mindset
MIND. BODY. LIFE.
the journey
Unfolds
Standing next to my grandmother on a step stool peeling garlic, blanching vegetables, and pinching dumplings are vivid memories of which I like to call “food data.” I can smell the aromas, hear the sounds of the refrigerator door opening, and envision the fermented sauces and oils in glass jars that she stored. I’m always in pursuit of provoking those emotions in people as an unconventional chef celebrating global cuisines.
I knew my calling in life from the moment I sat in my first class with Chef Chapman. He had an affinity for stock and sauce making which in turn grew my passion for the same because, in reality, it is the base and nucleus for all things delicious.
The Brigade
There were no shortcuts while studying classic French cuisine. The basis was grounded by ego and fear-based leadership. It took a lot of grit and hard work. 9x out of 10 I was the only woman in the kitchen and the only person of color. When I walked into those past kitchens, I became a robot, checked myself at the door, and executed. Working the smartest, and being the most intentional with my movements, almost like a Jedi, was the objective. Attacking the most difficult tasks and being able to overcome and triumph is what I’m drawn to.
I worked constantly, missing celebrations and birthdays and I wasn’t prioritizing the other parts of joy in life other than being a craftsman. Shedding 15 years of “You’re not fast enough. You’re not good enough.” culture is no small feat.
2018 is when that lifestyle stopped serving me and the realization of individuality surfaced. When I was able to lead my own kitchens, it was based on love and accountability.
Culinary Education
has changed since then, but to this day, I am still trying to defragment those thoughts in my mind. Playing team sports, discipline from my grandmother, love from family, and life tools helped me gain the mental stamina to navigate those kitchens.
In 2019, I met a workout team of women who were CEOs and entrepreneurs. For once, the empowering notion of equating feminity with strength was unveiled before my eyes. I started to focus on the integral questions of how am I feeling my body, am I getting enough sleep, am I drinking enough water, am I getting sunlight every day, and exerting physical fitness. It became the apex of organizing my life mise en place. Concentrating on those focal points improved other aspects of life greatly.
Eating for fuel
It’s one thing to eat for pleasure and it’s another to eat for fuel. I started eating more plant-based food and eliminated alcohol, refined sugar, and starch from my diet. That resulted in losing 22 pounds and gaining an incredible amount of balance in my brain function. I started to only eat foods that have life in them. For example, I sprout my lentils before consuming them, or I eat foods that only contain a pH level of 4 or higher, and I have never felt better.
Performance in the gym has yielded extremely quick results, and I am training all the time. My energy level is through the roof. My water intake increased to a gallon per day compared to when I was cooking on the line and would sometimes forget to drink water due to work. Our bodies are made of about 22 essential minerals and 12 vitamins so I tailor my diet to feed those cells for optimal health. Being healthy at a cellular level yields the best results.
The reality is
having a Northstar creates a blueprint of which reverse engineering produces a forward path. When I surround myself with highly motivated people, it makes me better at my craft.
There are a few things embedded in my daily schedule such as gym in the morning, making to-do lists for each day, eating 2 hrs before bed, and using a ring to track sleeping habits.
On the other hand, ice baths, making time for fun, and enjoying cheeseburgers now and then are crucial to maintaining a balanced life. It’s all about allocation of time and moderation.
Strength
It’s been a long journey so far filled with ups and downs, but it’s not about aesthetics. It’s about feeling strong, and powerful and being in the position to give the best version of myself every day, always looking for the opportunity of growth.
“Fitness, mindset, nurturing relationships and truly connecting with people feeds my soul.”
“Fitness, mindset,
nurturing relationships
and truly connecting
with people
feeds my soul.”
~ Nyesha Arrington
