May 21, 2024 • 47 mins
Siobhan and Gavin discuss various natural health and wellness practices, including Chaga mushroom, breathwork, and mindfulness. They emphasized the importance of prioritizing oneself through self-care practices for improved mental and physical well-being. They also discussed the role of intuition and inner voice in personal growth, and the significance of embracing one's unique path. Later, they touched on the interplay between perception and reality in various aspects of life, including business and personal growth. Finally, they shared their personal interests and experiences, including Gavin's love for onesies and meeting the Vice President of the United States.
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Siobhan (00:09):
Alright y'all. Hi.
Welcome to this week's episodeof ducking reality today. In the
pod studio. We have my friendGavin from Chaga.
Gavin (00:17):
Hello, how are you? I'm Gavin from the chaga. Company.
How are you doing? Cheban
Siobhan (00:21):
I'm doing well. How are you?
Gavin (00:22):
I'm great. Thanks. Thank you for having me over.
Siobhan (00:24):
You're welcome. We met actually, in the the random is
way we met twice in like a week.
That's true. From like,completely different worlds.
Yes. So I met you in SanFrancisco at the Bologna, which
is one of my favorite places.
Yes. Same here. And then I metyou with one of my favorite
people pa from Elia botanicals.
Gavin (00:43):
I mean, you know, universe.
Siobhan (00:46):
And now we've become really fast friends. And I love
it.
Gavin (00:48):
Well, thanks. Yeah. I love having as a friend, too.
Yeah.
Siobhan (00:51):
So you started the Chaga mushroom company in 2018.
Gavin (00:57):
I started a Chaga company in San Francisco in 2018. And I
found out about Chaga in 2016.
When I was doing a summer workadventure in Alaska. Yes, yes.
Before
Siobhan (01:08):
we get to that part, though, tell me a little bit Did
you about where you grew up andhow you came to San Francisco.
Gavin (01:13):
So I grew up, I was born and raised in the Philippines.
And my mom and dad areseparated. So I had a
opportunity to move to theUnited States when I was 15
years old. And I did and reallygot most of my adulthood and
where I for most of my networkand my character here in San
(01:34):
Francisco.
Siobhan (01:35):
Yeah, that explains a lot. Because you're just a full
like life, like vibrant personwho found like the joy in life
and you just spread it. Yes. AndI love that. Oh,
Gavin (01:48):
yeah, that's my message.
It's like, it's one of thosethings that I tried to meditate
a lot and contemplate on what Iwant to broadcast in life. And
they finally realized what Iwant to broadcast in life is
health and happiness. So Chagais one of the ways for me to
keep myself healthy that I foundin Alaska. And I'm passionate
about it. So I'm broadcasting toeveryone.
Siobhan (02:11):
And how did you get to Alaska? How did you find out
about Chaga? Like, how did theuniverse put that into your
orbit, so
Gavin (02:17):
I was there. So I went to Alaska, somebody offered me an
opportunity over there. And whenI went to Alaska over there for
our summer work adventures,somebody offered me to start a
coffee shop with them. WithChaga. I did start, it became a
success there, in a span of twoand a half months, actually span
(02:41):
of a year planning. And sixmonths of execution, me became
profitable, and open up a secondbranch. But the winter came in
Alaska, and I got reminded thatI'm a true San Franciscan. And I
left and I started the chocolatecompany here in 2018. With very
(03:02):
little money, I borrowed moneyfrom my mom, and started to
Chaga company and I sold that toMike illogical Society of San
Francisco in December 2018. AndI sold out and I figured, oh, my
goodness, let me start thebusiness. And I've been in
business for around. Wow, sevenyears now. Yeah, yeah, selling
(03:23):
Chaga for San Franciscans.
Siobhan (03:24):
So what are like the benefits of the Chaga mushroom.
So Chaga, we get
Gavin (03:29):
it in Alaska. And it's been used for quite some time,
actually. It has the highestamount of antioxidants, highest
amount of immune boostingproperties, adaptogens and so
many other amazing benefits. Itgives you a lot of energy,
clarity and focus. And it alsohas so high anti inflammatory
(03:53):
properties as I lost a lot of myinflammation, and a lot of a lot
of inflammation and toxins in mylife as I continue to use Chaga.
And I see the benefits of ithappening for myself. So I
figured might as well spread itto everybody else.
Siobhan (04:12):
I love that and I'm become obsessed with assaults.
Gavin (04:15):
Oh my solid Capital One.
Oh my god. So my Microsoft, it'sa good thing that I have friends
who are actually chefs in Napa.
Napa Valley farmers market is myfirst farmers market actually,
that I opened up the chagacompany and have developed
numerous relationship withfabulous chefs over there. And
(04:37):
one of them actually worked fora three Michelin star restaurant
in Napa. Yes. And during thepatent that make a couple of
them helped me develop my saltwhich contains two different
kinds of truffles and extractsof four different adaptogenic
mushrooms Chaga reishi, TurkeyTail and lion's mane and it's so
(04:57):
delicious as you know, becausehe uses Oh, my God. Yeah, so
just check it out. At the end.
Hopefully, we'll have like alittle snippet on where you can
look for my products and stuff.
Yeah. But it's delicious. But
Siobhan (05:11):
how did so how did you get like the confidence? So to
create this business like oreven go to Alaska and start,
like, you went to, you know, youcame to us when you were 15? And
then you went to like, did yougo to Alaska kind of on? They
were just like, I mean, I knowyou said play a year of
planning, but still like, tokind of pick up and move again.
Gavin (05:30):
Yeah, takes a lot. Um, you know, it's so funny. For me,
I'm all about intuition andopportunity, whatever my gut
tells me, and as a immigrantfrom the Philippines, living in
the peninsula in a city, DalyCity, should I say when amongst
a lot of other Filipinos, therewas an internalized pressure.
(05:51):
And for me to either become anurse or have like, some
professional degree to be anattorney and stuff like that.
That was never me. No, no, Itried that route, got me really
depressed, really stressed out,I, I, you know, and I'm like,
you only have one life might aswell live the life that I love
to live. And for me to try outnew things to find out what
(06:12):
makes me happy, what makes mehealthy on my own accord. And
instead of me living up to whatsociety wants, like me becoming
a lawyer, me becoming somethinglike that, that's not in my
heart. My heart is to pursuelife on how to be happy how to
be healthy. And whatever thatcomes into me whether from my
jewelry designed for my onesiedesigned, that makes me happy
(06:35):
and makes me fulfilled, and tothe things that I take, like
Chaga, that keeps me very, veryhealthy. I think those are
components that I couldbroadcast to the world and use
myself as a testing capabilityfor me to like, you know, figure
out what I truly want, and whatI could really voice out.
Siobhan (06:52):
That's gorgeous. And I love that. But did you ever have
moments of like, not trustingyour gut?
Gavin (06:58):
Oh, yeah, always, you know, it's all about that. Okay.
So, for me, your mind is alwaysin the way of your destiny. Yes.
Your mind is always in a wavefrom your perfect health. You
know, a perfect example to thisis that, up to this day,
(07:21):
scientists are still discoveringhow our body works for
millennia, but you know, whotruly knows how your body works,
is your body, nothing else. Ifyou leave your body to do its
job, it will do its most perfectway to get back for you to get
(07:42):
back into your perfect health.
Whereas if you put your mindinto it,
Siobhan (07:46):
it fucks everything up.
Gavin (07:49):
Because he wanted it, it's your your mind is forcing
your body to do somethingdifferent that it's not supposed
to do. And thus creatingresistance and your mind is now
generating stress from thatbecause it's not doing the way
you want your body to do it.
What what your mind percepts.
But if you let your body do whatit needs to do, and put it in
(08:10):
perfect health, I would let itbe because it has to do what it
has to do in order for it tothrive and survive. Right. And
it's your mind that alwaysmesses it up. In my opinion.
Siobhan (08:21):
I think I agree with that completely. Because in the
worst part is it's not evenalways your own voice in your
head. It's like somebody else'svoice. Yeah. And oftentimes,
it's actually someone else'svoice when you really stop and
like pay attention to it. Yeah.
It's like, wait, what? Were theyeven come up with that?
Gavin (08:37):
And where did you get it?
And why did you accept it? Whydid you put it in your
subconscious? Because you'recomfortable? Yeah, I'm putting
it into your subconscious. Yeah.
And the funny part about that,it's me realizing slowly that
these are like, pre programmedthings that are in my head. And
if I let things unfold, I couldsee it with better eyes. That's
(08:59):
what gives me more opportunityto pursue what I want in life.
Like find my joy, find myhappiness, find my health,
whatever that is, because youknow what, some people Chaga
might not be for them. But it'sfor me, right? It's also for a
lot of people that I help out ina monthly basis. You know, yeah,
and same thing with myhappiness, too. I finally
(09:19):
realized I cannot pleaseeveryone, but hopefully I could
change one life. And if I couldmake one other person happy and
healthy. Why not?
Siobhan (09:31):
Yeah, that's beautiful.
Unknown (09:33):
Thank you.
Siobhan (09:34):
I love it. I just yeah, it's I want more of that in the
world. Like more of you in theworld. Oh, thank you like,
because it is I think people getso caught up in the shooting on
themselves. Like I should bedoing this. I should be doing
that. I mean, I know I do ittoo. And then I get into like
this little thing where I canthen get anything done. Perfect
example
Gavin (09:54):
to this. I am always my target company is a small
business you In San Francisco,and it's been, it's been in
business for seven years, a lotof people are like, you're a
dinosaur. You're not making asmuch money as your competitors
and stuff like that. I'm alllike, I don't give a flying
fuck. You know why? Because thisis my destiny. This is the way I
(10:17):
want to live my life. And thisis the way I want to broadcast
in front into the world on who Iam and who my products are too,
as well. Every single time. Andif I should let go of the
integrity, and the quality of meand my products, just to scale
up, it's not worth it for me inthe end. Yeah. Yeah, cuz
Siobhan (10:39):
then it's not you. It's not, or it's a watered down
version of you. And
Gavin (10:43):
that that's one. Number two is that that time, the
effort, the energy to pretendthat I want it is so much
greater than me living my lifenow in my own capabilities, and
in my own highest self. It'slike, I don't want to magnify
something and scale up, just forme to say, Oh, I'm making X
(11:04):
amount of money. I'm okay rightnow. Yeah, yeah.
Siobhan (11:08):
It's about enjoying the experience. And
Gavin (11:11):
not yes, it's an enjoying and nourishing my journey.
That's why my taglines for myChaga company is nourish your
journey with Chaga. Because theway I look at it, we are all in
the journey. And the way if welet go even further and
surrender to the universe onwhat is good, and what truly is
automatic for us, it will shineand it will come through, like
(11:33):
on how we get our body it willautomatically put itself in
perfect health because it knowswhat to do. Not our mind. Right.
You know, if we let it just goto the path of least resistance
and put us in perfect health andperfect happiness. Why not?
