#035 Eat Well, Do Good, Stay Golden: Building Community and Finding Healing After Loss - Lizzie Hartman

In this episode of The State I Am In, I sit down with Fairbanks-based chef and community builder Lizzie Hartman. From her roots in Alaska’s culinary scene to appearing as a top 10 finalist on Master Chef, to traveling abroad and expanding her craft, Lizzie’s story is one of passion, creativity, and connection—but also profound loss.A few years ago, Lizzie lost her husband, leaving her to navigate life, motherhood, and grief in a way no one is ever truly prepared for.In this conversation, Lizzie opens up about that season—what it looked like, what it felt like, and how she found her footing again. We talk about the reality of grief, how it shows up in everyday life, and why it’s something we don’t talk about enough.At the center of her story is a mantra:Eat Well, Do Good, Stay Golden.What sounds simple on the surface carries deep meaning—shaped by loss, strengthened by community, and lived out through the way she shows up for others.We also dive into how community became the foundation for everything:her healing, her purpose, and her continued growth in the culinary world. From leaning on others to creating spaces where people feel seen and supported, Lizzie shares what it really means to turn pain into something that serves others.This episode is about more than food or success.It’s about grief, resilience, and the power of community to carry us through the hardest moments of our lives.In this episode, we talk about:Lizzie’s journey in Alaska’s culinary sceneHer experience traveling around Alaska, Italy, and expanding her craftLosing her husband and navigating life as a young motherThe reality of grief and why it’s often not talked aboutHow community became essential to healingLiving out “Eat Well, Do Good, Stay Golden”Turning pain into purpose and giving back to othersWhy this episode matters:Grief is something we all experience, but often feel alone in.This conversation is a reminder that healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in community. And sometimes, the most meaningful way forward is simply continuing to show up—for yourself and for others.Connect with Lizzie Hartman:Instagram: @alaska.lizzieWebsite: https://www.alaskalizzie.com/Shoot me a text, what do you think?