠info@kreaturesofhabit.com⁠, and Michael and Jonathan will be sure to answer on future episodes!

2:00 - Figuring out how to keep KoH alive

7:55 - Hearing no way more than you hear yes

9:15 - Being proactive

14:30 - If something doesn’t work, you fix it and move on

20:00 - Seeing how far you can push yourself

25:00 - What blended ROAS is

32:00 - Possibly being wrong about Knight Kap

Episode 76 of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast features Valentine Thomas, who was trained as a lawyer in Canada and worked in finance in London for six years, before leaving it all behind to pursue her passions. She quit her job and gave up the urban lifestyle to fiercely advocate for sustainable seafood systems while encouraging people to reconsider their relationship with nature, as well as their own self confidence and health and wellness.
Valentine is a world record spearfisher-woman, 170ft. freediver and instructor, entrepreneur, public speaker and author. She is a two-time TEDx speaker, Forbes Changemaker, and international ambassador for ocean sustainability. Valentine released her first cookbook, A Contre Courant, in Canada in 2019, and this Spring, will release her second one, Good Catch: A Guide to Sustainable Fish and Seafood with Recipes from the Worlds Oceans - a stunning and inspiring guide to selecting, preparing, and enjoying sustainable seafood, with 75 recipes, from a world-class spearfisher-woman.
In this episode, Michael and Valentine discuss how to develop consistent, healthier habits, the value of sustainable seafood, and how to positively impact your food supply chain.

This week, we're sharing Michael Chernow's episode from The Forward with Lance Armstrong.

An extraordinary journey of resilience and redemption with Michael Chernow. From a tough upbringing to a harrowing near-death experience due to addiction, Chernow's story is a testament to resilience.

Beyond his culinary accomplishments as the co-founder of The Meatball Shop and founder of Seamore's, a sustainable seafood restaurant chain, Chernow's journey is defined by his determination to overcome. His commitment to fitness and holistic living reflects his ethos of balance and well-being. Chernow shares his journey, offering hope and inspiration to those grappling with their own challenges. Join us as we delve into an awe-inspiring story, a testament to perseverance

Check out The Forward.

Tim has been coaching celebrities and athletes and their mental/wellness journeys for years now, and I trust that his thoughts on this month's significance will bring shining light to the show! Whether it's his work with the NFL or celebrities, Tim has become a worldwide name in the personal development and wellness space.

Tim has his latest book out entitled the Power of 1440 (Making the most of every minute in a day) and has been able to lean into the methodology behind making the most of each day - especially when it comes to how each of us aim to prioritize what matters most to us in a noisy and busy world.

Tim is a gifted communicator,  popular thought leader, and bestselling author who has the ability to communicate to people from all walks of life. His sense of humor, combined with his depth of knowledge in a verity of topics, gives the listener and reader the tools to transform their lives from the inside out.

In this episode, Michael and Tim discuss how to become more present, keys to winning the first 15 minutes of your morning, and how to make greatness a practice.

Kayleigh Christina is a co-founder of Clearstem Skincare. She’s passionate about holistic skincare wellness and is dedicated to scaling companies without using external investments. She joins Michael Chernow to dive into why a skincare routine is important, what led her to the skincare wellness space, and much more. 

On this episode:

1:55 - Kayleigh's journey to starting a skincare brand

9:56 - Tongue scraping and Kayleigh's morning routine

17:46 - Adjusting your routine as needed

28:48 - A simple skincare routine

38:00 - Evening routine

51:50 - Making investments in business

Follow Kayleigh Christina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayleigh.christina/?hl=en

Check out Clearstem: http://clearstem.com/kreatures (use code KOH)

Ben has coached multiple world champions, written two best selling books, and is the host of the popular podcast "Chasing Excellence.”
He is the owner of one of the most successful CrossFit gyms in the world and the founder of CompTrain, a training program for hard chargers to hone their bodies and minds.
Ben does all of this while being a father of four who does not miss a kid's practice, game, or family dinner.
In this episode, Michael and Ben discuss why anybody in the world will benefit from CrossFit, the importance of patience in the world of fitness, and the power of mental fortitude as an athlete.

Episode 79 of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast features Kristin McGee, a pioneer in making yoga more accessible. Kristin has starred in yoga DVD’s, has privately trained celebrities and has written books about the value of the yoga in everyday life.
As a busy mom of three boys, Kristin strongly believes that just a few minutes of yoga a day can bring more balance and harmony to your life. Kristin’s classes will challenge and ground you while bringing a strong connection back to your mind, body and breath. Kristin teaches Yoga, Pilates and Meditation classes on the Peloton platform.
In this episode, Michael and Kristin discuss why you should follow your passion and how to become whole through meditation and healthy habits.