Siobhan (11:50):
Yeah, if you think about when you're relaxed in
like your life, better things docome and when the bad shit
comes. You're almost okay withit. Yeah, like because you're
like, alright, this is there'sgot to be I'm not I'm not one of
those people that everythingalways happens for a reason. I
think most things happen for areason. Yeah. But anything in
the world is just random and itgets in stuff gets fucked up.
(12:11):
And oh, yeah, for no reason.
Yeah, you know, absolutely. We
Gavin (12:14):
have many challenges like that.
Siobhan (12:15):
Yeah, like, but even though you just went through a
big thing with the banks, andyou're still kind of in it.
Yeah. So I'm really into this,like David and Goliath kind of
thing. Yeah. So
Gavin (12:26):
what happened was, I got scammed. And the funny part
about it, it was a beautifulscam on their part, honestly,
because it's it, I thought itwas actually the bank that I've
worked with the city, which is avery big bank, right. And what
happened was, I thought theyweren't them. It was a
fraudulent department. Theywired in a lot of money. And
(12:46):
they did a mobile check depositinto my account, without me
knowing I'm wired out this alittle bit more throughout. But
within that same day, thusshutting down my my bank
account. And the worst partabout it is that there, I felt
like, I did not get a lot ofsupport from the big banks like
(13:07):
this as a small business.
Because I reported it twice. Ieven filed the police report and
everything. And I have notgotten anything, anything from
them. And now, I went a coupleof times to their branches, and
either I get directed to theirhead office by phone, and then
they would shut me down, or theydon't know what's going on. And
no case was filed. At the end.
(13:29):
They said they cannot help me.
And I have to go through a legalend or law enforcement, which I
have, right? Yeah. Well, it'sone of those things that you
just have to go through. That'sterrible,
Siobhan (13:40):
though. Yes. Because then your operating costs are
caught up and you're like tryingto survive a business when you
can't have a bank account.
Gavin (13:47):
Yes. So I have to reopen up a new bank account. But it
taught me a lot of lessons likeI need to have extra cash
reserves, I need to havefailsafe methods in order for me
to keep the business goingwithout really sacrificing
myself proper accountingcapabilities and make sure you
know. So all of these things arelessons for me to actually
(14:07):
improve to myself. And I knowthat I'm very happy that it's
going through right now at thispoint in my life that I have the
courage, the style, the grace,and the fortitude and integrity
to go through with this plus theresources for me as a small
business to get legal help fromthe city of San Francisco or the
(14:28):
league, the legal counsel forcivil rights to as well. That
gives me pro bono andfacilities. I also approached
the Federal Trade Commission andfiled a case against them. But
all of these are processes thatI'm learning in order for me to
get my money back. So hopefully,not only I get the lesson, but
at the same time yeah, my moneyback
Siobhan (14:48):
and it'll make you like you said it's teaching you so
much. It'll make you a betterbusiness person in the long run.
Gavin (14:53):
Exactly. So I'm looking at this as his lesson in life
because I rather have this withit was it In a sense, it was my
stupidity. But at the same time,because there were some fail
safes that did not, I did notknow or did not do my due
diligence on in which I gotscammed, right. But at the same
(15:15):
time now I know. And now I'mgoing to take these actions
moving forward. And I feel likelife is a lesson and life
doesn't have to end or change.
Because of this, it can changedefinitely for the better,
right?
Siobhan (15:26):
But because I think you go from it with that attitude of
like, well, let me figure outwhat I learned and stuff. It
doesn't destroy you. It justmakes you stronger. Yes. Because
I don't know if I got scammedlike that. And my business was
like, you know, on the brink, Idon't know, if I would have
gotten my shit together enoughto keep going, you know, like, I
would like to think I would. Butyou know what I mean? I can also
(15:48):
see someone being like, alright,nuts, it's too hard. Now. Yeah,
there's hours of phone calls,and emails. And please report
like you're jumping through hoopafter hoop and spending hours of
this time on this when youshould be doing other business
that you know exactly thatstress to that is just when
money is involved, it's adifferent Oh, yeah.
Gavin (16:07):
When your whole livelihood is involved, and
money is involved, and they'renot helping you because they
don't know what to do, becausethey don't have proper
protocols. On this is happeningone, number two, it's just like
they tell you to go tophysically to their offices. And
then when you speak to somebodyover there, they don't even know
nor is it's just the way I lookat it. Even though if you feel
(16:30):
like you're going through abrick wall, you still have a
way, just always look outsidethe box, and you have the
capabilities and the courage toactually go through it. That's
why for me, breathing is really,really, really, really, really
important. I cannot stress howbreathing is so important
because that can relax yournervous system and make you
(16:53):
think differently, and how toapproach a different perspective
because you are conscious on howto deal with your stress. And
you know, if you're in astressful situation, on the rate
that you're breathing, the wayyou're thinking and the way your
heart feels. But if you canregulate all of that, and relax
down and de stress, you willdefinitely find a different
(17:14):
perspective, or a different wayfor you to attack the same
problem.
Siobhan (17:19):
Right? Yeah. How long have you been a breathwork?
Coach now,
Gavin (17:22):
so I've been doing I got certified in Maui. And it was a
wonderful, wonderful experience.
I
Siobhan (17:31):
love that in Maui.
Gavin (17:37):
I was in Maui and my best friend was there it was his
pros, bachelor party. Rightacross from it just happens to
be a fabulous retreat center. Idid hula and breathwork.
Incorporating both of those. AndI'm very pleased that I'm doing
it at the banya twice a week ortwice a month. Twice
Siobhan (17:56):
a month. Well, yeah, maybe too busy for twice a week.
Twice
Gavin (18:00):
a month for good. And, and but anyways, they're lovely
addition. Thank you, thank you.
I love being there. But mybreath work is more focus on
your resting breath, more foryou to relax more for you to be
centered and be present. There'sdifferent kinds of breathwork
style. There's Holotropic. Anddefinitely check that out. My
(18:20):
friend Michael barrios and Steve23 Has it at new mission yoga,
Siobhan (18:26):
oh, yes,
Gavin (18:26):
that's the one that's just like Awaken Your like
childhood paths. And like, let'scycle through all of these
things and read all of this,releasing traumatic experiences.
Siobhan (18:36):
I'm gonna try it, but it makes me like, very self
conscious,
Gavin (18:39):
don't do it. Everybody has their own journey over
there. Somebody might bescreaming, somebody might get
naked and whatever. But you knowwhat, you're too busy dealing
your own shit. Yeah, yeah. Soplease go and then the
collection of people over therebecause you attune to the same
frequency. So you feel likeyou're, you're when you're going
through these traumaticexperiences. There are other
(19:02):
people around you who's goingthrough with it, but in
different ways and their ownway. So it as much as they're
doing it independently, thatcollective thing really will
foster you to go deeper becauseyou know that you're in the same
space.
Siobhan (19:15):
Right? That would make sense. So that's somatic.
breathwork.
Gavin (19:18):
I'm very different because people will slip at the
body. And if I do pass out, youknow, again, you know, nobody's
gonna be boiled alive overthere. Thank you.
Siobhan (19:30):
Thank you.
Gavin (19:31):
So I do a relaxing breath work. It teaches so I do up
usually four or five differentmethods on youth for you to
actually have a better bodyexperience. So I do a resting
breath, which you breathe intothe nose and out through the
nose. That should be what you'redoing every single day. Not
(19:51):
through your mouth. No, no, no,you eat with it, and you yell
talk, blah, blah, blah. Into thenose and out the nose. Nothing
else. That's me. Serving butyour diaphragm, yes, yeah. So
make a conscious effort to dothat. And then so I also do
golden thread box breathwork,which is like developed by Navy
SEALs in order for them to getfocused and then reset their
(20:11):
nervous system. So I do that. Soit's really nice because I'm
timing it. For example, I do the631 every first Thursday of the
month, I timed it right beforearomatherapy at seven. So
there's like a 25 minute banyatea breathwork and teaches you
how to like, you know, relaxdeeper and stuff like that.
Because a lot of people whenthey're not as relaxed when they
go into the body for aromatherapy session after like, it's
(20:35):
usually two or three roundsafter like one and a half.
They're like piecing out youknow, so they're not really
maximizing the full bodyexperience. So I love the whole
segue of breathwork but chagatea them bond. Yeah,
Siobhan (20:46):
yeah. Beautiful. Oh, thank you. Thank you try to make
it every time I can. Yeah,
Gavin (20:50):
please come except for like men's dye, which happens
third Tuesday of the night.
Right. Right. And I do that at8pm. Because they open up at
six,
Siobhan (20:59):
six o'clock. Yeah, that way people have time to get
there and get settled in.
Exactly. It's amazing. Like, Iam a breath holder. Uh huh. And
I didn't realize it for thelongest time. And like I, I
always joke like, I don't evenknow how to breathe. Because
like, like, I don't I know. Idon't breathe properly. Yeah,
like, and I you, we were doingbreath work. And you're like,
No, no, in your diaphragm. I'mlike, where's my diaphragm?
Gavin (21:23):
It's so funny, because I was so happy to do this in the
banya. Because there's a lot ofpeople over there who's looking
to relax anyways. Yeah. And it'sthe perfect combination. So I
have a lot of people who, whoare, for example, in the tech
industry, or in the financeindustry, or medical industry,
they usually go to the barn.
Yeah. And then they're like, Oh,my God, we never thought we
should be breathing this way.
(21:45):
And I could totally see thewhole difference. Because how
you breathe in, through yourdiaphragm, really feels like
there's so many tensions andstressors that you actually have
down there that you can releaseconsciously, right and get rid
of it right now. Yeah. You know,so I'm doing this whole, like
Chaga life breathwork series atthe banya. And I'm also offering
(22:06):
it for corporate events to aswell. So it's one of those
things to make peopleproductive. And at the same
time, it doesn't cost themanything. It doesn't cost them
new gym equipment or whatever.
And you don't have to subscribeto breathe. Unless you want to
subscribe to my breathingtechnique. Come on down. Yes.
Siobhan (22:24):
Because you start your day with a morning mantra that
you share with me.
Gavin (22:27):
I do so I do have a morning mantra every day. It's
philosophies from differentBuddha's most likely, most of
them are from Daisaku Ikeda. Andit's about dealing with
difficulties education andLightman, empowerment,
diversity, health, good andevil, so many different themes
(22:47):
that I do every day. So it'spart of my discipline and my
practice, as a Buddhist that Ichant and meditate every day, do
a body scan, make sure, and aloving kindness meditation plus
my module of the day, so ittakes like around 30 minutes,
but it seriously sets off yourwhole day. Yeah.
Siobhan (23:04):
And that explains why you're so happy. It's because
you're grounding and startingyour day from like a positive
place.
Gavin (23:09):
Let me put it this way.
