An Inspired Chat with Suze Yalof Schwartz of Los Angeles

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Suze Yalof Schwartz. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Suze Yalof, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The second I wake up, I R.C.B — Rise, Click, Beditate (meditate in bed — a term trademarked by davidji). I open the Unplug app and start my day with a positive quote, the question of the day, a few notes in my gratitude journal, and a 10-minute meditation from the monthly challenge. It’s how I set the tone before I even get out of bed and I have been doing that every morning for years! It’s all about chosing what goes into your brain first thing and after I do that for 12 minutes total I put my phone down.

Then I move to my terrace with a glass of water, a cup of coffee, and my needlepoint for 30 min. I soak in the sun and fresh air before heading out for a 30 minute workout and 10n minute sauna. I usually finish with a banana or a green smoothie. That whole routine puts me in a great mood and sets me up for an intentional, energized day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Suze Yalof Schwartz, the founder and CEO of Unplug. Unplug started as a passion project and then turned into a global movement — the world’s first drop-in secular meditation studio and the Unplug App, which makes meditation simple, modern, and totally doable for busy people. We take the “woo-woo” out and bring the science, effectiveness, power, and inspiration in.

Before Unplug, I spent years in fashion as a makeover expert at Vogue, Elle, and Glamour — helping people look good on the outside while quietly feeling stressed and overwhelmed on the inside. Then one day, a three-minute meditation changed everything. Three minutes! It was like someone flipped a switch — I went from chaos to clarity. And that moment became the spark for what is now Unplug.

Our mission is to share the tools that help all of us be present, happy, aware, and grateful — instead of stressed, distracted, and anxious. Because when you change your inner world, everything else shifts.

The Unplug Meditation Teacher Training is a 40-day transformational program led by davidji and me, created to help people deepen their practice, find their voice, and confidently share meditation with the world. It’s also one of my favorite ways to connect with people on a deeper level who are as passionate about meditation as I am.

We also bring these same tools to businesses and organizations through our Unplug Corporate Program — helping teams reduce stress, boost focus, and build cultures grounded in positivity and presence.

I always say secondhand stress is real — but more importantly, so is secondhand peace. My mission in life is to ripple out that peace and show others how to find happiness in the present moment. Meditation is the healthiest thing you can do for your brain… and your brain controls your life.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I discovered that my breath—and the awareness of it—could change the way I feel, everything shifted. Realizing that I could actually choose the thoughts I allow in my mind was a total lightbulb moment.

Louise Hay once said, “Feelings are just thoughts, and thoughts can be changed.” I experienced that truth firsthand. The only way to really know what you’re thinking is to sit with yourself in silence. That’s when you start to notice your thoughts—and that’s how you begin to unsubscribe from the ones that no longer serve you and choose the ones that do.

That single realization changed the entire trajectory of my life. It led me to create Unplug, so others could discover how powerful it feels to take back control of their thoughts, emotions, and energy—and learn that peace is something you can actually choose.

Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I miss having people’s full attention—and not being accessible to everyone 24/7. I miss the gift of boredom, those moments when your mind could wander and real creativity would show up. I miss being 100% unplugged from the constant stream of news, notifications, and messages.

I actually try to Unplug one day a week, but I’d love even more time completely free from all digital devices… with one exception: the Unplug App. That’s the only kind of screen time I’m not giving up.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe that if you meditate for just two minutes a day, every day, your brain will change for the better. The science isn’t quite there yet—according to the famous Sara Lazar study at Harvard, it takes about 23 minutes of daily meditation for eight weeks to see measurable changes in the brain.

But I truly believe you can achieve those same benefits in less time—maybe even in 10 minutes a day. I’ve seen it happen again and again at Unplug. Consistency matters more than duration. Just a few intentional minutes every day can completely transform how you think, feel, and live.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I left the world better than I found it. That the ripple is real and had a measurable effect on world peace. That when people think of me, it makes them happy. That I helped people believe in themselves and find their true, authentic, unsabotaged selves. And that I loved deeply—my family, my friends, and even strangers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://unplug.com
• Instagram: @suzeyalofschwartz
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzeyalofschwartz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/syalof/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/unplug-meditation-los-angeles

Image Credits
suze yalof schwartz