About Daniel Leese
Daniel Leese is a Michelin star chef turned entrepreneur and the founder of And Som Skin, an ethical and sustainable skincare brand for men. He’s also the host of Good Chat with Danny, a podcast where meaningful conversations take center stage. Daniel’s inspiring journey—from overcoming a troubled past and facing possible imprisonment to building a successful life and business in Dubai—is a testament to resilience, transformation, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Passionate about natural skincare, Daniel is on a mission to redefine men’s self-care with products that are clean, effective, and built on transparency.
About this Episode
In this powerful episode of the Matrix Green Pill Podcast, Hilmarie sits down with Daniel Leese to explore a journey marked by pain, healing, and reinvention. Daniel opens up about his tumultuous childhood, navigating emotional trauma, and how a life-altering court case pushed him to transform his life. From working in Michelin-starred kitchens in the UK to leaping into entrepreneurship in Dubai, Daniel’s story is one of bold transitions and newfound purpose.
He shares the origin story behind And Som Skin, his passion for clean, natural ingredients, and how he’s advocating for a new narrative in men’s skincare. Daniel talks about how he built a thriving brand rooted in authenticity—without compromising ethics or quality—and how his personal health crisis inspired him to challenge the toxic ingredients used in conventional products.
You’ll also hear his honest thoughts on skincare misconceptions, the emotional impact of poor skin health, and why he believes that self-care should be essential—not optional—for men. Don’t miss his “Green Pill Moment,” a pivotal experience that changed his entire perspective on life.
Quotes
1:57 – From a young age, I was just very intrigued… everything I did in life was just like playing football, cross country—I just loved being outdoors.
3:15 – My story would be that of a normal one if it wasn’t for the adversity I had to overcome.
5:39 – I was just a young man that needed love, needed guidance—and didn’t get it.
8:49 – That therapist was like a gift from God that got sent down to save me.
14:06 – That was the moment I turned my life around. It was like my second chance at life.
18:31 – I wanted to escape… It was an opportunity to leave my old life behind and start afresh.
20:37 – If you do well, then the country does well. And that’s why it works so well for a lot of people.
24:37 – I felt like I’d been cheated my whole life by marketed brands—so I threw everything away and started making my own skincare.
28:22 – The joy of helping someone regain their confidence—that’s what keeps me going.
32:03 – Not everyone is your customer. Focus on the ones you are helping—those who say, ‘I finally found the solution.
34:50 – Hydroxytyrosol is a game changer when it comes to transforming the skin.
45:40 – Every no is one step closer to a yes.
46:34 – When you’re about to lose your freedom, something inside changes forever.
Useful Links
Website:https://andsomskin.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/andsomdan/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleese/
The Matrix Green Pill Podcast: https://thematrixgreenpill.com/
Please review us: https://g.page/r/CS8IW35GvlraEAI/review
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