Because the way I look at itwhen you wake up, and you
communicate with everybody else,you're not giving yourself time
for yourself. And if youprioritize yourself by feeding
your soul and your lifeforcewith for yourself, whether it be
chanting, meditating, eating,drinking, whatever that makes
you super happy. You already wonthe whole day. Yeah. Because you
(23:31):
already gave something toyourself. Everything else you
can give to everyone else.
Siobhan (23:40):
And that's yeah, and somehow, like we lost it as a
society to like, do these thingswe just
Gavin (23:47):
got busy. So busy, so busy, but busy. Oh, it's so nice
to just look as Doom scroll,right? But if I were you, when
you wake up, look at yourself inthe mirror, say something nice
to yourself, say you know,whatever. For me. My morning
methods is I usually chant forlike 10 to 15 minutes, lie down
(24:10):
in my chi machine for another 15minutes. What's
Siobhan (24:12):
a tea machine?
Gavin (24:13):
Oh, my goodness. It's like this thing that you lie
down on and then you put yourankles and then it makes you
feel like a fish going upstream.
So it's a robic exercise thatreleases all of the tension on
your legs, on your hips and onyour sciatic nerve. And so you
have like a little bit oftraction and then it like you
swim like a fish. And then youjust lie down. So that's what I
(24:34):
do with attraction, my neck, andthen after that the flow of
energy balances you. So that'show I start my day. That sounds
amazing. So meditating,chanting, writing on a journal,
my goals of what I wanted, theyand be appreciative that you're
still breathing. Yeah, that'skey.
Siobhan (24:53):
How long have you been a Buddhist for a long time? Were
you raised as a Buddhist?
Gavin (24:57):
I was raised as a cat.
Look Baptists pseudo Buddhistsin the Philippines is just like
I was in many religions. But Ichose Buddhism. Because it came
to me. A dear friend of mine,Steven McDonald introduced me to
the SGI Buddhist. And it's allit's the same Buddhist practice,
(25:18):
as with Tina Turner know how shegot rid of my Mister i Yeah,
that's what she said. You couldGoogle that. But Larry King, she
says all of that. And it's allabout chanting for you to find
the courage within yourself. Tolive at your utmost potential.
(25:39):
There is no one else in theworld, or in the universe that
will change your life. Butyourself. And this will our mu
to give you the tools for you toturn medicine plays into
medicine, or how to change yourlife completely.
Siobhan (25:59):
That's, yeah, I need to look into that some more.
Gavin (26:02):
Yeah, please. And it's like the way we look at it.
There's like 10 realms anywherefrom hell to heaven. And you can
and that's perception. Oh,absolutely. Right. Yeah. Because
you can be in hell you can be inheaven. It's like you pick up
anywhere in between starvation.
So it's fulfill, you know, myBuddhist practice, and it helps
(26:23):
me look at everything inHeaven's perspective. Or up to
there. We always strive to beenlightened. Right? Yeah. But
these are tools for me to lookat the better things in life.
Siobhan (26:41):
Yeah, I love that.
Unknown (26:43):
Thank you. Yeah.
Because
Siobhan (26:44):
I really think your perception is your reality.
Right? And you can change yourperception at any time. It's,
and I think most people getcaught up in not realizing the
power that they have to changetheir perception.
Gavin (26:56):
It's so funny. I have to tell you a quote. There is this
glamorous woman in thePhilippines. And she's the first
lady and she was the dictators.
She is the dictator's wife. Hername is Imelda Marcos. Okay? And
you know what she said?
Perception is real, but truth isnot. Fuck yeah. Wow. Mad props
(27:30):
to that woman because she putnot only her husband. When he
called this, I think that theyrain for 30 years. And then they
got out it in a revolution. Oh,and then she's back now.
Siobhan (27:48):
The president. She was like, oh, no, you're not kicking
me out.
Gavin (27:53):
Perception is real.
Unknown (27:59):
Yeah. Right. And kind of rocked my world
Siobhan (28:07):
is like, yeah, because what is the truth? Right. It's
what you believe. It's what youbelieve. And as we know, right,
especially in the world rightnow, like people make up their
own truth all the time.
Absolutely. People are making uptheir own facts now.
Unknown (28:26):
I'll turn it to them. I love that. Like,
Siobhan (28:28):
ya know the truth.
Yeah. Perception is real truthis not
Unknown (28:36):
Imelda Marcos.
Siobhan (28:37):
Yeah. Oh, I need to learn more about her.
Gavin (28:40):
Watch the kingmaker on Amazon.
Unknown (28:42):
Okay. Trip Yeah. Dang.
Siobhan (28:50):
Wow. That's so true.
It's just that is kinda likeit's just a simple little saying
that holds so much. Truth. Yeah,well,
Unknown (29:01):
for that matter,
Siobhan (29:02):
that's the way to say that. I'm like, the way that our
we're connected to our wordsjust that little phrase changes
so much. Yeah. Luck. Yeah, cuzyou're, yeah.
Unknown (29:16):
Wow. Yeah.
Siobhan (29:19):
So one of the other things that in your reality that
I love about you, and I want toknow that how you got into it is
your fashionbecause you are fabulous and you
your fashion is on point, butit's always catered around once
onesies. Oh, my God. Oh,
Gavin (29:42):
do you want it? No, I do.
I started my onesie. Obsession.
Yes. This was Las Vegas. 2015.
Siobhan (29:54):
So almost 2019 20
Gavin (29:57):
years ago, almost 20 years ago. I did this whole
onesie thing. And I had a rugbymate of mine who I played for
the Sin City Irish rugby team.
His name is Paul sheets and he'sa Black Hawk helicopter pilot.
Siobhan (30:13):
Sexy.
Gavin (30:14):
His name is I think I remember his like, his, his name
name, his callsign callsign isdirty sheets. So he's like, Hey,
Gavin, do you want to come overand check out our Blackhawk
helicopter? Air Force Base onTravis? I'm all like,
Unknown (30:37):
yeah.
Gavin (30:40):
Yes, please. And then so I went in, went into the
Blackhawk helicopter bar, and atthe end, he gave me one of his
flights.
Unknown (30:49):
Awesome. Like a real?
And I still have it. Good. I
Gavin (30:54):
hope so. And I yeah, he took out all like the banners
and everything for like a case.
I don't know maybe intelligencereasons. But yeah, he gave that
to me. And then I, because Iwanted to be Jennifer Lopez in
drag for Jenny in the block. Andshe was wearing a sudo
(31:14):
flightsuit cargo thing withheels on. So I need to get that
shit happening. So I did that.
And then from then on out.
That's where my onesie obsessionhappened. And then my dear
friend, Lisa Simpson, she wasliving in Vegas at this time.
She made me five onesies. Andone of them I'm wearing right
(31:36):
now. Oh, and the original onesince 2016. Wow. Yes, my narwhal
onesie. This is the first oneactually the absolute number
one. This one she made. She mademe. And her name is Lisa
Simpson. And she was the costumedesigner for love at Cirque du
Soleil. Oh, awesome. Yeah. Sofrom then on, the universe has
(31:57):
been so gracious to me that I'vebeen getting either onesies and
stuff like that, and I decidedthat I should not have anything
else but onesies. And one blacksuit when mandated to carry a
coffin. And they told me like,we shouldn't be wearing a black
suit. I'm like, fine. That's it.
(32:19):
I have a onesie for everyoccasion. Yes, I do onesie of
the days. It's on my Instagramcalled G number one letter Z.
Just type it in. I pop out withmy onesies. And I design onesies
and I'm going to be coming outwith a capsule collection at the
end of the year.
Siobhan (32:36):
Amazing. Just
Gavin (32:37):
for kicks. That's to make people happy and healthy.
Because we were
Siobhan (32:41):
out we were thrift shopping a couple of weeks ago
and we found an amazingseamstress and you were like, I
actually had some great stuff inthat.
Gavin (32:49):
Oh my god. So I did not tell you when I went to treasure
fest last. Like the end of themonth I saw Chaga there. I found
this lady who I bought an Indianquilt for that. I'm gonna take
to Guerneville next week andhave that seamstress make me
into a onesie.
Siobhan (33:06):
Oh, awesome.
Gavin (33:08):
I can't wait to see it.
Okay. Domino dye for do you have
Siobhan (33:12):
casual onesies? You have dress onesies. You have
warm ones. It's like I love it.
Yeah,
Gavin (33:17):
I have literally every Wednesday for every occasion
when I met the vice president. Ihad a onesie for a second
Siobhan (33:23):
when you met the Vice President. Yes. Like of the
country? Yes. How did you meetthe vice president?
Gavin (33:29):
He complement the ones that she complements. Yes. She
just stared. Kind of like,headlights. I love I'm like,
Girl, I got you.
Siobhan (33:40):
I need to see what that one's look like.
Gavin (33:42):
Oh my god. That's phenomenal. Yeah. Oh, yeah. But
anyways, it's it's pinstripe.
black and silver. Nice.
Gorgeous. It's very tastefullydone. It's made by Lola of San
Francisco in the valley. I gottarepresent. You know, it's just
like, if I'm gonna meet the VicePresident of the United States.
I better be wearing an Americanmade onesie. Because I have
(34:02):
American made ones one here inSan Francisco. I have a
seamstress Lola. And then I'mgonna have one in Greenville.
And then my dearest one, my oneof my dearest Lola's is so dear
to me to her name is Marina.
She's 83 years old. Oh,
Unknown (34:17):
amazing. She's still sewing for me. Oh, yes.
Gavin (34:22):
Oh my god. She is great.
I love her to death. And she didTina Turner's Madmax dress.
Siobhan (34:28):
Oh my god. Yeah. That's one hell of a seems just to have
in your pocket.
Gavin (34:33):
I know. And I'm all like, I'm buying every fabric that I
want because I don't know whenshe's gonna add something. Yeah,
right.
Siobhan (34:42):
I'm trying to get as many as you can. I'm
Unknown (34:44):
plugging it in. So if you guys want to pre orders made
by her, let me know.
It's Desmond's Castle extrathough.
Gavin (34:54):
Yeah, you guys don't know when she's gonna retire from
Sally. You know, making myonesie so like No, yeah, yeah,
it's amazing. And I met gottamake sure it's like a crotch
issue and I have so many onesiescrotch problem was gone. Oh,
Siobhan (35:10):
what was the crouch problem?
Gavin (35:12):
You know some people crutches.
Unknown (35:14):
Oh yeah.
Gavin (35:16):
Some people are blessed and some people are not.
Siobhan (35:19):
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I wouldn't have thought of that.
Well, I don't really have thatproblem.
Gavin (35:25):
No, no, I could change them and solve that problem for
you guys so can I just say Ilove
Siobhan (35:32):
it. Yeah so the end of the year your collection. Oh
wait but how did you meetCamilla?