Greg Scheinman helps men maximize middle age, through one-on-one performance & mindset coaching and a weekly kickass podcast and newsletter, he challenges men in their 30s through 50s to live better, happier, healthier, wealthier and stronger.  

He is the author of The Midlife Male; A No BS Guide to maximizing middle age, a keynote speaker and most importantly, a husband and father.    

In this episode, Greg and Michael talk about the right time to change shit in your life, how to reverse engineer what you want in five years, and why you can come home at 5pm and still be successful.

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order. 

Jesse Katches is a mental health advocate, self-development enthusiast, and video content creator; where he talks about feelings, mental health, anxiety, and more with over 500k followers across TikTok and Instagram.

In this episode, Michael and Jesse discuss why your anxiety is not your enemy, setting boundaries, and using social media in a mindful way.

Out NOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube! 🚀

Rachel Scheer is a functional medicine practitioner and she joins Michael Chernow to discuss her healing journey, her view on Western medicine, and much more. 

On this episode:

2:30 - What got Rachel into functional medicine

17:17 - Rachel’s elimination diet

26:00 - Getting a correct diagnosis

34:33 - Nutritional habits for a healthy gut

41:45 - Manifestation and doing the things that scare you

57:52 - The greatest piece of personal development

Sahil Bloom is a renowned American inspirational writer, content creator, and entrepreneur who is quickly rising in popularity all around the world.

He is very decorated and has been awarded several noteworthy awards during his time at Stanford University such as the Bruce R. Cameron Memorial Award in 2012 and the PAC-12 All-Academic Team in 2013.

In this episode, Michael and Sahil discuss the importance of having non-negotiables, working through life’s challenges, and the paradox of goal setting.

Be sure to check out Sahil’s newsletter: https://www.sahilbloom.com/newsletter

Setting and sticking to new habits is tough — especially when it comes to New Year's resolutions. In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, host Michael Chernow dives into why so many resolutions fail and what you can do to ensure success in 2025. Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness, productivity, or overall mindset, Michael shares actionable strategies to help you create lasting habits and avoid the common pitfalls that lead to failure. Don't set yourself up for disappointment — start the new year with the tools you need to win at your goals!

Jon Bier is a 15+ year marketing and public relations veteran and CEO/Founder of Jack Taylor PR, a boutique communications agency with offices in Brooklyn, NY and Venice, CA. He is also the co-founder of Little Wolf Whiskey and Den BK Photo Studio.

Jon is a bar-admitted, non-practicing attorney and Adjunct Professor of Marketing at New York University.  He holds a BA with a Major in Philosophy from University of Toronto and a Juris Doctor from Bond University in Queensland, Australia.

In this episode, we talk about how to be productive and avoid busy work, the power of saying “no,” and what it really means to love yourself.

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order.

Tyler Hall is a successful founder, CEO, tech leader, investor, advisor, motorcycle enthusiast, dad and husband. As the founder and CEO of a VC backed automotive tech company Drivably, Tyler led the company through an acquisition in 2022 and prior to that founded multiple companies and was an early employee and executive at Domo (NYSE: DOMO) and HireVue (Acquired for $511m by The Carlyle Group).
Tyler has been through all of the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, but it wasn’t until he experienced nearly losing his wife during 2022 to a complicated pregnancy issue that made him pause and reflect on his experiences and the next steps for his own journey.
Tyler has now shifted his focus from building his own companies to helping build the world’s best CEOs and organizations through coaching, advising, investing, and all around holistic support. As a coach, Tyler uses proven frameworks to help leaders unlock areas in their personal and professional life where they are stuck, or insecure, and introduce them to a new world in which empathy and emotional presence are a competitive advantage.
His unique insights and lived experiences make him an incredible sounding board, accountability partner, star strategic advisor, and someone you want in your corner as you navigate the ups and downs of building a company.
He currently serves as an advisor to companies like RunBuggy, Ferry, DIMO, Nemodata, Miggos, HGreg, DealerPeak and several others.
He is an all around leader in both the professional and personal world as dad to 3 beautiful kids and a loving husband to his wife.
In this episode, Michael and Tyler discuss the power of breathwork, fostering positive family relationships, and how to be more present in everyday life.

Model, Actress, and Entrepreneur Melissa Boloña joins the show to share her inspiring story of how she became an entrepreneur. In this episode, you’ll not only hear an amazing story, but you’ll also learn about bone broth and why Melissa decided to create her company ‘The Beauty and the Broth’. Can’t wait for you to dive into this one!

Follow Born or Made on Apple Podcasts:

1. Click Here: Born or Made
2. Tap the “+” in the top right corner
3. Tap “Follow”

Follow Melissa on Instagram: @melissabolona

Check out The Beauty and the Broth: Thebeautyandthebroth.com

Follow Born or Made on Instagram: @bornormade

Follow Kreatures of Habit on Instagram: @kreaturesofhabit

Check out my new brand KreaturesofHabit.com

Check out the episode show notes here.

