Rooted

In this episode of Rooted, I sat down with Steven Rofrano, Co-Founder of Ancient Crunch (parent company of MASA Chips and Vandy Crisp). Ancient Crunch focuses on bringing back traditional ingredients and methods to everyday snacks using real food and a more ancestral approach.Steven shares how what started as a bet in Miami led him to make a chip himself made from tallow and corn and how that quickly turned into building out production from scratch. We also get into how his vision has expanded beyond one product into a portfolio of brands, and what it looks like to build what he calls the “LVMH of food” and the FritoLay of Real FoodIn just three years, they’ve scaled to over 400,000 bags per month, and are projected to continue on this growth path.We also discuss:What gave them the conviction to go all in earlyWhy they’re building multiple brands instead of oneHow they’re making ancestral eating feel modern and aspirationalWhat’s next for Ancient Crunch and the future of foodI hope you enjoy this episode. If you haven’t tried either MASA Chips or Vandy Crisps, go check them out! They're sold

In this episode of Rooted, I sat down with Colton and Zack Troyer, co-founders of Folkland Foods. Folkland is a farmer-founded food company built around regenerative agriculture, reconnecting people to where their food comes from, and doing things differently from the ground up.These two brothers grew up farming, traveling, and being shaped by a family that never followed the status quo. Colton and Zack share how their “maverick” grandfather, exposure to different cultures and flavors, and a deep connection to the land influenced both who they are today and the genesis of Folkland. We talk about how being literal boots-on-the-ground farmers gave them a unique advantage when starting a CPG brand and why that perspective shapes the decisions they make.We explore how Folkland is working to rebuild a connection to food for consumers and why now is the perfect moment to be building this type of company. We also dive into what they’ve learned since launching in Sprouts and how retail has shaped their growth.We also discuss:What “doing things differently” looks like beyond just the businessHow being farmers influences product quality and brand trustWhat’s next for Folkland and their long-term visionWhere they see the future of food, health, and CPG headingI hope you enjoy this episode and if you care about where your food comes from, Folkland is a brand worth paying attention to. I personally can’t wait to check out their new tater tot this week!

In this episode of Rooted, I sat down with Michael Tashman, founder of Churn. Churn is a butter company bringing excitement back to one of the most basic foods by focusing on quality, simplicity, and fun flavors, like Four Herb, Garlic & Shallot, Maple & Cinnamon, and more. Churn is built around 100% grass-fed butter made with no fillers, no shortcuts, and no BS. Michael shares his unconventional journey from playing football at the University of Miami, to attending culinary school and working at Blue Hill NY, to starting a CPG business. We explore why Churn is winning in a category that isn’t typically seen as “innovative,” from making butter cool for the everyday consumer (not just chefs), to embracing the idea that we’re “getting back to our roots with our fats.”We also discuss:How and where Churn sources its ingredientsBuilding a brand that is chef-inspired, healthy, and approachableThe story behind Churn’s Anchovy & Lemon Butter collaboration with FishwifeWhat’s next for Churn and Michael’s long-term vision for the company & a lot moreI hope you enjoy this episode and absolutely give Churn a try! You can find them in Target, Whole Foods, Costco, and more!

In this episode of Rooted, I sat down with Lily Rivkin, founder of Rooted Restaurants. Yes, this is a Rooted x Rooted episode, because we share the same exact philosophy.Rooted is a fast-casual restaurant based in NYC built around transparency, simplicity, and trust in our food. Each meal uses seven ingredients or less, with every ingredient, down to the oils and spices, listed on their public-facing menu. Lily shares her journey from Yale, to working as a trader, to realizing through a series of experiences that food was her true passion. That realization ultimately led her to pursue an MBA at Wharton with the goal of opening Rooted.We explore why Rooted has gained traction so quickly, from Lily building in public on social media, to early partnerships with Alo, a Forbes feature, and well-known voices like Melissa Wood Health and Gary Brecka sharing the brand.We also discuss:Sharing the behind-the-scenes realities of restaurant ownership on social mediaHow transparency builds trust and communityWhere Rooted’s menu ideas come from and how Lily’s culinary background influences the foodBuilding community beyond the plate through events, partnerships, and cateringLily’s long-term vision for Rooted and where she sees the future of food and wellness headingI hope you enjoy this episode and if you’re in NYC, make sure to check out Rooted.