Gavin (35:37):
Oh come Allah Hi Iris I met her through my dear friend
Kay. Yeah, so I was asking herto hang out and she's like, Oh
yeah, you know I got invited tomeet the vice president. Give me
your information to make sure wecould forward this he could
service your my date. I'm like,but
Siobhan (35:56):
oh yeah, cuz you have to get a background check. Yeah,
you can and then, and then
Gavin (36:00):
I went to I saw immediately I called Little Love
San Francisco. I'm like, girl. Ineed help. It's like, I felt
like Cinderella. They made thatthing that one's in. It's
phenomenal.
Siobhan (36:11):
I can't wait to see that. I will post a picture to
it to go with this episode. Ohmy gosh, I'm still so full from
our lunch. We had an amazinglunch. I almost said hotpot. We
did.
Gavin (36:30):
Oh my god. Do you still have like, food in your brain? A
little? Take Chaga
Siobhan (36:37):
Oh, yeah, the chocolate chocolate would be good. Yeah, I
Gavin (36:40):
have always. We'll get some later for sure.
Siobhan (36:45):
I don't because we have an exciting night plan tonight.
We're gonna be yes. Fall
Gavin (36:54):
very far. So I took Cheban over here to my favorite.
One of my 10 favoriterestaurants in the Bay Area
called tasties theme kitchen
Siobhan (37:07):
in Oakland and Oakland.
And they have a reverse seam. Ithink the reverse steam pot is
still on my brain because I'venever seen that. Well. We're
Gavin (37:14):
gonna get one soon. I should bring PA and all of us
should do that. Because first ofall, I had oysters Zilla? Yes.
That's like if you're a sizequeen for oysters. This one is
past eight inches.
Siobhan (37:27):
Yeah. I have never seen an oyster that big. So I'm from
New England. Like yeah, you
Gavin (37:32):
guys have tiny oysters and then we had what boba tea?
Yes. And then Oh American Wagyubeef.
Siobhan (37:46):
It was delicious. Lamb Yep. Primary I met lobster.
Gavin (37:52):
Dumplings with fish eggs inside? Yes.
Unknown (37:54):
Tons of mushrooms.
Siobhan (37:56):
Oh yes. Mushrooms were delicious.
Gavin (37:58):
And there was like $30 Each all you can eat Yeah,
Siobhan (38:01):
we had two rounds of so much and they have robots and
gifts
Gavin (38:05):
aside I
Siobhan (38:07):
was trolling us we
Gavin (38:09):
were the only judging us for eating they're like oh my
God, look I have to serve thesefat kitties yet again.
Siobhan (38:16):
It kept coming by us with even the to go orders and
it we'll just pause at our tablefor a minute and then
Gavin (38:20):
the eye thing is like the night writer just move one side
and then look at us and thencontinue toiling away like
carting itself away.
Siobhan (38:29):
Well, it was like whistling whistling where Yeah,
please. You're
Gavin (38:34):
standing in my way. We're like we're eating here.
Siobhan (38:36):
We're not even here.
You I have to go deliver thisnow. Yeah,
Gavin (38:40):
I have to go deliver this now stop staring at me. And then
I'm gonna log in with a side eyeand go at you actually.
Siobhan (38:47):
Yes. I wasn't sure if it was flirting with me. You're
gonna fight me.
Gavin (38:51):
I think it's neither arms or legs. As we just get it
through its trays. Its AI isthrow things at you. Just got to
start beeping at you all daylong.
Siobhan (39:05):
If you work there, you must hear that whistling in your
sleep.
Gavin (39:08):
I think you're already habit in the subconscious. But
another place that I love goingto after being fat kitty over
there is the Yas Imperial healthspa with foot reflexology. I
Unknown (39:24):
love VT. Do you I
Siobhan (39:26):
used to hate feet.
Gavin (39:27):
Here's my thing would feet feet or like, people tell
me that I have a foot fetish?
I'm like, Yes, I do. And theyasked me why I'm like dude, the
best way for me to notnecessarily to determine a
person hygiene is looking attheir feet. First thing that's
teeth and feet. If they haveclean teeth, I don't care if
(39:48):
they're like they have braces,dentures or whatever. They don't
have, you know stuff on theirteeth or like crawly things in
their teeth. One and they havegrow don't crawly things or lie
You know, like, like fungus andstuff fungus among us in between
their toes. I'm good. Yeah, Isell fungus. I know what's up.
And that's how the fungus thathas adaptogens no
(40:16):
so yes, I have a teeth and footfetish.
Siobhan (40:22):
I love reflexology. I mean, yeah, but my feet are
Tickler. So I always have to belike,
Gavin (40:28):
Oh, just go it will go build past it. You know yet
again, your, your situation.
Your your, your tickling part isjust part of your mind. If you
cancel it, you're fine.
Siobhan (40:39):
Yeah, the little box breathing box breathing in.
Gavin (40:45):
And out, hold in, hold out, hold in, hold out. Hold. So
yes, that's my box. Breathe.
Siobhan (40:51):
When you do box breathing. It's all through your
nose also, right? Yes. Okay,
Gavin (40:55):
so you can do both into the nose out through the mouth.
But the thing is that the mosteffective one is into the nose
out through the nose. So weshould always be breathing.
Exactly. And use your diaphragm.
Not your neck, not your jaw, notyour ears, not your forehead,
nose and diaphragm. That's whatthey're made for.
Siobhan (41:11):
You use your ears for breathing. Oh, they do? They do?
Yeah.
Gavin (41:15):
Because I think there's some people they stressed here
and then they're, you'restressed out. And then this
stress is you know, like, oryou're trying to force things
with your back. No, it's nothingshould be working here. Only
here. Yeah.
Siobhan (41:29):
I had a dude one time when we were like laying in bed
and I was breathing and he waslike, and I was all belly
breathing. And he was just like,you breathe weird. And I was
like, I don't like it. I'm like,That's how you're supposed to
breathe. Ah, well. Oh, yeah,cuz, right when you Yeah, you're
engaging your diaphragm. It'skind of like you're engaging
(41:51):
your belly. Nice.
Gavin (41:52):
Tell him to have you breathe weird. Are you
breathing? Hello.
Siobhan (41:59):
It's also just a weird like,
Gavin (42:01):
thing to say. Yeah, I'm into it. You breathe. You show
me. Show me. Show me those feetfirst. Yeah, she sent me those
teeth and feet.
Siobhan (42:11):
So you've, I love that you have lists of things?
Because you said this is one ofyour 10 favorite restaurants?
Yes. Do you? Are you alwaysthinking about work and how to
Gavin (42:22):
always Yeah, I'm so passionate about Chaga I'm so
passionate doesn't feel likework. Does it know God though?
Like, I was going to Malaya tosee friends and party for the
next four hours while I sellmushrooms and make people happy
and healthy.
Siobhan (42:36):
How often does that someone asked you if the
mushrooms that you sell aremagical. Suicide.
Gavin (42:41):
I always say that it's magical on my terms. Oh, I like
that. Yeah. It's like howmagical Do you want it to be?
Right?
Siobhan (42:48):
But do people do you think you people are hesitant to
like come over? Because it'smushrooms? No, not
Gavin (42:55):
anymore. It used to be seven years I'm doing been doing
this. They're more approachablenow. And it's getting more
fashionable, right? But at thesame time, just eat my because
mine is delicious. And it's andit's life everlasting.
Siobhan (43:09):
It's American mushroom.
Gavin (43:10):
Sure is. From San Francisco. Yeah, that's what
called the fog and everything.
Fabulous.
Siobhan (43:19):
But, yeah, so have you Did you run into a lot of
problems with like your bankingand stuff the way cannabis
companies do? Or? Yes,
Gavin (43:28):
at first, actually seven years ago, QuickBooks told
taught that based upon my healthclaims that you know,
antioxidants they are presentingto be a risk like CBD or
marijuana because it's a fungus.
I'm on like, FDA considers Chagaas food. They don't care. And so
I have to switch accountingsoftware's to like, zero, and
(43:50):
then we're cool right now. Andnow it's just like, oh, yeah,
QuickBooks wants to
Siobhan (43:57):
know things. Yeah.
After getting
Gavin (44:00):
through all my transactions, and then canceling
it, and rich, refunding all ofmy accounts receivables and
payables. It's so embarrassing,right.
Siobhan (44:11):
And it's Wow. So just as a small business like that
the amount of like hurdles thatyou've come over and still in
business seven years later, andgrowing. Yes. Like you are
really growing? Yes. And it'samazing. Well, thank
Gavin (44:24):
you. Thank you. Yeah, it's fun. It's a good journey.
At the end of the day, it's myjourney. It's how I want my
business to happen. And the moreauthentic I get, the more
successful My business is. Andthe way I look at it, I have to
focus within myself because I ammy business and I am what I'm
broadcasting. And if I stay trueto my message of providing
health and happiness to people,I think I'm
Siobhan (44:44):
good. Yeah, I think that's beautiful. Thank you. You
tell us so much today aboutbreathing and food and mushroom.
Gavin (44:54):
Well come on down. You got to experience me and all my
childhood self. I have all of myins. So Social media after this
and stuff like that, just comeand follow me and join my Chaga
chat newsletter and my mantrasof the day. Sounds
Siobhan (45:07):
good. You can find Gavin at the chaga. CO Yes. And
everything on that will link toall the socials and perfect. And
remember,
Gavin (45:15):
it's like I always say that always approach everyone
with love, kindness, style andgrace, because we have we have
that with all within ourselves.
We do.
Siobhan (45:22):
And I really like that's all I want to do is put
good out in the world. Andthat's probably why we found
each other. Yeah, because we'reboth trying to put it out in the
world and get people toremember, like, stop, take a
breath. Maybe it's not sopersonal. Maybe that person's
having a bad day. Maybe you'rehaving a bad day,
Gavin (45:37):
maybe you're definitely having a bad day. Here's the
thing. It's just like, yourworld you built. Yeah, you put
things in there. And you havethe capabilities of putting it
out there. And you put things inthere because your subconscious
thinks that you're comfortablewith it. Yeah.
Siobhan (45:52):
That's it. And being uncomfortable is actually kind
of fun sometimes. Absolutely.
It's hard. And it's not like,Yeah,
Gavin (45:58):
but if you look at it in a different perspective, yeah.
Remember perception
Siobhan (46:06):
that that comment, that quote was gonna haunt me tonight
and just be like, you know,because perception is, is real,
but the truth is, no, that is sofucking true. Yeah, but you do.
And you're right. You're the onethat creates your stuff. So if
(46:26):
there's stuff in your life thatyou don't like, it's okay to get
rid of it. Yes. And I thinksometimes we get so scared of
getting rid of things becausethe unknown is scary. Yeah, but
it shouldn't. But it could alsobe exciting.
Gavin (46:37):
But there's no point because here's the thing, if
that is not serving you, andyou're still keeping it, it is
definitely not serving you.
Right,
Siobhan (46:44):
and it's causing you more stress and it's making you
unhealthy. Yeah, it makes younot want to do anything which
makes you stay in that cycle.
Get off that cycle. Yeah, be alittle weird. Be a little out
there. Like just be yourself.
Gavin (46:55):
Yeah. The world would love you even more. Yeah.