Rashaad Slowley is a former collegiate and professional football player who pivoted his career into personal training and coaching. He is now an elite Fitness Trainer, Promix Nutrition Athlete as well as the Founder and CEO of Do More Fitness. In this episode, you’ll hear Rashaad’s INCREDIBLE journey of trying to make it to the NFL and all of the important lessons that he learned along the way.

Check out the Show Notes Here: Episode Show Notes

Follow Born or Made on Apple Podcasts:

1. Click Here: Born or Made
   
2. Tap the “+” in the top right corner
   
3. Tap “Follow”
   

Follow Rashaad on Instagram: @shaadiefit

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Commitment before Ego demands two disciplines: The practice in understanding one's purpose and adherence to commitment, and to ego check when in this practice. Many people equate commitment to making a pledge or promise to do something when in reality commitment is ACTION.

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Michael sits down with Superstar Chef James “Jamal” Kent. James is Partner & Executive Chef at two of the most sought-after restaurants in New York City, Crown Shy & SAGA. In this wide-ranging discussion, James and Michael talk about their personal history together as teenagers at the same high school, the benefits of growing up in New York City and some of the challenges of parenting. James also talks about his successful career and shares a TON of the lessons that he’s learned along the way.

Follow James on Instagram: @chefjameskent

Follow Mike on Instagram: @MichaelChernow

Follow Born or Made: @BornorMade

Sign up for KreaturesofHabit.com

On this episode of Born or Made, we chat with Zak Williams and cover all things mental health. Mike and Zak share their journeys around maintaining mental health.  The role of habits, choices, and awareness to keep your mind healthy. Mike and Zak get real honest about their lives, this an episode you do not want to miss. 

Zak also shares about his new company PYM, a mental health supplement company. 

Learn more about PYM Here: https://youcanpym.com/
Follow Mike on Instagram: @MichaelChernow
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Sign up for KreaturesofHabit.com

Michael Chernow was a guest on Heal Thy Self with Dr. Christian Gonzalez where he discussed his addiction, becoming a successful entrepreneur, and being a wellness advocate.

On this episode:

• Transition from Addiction to Purpose
• Family Values and Lifestyle Changes
• Seeking Escape from Pain
• A Cry for Help: A Turning Point
• The Overdose Experience
• Surrender: Turning My Life Over to a Higher Power
• Morning Routine: Starting the Day Right
• Importance of Community in Recovery
• Movement and Nutrition's Role in Sobriety
• My Journey into Movement and Mindfulness
• Shifting Focus to Wellness and Creating a Brand
• Nutritional Benefits of My Oatmeal Brand
• Giving Back: Supporting Addiction Recovery
• The Life-Changing Power of Simple Habits

On Episode 91 of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, our founder, Michael Chernow, is back with another impactful solo show!!
Michael launched KOH because he wanted to share his belief in habits through his personal story of change — and how our habits determine whether we are going to be successful in our personal and professional lives, just get by, or worse, be miserable.
In this episode, Michael discusses how fear is actually your ally — and that being scared is the most common emotion a human being can have. We all deal with fear, but having the right mindset on how to face those fears will change everything for you.

When @stevenizen was just 19 years old, his beloved grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, an event that brought him to his personal low in life. It was during this time that Steven founded @lokai - the iconic bracelet brand that encourages people to find hope in their darkest moments.

Each Lokai bracelet incorporates water from Mount Everest and mud from the Dead Sea - the highest and lowest points on earth - to serve as a simple daily reminder to remain humble and hopeful through life's inevitable highs and lows.

To date, Lokai has given $9M+ as part of its 10% profits to charity pledge, supporting a growing list of incredible organizations like The Humane Society, Alzheimer's Association, The Make-a-Wish Foundation, Stand Up to Cancer, and One Tree Planted.

Steven was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 List for Retail and Ecommerce in 2017, was the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Finalist in 2016, and currently serves as the youngest member on the national board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In this episode, Michael and Steven discuss the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur, what it takes to run a successful business in 2023, and how to avoid burnout.

Dr. Sean Pastuch is the founder of Active Life, a company that helps people get out of pain without going to the doctor or missing the gym from anywhere in the world.

In this episode, Dr. Sean sits down with Michael Chernow to discuss how Active Life started, how the company operates, what it takes to hit your personal development goals, and much more. 

Topics covered:

3:48 - Sean manifesting his meeting with Michael

9:06 - Why hospitality in the food industry matters

13:40 - Making friends with other men as adults

17:20 - What is Active Life?

