431: Melissa Urban - Overcoming Addiction & Creating A Life-Changing Business (CEO of Whole30)

Text LEARNERS to 44222 for more... Full show notes at www.LearningLeader.com Twitter/IG: @RyanHawk12 https://twitter.com/RyanHawk12 Melissa Urban is the co-founder and CEO of Whole30, and a six-time New York Times bestselling author. She is is a prominent keynote speaker on social media and branding, health trends, and entrepreneurship. Notes: "I'll Go First" -- As Leaders, it's on us to do the hard thing first. Be vulnerable first. Trust first. That mindset will serve us well "I decided to look for evidence that I was already a healthy person with healthy habits." and that helped form her identity. Whole30 -- The Whole30 is not a diet, a weight-loss plan or quick fix – it's designed to "change your life," the founders say, by eliminating cravings, rebalancing hormones, curing digestive issues, improving medical conditions, and boosting energy and immune function. "You can think of the Whole30 like pushing the reset button with your health, habits, and relationship with food." "For 30 days, you'll eliminate the foods that scientific literature and our clinical experience have shown to be commonly problematic in one of four areas — cravings and habits, blood sugar regulation and hormones, digestion, and immune system, and inflammation "The food you eat either makes you more healthy or less healthy. Those are your options." "You cannot "out-exercise" poor food choices and the resulting hormonal disruption." The diet culture has been beaten into our heads and can make us feel disempowered This helps you take back the power. It's not a diet. Not a quick fix. It helps you figure out what works for you. Melissa always buys herself flowers... Take care of yourself first. Must-Have leadership qualities in someone Melissa hires: "I hire for talent, not skill." Entrepreneurial spirit -- "I want them to take ownership." Ambitious - "They need to want to grow and learn." Sharing pictures on social media that are not airbrushed or edited: "It is me existing in my body. It's not courageous to exist in your body. I shouldn't be seen as brave for posting those pictures." Grey Rock - This is how you respond to a narcissist or complainer... Don't react to them pushing buttons. They are trying to get you to react. Don't give them that gift. Boundaries are essential life skills - We learn about these in times of crisis. "Clear is kind." Example: "When my parents attempt to parent my child, I have to sometimes tell them that that's my job and they need to stop. That's setting a boundary." How to be a great CEO? "I have figured a lot out as I go. It helps to have mentors. I've hired a lot of talented people." It's about surrounding yourself with excellent talent and trusting them to do the job. How to have high self-awareness A lot of therapy Self-experimentation Committed to working on empathy Life/Career Advice: It's easy to tell someone to follow their passion, but that's not always good advice "Whatever job you do, overdeliver. Do it well." Be known as someone who goes the extra mile. Be kind. Go first. Be vulnerable. Get it done.