Siobhan (46:58):
All right. Yeah. Well, we're gonna end on that happy
positive note because we'regonna go party with Melania. And
thank you for joining us, Gavin.
Thanks. Alright, y'all, we loveyou and go find yourself some
joy today.
Alright y'all. Hi.
Welcome to this week's episodeof ducking reality today. In the
pod studio. We have my friendGavin from Chaga.
Gavin (00:17):
Hello, how are you? I'm Gavin from the chaga. Company.
How are you doing? Cheban
Siobhan (00:21):
I'm doing well. How are you?
Gavin (00:22):
I'm great. Thanks. Thank you for having me over.
Siobhan (00:24):
You're welcome. We met actually, in the the random is
way we met twice in like a week.
That's true. From like,completely different worlds.
Yes. So I met you in SanFrancisco at the Bologna, which
is one of my favorite places.
Yes. Same here. And then I metyou with one of my favorite
people pa from Elia botanicals.
Gavin (00:43):
I mean, you know, universe.
Siobhan (00:46):
And now we've become really fast friends. And I love
it.
Gavin (00:48):
Well, thanks. Yeah. I love having as a friend, too.
Yeah.
Siobhan (00:51):
So you started the Chaga mushroom company in 2018.
Gavin (00:57):
I started a Chaga company in San Francisco in 2018. And I
found out about Chaga in 2016.
When I was doing a summer workadventure in Alaska. Yes, yes.
Before
Siobhan (01:08):
we get to that part, though, tell me a little bit Did
you about where you grew up andhow you came to San Francisco.
Gavin (01:13):
So I grew up, I was born and raised in the Philippines.
And my mom and dad areseparated. So I had a
opportunity to move to theUnited States when I was 15
years old. And I did and reallygot most of my adulthood and
where I for most of my networkand my character here in San
(01:34):
Francisco.
Siobhan (01:35):
Yeah, that explains a lot. Because you're just a full
like life, like vibrant personwho found like the joy in life
and you just spread it. Yes. AndI love that. Oh,
Gavin (01:48):
yeah, that's my message.
It's like, it's one of thosethings that I tried to meditate
a lot and contemplate on what Iwant to broadcast in life. And
they finally realized what Iwant to broadcast in life is
health and happiness. So Chagais one of the ways for me to
keep myself healthy that I foundin Alaska. And I'm passionate
about it. So I'm broadcasting toeveryone.
Siobhan (02:11):
And how did you get to Alaska? How did you find out
about Chaga? Like, how did theuniverse put that into your
orbit, so
Gavin (02:17):
I was there. So I went to Alaska, somebody offered me an
opportunity over there. And whenI went to Alaska over there for
our summer work adventures,somebody offered me to start a
coffee shop with them. WithChaga. I did start, it became a
success there, in a span of twoand a half months, actually span
(02:41):
of a year planning. And sixmonths of execution, me became
profitable, and open up a secondbranch. But the winter came in
Alaska, and I got reminded thatI'm a true San Franciscan. And I
left and I started the chocolatecompany here in 2018. With very
(03:02):
little money, I borrowed moneyfrom my mom, and started to
Chaga company and I sold that toMike illogical Society of San
Francisco in December 2018. AndI sold out and I figured, oh, my
goodness, let me start thebusiness. And I've been in
business for around. Wow, sevenyears now. Yeah, yeah, selling
(03:23):
Chaga for San Franciscans.
Siobhan (03:24):
So what are like the benefits of the Chaga mushroom.
So Chaga, we get
Gavin (03:29):
it in Alaska. And it's been used for quite some time,
actually. It has the highestamount of antioxidants, highest
amount of immune boostingproperties, adaptogens and so
many other amazing benefits. Itgives you a lot of energy,
clarity and focus. And it alsohas so high anti inflammatory
(03:53):
properties as I lost a lot of myinflammation, and a lot of a lot
of inflammation and toxins in mylife as I continue to use Chaga.
And I see the benefits of ithappening for myself. So I
figured might as well spread itto everybody else.
Siobhan (04:12):
I love that and I'm become obsessed with assaults.
Gavin (04:15):
Oh my solid Capital One.
Oh my god. So my Microsoft, it'sa good thing that I have friends
who are actually chefs in Napa.
Napa Valley farmers market is myfirst farmers market actually,
that I opened up the chagacompany and have developed
numerous relationship withfabulous chefs over there. And
(04:37):
one of them actually worked fora three Michelin star restaurant
in Napa. Yes. And during thepatent that make a couple of
them helped me develop my saltwhich contains two different
kinds of truffles and extractsof four different adaptogenic
mushrooms Chaga reishi, TurkeyTail and lion's mane and it's so
(04:57):
delicious as you know, becausehe uses Oh, my God. Yeah, so
just check it out. At the end.
Hopefully, we'll have like alittle snippet on where you can
look for my products and stuff.
Yeah. But it's delicious. But
Siobhan (05:11):
how did so how did you get like the confidence? So to
create this business like oreven go to Alaska and start,
like, you went to, you know, youcame to us when you were 15? And
then you went to like, did yougo to Alaska kind of on? They
were just like, I mean, I knowyou said play a year of
planning, but still like, tokind of pick up and move again.
Gavin (05:30):
Yeah, takes a lot. Um, you know, it's so funny. For me,
I'm all about intuition andopportunity, whatever my gut
tells me, and as a immigrantfrom the Philippines, living in
the peninsula in a city, DalyCity, should I say when amongst
a lot of other Filipinos, therewas an internalized pressure.
(05:51):
And for me to either become anurse or have like, some
professional degree to be anattorney and stuff like that.
That was never me. No, no, Itried that route, got me really
depressed, really stressed out,I, I, you know, and I'm like,
you only have one life might aswell live the life that I love
to live. And for me to try outnew things to find out what
(06:12):
makes me happy, what makes mehealthy on my own accord. And
instead of me living up to whatsociety wants, like me becoming
a lawyer, me becoming somethinglike that, that's not in my
heart. My heart is to pursuelife on how to be happy how to
be healthy. And whatever thatcomes into me whether from my
jewelry designed for my onesiedesigned, that makes me happy
(06:35):
and makes me fulfilled, and tothe things that I take, like
Chaga, that keeps me very, veryhealthy. I think those are
components that I couldbroadcast to the world and use
myself as a testing capabilityfor me to like, you know, figure
out what I truly want, and whatI could really voice out.
Siobhan (06:52):
That's gorgeous. And I love that. But did you ever have
moments of like, not trustingyour gut?
Gavin (06:58):
Oh, yeah, always, you know, it's all about that. Okay.
So, for me, your mind is alwaysin the way of your destiny. Yes.
Your mind is always in a wavefrom your perfect health. You
know, a perfect example to thisis that, up to this day,
(07:21):
scientists are still discoveringhow our body works for
millennia, but you know, whotruly knows how your body works,
is your body, nothing else. Ifyou leave your body to do its
job, it will do its most perfectway to get back for you to get
(07:42):
back into your perfect health.
Whereas if you put your mindinto it,
Siobhan (07:46):
it fucks everything up.
Gavin (07:49):
Because he wanted it, it's your your mind is forcing
your body to do somethingdifferent that it's not supposed
to do. And thus creatingresistance and your mind is now
generating stress from thatbecause it's not doing the way
you want your body to do it.
What what your mind percepts.
But if you let your body do whatit needs to do, and put it in
(08:10):
perfect health, I would let itbe because it has to do what it
has to do in order for it tothrive and survive. Right. And
it's your mind that alwaysmesses it up. In my opinion.
Siobhan (08:21):
I think I agree with that completely. Because in the
worst part is it's not evenalways your own voice in your
head. It's like somebody else'svoice. Yeah. And oftentimes,
it's actually someone else'svoice when you really stop and
like pay attention to it. Yeah.
It's like, wait, what? Were theyeven come up with that?
Gavin (08:37):
And where did you get it?
And why did you accept it? Whydid you put it in your
subconscious? Because you'recomfortable? Yeah, I'm putting
it into your subconscious. Yeah.
And the funny part about that,it's me realizing slowly that
these are like, pre programmedthings that are in my head. And
if I let things unfold, I couldsee it with better eyes. That's
(08:59):
what gives me more opportunityto pursue what I want in life.
Like find my joy, find myhappiness, find my health,
whatever that is, because youknow what, some people Chaga
might not be for them. But it'sfor me, right? It's also for a
lot of people that I help out ina monthly basis. You know, yeah,
and same thing with myhappiness, too. I finally
(09:19):
realized I cannot pleaseeveryone, but hopefully I could
change one life. And if I couldmake one other person happy and
healthy. Why not?
Siobhan (09:31):
Yeah, that's beautiful.
Unknown (09:33):
Thank you.
Siobhan (09:34):
I love it. I just yeah, it's I want more of that in the
world. Like more of you in theworld. Oh, thank you like,
because it is I think people getso caught up in the shooting on
themselves. Like I should bedoing this. I should be doing
that. I mean, I know I do ittoo. And then I get into like
this little thing where I canthen get anything done. Perfect
example
Gavin (09:54):
to this. I am always my target company is a small
business you In San Francisco,and it's been, it's been in
business for seven years, a lotof people are like, you're a
dinosaur. You're not making asmuch money as your competitors
and stuff like that. I'm alllike, I don't give a flying
fuck. You know why? Because thisis my destiny. This is the way I
(10:17):
want to live my life. And thisis the way I want to broadcast
in front into the world on who Iam and who my products are too,
as well. Every single time. Andif I should let go of the
integrity, and the quality of meand my products, just to scale
up, it's not worth it for me inthe end. Yeah. Yeah, cuz
Siobhan (10:39):
then it's not you. It's not, or it's a watered down
version of you. And
Gavin (10:43):
that that's one. Number two is that that time, the
effort, the energy to pretendthat I want it is so much
greater than me living my lifenow in my own capabilities, and
in my own highest self. It'slike, I don't want to magnify
something and scale up, just forme to say, Oh, I'm making X
(11:04):
amount of money. I'm okay rightnow. Yeah, yeah.
Siobhan (11:08):
It's about enjoying the experience. And
Gavin (11:11):
not yes, it's an enjoying and nourishing my journey.
That's why my taglines for myChaga company is nourish your
journey with Chaga. Because theway I look at it, we are all in
the journey. And the way if welet go even further and
surrender to the universe onwhat is good, and what truly is
automatic for us, it will shineand it will come through, like
(11:33):
on how we get our body it willautomatically put itself in
perfect health because it knowswhat to do. Not our mind. Right.
You know, if we let it just goto the path of least resistance
and put us in perfect health andperfect happiness. Why not?
Siobhan (11:50):
Yeah, if you think about when you're relaxed in
like your life, better things docome and when the bad shit
comes. You're almost okay withit. Yeah, like because you're
like, alright, this is there'sgot to be I'm not I'm not one of
those people that everythingalways happens for a reason. I
think most things happen for areason. Yeah. But anything in
the world is just random and itgets in stuff gets fucked up.