In this episode of Rooted, I spoke with Bill Creelman, the founder of Spindrift, the first sparkling water made with real squeezed fruit.Coming from a farming background, Bill has always had a respect for food, the land, and the people who grow it. That lens shaped everything about Spindrift. Long before “clean label” or “real ingredients” became industry buzzwords, he set out to create a beverage with complete transparency and simplicity, no natural flavors, no added sugars, just sparkling water and real fruit.He launched Spindrift right after graduating college with no safety net, no corporate training, just an entrepreneurial instinct and a desire to make something truly different. Over the years, he’s built not only a product people trust, but a brand that deeply connects with its community, from farmers in Sicily to loyal fans known as “Drifters” across the U.S.We talked about so much in this conversation, including:His farming roots and early entrepreneurial mindsetThe sourcing journey behind every ingredient Strategic partnerships with places like Sweetgreen and CavaHow he’s creating a brand that leads with integrity, even in a saturated spaceSpindrift’s collaboration with Kiss the Ground and passion for regenerative agricultureThe future of Spindrift and where Bill sees the wellness space heading nextBill’s commitment to doing things the right way, not just the easy way, is what makes Spindrift so special. I hope you enjoy it!

In this episode of Rooted, I interviewed Katlin Smith, the founder of Simple Mills, the natural food company that’s redefined clean-label snacking and baking with products made from simple, nutrient-dense ingredients. What started in Katlin’s kitchen with almond flour muffins has grown into a household staple nationwide, recently joining forces with Flowers Foods from an ~800M acquisition to expand its impact even further.Katlin’s journey is a testament to building a business rooted in values while navigating growth in an industry that’s fast-paced and constantly evolving. From the early days of prioritizing ingredient integrity, to leading with education and transparency, she’s remained focused on using food as a vehicle for positive change.In this conversation, we talked about:The genesis of Simple Mills and its mission to make real food simple and accessibleWhat innovation looks like post-acquisition with new R&D and distribution powerThe opportunities and risks for purpose-driven brands scaling under corporate structuresSimple Mills’ commitment to regenerative agriculture and how she vets ingredients todayWhy education and transparency have been central to building consumer trustHer perspective on emerging trends in wellness and what’s next for Simple MillsThis episode is full of insight into scaling with intention, staying true to your mission, and leading with authenticity in an industry where it’s easy to lose sight of what matters. Hope you enjoy! Highly recommend trying Simple Mills if you haven’t already. You can find them in most grocery stores across the country.For more updates, please follow @themarleemethod on Instagram.

Co-Founder of Spring & Mulberry, Kathryn Shah: Reimagining Sweetness, Storytelling Through Ingredients, and Returning to the Earth Through FoodIn this episode of Rooted, I had the chance to sit down with Kathryn Shah, the co-founder of Spring & Mulberry, a brand that’s redefining what indulgence means by creating chocolate sweetened only with dates and inspired by nature’s pantry.Kathryn’s journey into wellness and clean eating started with a deeply personal health scare. In Dubai, she had a seemingly simple encounter with dates, which completely shifted her view of natural sweetness and planted the seed for what would become Spring & Mulberry.Her chocolate bars are unlike anything else on the market, not because they’re chasing a “better-for-you” trend, but because they return to the basics: no refined sugar, minimal ingredients, and an intentional use of botanicals and spices that make each bar feel like a sensory journey. Whether it’s lavender, bee pollen, or rose petals, there’s a story behind every choice and that storytelling is a big part of Kathryn’s mission to create a deeper relationship with our food.We talked about so much, including:How her health journey shaped her approach to food and wellnessThe beauty of dates and why she chose them as the only sweetenerHer mantra of “eating as close to the Earth as possible”How Spring & Mulberry thinks through their customer profileHow she’s choosing unexpected but thoughtful retail partners like Nordstrom and Crate & BarrelHer vision for human connection through foodWhat’s next for Spring & Mulberry and what trends she’s watching in the CPG spaceThis conversation was so grounding and inspiring,  especially if you’re interested in how nature, wellness, and intentional living can intersect through food. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!I highly recommend trying Spring & Mulberry. I love the pure dark and pecan date flavors! You can find them in some Whole Foods, Amazon, Nordstrom, and more!Follow along @themarleemethod on Instagram for more!

