Leading For Wellness

EP12: Taking Creatine to the Next Level - Steve Jennings

More than 30 years ago, Steve Jennings played a pivotal role in introducing the world to the benefits of creatine supplementation at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. 
In this conversation, Steve will share the reason behind why he's now leading the charge with creatine 2.0, and how we can shift our perception beyond the world of gyms and performance sports, and introduce the broader health and wellbeing benefits of creatine to the mass population. 
 
Episode Breakdown: 
 
00:00 - The Genesis of Creatine Supplementation 
08:59 - Creatine's Evolution and Its Broader Applications 
18:10 - Understanding Mitochondrial Health and Creatine 
22:54 - The Future of Creatine: Formats and Innovations 
28:05 - Understanding Creatine Stability and Usage 
32:08 - Innovations in Liquid Creatine Technology 
34:55 - The Future of Creatine in Mainstream Nutrition 
39:39 - Challenges in Creatine Manufacturing and Supply Chain 
43:39 - The Need for Onshore Manufacturing 
46:52 - The Broader Impact of Creatine on Health and Longevity 
 
Links 
Connect with Steve Jennings: 
steve@helloyeu.com 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjennings1/
https://www.instagram.com/creatineog/ 
 
Connect with Liesl Bernard:
liesl@kalonstaffing.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/
www.leadingforwellness.com
 

EP11: Gut Check - The Science of Peak Performance

Your gut does more than digest food. It shapes your cravings, energy, and even your mood. So how can you work with it instead of against it?
 
Liesl Bernard sits down with Sierra Simpson, founder and CEO of BrilliantBiome, to talk about the microbiome’s surprising influence on health and performance. After struggling with the effects of long-term antibiotic use, Sierra turned to science to heal herself and discovered the powerful connection between gut health and the brain. She explains how the gut-brain axis works, why enzymes and metabolites act as messengers between systems, and how small shifts in diet and lifestyle can create a big impact.
 
Can changing what you eat really improve mental clarity? How does the microbiome affect peak performance for athletes and high achievers? Sierra breaks it all down with strategies, from incorporating whole foods and fermented products to using mindfulness techniques that strengthen the gut-brain connection. Whether you’re looking for better digestion, more energy, or sharper focus, Liesl and Sierra’s conversation offers insight into how your microbiome holds the key.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
02:21 Discovering the Microbiome
06:30 Tips for a Healthy Microbiome
09:16 Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Postbiotics
13:14 Future of Microbiome Testing in Healthcare
17:35 Addressing Sugar Cravings and Candida
19:04 Lifestyle Changes for Microbiome Health
22:28 Holistic Approach to Health
30:08 Microbiome and Autoimmune Disorders
32:44 Dietary Recommendations for Inflammation
36:36 Accessing Brilliant Biome Services
 
Links
Connect with Sierra Simpson:
www.brilliantbiome.com, discount code "KALON"
Connect with Liesl Bernard:
https://kalonstaffing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP10: AI & Nutraceuticals: Innovating Health One Algorithm at a Time

AI won’t take your job. Someone who knows how to use it will. So what does that mean for the nutraceuticals industry?
 
Liesl Bernard sits down with Andy Dahlen, a veteran in consumer packaged goods and dietary supplements, to talk about how AI is shaking up nutraceuticals and personalized nutrition. With experience leading brands like General Mills, Beech-Nut, and MegaFood, Andy shares how AI is speeding up ingredient research, making product development more efficient, and giving smaller brands a real shot at competing with industry giants.
 
Consumers want supplements backed by science. Sorting through mountains of research takes time, but AI is changing that. Companies that use AI tools can cut research time dramatically, making it easier to develop innovative, science-backed products. But will businesses embrace the technology fast enough to keep up?
 