(12:11):
And oh, yeah, for no reason.
Yeah, you know, absolutely. We
Gavin (12:14):
have many challenges like that.
Siobhan (12:15):
Yeah, like, but even though you just went through a
big thing with the banks, andyou're still kind of in it.
Yeah. So I'm really into this,like David and Goliath kind of
thing. Yeah. So
Gavin (12:26):
what happened was, I got scammed. And the funny part
about it, it was a beautifulscam on their part, honestly,
because it's it, I thought itwas actually the bank that I've
worked with the city, which is avery big bank, right. And what
happened was, I thought theyweren't them. It was a
fraudulent department. Theywired in a lot of money. And
(12:46):
they did a mobile check depositinto my account, without me
knowing I'm wired out this alittle bit more throughout. But
within that same day, thusshutting down my my bank
account. And the worst partabout it is that there, I felt
like, I did not get a lot ofsupport from the big banks like
(13:07):
this as a small business.
Because I reported it twice. Ieven filed the police report and
everything. And I have notgotten anything, anything from
them. And now, I went a coupleof times to their branches, and
either I get directed to theirhead office by phone, and then
they would shut me down, or theydon't know what's going on. And
no case was filed. At the end.
(13:29):
They said they cannot help me.
And I have to go through a legalend or law enforcement, which I
have, right? Yeah. Well, it'sone of those things that you
just have to go through. That'sterrible,
Siobhan (13:40):
though. Yes. Because then your operating costs are
caught up and you're like tryingto survive a business when you
can't have a bank account.
Gavin (13:47):
Yes. So I have to reopen up a new bank account. But it
taught me a lot of lessons likeI need to have extra cash
reserves, I need to havefailsafe methods in order for me
to keep the business goingwithout really sacrificing
myself proper accountingcapabilities and make sure you
know. So all of these things arelessons for me to actually
(14:07):
improve to myself. And I knowthat I'm very happy that it's
going through right now at thispoint in my life that I have the
courage, the style, the grace,and the fortitude and integrity
to go through with this plus theresources for me as a small
business to get legal help fromthe city of San Francisco or the
(14:28):
league, the legal counsel forcivil rights to as well. That
gives me pro bono andfacilities. I also approached
the Federal Trade Commission andfiled a case against them. But
all of these are processes thatI'm learning in order for me to
get my money back. So hopefully,not only I get the lesson, but
at the same time yeah, my moneyback
Siobhan (14:48):
and it'll make you like you said it's teaching you so
much. It'll make you a betterbusiness person in the long run.
Gavin (14:53):
Exactly. So I'm looking at this as his lesson in life
because I rather have this withit was it In a sense, it was my
stupidity. But at the same time,because there were some fail
safes that did not, I did notknow or did not do my due
diligence on in which I gotscammed, right. But at the same
(15:15):
time now I know. And now I'mgoing to take these actions
moving forward. And I feel likelife is a lesson and life
doesn't have to end or change.
Because of this, it can changedefinitely for the better,
right?
Siobhan (15:26):
But because I think you go from it with that attitude of
like, well, let me figure outwhat I learned and stuff. It
doesn't destroy you. It justmakes you stronger. Yes. Because
I don't know if I got scammedlike that. And my business was
like, you know, on the brink, Idon't know, if I would have
gotten my shit together enoughto keep going, you know, like, I
would like to think I would. Butyou know what I mean? I can also
(15:48):
see someone being like, alright,nuts, it's too hard. Now. Yeah,
there's hours of phone calls,and emails. And please report
like you're jumping through hoopafter hoop and spending hours of
this time on this when youshould be doing other business
that you know exactly thatstress to that is just when
money is involved, it's adifferent Oh, yeah.
Gavin (16:07):
When your whole livelihood is involved, and
money is involved, and they'renot helping you because they
don't know what to do, becausethey don't have proper
protocols. On this is happeningone, number two, it's just like
they tell you to go tophysically to their offices. And
then when you speak to somebodyover there, they don't even know
nor is it's just the way I lookat it. Even though if you feel
(16:30):
like you're going through abrick wall, you still have a
way, just always look outsidethe box, and you have the
capabilities and the courage toactually go through it. That's
why for me, breathing is really,really, really, really, really
important. I cannot stress howbreathing is so important
because that can relax yournervous system and make you
(16:53):
think differently, and how toapproach a different perspective
because you are conscious on howto deal with your stress. And
you know, if you're in astressful situation, on the rate
that you're breathing, the wayyou're thinking and the way your
heart feels. But if you canregulate all of that, and relax
down and de stress, you willdefinitely find a different
(17:14):
perspective, or a different wayfor you to attack the same
problem.
Siobhan (17:19):
Right? Yeah. How long have you been a breathwork?
Coach now,
Gavin (17:22):
so I've been doing I got certified in Maui. And it was a
wonderful, wonderful experience.
I
Siobhan (17:31):
love that in Maui.
Gavin (17:37):
I was in Maui and my best friend was there it was his
pros, bachelor party. Rightacross from it just happens to
be a fabulous retreat center. Idid hula and breathwork.
Incorporating both of those. AndI'm very pleased that I'm doing
it at the banya twice a week ortwice a month. Twice
Siobhan (17:56):
a month. Well, yeah, maybe too busy for twice a week.
Twice
Gavin (18:00):
a month for good. And, and but anyways, they're lovely
addition. Thank you, thank you.
I love being there. But mybreath work is more focus on
your resting breath, more foryou to relax more for you to be
centered and be present. There'sdifferent kinds of breathwork
style. There's Holotropic. Anddefinitely check that out. My
(18:20):
friend Michael barrios and Steve23 Has it at new mission yoga,
Siobhan (18:26):
oh, yes,
Gavin (18:26):
that's the one that's just like Awaken Your like
childhood paths. And like, let'scycle through all of these
things and read all of this,releasing traumatic experiences.
Siobhan (18:36):
I'm gonna try it, but it makes me like, very self
conscious,
Gavin (18:39):
don't do it. Everybody has their own journey over
there. Somebody might bescreaming, somebody might get
naked and whatever. But you knowwhat, you're too busy dealing
your own shit. Yeah, yeah. Soplease go and then the
collection of people over therebecause you attune to the same
frequency. So you feel likeyou're, you're when you're going
through these traumaticexperiences. There are other
(19:02):
people around you who's goingthrough with it, but in
different ways and their ownway. So it as much as they're
doing it independently, thatcollective thing really will
foster you to go deeper becauseyou know that you're in the same
space.
Siobhan (19:15):
Right? That would make sense. So that's somatic.
breathwork.
Gavin (19:18):
I'm very different because people will slip at the
body. And if I do pass out, youknow, again, you know, nobody's
gonna be boiled alive overthere. Thank you.
Siobhan (19:30):
Thank you.
Gavin (19:31):
So I do a relaxing breath work. It teaches so I do up
usually four or five differentmethods on youth for you to
actually have a better bodyexperience. So I do a resting
breath, which you breathe intothe nose and out through the
nose. That should be what you'redoing every single day. Not
(19:51):
through your mouth. No, no, no,you eat with it, and you yell
talk, blah, blah, blah. Into thenose and out the nose. Nothing
else. That's me. Serving butyour diaphragm, yes, yeah. So
make a conscious effort to dothat. And then so I also do
golden thread box breathwork,which is like developed by Navy
SEALs in order for them to getfocused and then reset their
(20:11):
nervous system. So I do that. Soit's really nice because I'm
timing it. For example, I do the631 every first Thursday of the
month, I timed it right beforearomatherapy at seven. So
there's like a 25 minute banyatea breathwork and teaches you
how to like, you know, relaxdeeper and stuff like that.
Because a lot of people whenthey're not as relaxed when they
go into the body for aromatherapy session after like, it's
(20:35):
usually two or three roundsafter like one and a half.
They're like piecing out youknow, so they're not really
maximizing the full bodyexperience. So I love the whole
segue of breathwork but chagatea them bond. Yeah,
Siobhan (20:46):
yeah. Beautiful. Oh, thank you. Thank you try to make
it every time I can. Yeah,
Gavin (20:50):
please come except for like men's dye, which happens
third Tuesday of the night.
Right. Right. And I do that at8pm. Because they open up at
six,
Siobhan (20:59):
six o'clock. Yeah, that way people have time to get
there and get settled in.
Exactly. It's amazing. Like, Iam a breath holder. Uh huh. And
I didn't realize it for thelongest time. And like I, I
always joke like, I don't evenknow how to breathe. Because
like, like, I don't I know. Idon't breathe properly. Yeah,
like, and I you, we were doingbreath work. And you're like,
No, no, in your diaphragm. I'mlike, where's my diaphragm?
Gavin (21:23):
It's so funny, because I was so happy to do this in the
banya. Because there's a lot ofpeople over there who's looking
to relax anyways. Yeah. And it'sthe perfect combination. So I
have a lot of people who, whoare, for example, in the tech
industry, or in the financeindustry, or medical industry,
they usually go to the barn.
Yeah. And then they're like, Oh,my God, we never thought we
should be breathing this way.
(21:45):
And I could totally see thewhole difference. Because how
you breathe in, through yourdiaphragm, really feels like
there's so many tensions andstressors that you actually have
down there that you can releaseconsciously, right and get rid
of it right now. Yeah. You know,so I'm doing this whole, like
Chaga life breathwork series atthe banya. And I'm also offering
(22:06):
it for corporate events to aswell. So it's one of those
things to make peopleproductive. And at the same
time, it doesn't cost themanything. It doesn't cost them
new gym equipment or whatever.
And you don't have to subscribeto breathe. Unless you want to
subscribe to my breathingtechnique. Come on down. Yes.
Siobhan (22:24):
Because you start your day with a morning mantra that
you share with me.
Gavin (22:27):
I do so I do have a morning mantra every day. It's
philosophies from differentBuddha's most likely, most of
them are from Daisaku Ikeda. Andit's about dealing with
difficulties education andLightman, empowerment,
diversity, health, good andevil, so many different themes
(22:47):
that I do every day. So it'spart of my discipline and my
practice, as a Buddhist that Ichant and meditate every day, do
a body scan, make sure, and aloving kindness meditation plus
my module of the day, so ittakes like around 30 minutes,
but it seriously sets off yourwhole day. Yeah.
Siobhan (23:04):
And that explains why you're so happy. It's because
you're grounding and startingyour day from like a positive
place.
Gavin (23:09):
Let me put it this way.
Because the way I look at itwhen you wake up, and you
communicate with everybody else,you're not giving yourself time
for yourself. And if youprioritize yourself by feeding
your soul and your lifeforcewith for yourself, whether it be
chanting, meditating, eating,drinking, whatever that makes
you super happy. You already wonthe whole day. Yeah. Because you
(23:31):
already gave something toyourself. Everything else you
can give to everyone else.