In this episode of Rooted, I sat down with Pete Maldonado, the co-founder of Chomps. Chomps is the grass-fed meat stick brand that’s become a household name among health-conscious eaters, busy moms, athletes, and college students alike.Pete’s story is such a powerful reminder that there’s no one path to building a successful company. He didn’t come from a flashy corporate background or a fancy business degree. He left college early, got certified as a personal trainer, worked in real estate, and even went bankrupt. What Pete has is a relentless entrepreneurial mindset, shaped by his Colombian immigrant family and a strong instinct for what people actually wanted in a snack, even before it was trendy.In this conversation, we talked about:Pete’s unconventional path and his continued relentless attitudeTaking action vs overthinking and getting nowhereHis insights on building trust and changing behavior across different consumer groups, especially womenWhy he stepped down as CEO and what’s next for him personallyHis honest take on the grass-fed and regenerative space today and what’s real vs. marketingThe long-term vision for Chomps and what trends he’s watching in food and wellnessThis episode is packed with wisdom for anyone who’s ever questioned whether they were “qualified enough” to start something meaningful. Pete’s story proves that belief, persistence, and integrity can take you further than any title. Hope you enjoy! Also highly recommend trying Chomps, for anyone that hasn’t already! They can be found in various retailers across the country. For more updates, please follow @themarleemethod on instagram!

On this episode of Rooted, I interview the Co-Founders of Fronen, a non-dairy ice cream made with the simplest ingredients on the market. For example, the Vanilla flavor has just coconut cream, vanilla extract, water, and honey. The rest of the flavors follow a similar pattern, with just about 4 ingredients, never using any fillers, gums, or artificial ingredients. This is genuinely the best tasting and best quality (in terms of ingredients) of better-for-you ice cream that I have had or seen, which is why I was so excited to talk to Jessy and Erik!We discussed:The genesis of creating Fronen What it was like never having working for someone else as a full-time job after both graduating school from UChicacoWhy they both decided  to attend Stanford MBAWhat’s stopping other brands from creating better-for-you productsWhat’s stopping consumers from purchasing these products? What’s coming next for Fronen + some exciting updates!!Fronen can be found in Whole Foods, Wegmans, soon Sprouts, and more!I hope everyone enjoys!

