What’s Your Story, Heidi Schild? From Midwest roots to plant-based living and purposeful health

In this candid, curious, and laugh-filled episode, we sit down with Heidi Schild — longtime caregiver, accidental entrepreneur, and passionate plant-based home cook. Heidi shares her journey from growing up in Ohio, navigating early careers in fashion retail and banking, supporting her husband’s medical practice, and eventually reinventing her relationship with food and health.What begins as a conversation about tofu quickly becomes a powerful story about intentional living, family, curiosity, and choosing progress over perfection. From Veganuary experiments to teaching cooking classes in her home, Heidi reminds us that transformation doesn’t require extremes — just awareness, consistency, and a sense of humor. KEY TOPICS COVEREDGrowing up in Ohio and forging an independent pathEarly careers in retail, banking, and nonprofit workMarriage, motherhood, and supporting a medical careerDiscovering plant-based living through VeganuaryThe difference between vegan and whole-food plant-based eatingHealth, family history, and lifestyle-driven preventionBuilding confidence in the kitchen (hello, tofu!)Teaching others through Heidi Cooks and home cooking classesFood allergies, flexibility, and feeding a family with careProgress over perfection — in food and in lifeMEMORABLE QUOTES“Genetics loads the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.”“Instead of saying you can’t give something up, try adding better things in.”“Progress, not perfection.”“What you eat becomes you.”  Where to listen & watch:YouTube: https://youtu.be/4TIhW2ejo0UApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-your-story/id1768048076Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aFWnedfyylxVs5vJrD8tYAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c4c493e-e2f2-4b4b-bfd3-52174caeaf7c/whats-your-story-with-jaime-stan Connect with Heidi Schild:Instagram: heidicooksplantsIf this episode helped you rethink what success looks like, subscribe, rate, and review our podcast! Your support helps us share more powerful stories like Heidi’s.  Follow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JaimeSpeaksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaimeMarcoSpeaksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimeamarcoWebsite: https://www.jaimemarco.comGot feedback or a guest recommendation? Email us at [email protected]