Siobhan (23:40):
And that's yeah, and somehow, like we lost it as a
society to like, do these thingswe just
Gavin (23:47):
got busy. So busy, so busy, but busy. Oh, it's so nice
to just look as Doom scroll,right? But if I were you, when
you wake up, look at yourself inthe mirror, say something nice
to yourself, say you know,whatever. For me. My morning
methods is I usually chant forlike 10 to 15 minutes, lie down
(24:10):
in my chi machine for another 15minutes. What's
Siobhan (24:12):
a tea machine?
Gavin (24:13):
Oh, my goodness. It's like this thing that you lie
down on and then you put yourankles and then it makes you
feel like a fish going upstream.
So it's a robic exercise thatreleases all of the tension on
your legs, on your hips and onyour sciatic nerve. And so you
have like a little bit oftraction and then it like you
swim like a fish. And then youjust lie down. So that's what I
(24:34):
do with attraction, my neck, andthen after that the flow of
energy balances you. So that'show I start my day. That sounds
amazing. So meditating,chanting, writing on a journal,
my goals of what I wanted, theyand be appreciative that you're
still breathing. Yeah, that'skey.
Siobhan (24:53):
How long have you been a Buddhist for a long time? Were
you raised as a Buddhist?
Gavin (24:57):
I was raised as a cat.
Look Baptists pseudo Buddhistsin the Philippines is just like
I was in many religions. But Ichose Buddhism. Because it came
to me. A dear friend of mine,Steven McDonald introduced me to
the SGI Buddhist. And it's allit's the same Buddhist practice,
(25:18):
as with Tina Turner know how shegot rid of my Mister i Yeah,
that's what she said. You couldGoogle that. But Larry King, she
says all of that. And it's allabout chanting for you to find
the courage within yourself. Tolive at your utmost potential.
(25:39):
There is no one else in theworld, or in the universe that
will change your life. Butyourself. And this will our mu
to give you the tools for you toturn medicine plays into
medicine, or how to change yourlife completely.
Siobhan (25:59):
That's, yeah, I need to look into that some more.
Gavin (26:02):
Yeah, please. And it's like the way we look at it.
There's like 10 realms anywherefrom hell to heaven. And you can
and that's perception. Oh,absolutely. Right. Yeah. Because
you can be in hell you can be inheaven. It's like you pick up
anywhere in between starvation.
So it's fulfill, you know, myBuddhist practice, and it helps
(26:23):
me look at everything inHeaven's perspective. Or up to
there. We always strive to beenlightened. Right? Yeah. But
these are tools for me to lookat the better things in life.
Siobhan (26:41):
Yeah, I love that.
Unknown (26:43):
Thank you. Yeah.
Because
Siobhan (26:44):
I really think your perception is your reality.
Right? And you can change yourperception at any time. It's,
and I think most people getcaught up in not realizing the
power that they have to changetheir perception.
Gavin (26:56):
It's so funny. I have to tell you a quote. There is this
glamorous woman in thePhilippines. And she's the first
lady and she was the dictators.
She is the dictator's wife. Hername is Imelda Marcos. Okay? And
you know what she said?
Perception is real, but truth isnot. Fuck yeah. Wow. Mad props
(27:30):
to that woman because she putnot only her husband. When he
called this, I think that theyrain for 30 years. And then they
got out it in a revolution. Oh,and then she's back now.
Siobhan (27:48):
The president. She was like, oh, no, you're not kicking
me out.
Gavin (27:53):
Perception is real.
Unknown (27:59):
Yeah. Right. And kind of rocked my world
Siobhan (28:07):
is like, yeah, because what is the truth? Right. It's
what you believe. It's what youbelieve. And as we know, right,
especially in the world rightnow, like people make up their
own truth all the time.
Absolutely. People are making uptheir own facts now.
Unknown (28:26):
I'll turn it to them. I love that. Like,
Siobhan (28:28):
ya know the truth.
Yeah. Perception is real truthis not
Unknown (28:36):
Imelda Marcos.
Siobhan (28:37):
Yeah. Oh, I need to learn more about her.
Gavin (28:40):
Watch the kingmaker on Amazon.
Unknown (28:42):
Okay. Trip Yeah. Dang.
Siobhan (28:50):
Wow. That's so true.
It's just that is kinda likeit's just a simple little saying
that holds so much. Truth. Yeah,well,
Unknown (29:01):
for that matter,
Siobhan (29:02):
that's the way to say that. I'm like, the way that our
we're connected to our wordsjust that little phrase changes
so much. Yeah. Luck. Yeah, cuzyou're, yeah.
Unknown (29:16):
Wow. Yeah.
Siobhan (29:19):
So one of the other things that in your reality that
I love about you, and I want toknow that how you got into it is
your fashionbecause you are fabulous and you
your fashion is on point, butit's always catered around once
onesies. Oh, my God. Oh,
Gavin (29:42):
do you want it? No, I do.
I started my onesie. Obsession.
Yes. This was Las Vegas. 2015.
Siobhan (29:54):
So almost 2019 20
Gavin (29:57):
years ago, almost 20 years ago. I did this whole
onesie thing. And I had a rugbymate of mine who I played for
the Sin City Irish rugby team.
His name is Paul sheets and he'sa Black Hawk helicopter pilot.
Siobhan (30:13):
Sexy.
Gavin (30:14):
His name is I think I remember his like, his, his name
name, his callsign callsign isdirty sheets. So he's like, Hey,
Gavin, do you want to come overand check out our Blackhawk
helicopter? Air Force Base onTravis? I'm all like,
Unknown (30:37):
yeah.
Gavin (30:40):
Yes, please. And then so I went in, went into the
Blackhawk helicopter bar, and atthe end, he gave me one of his
flights.
Unknown (30:49):
Awesome. Like a real?
And I still have it. Good. I
Gavin (30:54):
hope so. And I yeah, he took out all like the banners
and everything for like a case.
I don't know maybe intelligencereasons. But yeah, he gave that
to me. And then I, because Iwanted to be Jennifer Lopez in
drag for Jenny in the block. Andshe was wearing a sudo
(31:14):
flightsuit cargo thing withheels on. So I need to get that
shit happening. So I did that.
And then from then on out.
That's where my onesie obsessionhappened. And then my dear
friend, Lisa Simpson, she wasliving in Vegas at this time.
She made me five onesies. Andone of them I'm wearing right
(31:36):
now. Oh, and the original onesince 2016. Wow. Yes, my narwhal
onesie. This is the first oneactually the absolute number
one. This one she made. She mademe. And her name is Lisa
Simpson. And she was the costumedesigner for love at Cirque du
Soleil. Oh, awesome. Yeah. Sofrom then on, the universe has
(31:57):
been so gracious to me that I'vebeen getting either onesies and
stuff like that, and I decidedthat I should not have anything
else but onesies. And one blacksuit when mandated to carry a
coffin. And they told me like,we shouldn't be wearing a black
suit. I'm like, fine. That's it.
(32:19):
I have a onesie for everyoccasion. Yes, I do onesie of
the days. It's on my Instagramcalled G number one letter Z.
Just type it in. I pop out withmy onesies. And I design onesies
and I'm going to be coming outwith a capsule collection at the
end of the year.
Siobhan (32:36):
Amazing. Just
Gavin (32:37):
for kicks. That's to make people happy and healthy.
Because we were
Siobhan (32:41):
out we were thrift shopping a couple of weeks ago
and we found an amazingseamstress and you were like, I
actually had some great stuff inthat.
Gavin (32:49):
Oh my god. So I did not tell you when I went to treasure
fest last. Like the end of themonth I saw Chaga there. I found
this lady who I bought an Indianquilt for that. I'm gonna take
to Guerneville next week andhave that seamstress make me
into a onesie.
Siobhan (33:06):
Oh, awesome.
Gavin (33:08):
I can't wait to see it.
Okay. Domino dye for do you have
Siobhan (33:12):
casual onesies? You have dress onesies. You have
warm ones. It's like I love it.
Yeah,
Gavin (33:17):
I have literally every Wednesday for every occasion
when I met the vice president. Ihad a onesie for a second
Siobhan (33:23):
when you met the Vice President. Yes. Like of the
country? Yes. How did you meetthe vice president?
Gavin (33:29):
He complement the ones that she complements. Yes. She
just stared. Kind of like,headlights. I love I'm like,
Girl, I got you.
Siobhan (33:40):
I need to see what that one's look like.
Gavin (33:42):
Oh my god. That's phenomenal. Yeah. Oh, yeah. But
anyways, it's it's pinstripe.
black and silver. Nice.
Gorgeous. It's very tastefullydone. It's made by Lola of San
Francisco in the valley. I gottarepresent. You know, it's just
like, if I'm gonna meet the VicePresident of the United States.
I better be wearing an Americanmade onesie. Because I have
(34:02):
American made ones one here inSan Francisco. I have a
seamstress Lola. And then I'mgonna have one in Greenville.
And then my dearest one, my oneof my dearest Lola's is so dear
to me to her name is Marina.
She's 83 years old. Oh,
Unknown (34:17):
amazing. She's still sewing for me. Oh, yes.
Gavin (34:22):
Oh my god. She is great.
I love her to death. And she didTina Turner's Madmax dress.
Siobhan (34:28):
Oh my god. Yeah. That's one hell of a seems just to have
in your pocket.
Gavin (34:33):
I know. And I'm all like, I'm buying every fabric that I
want because I don't know whenshe's gonna add something. Yeah,
right.
Siobhan (34:42):
I'm trying to get as many as you can. I'm
Unknown (34:44):
plugging it in. So if you guys want to pre orders made
by her, let me know.
It's Desmond's Castle extrathough.
Gavin (34:54):
Yeah, you guys don't know when she's gonna retire from
Sally. You know, making myonesie so like No, yeah, yeah,
it's amazing. And I met gottamake sure it's like a crotch
issue and I have so many onesiescrotch problem was gone. Oh,
Siobhan (35:10):
what was the crouch problem?
Gavin (35:12):
You know some people crutches.
Unknown (35:14):
Oh yeah.
Gavin (35:16):
Some people are blessed and some people are not.
Siobhan (35:19):
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I wouldn't have thought of that.
Well, I don't really have thatproblem.
Gavin (35:25):
No, no, I could change them and solve that problem for
you guys so can I just say Ilove
Siobhan (35:32):
it. Yeah so the end of the year your collection. Oh
wait but how did you meetCamilla?
Gavin (35:37):
Oh come Allah Hi Iris I met her through my dear friend
Kay. Yeah, so I was asking herto hang out and she's like, Oh
yeah, you know I got invited tomeet the vice president. Give me
your information to make sure wecould forward this he could
service your my date. I'm like,but
Siobhan (35:56):
oh yeah, cuz you have to get a background check. Yeah,
you can and then, and then
Gavin (36:00):
I went to I saw immediately I called Little Love
San Francisco. I'm like, girl. Ineed help. It's like, I felt
like Cinderella. They made thatthing that one's in. It's
phenomenal.