26:40 - Personal development starts with the truth

30:45 - Pushing through the discomfort

38:45 - Creating success for yourself

42:20 - Achieving a work-life balance

Sean’s IG: @drseanpastuch⁠

Website: https://activelifeprofessional.com

Active Life Rx IG: @activeliferx

Active Life Professional IG: @activelifeprofessional

On today’s episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, host, Michael Chernow, is joined by Rich Roll – fellow podcaster, plant-based ultra-endurance athlete, bestselling author, wellness advocate, and motivational speaker. Rich shares his transformative journey through sobriety, both the lessons he's learned from the Dalai Lama & Happiness Experts, and how these experiences have reshaped his life and mindset. Whether you're looking to make a personal transformation, find motivation for healthy living, or understand the intersection of spirituality and wellness, this episode is packed with powerful insights.

Today, the two explore:

• Rich's life-changing encounter with the Dalai Lama and the wisdom he gained.
• What Rich has learned from top happiness experts and how it can impact your life.
• Rebuilding your life in sobriety: Challenges, breakthroughs, and growth.
• Developing mental and physical resilience: Having a high threshold for pain and pushing past limits.

A huge thanks for tuning in – We hope you found Rich’s story and insights as inspiring as we did. If you enjoyed this conversation, please take a moment to rate and review the podcast – it helps more people discover the show. And, if you think someone you know would benefit from hearing Rich's journey, don’t forget to share it with them! Be sure to tune in next week for Part 2!

TIMESTAMPS:

4:05 - Rich's life-changing encounter with the Dalai Lama

13:38 - What Rich has learned from top happiness experts

22:41 - Rebuilding your life in sobriety

31:07 - Developing mental and physical resilience

Michael sits down with Combat Veteran, Elite Athlete and Host of the ‘Got Your Six’ podcast, Tony Nash. In the episode, Tony shares some of the insights that he’s learned from his years of service in the military and how these lessons can be applied by anyone in the business world today. He also explains the intense ‘Feat of Strength’ that he’s just finished and what he’s learned from it.

Follow Tony on Instagram: @thetonynash

Follow Michael on Instagram: @MichaelChernow

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Purchase Tony’s Journal: Night Before Journal

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Looking for Monday motivation to kickstart your fitness journey? In this episode, Michael Chernow answers the top 3 most frequently asked fitness questions from his community. Get an inside look into his personal workout routine and discover the “why” behind each tip.

Michael breaks down:

• The importance of rest periods for muscle recovery and performance
  

• How progressive overload works and how to use it to build strength
  

• His top cardio tips for weight loss and maximizing fat burn

Whether you're a beginner or seasoned athlete, this quick, info-packed episode delivers actionable advice to boost your fitness results. Hit play and get inspired to move smarter this week!

Raja Dhir is the co-founders and co-CEO of Seed, a venture backed microbiome company pioneering bacteria science. This week on Born or Made Michael and Raja discuss gut health and the implications of microbes on human health, childhood development/genetics, the common myths surrounding probiotics and more. 

Follow Mike on Instagram: @MichaelChernow

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Alex Silver-Fagan wants to help you work IN and not just work OUT.

As the creator and founder of her own method: Flow Into Strong, an RKC  Kettlebell specialist, 350hr registered yoga teacher, and former Nike Master Trainer, Alex has found that the journey really begins when we come back home to ourselves with movement. It’s her goal to not only enhance your appreciation for both yoga and strength, but also to help you develop a true conversation with yourself. By establishing this presence, you will truly have the tools to live your best life.

She is also a mental health advocate, published author, and personality who’s mission in life is to help others recognize how strong they really are.

In this episode, Michael and Alex discuss what real happiness feels like, the importance of having a healthy relationship with food, and what type of food might affect your mental health.

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order.

This week on Born or Made, Michael chats with Alife‘s Co-Founder, Rob Cristofaro, who explains why graffiti is the rawest form of branding and how "keeping it real," with personal connections rather than trends has kept his brand relevant for 20 years. 

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Jason Lacayo has been a police officer for 19 years and is currently part of the mental health outreach team. He is also the co-host of Inside the Labyrinth podcast powered by Reps for Responders, which is an organization that helps first responders and the families of first responders get services.

On this episode, Jason dives into the following topics with Michael Chernow:

6:10 - The experience of being a cop in NYC

13:27 - What sets Jason up for success

16:17 - Protecting your mental space despite the tough things you see

24:02 - Morning routine

30:18 - There's two sides of mental health

37:45 - The community of the police force

50:02 - How to overcome hardship
Follow Jason Lacayo on Instagram.

Humans were designed for movement. However, over the last hundred years or so we have stopped being so active. No matter what the reason for the decline in activity is, we have to do everything we can to reverse the trend. Whether it's walking, running, lifting, or another activity, you have to find something that works for YOU. For me, fitness is freedom and I couldn’t imagine my life without it. 