In this episode of Rooted, I interviewed Robby Sansom, the Co-Founder and CEO of Force of Nature, a regeneratively sourced meat company based in Austin, TX.Previously, as CFO/COO at EPIC, Robby spent much of the last decade studying regenerative agriculture at ranches all over the world. Through this education, Force of Nature was co-founded with the intention to accelerate the creation of a global regenerative supply network. Force of Nature works in partnership with land stewards, ranchers and farmers committed to creating a positive return on the planet. With Force of Nature, consumers now have the ability to invest in environmental regeneration by consuming meat that is good for the planet. Born and raised in Austin, TX, he received both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Texas. When he’s not building businesses aimed at saving the planet, Robby can be found on a trail, ocean, mountain or field, always making time to appreciate nature and explore his surroundings. Robby is also a land steward at ROAM Ranch where he owns regeneratively managed bison.Robby and Force of Nature align with Rooted by embracing ancestral wisdom, regenerative food, and simple, intentional living. Force of Nature isn’t just about meat–it’s about restoring the land, empowering consumers, and reshaping the food system for better health and sustainability. Robby also spoke about the importance of being outdoors, soaking up the sun, and enjoying simple moments with his his family, which perfectly reflect Rooted back-to-basics philosophy. We discussed so much like:How starting EPIC Provisions lead to the start of Force of Nature What regenerative agriculture actually is and why it is so important for farmers, animals, the planet, and consumers. What the difference between sustainable and regenerative farming isLabels in the food system and why “grass-fed” or “organic” or “pasture-raised” are not necessarily what the consumer thinks they are getting Marketing in the food system with claimsRobby’s hot take on work-life balance and how he lives symbiotically The Future of Force of Nature. Chicken is on the way!

In this episode of Rooted, I interviewed Jonathan Neman, the Co-Founder and CEO of Sweetgreen, a nationwide fast-casual restaurant chain that serves healthy, seasonal food, known for their commitment to sustainability, using local, unprocessed ingredients. This conversation is exactly why I started the Rooted podcast—getting to sit down with founders who are not only passionate about what they do but are also creating businesses that truly make a positive difference. I absolutely love every single thing about the concept of Sweetgreen and as a huge fan, speaking with Jonathan was especially exciting. The success of Sweetgreen is also not surprising because of how warm and personable he is. In this inspiring discussion, we covered so much, including:How Jonathan was inspired by his time abroad in college in Sydney, Australia and seeing the culture differences around all day cafes and fast foodThe “Sweetlife” How the three founders of Sweetgreen started such a capital intensive business straight after graduating collegeAll three founders having immigrant parents that built businesses Making an impact through business and at the cash register How Sweetgreen has formed, maintained, and created relationships with the farmers they partner withWhy Sweetgreen is helping with the systemic issues with our food systemHow Sweetgreen balances the art and science of expanding the businessSweetgreen’s value of really listening to the consumer (including grass-fed steak, eliminating seed oils, etc)A lot more!To see a full list of Sweetgreen locations, head to this link!I hope everyone enjoys!

In this episode of Rooted, I speak with Scott Marcus, the Co-Founder and CEO of Blue Zones Kitchen, which are frozen ready meals inspired by the Blue Zones of the world (areas in the world with the longest living people). We discussed so many amazing topics like: Scott’s journey to Blue Zones Kitchen, starting with Mondelez and then Vital Farms  What the Blue Zones of the world are and what connects these areas How Blue Zones Kitchen has the potential to change our perception around frozen foods Why it made sense to create a CPG company as an extension of the Blue Zones brand What simple things we can implement in our everyday lives and why we tend to overcomplicate how to live a healthy life Blue Zones Kitchen can be found in retailers like Whole Foods, Wegmans. If you go to their website under “Store Locator,” you can receive 2 dollars off your meal. 

In this episode of Rooted, I sit down with Adam Brown, who is the Founder and CEO of Sircle Media, which is a social media agency that represents many of the major better-for-you CPG players. For example, Purely Elizabeth, Primal Kitchen, Amylu, and CHOMPS, just to name a few.  In this episode, you will hear about how this was Adam’s second go at a career, as he was doing something he didn’t enjoy before. But, it will become evident instantly how much he loves his company and team he has created, space he’s in, clients he gets to work with and the companies he invests in. He described it as being a kid in a candy store and I think that is something that everyone can agree they want.  Adam is an example of someone in the Rooted community because of his excitement and passion he feels about his work. Additionally, with the help of Sircle Media, more consumers know about emerging/growing better-for-you companies, which will continue to propel us in the right direction.  For any better-for-you CPG companies listening, or anyone else looking to get involved with Adam/Sircle Media, his email is [email protected] I can’t wait for you all to listen to this episode!

