Nutrition Happens. We’re not solely focused on the food around here (even though we LOVE chatting about a good meal!) – we believe nutrition happens when we’re intentional about the way we’re feeding every aspect of life: the decisions we make for our bodies, the way we take care of our minds, and the relationships we choose to invest in.
While healthy certainly looks differently on everyone, one thing we can all agree on is this: health should be a judgement-free zone. Instead of focusing on perfection, we’re actively choosing to drop the comparison game and instead, celebrate people just the way they are. Because nutrition happens with no labels – whether you’re holding a green smoothie or a maple glazed doughnut. This series intends to share the incredible minds of Chicagoans in this community who share a similar passion for living their own definition of their best lives. Here’s how these Chicago locals are all making nutrition happen:
*May’s note: Teddy is the founder of the Gauge Collective (a digital marketing company) where he works collectively with digital freelancers to help small businesses build an effective social strategy. As a dietitian in digital marketing myself, I’ve loved what he’s been able to do in bringing a brand’s story to life. Teddy is well loved in the Chicago community and the MOST fun. We’re inspired here by his entrepreneurial spirit AND he keeps it 1000% relatable about his approach to health. You can find him on Instagram at @teddyheidt.
Name: Teddy Heidt
Hometown: Royal Oak, MI (Chicago resident for 5+ years)
Business: Founder and Creative Officer, The Gauge Collective
Tell us about yourself.
I always used the word passion when describing myself. Everything I do, starts with passion. Passion led me to Chicago over five years ago to follow my dream of going to culinary school. Passion led me to lauching my first business, RP Catering and Events, with my fiancé while in culinary school. And passion ultimately led me to leave a comfy 9-5 to start my own digital marketing anti-agency, The Gauge Collective. I tend to follow my heart and go after what I love, and while risky at times, it’s led me on a pretty wild and successful adventure so far.
Favorite part of your job?
I have two – one is meeting with potential clients and sharing with them our capabilities and my vision for our organization. The original idea was born from the clear need to deliver quality digital marketing support and strategy for brands – big and small – at an affordable cost. This is where the second part comes in – we are now a powerhouse community of 9 freelancers, each specializing in our own unique capabilities (photography, graphic design, account management, videography, and more) and delivering one-of-a-kind content to brands in a wide variety of industries. I love getting to work with our freelance team every day because I’ve never met a lazy freelancer in my life. If you freelance for a living, you are a passionate, risk taker as well, so it’s great to work with like minded people every day.
What’s your personal philosophy on a healthy lifestyle?
For me, a healthy lifestyle is a total body feeling. I’m not one to hyper focus on weighing myself or getting into a certain pant size. I work-out, eat right, and take care of my mental and physical wellbeing for the clarity, energy, and drive it ultimately brings me.
Making nutrition happen for the…
MIND.
Morning routine or evening routine?
Depending on the day, I’ll typically meditate for ten minutes either right when I wake up or when I go to sleep. I love Headspace and the variety of guided meditations it offers (my mind always tends to wander, so it’s good to have a guide to pull me back in when it does). If I’m meditating in the morning, I’ll follow up with some coffee, a protein rich breakfast, and dive into my day’s work, which is never the same as the previous day. Finally, I’ve discovered that a mid-day, lunchtime workout is actually my best time to sweat. I still have high energy and it’s a nice break from the work in front of me.
One thing you are grateful for today:
I’m grateful for my fiancé, Ryan (we’re getting married this September!). Launching and growing my business has been a ton of work and he has been endlessly supportive of me chasing this opportunity and putting a great deal of my energy behind it. And, he’s there for me on my good days and on those days when things don’t go as I imagined.
How do you recharge after a long day?
I’ve learned when to trust my mind and energy and just unplug. For so long, I’d try to power through a burn-out point in my day – and it’s just not worth it. So typically after a long day, I unplug, put my phone away, and do something to shift my focus and slowly reset my mind.
Last song played on your Spotify?
“This is Me” from the Greatest Showman
BODY.
Top 3 food essentials that you can’t live without (or, 3 items ALWAYS on your grocery list):
Hummus, Coffee, and Green Veggies
The BEST meal you’ve ever had (or favorite meal, ever):
Gramercy Tavern in NYC. Beyond incredible meal.
Open your fridge. What are the first two things you see?
Lots of coffee for iced coffee and a jar of Vanilla Bean Chixi Butter.
Favorite way(s) to move/ sweat / workout?
I love cycling (Flywheel is my favorite from an intensity and metrics standpoint), strength training (STRIVE Village is probably the most effective weight training workout I’ve done), HIIT (love me some Studio Three Torch), and yoga to stretch (Studio Three is my go-to there).
SOUL.
What makes you the most confident?
As a business owner this early in my professional career, I’ll be honest that I often struggle with confidence. But, getting to see a really big win with my team for one of my clients always brings me back in and boosts my confidence that I am right where I need to be.
Where do you find the best inspiration?
I’m always inspired by the freelance team I get to work with and since we are a digital marketing group, I’d say I typically will throw myself into a social media rabbit hole to find some good inspiration. Also, most of my great ideas come in the shower.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Learn when to say no…and don’t be afraid to do it.
Success to you is…
Being fully, TRULY happy and having a positive impact on others and your community.
CHICAGO.
Favorite spot(s) in Chicago…
Little Goat Diner in the West Loop! Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea for a coffee break or great spot to work from. I’m also such a homebody, so I love being home!
Your perfect Chicago day is …
Sleeping in, an amazing brunch, and exploring something new!