Andy also challenges leaders to get hands-on with AI. Instead of waiting for their teams to figure it out, they should be modeling its use and encouraging experimentation across departments. The companies that do will be the ones driving the future of personalized nutrition. Will yours be one of them?
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
01:10 Andy Dahlen’s Background in CPG and Supplements
02:03 AI in the Supplement Space
03:44 Job Impact of AI in the Industry
05:01 Tools and Efficiency in the Supplement Industry
06:40 AI’s Role in R&D and Other Areas
08:04 Recommendations for Companies to Embrace AI
12:13 AI Adoption in Different Company Sizes
15:14 Challenges in Embracing AI in the Supplement Industry
19:15 Advice for CEOs on Implementing AI
24:44 Training and Employee Involvement in AI
27:20 AI’s Impact on Job Satisfaction and Efficiency
29:10 Importance of Accurate AI Output and Data Privacy
30:00 Shifting Mindsets Towards AI Usage
31:24 Training and Skill Development for AI
32:42 Encouraging Curiosity and Innovation with AI
33:29 Leadership’s Role in AI Adoption
34:07 Closing
 
Links
Welcome to AI: A Human Guide to Artificial Intelligence: Shrier, David L.: 9781647827526: Amazon.com: Books
 
HBR Podcasts: 
Why AI Isn’t Enough To Beat The Competition
The AI Skills You Should Be Building Now
Tech at Work: What GenAI Means for Companies Right Now
 
Connect with Liesl Bernard:
https://kalonstaffing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP09: Dr. Hemal Patel - Groundbreaking Research on Testing Mitochondrial Health

Mitochondria fuel every cell in your body, but how often do you check in on their health? 
 
In this episode, Dr. Hemal Patel, a tenured professor at UC San Diego and Chief Scientific Advisor for Versailles Discovery, joins Liesl Bernard to unpack why these tiny powerhouses hold the key to longevity and how an innovative at-home test can provide real insights into your energy levels, resilience, and overall well-being. 
 
Dr. Patel shares research-backed strategies to improve mitochondrial function, from diet and supplementation to meditation and lifestyle shifts. Drawing on studies with NASA and collaborations with Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Patel reveals how meditation influences biomarkers and why tracking mitochondrial health could change the way we approach disease prevention. Whether you’re optimizing performance or looking for ways to age well, this episode offers science-driven tools to help you take control of your health.
 
Quotes
“At the end of the day, that’s all we are, right? We’re a bag of energy that moves around and does all these crazy, amazing things. And as soon as that energy stops, we're unable to generate that energy, we die.” (03:09 | Dr. Hemal Patel)
“Mitochondria really become these gatekeepers of how well you live and how poorly you live. And if you know where you are on that continuum, it’s a great way to then start to fix that core state of who we are.” (09:56 | Dr. Hemal Patel)
“There are hundreds of products that say ‘mitochondrial improvement’ and ‘high energy’ and ‘take this and you’ll be living on cloud’ and all this stuff, right? And you take them and you don’t feel any different, or maybe you feel a little different, but you don’t really know quantitatively what’s happening.” (21:35 | Dr. Hemal Patel) 
“Mitochondria are networked organisms, so there are organisms living inside us. And so, they like to be socially connected. When they’re socializing and connecting, they’re able to sense their environment, the stressors, and adapt to it in a unique kind of way.” (17:50 | Dr. Hemal Patel) 
“Meditation seems to be one of those things that can push mitochondrial biology very rapidly. We see those same things change—the microbiome shifts, the metabolomics change, and the mitochondrial potential changes as well. So we do capture that dynamic.” (31:11 | Dr. Hemal Patel) 
 
Links
Mitochondrial Efficiency Screen: https://mescreen.com/ - use discount code KALON1 
 
Connect with Liesl Bernard:
https://kalonstaffing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP08: Johnny Blackburn - Navigating Trauma and Fear Effectively

Adversity often opens unexpected doors to purpose, growth, and deeper spirituality. In this episode, Liesl Bernard sits down with Johnny Blackburn, the founder and director of Mystics, a school for personal and spiritual development. 
 
Johnny shares how a life-altering injury transformed his path and led him from consulting to a deep dive into spirituality and personal development. He reflects on the power of facing difficult emotions and explains how practices like breathwork and meditation can help release trauma and unlock greater awareness. Johnny challenges us to see loss as a gateway to presence and empathy, and offers practical insights for integrating spirituality into daily life. 
 
Join Johnny and Liesl’s conversation to be reminded of how even in our toughest moments, growth is possible.
 
