Re-Release: Sushi, Sobriety, and Self Care (w/ Cesar Vallin)

In this re-released episode from Aug 30, 2024, we sit done with Cesar Vallin, podcaster and restaurateur in San Diego. He share his story of addiction to sobriety, bankruptcy to restaurant success, and how his mantra "Ready for All" has helped him with his mental health, his family life, and his business.

Episode Highlights

The Journey from Bankruptcy to Success

• Cesar shares his incredible story of going from $80,000 in debt and $1,800 in first-month sales to owning 30% of a Michelin Guide restaurant
• How he survived by making repeated trips to the grocery store just to keep his first bar stocked
• The moment he walked away from his failing business after 10 years of struggle

Addiction & Recovery

• 8 years sober from alcohol after 16 years of daily drinking
• Overcame addiction to pain pills (15-20 pills daily) and cocaine
• The pivotal moment at Vons when a stranger told him "everything's gonna be okay" - potentially saving his life
• How plant medicine (ayahuasca, psilocybin) and endurance sports became part of his healing journey

Mental Health & Masculinity

• Raw discussion about suicidal ideation and the importance of speaking openly about mental health
• Why true strength means facing challenges without numbing the pain
• The power of surrounding yourself with people who have "full green light" to call you out

Business Philosophy: "Ready for All"

• Why health and mental wellbeing now supersede business in his priorities
• The concept of managing relationships in concentric circles (tribe, friends, acquaintances, general population)
• How suffering in endurance sports translates to business resilience