Interview by Walter Grio
Photos courtesy of Sophie Jaffe
Website: thephilosophie.com
Instagram: instagram.com/philosophiemama
Facebook: facebook.com/philosophiemama
Sophie Jaffe is a Los Angeles-based health and wellness expert, who is certified as a raw food chef and yoga teacher. Sophie founded her company and wellness brand, Philosophie, with the goal of making it easier, more inspiring, and more delicious to attain optimal health and radiant wellness. Through her holistic approach to wellbeing, Sophie has learned that total wellbeing begins with total nourishment, which is why she created her unique line of cleanses and superfood products. These healing products have helped everyone from George Clooney to Sophie’s own dad, and have become essential components in the lives of thousands more. When Sophie isn’t crafting revolutionary products from the world’s most potent superfoods, she is sharing her insights on how to live a life full of unbounded energy, bliss, and balance on the Philosophie blog and savoring every moment with her two beautiful children and loving husband.
What inspired you to start Philosophie?
My wellness journey began at a young age. My mom is a holistic nurse practitioner and I grew up appreciating and taking homeopathic medicines, flower essences, essential oils, and other natural forms of healing before western approaches were taken (I didn’t step into a hospital or see a “real” doctor until I had my first son at 26 years old). This was how my journey was impacted, in every part of who I was from a very young age. To me, healthy is a state of mind. It’s being connected to your best self, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
After graduating from UCLA with a degree in Health Psychology, I was working part-time at a raw food juice bar (one of the first of their kind!) in Hollywood. I then became a manager working 60-70 hours a week, closely training with the owner who was a celebrity personal trainer. I decided to continue what I was doing at the juice bar (creating custom cleanse programs) on my own. I was so excited to help change the eating habits of others and was also able to change my own habits and find a path to curing some of my own discomfort that I faced with dairy, meat, and other foods that weren’t working for me at the time.
I then became a certified raw vegan chef and my passion for healthy eating lead to Philosophie, which was sparked by my wish for an amazing blend of superfoods and proteins together in one convenient jar. I didn’t want to run out of maca or another individual ingredient and then feel like my smoothie wasn’t complete, so I went all over Los Angeles searching for high quality, fair-trade, organic superfoods and then began packing them into mason jars and little bags. I started giving the blends to friends and family and making everyone workout and nutrition guides. One day, I was in the sea in Israel with my husband, Adi, and he turned to me and said, “You should really grow what you’re doing and share it with more people, make it a company.” And that’s when it really took off.
What are the different benefits of the products being vegan?
A plant-based diet is when a person gets the majority of their nutrients from plants (fruit, vegetables, seeds, and nuts). Once I shifted to a vegan, plant-based diet and started eating meals like this Spiralized Zucchini with Avocado Pesto or Purple Cauliflower and Roasted Garlic Soup, I saw how much lighter and more energetic I felt.
When I eat too many meat or dairy products, I usually feel weighed down and lethargic. It’s so important to notice how you feel and react to different foods! Every person is unique and there’s a perfect balance for each of us. It’s your job to start to tune in and really listen to what your body needs and DOESN’T need. A great way to determine the best type of diet for YOUR BODY is by doing an elimination diet.
How do you balance a healthy lifestyle with a busy lifestyle?
I used to feel so stressed about making sure that everything in Philosophie was moving forward while also being the best mother and wife I could. One day, it hit me though—as long as my kids are safe, happy, and healthy, that’s all that truly matters. Everything else is an added bonus in life.
In addition to using this standard for my definition of “success,” I also meditate and set intentions for my day, returning to those when I need a positivity boost. Working out + eating healthy also play an integral part in helping me feel my best and be able to power through everything that I need to get done.
Sophie: Get the WHOLE FAMILY moving + make fitness fun for your little ones with this set of 7 exercises that you can do together in your living room! Your kiddies will have a blast crawling, running, bouncing, and (safely!) flying around, while you and your partner break a sweat + tone up.
Do you have any tips for people who are starting out?
I think a lot of people have this belief that health and wellness take a lot of work and aren’t fun at all. But this simply isn’t true! Done right, workouts can transform into your favorite part of the day and meals can become beautiful moments of connection with loved ones, as well as with nature — especially as you prepare meals and cultivate a relationship with your food.
So find a workout that you’re passionate about (and don’t get down if it takes a bit of searching!) and collect nourishing recipes that you can’t wait to whip up. And always start small + simple, even if that means a night walk and a morning smoothie once a week. It could easily become a daily habit!
Based on what you know now, are there some things you would have done differently in the beginning?
I would tell my earlier self not to worry so much, to really have faith in myself and my strength, and know that as long as I’m actively working towards being a better version of myself every day, then everything would turn out fine. Or scratch that, simply incredible.