Quotes
“There’s a quote I love by Rumi: ‘The wound is where the light gets in.’ …I also want to note that it's important that we don't spiritually bypass because many of us in our own way… there’s a tremendous sense of loss and having everything taken away. So, I think it’s important that as we look at these things, we first meet the experience with presence and empathy and really imagine what something’s like for someone.” (04:34 | Johnny Blackburn)
“Like Alan Watts says, you can’t get wet from the word ‘water.’ So, these squiggles, our brain interprets as meaning something, but the direct felt sense of being wet is something that we experience in the present moment through our body. And so, there’s another stage of deepening spiritually where we have to actually feel and be embodied and expand open from there versus being in our minds and mentally trying to understand something.” (07:31 | Johnny Blackburn) 
“In a way, our past sort of keeps us stuck from the greater future wanting to live through us.” (17:26 | Johnny Blackburn) 
“No matter what’s happening, I can always direct my attention to my breath if there’s pain in the body, if there’s overthinking. So, bringing the attention back to the breath is a great first place to start. The breath and the body are some of the best anchors to the present moment.” (27:41 | Johnny Blackburn) 
 
Links
Connect with Johnny Blackburn:
Johnnyblackburn.net
 
Connect with Liesl Bernard:
https://kalonstaffing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP07: Jim Tonkin - The Functional Beverage Guru

Mastering leadership, understanding consumer behavior, and balancing intuition with business savvy are important to success in the functional beverage world—insights Jim Tonkin has cultivated over four decades. Jim, the “Functional Beverage Guru,” joins Liesl Bernard in this episode to share his journey of creating iconic brands like Essentia Water, Zico Coconut Water, and Suja Juice. From leaving his family’s 7-Up franchise to pursuing healthier options, Jim’s story is a masterclass in leadership, consumer understanding, and the balance between gut instinct and business strategy.
 
This episode touches on the trends shaping the industry, from innovative packaging to the rise of health-focused drinks with ingredients like probiotics and turmeric. Jim also shares candid advice for entrepreneurs, including why market research and financial planning matter as much as the passion behind a great idea. His personal take on wellness and moderation ties it all together as he offers a holistic perspective on what it means to lead in the world of better-for-you beverages.
 
If you’re curious about the future of functional drinks or seeking insight into building impactful brands, Jim’s wisdom is not to be missed! What lessons will you take from his remarkable career? 
 
Quotes
“Most businesses are people-driven… I’m very, very focused on the individuals at the top of the food chain and any small entrepreneurial or startup.” (11:33 | Jim Tonkin) 
“In today’s world, for example, most players that are looking to purchase companies on the private equity or family office side, or even banks, they want companies with positive EBIT, with earnings before interest and taxes. So, if you can’t show a bottom line with some profit, it basically means you haven’t got a business.” (14:20 | Jim Tonkin) 
“Understanding consumer behavior and listening to your customer tell you what they think about your product is really, really important.” (18:10 | Jim Tonkin)
“Moderation is the key to success. So, drinking eight Diet Cokes doesn’t make it any better than drinking eight Cokes with sugar in them, in my opinion.” (38:54 | Jim Tonkin)
 
Links
Connect with Jim Tonkin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-tonkin-51021aa/
Email: jimtonkin@outlook.com
 
Connect with Liesl Bernard:
https://kalonstaffing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP06: Tim Wood - CEO of Fired Up! Popcorn - From Fireman to CEO

“Our vision is to pop it fresh and have really quality popcorn with purpose. Our popcorn is with purpose because we put intentional ingredients into it,” says Tim Wood, the CEO of Fired Up! Popcorn and a full-time fireman at Rancho Santa Fe in San Diego. In this episode, Tim joins Liesl Bernard to share his journey from creating a simple, healthy snack at the fire station to building a business rooted in wellness. His dedication to quality ingredients, like pure avocado oil and turmeric, reflects a broader mission to prioritize health in every bite.
 
Tim also opens up about the challenges of being a first responder and the toll it takes on mental health. How does he face trauma and loss daily yet remain passionate about helping others? The answer lies in his commitment to mental health advocacy, which led to co-founding Burning Layers, which is an initiative providing tools for emotional resilience, especially for first responders.
 
Could stadium snacks actually fuel wellness? Fired Up! Popcorn can be the answer, as Tim envisions replacing unhealthy options with nutritious, intentional choices that serve the community. 
 
