Celebrity Chef - Thomas Straker: From Kitchen Burnout to Building a Restaurant Empire

This week, Alberto sat down with Victor Lugger, the entrepreneur behind two of Europe’s fastest growing companies, Big Mama and Sunday. He built a hospitality group now valued at over $310M, and then launched a FinTech company processing billions a year, all while raising a family and staying sane through the pressure.In this conversation, Victor opens up about the truth behind building a company from zero, why success is never linear, how ambition develops over time, and how much of entrepreneurship comes down to resilience, timing, and who you choose to build with.He shares the emotional and psychological journey behind scaling restaurants across countries, raising twenty five million in the US, navigating co founder relationships, and learning to balance family life with two high pressure roles.You will learn• How to build a company when you have no industry experience• How ambition grows with results and why early wins matter• How to choose a co-founder and build a team that scales with you• How to survive uncertainty, pressure, and mental fatigue as a leader• How to spot the idea that changes everything and when to double downFollow Victor:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/victorluggerFollow Sunday App:https://www.instagram.com/sundayapp_https://www.linkedin.com/company/sundaytechhttps://twitter.com/sundayapp_https://www.facebook.com/sundayappUS#ThrivingMinds #VictorLugger #BigMamma #SundayApp #Entrepreneurship #Hospitality #Startups #Neurodiversity #Leadership #WorkLifeBalance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Alberto sits with TJ Power, a world leading neuroscientist, best selling author, and the creator of the DOSE framework. His work investigates how dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins influence mental and physical health, particularly in the context of our digitally driven lifestyles.TJ’s framework is designed to unlock your best life, to live with purpose, intention, focus, and a positive mindset.This episode also unpacks why phones, alcohol, porn, and sugar, severely erode attention, mood, and drive, and how to reset your baseline with simple habits you can start today.You will learn:• How dopamine actually works• Why chasing dopamine peaks lowers motivation • How to run a 7 day reset • How things like sleep, morning light, protein, movement, nature, and real connections support healthy brain chemistryThis conversation is a clear path back to focus, energy, and calm.You can purchase TJ’s book, The DOSE Effect, here: https://geni.us/doseeffectFollow TJ Power:https://www.instagram.com/tjpowerhttps://uk.linkedin.com/in/tjpowerneuroscience#ThrivingMinds #TJPower #Neuroscience #MentalHealth #DigitalBalance #Dopamine #Attention #Wellbeing #Mindset #StressManagement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Alberto sat down with Bianca Bustamante, the twenty year old driver who is now the future face of F1.Born in Manila and raised in a working class family, she fell in love with karting at three. At six she asked to be homeschooled to train more. Her father worked three jobs to keep her dream alive. She became the best in her country but the international costs were astronomical. So she moved to the US, and learned all she could about personal branding.Her hope was that her social media channels would help fund her driving career. Years later she has millions of followers, sponsors, and is now signed by McLaren for F1 Academy, and working to become the first woman of her generation to reach F1.She is rewriting the racing history by fighting all the odds in a sport where only 1.5 percent of drivers are women, and largely built for the rich and elite. Now the face of major outlets like Forbes and Vogue, her story is the blueprint for achieving your dreams when the door is closed.You will learn:• How talent grit and strategy can replace missing resources• How she used social platforms to fund a racing career• The real pathway from karting to F1 Academy • How to train recover and perform under pressure • The mindset required to become the best Follow Bianca:https://www.youtube.com/@racerbiahttps://www.instagram.com/racerbia/https://www.linkedin.com/in/racerbia/https://www.facebook.com/racerbia/#ThrivingMinds #BiancaBustamante #F1Academy #McLaren #WomenInMotorsport #RacingJourney #Inspiration #Mindset #PhilippineAthletes #Resilience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the dream job nearly breaks you?This week on Thriving Minds, Alberto sat down with Celebrity Chef, Thomas Straker, the chef, founder, best selling author, and digital powerhouse behind the Straker’s restaurant group and global ‘All Things Butter’ brand.From burnout in fine dining to millions of views on Instagram, Thomas reveals the full story of how he rebuilt his relationship with food, found freedom through content, and became one of the most watched, and talked about, chefs on the internet.In this raw and revealing conversation, he opens up about self-worth, criticism, building a business, and staying grounded when the spotlight finds you.You’ll learn:🟠 What the world of fine dining gets completely wrong🟠 How Thomas built a viral food brand while running restaurants🟠 Why content is every founder’s unfair advantage🟠 The truth about burnout, ego, and starting over🟠 How to stay true to your vision, even when others doubt youThis isn’t just a story about restaurants.It’s a story about reinvention.Follow Thomas:⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ThomasStraker⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thomas_straker/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@UCDci5O1KG2SqFr79vWbuCJQ ⁠⁠https://uk.linkedin.com/in/thomas-straker-58034280#ThrivingMinds #ThomasStraker #ChefLife #RestaurantBusiness #EntrepreneurJourney #FoodCreators #HospitalityMindset #CookingPassion #Resilience #SuccessMindsetVisit the Thriving Minds website:https://thrivingmindsshow.