Follow Mike on Instagram: @MichaelChernow

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Mike Matthews is all about the science. The guy is a walking encyclopedia of human physiology and performance. He's the #1 bestselling fitness author in the world, with over 1.5 million books sold, all stemming from his first book Bigger Leaner Stronger. He's also the founder of the #1 brand of all-natural sports supplements, Legion and host of the popular podcast Muscle For Life. 

What's great about Mike is his simple and science-based approach to building muscle, losing fat, and getting healthy, delivered in a simple, easy to digest format, that has helped tens of thousands of people build their best body ever. You've likely seen his work in many popular outlets including Esquire, Men’s Health, Elle, Women’s Health, Muscle & Strength, and more, and probably on TV too.

Michael and Mike talked for so long we had to split the conversation into 2 episodes. Here in part 1 they dive into Mike's history and how his thirst for learning led to his success in teaching others. Mike is incredibly well versed in physiology and the mechanics of building muscle, and in this episode he talks about how he retains that knowledge and delivers it to others.

Make sure to follow the show on Instagram @bornormade, and follow Michael at:

Twitter: @MichaelChernow

Instagram: @michaelchernow

Facebook: @MichaelPChernow

LinkedIn: @McChernow

Katie and Lauren are the co-founders of HigherDOSE. Katie is a former investor and fitness enthusiast and her co-founder, Lauren, is a trained nutritionist and health coach. After meeting through a mutual friend, they instantly bonded over their shared passion for wellness and recognition of the untapped wellness properties of infrared that encompassed everything from detox and weight loss to workout recovery and relaxation.

Together, they launched the first HigherDOSE spa in NYC in 2016 and they have experienced meteoric growth since day one — over the last 12 months the company has generated $15m in revenue, with minimal investment since launch and a pandemic to boot — a testament to their bootstrapping abilities.

Embodying the definition of a lean startup, Katie and Lauren created all of HigherDOSE’s initial branding themselves (even acting as models in their first campaigns) and mastered how to quickly pivot their strategies, creating an 8-figure startup with only 4 full time employees.

They began with physical infrared sauna locations that offered a never-before-seen infrared experience, creating a devoted customer base that paved the way for their at-home sauna systems to succeed. Now with 5 at-home SKUs, multiple sellouts of the blanket and mat, and upcoming expansion plans under their belt, the future of infrared — and HigherDOSE — is shining bright.

In this episode, we chat about the benefits of an infrared sauna, how to meditate (even if you don’t like meditation), and the number one reason why you might feel tired all day.

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order.

Danielle DuBoise is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Sakara Life, the wellness and lifestyle brand rooted in nutrition. Sakara Life provides all the tools for people to love their bodies in order to live a mindful, healthy life, delivering millions of meals in 2019. She is the author of National Bestseller “Eat Clean Play Dirty,” along with Sakara co-founder Whitney Tingle.

Hailing from the spiritual mecca of Sedona, Arizona, Danielle came to New York City as a chemistry collegiate. Supporting herself through school as an actress and model, she suffered from a dysfunctional cycle of body image issues and uncomfortable weight fluctuations from yo-yo dieting, leaving her dissatisfied with her own body. Danielle thought the key to health and happiness was tracking calories and cutting carbs to lose pounds. After studying a pre-medicine track, she realized that medicine couldn’t heal her issues with food. A desire to learn more about using food as medicine led her to study at the renowned Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN), in order to leverage the power of food as medicine. After graduating from the program and learning to transform her own relationship to her body and food, Danielle combined her personal experience with her nutrition expertise to create a philosophy that has helped thousands of individuals change their lives through the healing powers of food.

DuBoise and Tingle have been honored in Forbes' 30 under 30, MindBodyGreen's 100 Women in Wellness and Oprah's SuperSoul 100. Their debut cookbook, Eat Clean Play Dirty, debuted in 2019, teaches readers to make signature Sakara dishes in their own kitchens.

In this episode, Michael and Danielle discuss the pros and cons of intermittent fasting, the key to having a healthy your relationship with food, and how to use your “why” to say “no.”

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order.

Greg Scheinman is an Insurance Broker, Fitness Enthusiast, Coach, Family Man, and host of the wildly popular Midlife Male Podcast. In this episode, you’ll hear how Greg overcame his challenging childhood and then a complete career pivot to create a life of fulfillment in the service of others. You’ll also hear about Greg’s experience working for Harvey Weinstein early in his career. You’re not going to want to miss this one!

Follow Greg on Instagram: @gregscheinman

Follow Born or Made on Apple Podcasts:

Click Here: Born or Made

Tap the “+” in the top right corner

Tap “Follow”

Follow Michael on Instagram: @michaelchernow

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Check out Greg’s podcast  The Midlife Male Podcast

Sign up for The Midlife Male Newsletter

Check out the episode show notes HERE

Do you want to have more self-respect? How about more respect from others? There’s a simple habit that I talk about in this episode that will help you with both of those things. Remember, respect is earned. You have to prove to others and to yourself that you’re worthy of it. Utilizing a habit for this job will make it a whole lot easier for you.