Quotes
“If we don’t face more challenges and try new things and be creative, for me personally, I’ll always be in this little rut.” (03:47 | Tim Wood)
“Mental and emotional health has been just always on the forefront of my mind to live with compassion and empathy, to understand that people are struggling in so many different ways.” (07:20 | Tim Wood)
“Our vision is to pop it fresh and have really quality popcorn with purpose. Our popcorn is with purpose because we put intentional ingredients into it.” (11:42 | Tim Wood)
“Things can always get better. Things are always changing. There is nothing permanent in this world. There’s always a shift. There’s always a change in thought. There’s always a change in an idea.” (30:25 | Tim Wood)
“We all have purpose. We all have meaning. Everybody’s different. We all have something to shine through.” (31:09 | Tim Wood)
“Sometimes all we really need is to reconnect that we’re alive and we’re not alone.” (32:33 | Tim Wood)
 
Links
Connect with Tim Wood:
https://www.fireduppopcorn.com/
https://www.instagram.com/fireduppopcorn/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-wood-6b0a08233/
https://www.instagram.com/alovingperspective/
 
Connect with Liesl Bernard:
https://kalonstaffing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP05: Gary Seelhorst - Psychedelics and Functional Wellness for Elite Performance

“There’s a lot of tradition and culture involved with the treatment and consumption of psychedelics that needs to be honored because of the nature of how all of it really started out years and years ago. We’re just kind of coming about it right now, and there’s a lot of wisdom there that we can understand,” says Gary Seelhorst, a pharma, biotech, and functional wellness executive. In this episode, he joins Liesl Bernard to talk about how psychedelics and functional wellness are redefining treatment for conditions like PTSD and depression, especially for veterans and elite athletes. Gary explains why diagnostics and preparation are important, and why integration work is often the most transformative part of the healing process.
 
Drawing from his personal health journey and years in big pharma, Gary discusses the need for a holistic shift in wellness—one that prioritizes root causes over symptoms. He shares actionable insights for leveraging tools like neurofeedback, meditation, and customized health protocols. 
 
Join Gary and Liesl’s discussion as they challenge conventional approaches to health and explore how psychedelics can unlock new paths for resilience and recovery.
 
Quotes
“I started to really understand the power of plant medicine. And then it was really more an experience that I’d had just before that, in the compounding pharmacy space, that I started to learn a little bit more about what naturopaths did because they were ordering a lot of products through the compounding pharmacy, with vitamin infusions, peptides, hormones, all those kinds of things. And that’s really what I think turned me into such a fan of functional health in general, and eventually plant medicine, if indicated.” (03:29 | Gary Seelhorst)
“It’s really more about how effective the program is in which these different drugs are used, and that’s really the value. There’s a lot of pre-work you need to do in order to get to a space where it’s going to be effective—there’s the set and setting, and the dosing around the actual treatment. And then there’s all the work afterwards that needs to be employed as well, and that’s probably the biggest part.” (06:36 | Gary Seelhorst)
“As a scientist, I like to kind of test a lot of hypotheses in general and work through all the different types of psychedelics that are out there. There’s a lot of tradition and culture involved with the treatment and consumption of psychedelics that needs to be honored because of the nature of how all of it really started out years and years ago. We’re just kind of coming about it right now, and there’s a lot of wisdom there that we can understand.” (14:49 | Gary Seelhorst)
 
Links
Connect with Gary Seelhorst:
linkedin.com/in/garyseelhorst
 
Connect with Liesl Bernard:
https://kalonstaffing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP04: Michael ZonFrilli - Leading the Chef-Crafted Kombucha Industry

“The beauty of kombucha, besides the big, bright flavor, are the health benefits. So, if you’re not offering those live probiotics, I just think you’re doing a disservice to the potential of kombucha for wellness and health,” says Michael ZonFrilli, creator of Bambucha Kombucha. Known for his chef-crafted, wellness-driven beverages, Michael brings both culinary artistry and a commitment to authentic kombucha into each batch he makes. By keeping his kombucha live and raw, he preserves the probiotics that contribute to gut health and overall well-being.
 
Michael joins Liesl Bernard to talk about his journey from chef to wellness entrepreneur. What does it take to build a kombucha brand that stands out? Michael believes it’s about quality, patience, and an uncompromising approach to flavor. Starting from humble beginnings, Bambucha Kombucha grew through self-funding and hard work, allowing him to stay true to his values without outside pressures.
 
Michael’s culinary background infuses each flavor he creates. His kombucha blends take inspiration from around the world, like the Thai Ginger, which features flavors like fresh lime leaf and lemongrass, and the Mango Masala, a nod to Indian Ayurvedic spices. Creating a drink that feels genuine and layered, something both delicious and meaningful, is at the heart of his work.
 