In this episode of Rooted, I interviewed Jason Karp, the Co-Founder of Hu Chocolate and later HumanCo. For anyone that does not already know, Hu creates chocolate with simple, clean ingredients, with the mission of “getting back to human.”  This mission was born after Jason graduated from UPENN and faced multiple autoimmune diseases and was also told that he would go blind by age 30. Jason defied the medical diagnoses by studying many populations and regions of the world with long-living, healthy people. He realized that while there are some differences in each group, the commonality is that they are all very in touch with nature and the earth. He then began adapting simple lifestyle changes himself. While running his own hedge fund, he, his wife, and his brother-in-law started Hu Kitchen as a passion project to heal people, which is where Hu as we know it today was born.  After selling Hu to Mondelez, Jason started HumanCo, a mission driven private holding company that invests in and builds brands focused on healthier living and sustainability. HumanCo’s brands include: Cosmic Bliss, True Food Kitchen, Snow Days, Against the Grain, and Grove Collaborative.  This was an AMAZING conversation. We discussed so much like: His illnesses and the genesis for creating Hu Kitchen “Old lifestyle” characteristics vs our modern lifestyle Work culture in the US vs other places of the world Balancing simple health and wellness practices while having fun and not being too anal  Why Jason decided to start HumanCo How Jason is now on a mission to transform the US food system (he has spoken at the Senate and is a big advocate against Kellog’s and their use of artificial food dye The differences between running a hedge fund in his early career vs what he does now What he predicts is going to happen with the US food system Hu Chocolate can be found in Whole Foods, Target, Walmart, Kroger, Sprouts, Thrive, etc. I’m also a huge fan of eating out at True Food Kitchen and HumanCo’s other brands can also be found in many of these stores and online! I hope everyone enjoys!

On this episode of Rooted, I interview the Co-Founder & CEO of Smash Foods, Anna Peck. Smash Foods (previously known as Chia Smash), is a better-for-you CPG brand that has fruit spreads made from only chia seeds, fruit, dates, and lemon juice. I’ve been a consumer of their first product, the fruit spreads for years. I love that it takes something that is part of the standard American diet (PB & J) and just makes it so much simpler and healthier. This was also an extra special one for me since Anna graduated from the McIntire School of Commerce at UVA! Anna and I discussed: Her upbringing in Australia and England and the differences she noticed with food when coming to the US The story of how her food blog with just a few friends reading it led to creating Chia Smash The decision-making process to leave her traditional job and how she took calculated risks Why she loves having her now husband as her Co-Founder The “little” things that are non negotiables in her day to bring her joy  Smash Foods can be found in Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target, and more. Additionally, you can use the code “SMASH15” for 15% off the products when you purchase online.  I hope everyone enjoys!

In this episode of Rooted, I speak with Kelly Love and Allison Evans, 2/3 of the Co-Founders of Branch Basics, a non-toxic cleaning company. Their mission is to help educate people on creating healthy homes and lives by ditching the harmful chemicals.  They want people to experience the “power of pure.”  We discussed so many amazing topics like: How each of the founders’ incredible and mind boggling stories led to the genesis of Branch Basics The power of very simple changes and getting back to the basics (getting in the sunshine, eating pure food, touching the grass, removing chemicals, etc) Why and how tossing the toxins can be very basic and does not need to be something that is stressful How Branch Basics is way more a lifestyle brand than just a cleaning product Why not having a formal business plan or idea actually helped them Why finding your passion can happen at any age I highly recommend trying out the Branch Basics starter pack from their website. I’ve been using all of their supplies for months now and they have been amazing and completely worth it. I hope everyone enjoys!