Siobhan (36:11):
I can't wait to see that. I will post a picture to
it to go with this episode. Ohmy gosh, I'm still so full from
our lunch. We had an amazinglunch. I almost said hotpot. We
did.
Gavin (36:30):
Oh my god. Do you still have like, food in your brain? A
little? Take Chaga
Siobhan (36:37):
Oh, yeah, the chocolate chocolate would be good. Yeah, I
Gavin (36:40):
have always. We'll get some later for sure.
Siobhan (36:45):
I don't because we have an exciting night plan tonight.
We're gonna be yes. Fall
Gavin (36:54):
very far. So I took Cheban over here to my favorite.
One of my 10 favoriterestaurants in the Bay Area
called tasties theme kitchen
Siobhan (37:07):
in Oakland and Oakland.
And they have a reverse seam. Ithink the reverse steam pot is
still on my brain because I'venever seen that. Well. We're
Gavin (37:14):
gonna get one soon. I should bring PA and all of us
should do that. Because first ofall, I had oysters Zilla? Yes.
That's like if you're a sizequeen for oysters. This one is
past eight inches.
Siobhan (37:27):
Yeah. I have never seen an oyster that big. So I'm from
New England. Like yeah, you
Gavin (37:32):
guys have tiny oysters and then we had what boba tea?
Yes. And then Oh American Wagyubeef.
Siobhan (37:46):
It was delicious. Lamb Yep. Primary I met lobster.
Gavin (37:52):
Dumplings with fish eggs inside? Yes.
Unknown (37:54):
Tons of mushrooms.
Siobhan (37:56):
Oh yes. Mushrooms were delicious.
Gavin (37:58):
And there was like $30 Each all you can eat Yeah,
Siobhan (38:01):
we had two rounds of so much and they have robots and
gifts
Gavin (38:05):
aside I
Siobhan (38:07):
was trolling us we
Gavin (38:09):
were the only judging us for eating they're like oh my
God, look I have to serve thesefat kitties yet again.
Siobhan (38:16):
It kept coming by us with even the to go orders and
it we'll just pause at our tablefor a minute and then
Gavin (38:20):
the eye thing is like the night writer just move one side
and then look at us and thencontinue toiling away like
carting itself away.
Siobhan (38:29):
Well, it was like whistling whistling where Yeah,
please. You're
Gavin (38:34):
standing in my way. We're like we're eating here.
Siobhan (38:36):
We're not even here.
You I have to go deliver thisnow. Yeah,
Gavin (38:40):
I have to go deliver this now stop staring at me. And then
I'm gonna log in with a side eyeand go at you actually.
Siobhan (38:47):
Yes. I wasn't sure if it was flirting with me. You're
gonna fight me.
Gavin (38:51):
I think it's neither arms or legs. As we just get it
through its trays. Its AI isthrow things at you. Just got to
start beeping at you all daylong.
Siobhan (39:05):
If you work there, you must hear that whistling in your
sleep.
Gavin (39:08):
I think you're already habit in the subconscious. But
another place that I love goingto after being fat kitty over
there is the Yas Imperial healthspa with foot reflexology. I
Unknown (39:24):
love VT. Do you I
Siobhan (39:26):
used to hate feet.
Gavin (39:27):
Here's my thing would feet feet or like, people tell
me that I have a foot fetish?
I'm like, Yes, I do. And theyasked me why I'm like dude, the
best way for me to notnecessarily to determine a
person hygiene is looking attheir feet. First thing that's
teeth and feet. If they haveclean teeth, I don't care if
(39:48):
they're like they have braces,dentures or whatever. They don't
have, you know stuff on theirteeth or like crawly things in
their teeth. One and they havegrow don't crawly things or lie
You know, like, like fungus andstuff fungus among us in between
their toes. I'm good. Yeah, Isell fungus. I know what's up.
And that's how the fungus thathas adaptogens no
(40:16):
so yes, I have a teeth and footfetish.
Siobhan (40:22):
I love reflexology. I mean, yeah, but my feet are
Tickler. So I always have to belike,
Gavin (40:28):
Oh, just go it will go build past it. You know yet
again, your, your situation.
Your your, your tickling part isjust part of your mind. If you
cancel it, you're fine.
Siobhan (40:39):
Yeah, the little box breathing box breathing in.
Gavin (40:45):
And out, hold in, hold out, hold in, hold out. Hold. So
yes, that's my box. Breathe.
Siobhan (40:51):
When you do box breathing. It's all through your
nose also, right? Yes. Okay,
Gavin (40:55):
so you can do both into the nose out through the mouth.
But the thing is that the mosteffective one is into the nose
out through the nose. So weshould always be breathing.
Exactly. And use your diaphragm.
Not your neck, not your jaw, notyour ears, not your forehead,
nose and diaphragm. That's whatthey're made for.
Siobhan (41:11):
You use your ears for breathing. Oh, they do? They do?
Yeah.
Gavin (41:15):
Because I think there's some people they stressed here
and then they're, you'restressed out. And then this
stress is you know, like, oryou're trying to force things
with your back. No, it's nothingshould be working here. Only
here. Yeah.
Siobhan (41:29):
I had a dude one time when we were like laying in bed
and I was breathing and he waslike, and I was all belly
breathing. And he was just like,you breathe weird. And I was
like, I don't like it. I'm like,That's how you're supposed to
breathe. Ah, well. Oh, yeah,cuz, right when you Yeah, you're
engaging your diaphragm. It'skind of like you're engaging
(41:51):
your belly. Nice.
Gavin (41:52):
Tell him to have you breathe weird. Are you
breathing? Hello.
Siobhan (41:59):
It's also just a weird like,
Gavin (42:01):
thing to say. Yeah, I'm into it. You breathe. You show
me. Show me. Show me those feetfirst. Yeah, she sent me those
teeth and feet.
Siobhan (42:11):
So you've, I love that you have lists of things?
Because you said this is one ofyour 10 favorite restaurants?
Yes. Do you? Are you alwaysthinking about work and how to
Gavin (42:22):
always Yeah, I'm so passionate about Chaga I'm so
passionate doesn't feel likework. Does it know God though?
Like, I was going to Malaya tosee friends and party for the
next four hours while I sellmushrooms and make people happy
and healthy.
Siobhan (42:36):
How often does that someone asked you if the
mushrooms that you sell aremagical. Suicide.
Gavin (42:41):
I always say that it's magical on my terms. Oh, I like
that. Yeah. It's like howmagical Do you want it to be?
Right?
Siobhan (42:48):
But do people do you think you people are hesitant to
like come over? Because it'smushrooms? No, not
Gavin (42:55):
anymore. It used to be seven years I'm doing been doing
this. They're more approachablenow. And it's getting more
fashionable, right? But at thesame time, just eat my because
mine is delicious. And it's andit's life everlasting.
Siobhan (43:09):
It's American mushroom.
Gavin (43:10):
Sure is. From San Francisco. Yeah, that's what
called the fog and everything.
Fabulous.
Siobhan (43:19):
But, yeah, so have you Did you run into a lot of
problems with like your bankingand stuff the way cannabis
companies do? Or? Yes,
Gavin (43:28):
at first, actually seven years ago, QuickBooks told
taught that based upon my healthclaims that you know,
antioxidants they are presentingto be a risk like CBD or
marijuana because it's a fungus.
I'm on like, FDA considers Chagaas food. They don't care. And so
I have to switch accountingsoftware's to like, zero, and
(43:50):
then we're cool right now. Andnow it's just like, oh, yeah,
QuickBooks wants to
Siobhan (43:57):
know things. Yeah.
After getting
Gavin (44:00):
through all my transactions, and then canceling
it, and rich, refunding all ofmy accounts receivables and
payables. It's so embarrassing,right.
Siobhan (44:11):
And it's Wow. So just as a small business like that
the amount of like hurdles thatyou've come over and still in
business seven years later, andgrowing. Yes. Like you are
really growing? Yes. And it'samazing. Well, thank
Gavin (44:24):
you. Thank you. Yeah, it's fun. It's a good journey.
At the end of the day, it's myjourney. It's how I want my
business to happen. And the moreauthentic I get, the more
successful My business is. Andthe way I look at it, I have to
focus within myself because I ammy business and I am what I'm
broadcasting. And if I stay trueto my message of providing
health and happiness to people,I think I'm
Siobhan (44:44):
good. Yeah, I think that's beautiful. Thank you. You
tell us so much today aboutbreathing and food and mushroom.
Gavin (44:54):
Well come on down. You got to experience me and all my
childhood self. I have all of myins. So Social media after this
and stuff like that, just comeand follow me and join my Chaga
chat newsletter and my mantrasof the day. Sounds
Siobhan (45:07):
good. You can find Gavin at the chaga. CO Yes. And
everything on that will link toall the socials and perfect. And
remember,
Gavin (45:15):
it's like I always say that always approach everyone
with love, kindness, style andgrace, because we have we have
that with all within ourselves.
We do.
Siobhan (45:22):
And I really like that's all I want to do is put
good out in the world. Andthat's probably why we found
each other. Yeah, because we'reboth trying to put it out in the
world and get people toremember, like, stop, take a
breath. Maybe it's not sopersonal. Maybe that person's
having a bad day. Maybe you'rehaving a bad day,
Gavin (45:37):
maybe you're definitely having a bad day. Here's the
thing. It's just like, yourworld you built. Yeah, you put
things in there. And you havethe capabilities of putting it
out there. And you put things inthere because your subconscious
thinks that you're comfortablewith it. Yeah.
Siobhan (45:52):
That's it. And being uncomfortable is actually kind
of fun sometimes. Absolutely.
It's hard. And it's not like,Yeah,
Gavin (45:58):
but if you look at it in a different perspective, yeah.
Remember perception
Siobhan (46:06):
that that comment, that quote was gonna haunt me tonight
and just be like, you know,because perception is, is real,
but the truth is, no, that is sofucking true. Yeah, but you do.
And you're right. You're the onethat creates your stuff. So if
(46:26):
there's stuff in your life thatyou don't like, it's okay to get
rid of it. Yes. And I thinksometimes we get so scared of
getting rid of things becausethe unknown is scary. Yeah, but
it shouldn't. But it could alsobe exciting.
Gavin (46:37):
But there's no point because here's the thing, if
that is not serving you, andyou're still keeping it, it is
definitely not serving you.
Right,
Siobhan (46:44):
and it's causing you more stress and it's making you
unhealthy. Yeah, it makes younot want to do anything which
makes you stay in that cycle.
Get off that cycle. Yeah, be alittle weird. Be a little out
there. Like just be yourself.
Gavin (46:55):
Yeah. The world would love you even more. Yeah.
Siobhan (46:58):
All right. Yeah. Well, we're gonna end on that happy
positive note because we'regonna go party with Melania. And
thank you for joining us, Gavin.
Thanks. Alright, y'all, we loveyou and go find yourself some
joy today.
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