Outside of work, Michael shares his wellness practices, which include surfing, music, and time with his family. These habits keep him grounded, bringing energy and perspective back to his craft. His story speaks to anyone passionate about wellness and authenticity. Bambucha Kombucha is available at natural grocers along the West Coast and ships nationwide. For kombucha fans and the curious alike, it’s a chance to experience a drink that’s chef-crafted and wellness-focused at every level.
 
Quotes
“The beauty of kombucha, besides the big, bright flavor, are the health benefits. So, if you’re not offering those live probiotics, I just think you’re doing a disservice to the potential of kombucha for wellness and health.” (04:11 | Michael ZonFrilli)
“There’s nothing else like kombucha. You’re not going to get that anywhere else. There’s something magical about the fermentation process that converts organic cane sugar into those beneficial acids and probiotics… there’s something in kombucha that makes people crave it and almost need it.” (24:31 | Michael ZonFrilli)
“I’m grateful to be able to create something that I love. Just as a chef, as a culinary instructor, we’re all about that creation of something delicious and always trying to, as chefs say, you’re only as good as your last plate. Now, I’m only as good as my last can of kombucha. The striving never stops. We’re not a giant factory; we’re a medium-sized brewery. Every batch is crafted, every batch is tested and tasted, and tweaked if necessary. The beauty of kombucha is that it is a living, breathing culture that has almost a will of its own.” (31:48 | Michael ZonFrilli)
Links
Connect with Michael ZonFrilli:
https://www.bambuchakombucha.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bambuchakombucha/
https://www.facebook.com/bambuchakombucha/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-zonfrilli-6169994a
 
Connect with Liesl Bernard:
https://kalonstaffing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP03: Broccoli - The Miracle Superfood

“Broccoli microgreens are the most potent antioxidant compound. They contain sulforaphane, which is beneficial for the immune system, has anti-cancer properties, and so forth. They’re also linked to longevity and anti-aging,” says Vladi Delsoglio, the CEO of Ederra, a farm-to-body functional food company. He joins Liesl Bernard in this episode to share how a personal health scare—being diagnosed with fatty liver disease—opened his eyes to the incredible power of broccoli microgreens. What started as a quest to heal himself turned into the creation of a supplement that pairs these nutrient-packed microgreens with lion’s mane mushrooms, a blend designed to support both physical health and cognitive function.
 
Vladi points out the importance of knowing where your supplements come from. His company takes transparency seriously and uses only high-quality ingredients sourced from local farms. With so many Americans missing out on key nutrients, especially fruits and vegetables, Vladi’s product aims to make getting those essentials easier and more effective.
 
But Ederra’s mission goes beyond supplements. Vladi shares his vision for expanding the product line to serve not only adults but also children and even pets. His goal? Building a community that prioritizes health and wellness through real, functional foods. Tune in and you’ll be rethinking your own health routine—and wondering how early you should start investing in your well-being.
 
Quotes
“Broccoli microgreens are the most potent antioxidant compound. They contain sulforaphane, which is beneficial for the immune system, has anti-cancer properties, and so forth. They’re also linked to longevity and anti-aging.” (08:45 | Vladi Delsoglio)
“The American diet has a huge deficiency in vegetables and fruits. Why? Because people here are highly productive, super busy, multitaskers, which means that all day they’re always on the run, working, creating, and so forth… One of the main reasons why we incorporate the broccoli microgreens is because there’s the sulforaphane. It’s so potent, so powerful that it’s like you are eating one pound of broccoli each scoop.” (10:08 | Vladi Delsoglio)
“Being beautiful doesn’t start from outside, it starts from inside.” (11:54 | Vladi Delsoglio)
“The two main pillars of our life are health and time, and we really need to respect them as much as possible.” (13:35 | Vladi Delsoglio)
“We don’t want to be perceived as a powder company, as a supplement company. We are creating a community. Matter of fact, we are working closely with nutritionists. We are working closely with the one-star Michelin chefs.” (23:45 | Vladi Delsoglio)
 
Links
Connect with Vladi Delsoglio:
Website: ederralyfe.com 
IG: tryederra 
 
Connect with Liesl Bernard:
https://kalonstaffing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm