Leah Faust shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Leah, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: When was the last time you felt true joy?
I love this question. I make a conscious effort to do 3 things every day that are fun and frivolous. I don’t always do all 3, and they don’t always feel fun in the moment, but I would say true joy for me could be anything from bubbling excitement I can’t contain, to a mellow evening with my husband or girlfriends I hold near and dear. I felt true joy last night while at my friend. We watercolor painted while catching up. Acoustic music in the background, and our dogs playing together. It really is the small things.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I deeply care about health and wellbeing. It all started when I learned that canola oil is liquid poison. I had grown up using olive oil at home but knew that most people cooked with some sort of seed oil as it’s generally cheaper.
I didn’t think much of it until I began experiencing debilitating anxiety and depression. I thought I was the picture of health – I ate “clean”, was very active, prioritized sleep, and meditated stress away – so what was wrong with me?
I felt trapped in my body and like my mind was betraying me. I spent a year barely hanging on by a thread when I stumbled across an article on “how toxic seed oils can cause mental illness,” bingo! I cut out all seed oils and sugar and within a few months felt like I recognized myself again. I knew I needed to share my story with others and help educate them on what actual health is. Hint: it’s not what big pharma is trying to sell.
My philosophy is to spend money today on higher quality food, non toxic home and body products, natural fiber furniture and clothing, and to do it all with simplicity and a smile. Better to invest in your health today in a preventative intentional way, than on medical bills in the future. I share everything I’ve learned on social media and am constantly amazed that this information isn’t more widely known. If I had to sum it up – most people have a hundred problems until they have a health problem, then they realize they only have one. Our health is our most valuable asset.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a spunky carefree kid, who knew anything she wanted was possible. I sang to the trees and spoke to the butterflies, I loved running through sprinklers and stealing my older sisters clothes so I could pretend I was a teenager. I was sensitive and soft, kind to everyone. I felt a deep need to be accepted and loved, and that’s something I learned only I can give myself. I would say I’m still the same except I wear my own clothes now (for the most part).
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I can’t say whether I’m more scared to fail or succeed. It’s something I ponder about. There’s a lot of fear around both. If I’m too successful how will I be able to contain it all? and if I fail will it really be that bad?
In their owns ways each of these fears hold me back – one from leveling up, and the other from the paralyzation of failure. I know everyone has failed at something and it’s not personal but it feels like it carries so much weight to it. I usually get to a point where it’s “f*** it, what’s there really to lose?” and then I go for whatever it is.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe in a higher power. I can’t prove it in the way I can prove gravity, but when I quiet myself enough to tune in, I deeply feel it. It feels undeniably present, steady, and guiding. Almost like a current beneath everything, carrying me even when I’m not aware of it, and anchoring me when I need it most.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
Investing in health – there are all different levels of what optimizing health can be. The spectrum in my mind goes from biohackers to simple people doing just the basics. There are times I spend more on fun therapies like hyperbaric oxygen, ice baths, red light, weight training classes, etc. and times I really dial it back to bare feet in the grass and sunlight in my eyes.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_leahfaust