Follow Michael on Instagram: @MichaelChernow

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Sign up for KreaturesofHabit.com

Manny Lubin is the co-founder of Slate Milk. He joins MIchael Chernow to dive into what it’s like running the company, what’s actually important when it comes to business, and much more.

On this episode:

5:16 - Slate Milk is a lifestyle brand

20:03 - Manny’s morning routine

23:00 - Managing business communications

32:04 - The Key to Manny’s success

39:16 - What Michael learned when building multiple businesses

45:51 - The goal of a business is to make money

Check out Slate Milk: https://slatemilk.com/

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In this solo episode, Michael Chernow focuses on just how long life is and how habits can help you in the long-term.

On today’s episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, Dr. Russell Surasky, a double board-certified neurologist and author of This Book Will Save Your Life, sits down with Michael Chernow to explore the science of addiction, the recovery process, and why relapse happens. Together, they break down the most effective methods for overcoming addiction, the impact of genetics and environment, and the challenges people face when staying sober.

Together, the two explore:

Addiction vs. Having Addiction: Why the language around addiction matters. 

What Determines Success in Sobriety: Michael shares his experience staying sober while many around him couldn't.

Preventing Addiction in Children: What parents can do to reduce the risk of addiction in their kids and instill healthy habits.

Ambition in Addiction: How some people in recovery turn their addictive behaviors into successful, ambitious pursuits.

What is Vivitrol?: An explanation of Vivitrol, a medication that helps with addiction recovery, and how it works.

Genetics & Addiction: Why some siblings may develop more addictive personalities than others, and the role genetics play in addiction.

Personalized Approaches to Recovery: Why different recovery methods work for different people, even when there's a proven method.

If you loved today’s show or know someone that’d benefit from hearing it, be sure to share!

TIMESTAMPS:

4:09 Addiction vs. Having Addiction

10:28 What Determines Success in Sobriety

17:52 Preventing Addiction in Children

26:54 Ambition in Addiction

38:55 What is Vivitrol?

47:43 Genetics & Addiction

53:49 Personalized Approaches to Recovery

Adam Bornstein is a New York Times bestselling author and, according to The Huffington Post, “one of the most inspiring sources in all of health and fitness.”

Bornstein is the founder of Pen Name Consulting and Born Fitness.  At Pen Name, Bornstein has consulted with everyone from Reid Hoffman (founder of LinkedIn), Eric Schmidt (former CEO of Google), and Tim Ferriss (The Tim Ferriss Show), as well as Equinox, Microsoft, Tonal, Beachbody, and Dollar Shave Club.

An award-winning writer and editor, Bornstein has worked with some of the biggest wellness brands. He is the former Chief Nutrition Officer at Ladder, and the Vice President of Nutrition for FitOn, the largest fitness app in the world. Previously, he was fitness editor for Men’s Health magazine and Editorial Director at LIVESTRONG.com. He’s also served as nutrition advisor for LeBron James, Cindy Crawford, Lindsey Vonn, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

His work has been featured in dozens of publications, including The New York Times, Fast Company, ESPN, and GQ, and he’s appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, E! News, and The Cheddar.

In this episode, we touch on the importance of goal-setting, when it’s okay to break a good habit, and how to fill up your life’s bucket with what you’re truly proud of.

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order.

Michael Wystrach is not afraid to talk about his failures, because it's his failures that led to the massive success he see today as the CEO and Founder of Freshly, the leading manufacturer of fresh, healthy, nutrition prepared meals in the U.S. Add to that backgrounds in finance, real estate, and multiple startups, it was only a matter of time before he worked his way up to the success he's achieved today. 

Freshly was built off the failure of Michael's restaurant, but without that loss he never would have discovered that through fresh, nutritious food, talented chefs, and technology, he could disrupt the $1.3 trillion food industry by delivering delicious healthy meals directly to customers while reducing the food waste caused by the outdated grocery supply chain.

In this episode we hear about Michael's entrepreneurial mindset, combined with his hands-on experience, paired with a strong work ethic inspired the birth of a company that employs over 2000 people and is helping people survive through the pandemic. This is one you won't want to miss.

Make sure to follow the show on Instagram @bornormade, and follow Michael at:

Twitter: @MichaelChernow

Instagram: @michaelchernow

Facebook: @MichaelPChernow

LinkedIn: @McChernow

On this episode of Born or Made, we chat with Joy Dushey and talk about everything from breathwork to meditation and its impact on healing. Mike and Joy share their routines to stay mentally healthy.  Joy walks us through a step-by-step process to start working meditation into our lives. This an episode you do not want to miss. 