In this episode of Rooted, I interviewed Anthony Vennare, the Co-Founder of Fitt Insider, the #1 newsletter for health and fitness operators. Anthony and his brother, Joe, also run Fitt Consulting (providing advice to founders and execs), Fitt Talent (a job board with all of the openings in the industry), Fitt Capital (their health and wellness company investments), and the Fitt Insider podcast.  I’m a huge fan of everything that they’re doing at Fitt because of how well they consolidate the information in the health and wellness industry into one place. What’s been clear to me since I discovered them is that they cut through all of the noise and provide so much value to people because they do the basics extremely well, consistently. Anthony and I discussed: His childhood in Pittsburgh and how it contributed to him loving fitness How losing his dad in his 20s to terminal brain cancer and then developing brain cancer himself has shifted his perspective on life The genesis of Fitt Insider and it’s complete organic growth The overcomplication of a lot of health trends + why he prioritizes the basics in his health routines How he thinks through investing in companies now Trends he is seeing in the health and wellness industry  Fitt Insider is the only newsletter I’m subscribed to and I highly recommend that anyone at all interested in this space check them out because they’re truly amazing. 

In this episode of Rooted, I interviewed Christy Goldsby, the Founder of Honey Mamas, a refrigerated, honey-sweetened truffle bar using only whole food super ingredients. Ever since the first time I tried Honey Mamas, I have been a huge fan because of the absolutely amazing taste and unique flavors, and the idea that indulgences can be healthy, make us feel good, and offer a celebration of life. Honey Mamas might be my favorite tasting better-for-you CPG brand on the market. It quite literally tastes like fudge, without making you feel gross afterwards! Christy is awesome and so authentic and open about her story. We discussed: Her upbringing- growing up in Oregon, and the impact that always having home cooked meals, made from real foods had on her Getting sick and seeing the difference of the way food made her feel Starting a bakery with her mom and sister and how that set her up to run Honey Mamas and the parallels/differences between running a small business and a nationwide product Why Honey Mamas is all about joy, celebration, and a zest for life Why Honey Mamas is a vessel for a broader conversation around food as medicine The journey of finding quality investors and how to not get lost in the weeds once your company continues to grow Honey Mamas can be found in Whole Foods, Wegmans, Sprouts, and more. Additionally, you can use the code “MARLEE20” for 20% off the products when you purchase on their website. The chocolate cake flavor is my absolute favorite!!!! I hope everyone enjoys!

In this episode of Rooted, I speak with Elizabeth Stein, the Founder and CEO of Purely Elizabeth, a better-for-you granola, cereal, and oatmeal company. It was so inspiring hearing from Elizabeth because from start to finish in this episode, it was so clear that she was meant to be doing this. She went after what she wanted (being in the health and wellness space), and then also had a great balance of letting the pieces fall into place. We discussed so many amazing topics like: How her triathlon training led to a passion for the health and wellness industry How becoming an integrative nutrition coach at IIN was life changing for her Why CPG brands are a vessel for education, community, and change Why setting up a team and company where people are thrilled to go to work since we spend most of our time there How much more fulfilled she is now vs before doing this Her vision for Purely Elizabeth and the company supporting regenerative farming  Purely Elizabeth can be found in major retailers like Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, Kroger and many more! If you purchase anything from the website with the code “ROOTED20” you will get 20% off! I hope everyone enjoys!

In this episode of Rooted, I speak with Ashley Thompson, the Co-Founder and CEO of MUSH, a ready to eat overnight oats, made with only simple, healthy ingredients.  Ashley is an incredible human being and someone that I now consider a mentor. She is an extremely caring, thoughtful and deep person, which is what contributed to our great conversation. We discussed so many amazing topics like: Her upbringing, the impact her dad had on her, and the genesis of MUSH Why MUSH made sense to be the company that she started, specifically  How to keep your eyes open for business ideas and trusting your gut Her vision for MUSH, the impact its had on so many people, like cancer patients + why Ashley will never change the clean ingredient label How her life is different now building her company vs working at Goldman Sachs, in terms of having a purpose Why we think that so many health and wellness companies are leveraging communities and tying this concept to the Blue Zones + so much more! MUSH can be found in major retailers like Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, and many more! I’ve been a huge fan of the company for years and personally love the chocolate and vanilla flavors. I hope everyone enjoys!