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your gut is running the show, not your brain?This week on Thriving Minds, Alberto sat down with Dr. Megan Rossi, one of the world’s leading gut health experts, bestselling author, and founder of The Gut Health Doctor. With 70-80% of your immune system based in the gut, and powerful links to mood, memory, energy, and inflammation, your gut health may be affecting you more than you think.In this expert-led, myth-busting episode, Megan breaks down how your microbiome works, the truth about probiotics, and the small daily changes that can transform your health from the inside out.You’ll learn:How gut health impacts your skin, sleep, anxiety, and immune systemThe biggest gut health myths most people still believeHow to know if your gut is in trouble, and how to repair itThe truth about probiotics, antibiotics, and the microbiomeSimple ways to eat and live for long-term gut healthThis is more than digestion, this is the foundation of your health.Follow Dr. Megan Rossi & The Gut Health Doctorhttps://theguthealthdoctor.com/https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthdoctor/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-megan-rossi-4214408ahttps://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@theguthealthdoctor⁩  https://www.tiktok.com/@theguthealthdoctor#ThrivingMinds #MeganRossi #BioAndMe #GutHealth #Microbiome #Nutrition #Wellbeing #Entrepreneurship #HealthyLiving #Mindset Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you outgrow the identity the world gave you?This week Alberto sat down with Caspar Lee, one of the first YouTubers to build global fame, make millions, and become an online legend.After achieving success most dream of by his early twenties, Caspar walked away from the internet spotlight and rebuilt himself, from burnout and identity loss to business, clarity, and purpose.Now a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of several companies, Caspar reveals the personal and professional lessons behind his pivot from content creator to entrepreneur.This episode dives into the rise, the crash, and the rebirth, and what it really means to evolve.You’ll learn:How Caspar built YouTube global success before 25, and what he’d do differently nowThe truth about fame, burnout, and mental health behind the scenesWhat it really takes to go from creator to successful entrepreneurHis biggest business mistakes, and how he turned them into winsHow to reinvent yourself when the world won’t let you changeThis isn’t just a story about going viral, it’s about going inward and forward in life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do we feel anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected, even when life looks fine on the outside?This week, Alberto sat down with Jamie Clements, world leading and pioneer breathwork expert, mental health advocate, and founder of The Breath Space.They explore why so many people today feel stuck in survival mode, and how reconnecting with the body through breath can transform not just your mind, but your entire life.Jamie shares how breathwork helps regulate anxiety, unlock emotion trapped in the body, and create space for clarity, healing, and self-trust.Whether you're facing burnout or simply want to reconnect with yourself, this episode offers a practical path forward.You’ll learn:How to use breathwork to regulate stress and calm the nervous systemThe truth about trauma stored in the body (and how to release it)Why most people breathe incorrectly, and how to fix itThe link between your breathing, your emotions, and your energyWhat a daily breathwork practice looks like (and how to start simply)#ThrivingMinds #JamieClements #Breathwork #Mindfulness #MentalHealth #CalmMind #StressRelief #Wellbeing #SelfGrowth #ConsciousLiving Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do some people stay stuck while others live their best lives?This week, Alberto sat down with Roxie Nafousi, aka Manifestation Queen. Roxie is a leading self-development coach, bestselling author, and the woman behind the global manifestation movement.In this powerful and practical conversation, Roxie breaks down the psychology of manifestation, and how you can use it to finally move forward, and achieve all your goals, no matter where you're starting from.They explore the emotional patterns that hold us back, the habits that help us thrive, and the mindset shifts that lead to real change.Whether you're chasing clarity, healing from the past, or building a new version of yourself, this episode is a toolkit for transformation.You’ll learn:Why manifesting is a real tool and not wishful thinkingThe 7 proven steps to successful manifestationThe science behind gratitude, and journaling exercisesHow to handle setbacks and move forwardHow to stay consistent when motivation fadesRoxie's Books: Confidence: https://amzn.eu/d/dCPlpwb Manifest: https://amzn.eu/d/8cfBxQ7 Follow Roxie:https://roxienafousi.com/https://www.instagram.com/roxienafousi/https://www.tiktok.com/@officialroxienafousihttps://twitter.com/Roxie_Nhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/roxienafousi7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if burnout isn’t a time issue, but an energy one?This week, Alberto sat down with Tam Kaur, self-made entrepreneur, investor, and a powerful voice for ambitious women navigating business, identity, and burnout.Tam shares how chasing success nearly broke her, the rejection that made her stronger, and the cost of trying to prove your worth to a world that misunderstands you.They explore the hidden struggles of high performers, setting boundaries without guilt, and how to protect your peace without losing your ambition.Tam also opens up about what it really takes to grow a personal brand from scratch, what content converts, how she monetizes authentically, and how she protects her mental health behind the scenes.This episode is about more than hustle, it’s about healing, clarity, and becoming unshakable.You’ll learn:How to build unshakable confidence from rejectionWhy burnout isn’t a weakness, it’s a warningHow to grow your audience and stay authenticThe mindset shift that separates dreamers from doersHow to succeed without losing yourselfFollow Tam:⁠https://www.instagram.com/tamkaur/⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/tamkaur⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tamkaur_⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/tamxkaur/#TamKaur  #ThrivingMinds  #ConfidenceJourney  #HealingOutLoud  #BurnoutRecovery  #FemaleCreators  #MindsetGrowth  #EmotionalResilience  #AuthenticityOnline  #UKContentCreators Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if burnout isn’t a time issue, but an energy one?This week Alberto sat down with Simon Alexander Ong, globally acclaimed life coach, bestselling author of Energize, and trusted advisor to elite entrepreneurs and high-performers.They talked about the real reasons so many of us feel stuck, tired, or unfulfilled, even when everything looks “successful” from the outside.Simon shares how we can change the game by managing our energy instead of just our time, how to make brave career pivots, and what he’s learned from coaching top 1% performers around the world.This is a masterclass on clarity, purpose, and taking back control.You’ll learn:How to break free from burnoutHow to find clarity in my life or careerHow to stay motivated and consistentHow to reconnect with your core valuesHow to set goals that actually lead to fulfilmentFollow Simon:IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/simonalexandero⁠YT: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/SimonAlexanderOng⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/SimonAlexanderO⁠FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/simonalexanderong.official/⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.