Learn more about Joy here: https://thejoyfulapproach.com/
Follow Joy: @thejoyfulapproach

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Eric Hinman is an endurance athlete (5x Ironman), content creator, and social media influencer, sponsored by dozens of consumer brands. He’s also a health + wellness, tech, and hospitality entrepreneur/angel investor. Eric is the co-founder of Original Grain, a multi-unit, healthy-fast-casual restaurant, and XO Taco, a trendy-Mexican restaurant in Syracuse, NY. 

In this episode, we discuss how to build your day around tiny wins, a simply key to stimulate a flow state, and the benefits of utilizing cold therapy.

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order.

Johannes Quodt is the co-founder and co-CEO of Koio, a modern luxury footwear brand. At Koio, Johannes oversees the brand’s creative direction and design, marketing, manufacturing, and business development.

Prior to founding Koio, Johannes worked as a management consultant for McKinsey and Company in Zurich, Switzerland. He earned his MBA at the Wharton School, from which he graduated as a Palmer Scholar. Johannes also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Switzerland’s University of St. Gallen, and an MSC in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics.

Johannes was born in Munich, Germany, and grew up in a small village at the foot of the Bavarian Alps. Outside of the office, Johannes enjoys exercising, meditating, flying a Cessna 182, and playing the guitar.

In this episode, Michael and Johannes discuss the benefits of a water-only fast, how to overcome struggles with mediation, and the pros and cons of caffeine consumption.

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order.

In today’s world, it’s never been easier to eat the wrong thing. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize nutrition in your life and make sure you’re eating healthy. In today’s episode, I explain WHY nutrition needs to become habitual in your daily routine.

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In today’s episode, I share another habit that will help you to start the day off STRONG. This habit is all about MOVEMENT. By practicing the routine each morning, it will help you establish a solid WIN for you to build the rest of your day on. Check it out and let me know what you think!

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Everything Michael Brandt does is fast and intense. Aside from being the CEO and co-founder of Health Via Modern Nutrition (H.V.M.N.), he cruises through marathons at a cool 6-minute mile pace.

With the launch of Ketone-IQ, Michael and his team created an entirely new category of ketone shots, which have taken over elite sports and high-end workplaces.

Michael has quickly scaled the business to multi-million dollars in revenue, including a $6MM contract with the US Department of Defense. As CEO, Michael is focused on cultivating a world-class team and increasing education and access to metabolic health & performance.

Michael majored in computer science and product design at Stanford. He scored 99th percentile on his GMAT but decided to skip business school and go straight into entrepreneurship. Prior to starting H.V.M.N. he was a professor of brand strategy at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Michael and his cofounder were awarded Forbes 30 Under 30.

Outside of work, Michael is an avid triathlete and holds a 2:42 personal record for the marathon. He lives with his wife and daughter in LA.

In this episode, Chernow and Brandt discuss the value of a living an 80/20 lifestyle, what to NOT do during the first hour of every morning, and how to combat work-life burnout.

Head over to kreaturesofhabit.com and enter the promo code KOHPOD20 to receive 20% off your first order.

Henry Cejudo is a retired American mixed martial artist and wrestler. He is the former UFC flyweight champion, UFC bantamweight champion, the fourth UFC fighter to hold titles in two different weight classes simultaneously, and the second to defend titles in two different weight divisions.

During his wrestling career, Cejudo won an Olympic Gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics, a Pan American Games Gold medal, three Pan American Championships, and two US National titles.

In today's episode, we discuss connecting the mind, body, and science altogether, gratitude, pain tolerance, mental strength and its relation to risk, and connecting the heart and the ability to become the 1% of the 1%. 

It was an absolute honor to speak with such a legend, and I hope we can do it again. Thanks again @henry_cejudo, you're the fucking man. Enjoy peeps!

Make sure to follow the show on Instagram @bornormade, and follow Michael at:

Twitter: @MichaelChernow
Instagram: @michaelchernow
Facebook: @MichaelPChernow
LinkedIn: @McChernow

In this solo episode, Michael Chernow gets real about fear—how it holds us back and how we can face it head-on. He shares his personal journey of overcoming fear and talks about why optimism is actually one of the best weapons against it. Michael dives into the difference between living with fear vs. living in fear, and how the people you surround yourself with can make all the difference in overcoming challenges.

If you’ve ever struggled with fear, this episode is packed with practical advice on how to shift your mindset, build your willpower, and embrace the power of optimism.

On this solo episode of the podcast, host Michael Chernow talks about the importance of slowing down, taking your time when making decisions, learning as you go, and more.