In this episode of Rooted, I speak with Morgan, Co-Founder of Primal Kitchen. Primal Kitchen makes condiments and sauces with simple, better-for-you ingredients, such as Avocado Oil. Morgan and Mark Sisson sold the company in just 3 years for 200M.  This was a very philosophical conversation and we discuss a wide range of topics from:  Morgan’s winding path in her 20s and how it eventually led her to being a Co-Founder Why nature, slowing down, and getting back to the basics is where the beauty of life is How processed foods are in the common denominator of all the problems with food Her life before and after getting acquired for 200M The fisherman and businessman paradox Balancing being ambitious while valuing what you already have now, and a lot more.  Morgan is such an embodiment of the Rooted community– Primal Kitchen is all about getting to our roots with Primal even being in the name of the company and she lives her personal life according to these values.  Primal Kitchen can be found in many major retailers like Whole Foods, Target, Costco, Walmart, Publix, Wegmans, Sprouts, and many more. My favorites are the buffalo and bbq sauce.  Morgan posts a lot of great personal content on Instagram and Tik Tok and can be found @morganzanotti I hope everyone enjoys!

In this Episode of Rooted, I sit down with Bryan Myers, the current CEO of [solidcore], the rapidly growing pilates studio with about 100 studios across the US. L Catterton just acquired a majority stake in [solidcore], which now values the chain at $600M–$700M. Before ending up at [solidcore], Bryan graduated from the UVA McIntire School of Commerce, which made this conversation even more special for me. He then went to BCG and then was one of the first employees at Sweetgreen. Bryan is incredibly intelligent and personable. He provided such amazing, practical, and actionable advice for anyone that is just starting their career or thinking about pivoting. We discussed in depth how he arrived at both Sweetgreen and [solidcore], while they were both in their earlier stages, and how other people can do the same.  On that note, one quote that stuck out to me from him was: “Be good at what you do because when you’re good at what you do, people will want to advocate on your behalf. And be vocal about what you want to do because when you’re vocal about what you want to do, people know where, and when, and how to advocate for you.” You will tell instantly that Bryan truly loves what he is doing and who he is surrounded by (so much so that even as CEO, he still also teaches [solidcore] classes), which is what makes him part of the Rooted community. He is the perfect example of not going through the motions of life, but instead seeking out opportunities and pursuing what fires him up. I always say that [solidcore] is one of the hardest workouts that I’ve ever done and I highly recommend that anyone try it that hasn’t already!

In this episode of Rooted, I sit down with Megan Reamer, who is the Co-Founder and past CEO of Jackson’s Chips. I’m sure anyone who likes making healthy swaps, has had or seen Jackson’s Chips before.  But, what not everyone knows is the story behind this amazing company. Jackson’s Chips is named after Megan’s son Jackson, who at a young age was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease.  After many difficult years, they discovered that his diet played a huge role in how he felt. Jackson began implementing a low-carb, high fat diet with emphasis on quality ingredients, like coconut oil. Eventually their whole family adopted this diet, but they missed eating chips, so they created their own.  Jackson’s Chips uses simple, healthy, and limited ingredients like potatoes, coconut oil, and avocado oil.  Megan, her family, and their company Jackson’s Chips are a perfect example of those who are a part of the Rooted community. Their use of ancestral fats is making a positive difference in people’s health and our food system. As they continue to pursue a very personal and purposeful mission, Jackson’s legacy lives on.  If you’re a huge sweet potato fan, like me, and haven’t already tried these, I definitely recommend them. You can find Jackson’s Chips in Costco, Whole Foods, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, CVS, and more! This is a very inspirational and touching story and I hope everyone listening enjoys!