From a Bedroom Full of Peanuts to Building a National Brand

What happens when you walk away from the career everyone expects you to take?In this episode of The Positive Habits Podcast, Kat sits down with Stu Mac, founder of ManiLife Peanut Butter, to explore the story behind building one of the UK's most loved food brands - from a bedroom full of peanuts to scaling a purpose-led business.But this conversation goes far beyond peanut butter.Kat and Stu explore how habits shape performance, the hidden impact of food on energy and focus, why connection matters more than constant productivity, and how success often comes from simply "keeping on going."They discuss:How ManiLife started after Stu rejected a corporate accounting pathThe manufacturing disaster that nearly stopped the business before it beganWhy "luck" often follows consistency and persistenceThe importance of connection and getting out from behind the to-do listFood, ultra-processed products and modern wellbeing challengesWhy food influences focus, mood, energy and productivityThe role habits play in mental and physical performanceWhy tiny changes create momentumBuilding businesses around passion rather than obligationThe power of movement, phone habits and small daily decisionsPlus…🥜 Stu shares his favourite ways to eat peanut butter (including one combination you probably won't expect).If you've ever felt overwhelmed, stuck in autopilot, or wondered how small habits create big change - this episode is for you.ABOUT THE GUESTStu is the Founder of ManiLife, the UK's fastest growing Peanut Butter Brand from a Rugby Club Kitchen in 2015 when a tonne of Peanuts got diverted from his 'would be' production partner (they pulled out last minute) to his bedroom. Since then ManiLIfe has grown into a multi million pound brand, selling through 1,000s of shops worldwide. They produce everything, to a bespoke process from their very own 16,000 square foot UK ManiFactory .ABOUT THE HOSTKat started her career as a teacher, before moving into Tech where she worked in different executive roles within teaching and consulting working across the globe, both in the public and private sector. Despite appearing 'successful' on the outside, she paid a heavy ‘life’ price. In 2016, her whole world collapsed.The reason? The compound effect of years of unhealthy and toxic habits that destroyed her health, relationship, and career.She rebuilt herself by changing just one small habit and built a series of positive habits which has transformed her professional and personal performance, resulting in becoming the healthiest and happiest version of herself.She is a positive habits international keynote speaker and teacher, giving talks and delivering high impact programmes to organisations across the globe.https://www.linkedin.com/in/katthorne https://www.instagram.com/the_morning_gamechangerFollow Kat Thorne:Instagram & LinkedIn: @katthorne