Josh Campbell and Jason Brown are the co-founders of Human Improvement. Together they are trying to redefine the health and wellness industry by creating nutritional supplements using clean, innovative ingredients made for the improvement of humans. They started by incorporating a very unique ingredient into their protein powder, cricket. Not ones to chase trends, they aren’t afraid of a challenge to create products they think can change the world.
Both started their careers in the finance world but left to explore their entrepreneurial goals and have both had successful exits from past businesses. Josh has excelled at scaling global brands from coffee (Starbucks) to cannabis (Dosist) to health and wellness. When he isn’t trying to disrupt a category he is summiting peaks from Alaska to Africa.
After a decade in the distressed credit world in New York, Jason relocated to LA and spent the last 5 years starting and scaling businesses in everything from cannabis packaging to health and wellness. He is an avid skier, surfer, and more recently obsessed with crossfit.
In this episode, Michael, Josh, and Jason discuss how to gain more control over your day as an entrepreneur, the key to analyzing opportunities and distractions in your company, and why multitasking might be hindering your output.

If you are a lover of food television you probably know Adam Richman. He's an author, chef and tv host who currently hosts The History Channel's Food That Built America, American Made, and the upcoming Dave's Supperman. However, we were all introduced to Adam in 2008 when he brought out the challenger in all of us in the incredibly popular Travel Channel's Man vs Food. For 4 seasons we tuned in every week to watch Adam take on ridiculous food challenges and eat dishes that would make a cardiologist cry. He wasn't some celeb chef in the kitchen making fancy dishes we couldn't pronounce. He was the every man, the one who took on challenges with wholehearted gusto and took us along for the ride. And ride we did - each week, drooling at the over the top menu items and crazy challenges Adam accepted in each episode. Adam and Man vs Food put restaurants on the map and led to local eateries around the world developing their own food challenges, and that's an impressive legacy to leave. 

Michael and Adam discuss Adam's story from the beginning. Growing up in a Jewish family in Brooklyn NY and how the diversity of NYC opened Adam's eyes to cuisines from every part of the world. His time at Yale studying drama and working, pretty much every job in the restaurant industry. Plus, how his love and study of acting and the theater combined with his experience and passion for culinary arts put him on a path to host one of the most popular TV food programs of all time, which he quite literally was made for. If you've got a dream and not sure how to achieve it, this episode is for you. 

Don't forget to share this episode with your circle and be sure to follow the show on Instagram @bornormade. Follow Michael Chernow at:

Twitter: @MichaelChernow

Instagram: @michaelchernow

Facebook: @MichaelPChernow

LinkedIn: @McChernow

Compliments help us communicate the appreciation we feel toward one another. Focusing on and noticing the good qualities in the world around us gives our moods a boost all by itself. Plus, it is a kind of cognitive training, a training of attention. In addition, compliments amplify positivity, they not only deliver positive effects to others, those effects bounce back on us, ramping up the positive atmosphere we breath.

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This week, we’re bringing you Michael Chernow’s guest appearance on the Mind Pump Podcast. 

On this episode, Michael dives into the following topics with Sal, Adam, And Justin:

02:13 - How from a young age he was trying to get out of his house. 

09:41 - Being sexually assaulted at 8 years old. 

14:54 - Why he felt he needed to have a legitimate job with his ever-growing side hustle. 

20:38 - His favorite drug to sell and why? 

25:06 - His only run-in with the cops. 

30:41 - The scary experience of getting robbed. 

37:34 - That one time he faked his death. 

43:03 - His connection to the universe. 

45:28 - Losing his father and making amends. 

55:06 - The beginning of the end of the dark days and the beginning of the new days. 

1:00:21 - The Muay Thai angels. 

1:07:16 - The point where things start happening for him. 

1:27:32 - Why his happiness is FAR more important than cash in the bank and capital. 

1:34:18 - His next venture, partner, and buyout. 

1:45:06 - The origins of Kreatures of Habit. 

1:51:58 - Taking his love of oatmeal and running with it! 

1:59:34 - How fitness & health transformed him. 

2:07:13 - The priority of profitability. 
2:09:03 - You never know the catalyst of change.

In today’s episode, Michael Chernow is back with a quick but powerful chat about the power of saying no. We’ve all been there, right? That simple two-letter word can feel impossible to say, especially if you’re someone who tends to put others’ needs before your own. Michael opens up about his own struggles with people-pleasing and shares how he learned to make "no" a part of his life in a way that actually helped him grow. If you're a fellow people-pleaser—or in recovery from that mindset—this one's for you.

Today, Michael explores:

• Why saying "no" is so much harder than it should be, and what beliefs keep us stuck saying “yes.”
• Michael’s personal journey of overcoming people-pleasing and leaning into boundary setting.
• How saying "no" can actually free you up to say "yes" to the things that matter most.
• Some practical tips for getting more comfortable with the word "no" and creating space for you 

If you’ve ever found yourself saying "yes" to things just to avoid feeling guilty, or stretching yourself thin to please everyone around you, this episode is for you. Michael’s story will remind you that saying no isn’t just okay—it’s necessary. It’s how you make room for what really matters in your life. If you’re ready to take control of your time and start setting healthier boundaries, this conversation is a must-listen.