Episode 96: Lifeway Foods CEO & President Julie Smolyansky

Feb 10, 2021

I think you’re going to really enjoy hearing from my inspiring podcast guest. I’m speaking with 

Julie Smolyansky, who is the President and CEO of Lifeway Foods, Inc. Julie made history when she became the youngest female CEO of a publicly held firm when she took over Lifeway Foods at the age of 27. Since then, Julie has continued the company’s growth trajectory with creative product development and marketing, bringing kefir into the United States mainstream and boosting annual company revenues to over $100 million. Julie is also the author of a beautiful cookbook titled, The Kefir Cookbook: An Ancient Healing Superfood for Modern Life and Recipes from My Family Table and Around the World, where she shares over 100 sweet and savory recipes made with kefir.

 

My conversation with Julie shone a light on so many interesting things, but here are some of my favorites:

• The health benefits of kefir are impressive, and they extend beyond gut health. Kefir -- a 2,000 year old probiotic yogurt drink -- supports our mental health as well by suppressing anxiety, stress and depression.
• The process of healing is an ongoing journey; it’s not about diet, but rather about feeling good inside and out, and making good choices about your wellness.
• Food can serve as a unifier, as it tells a story that transcends time.
• Health living means feeling good about how you treat yourself and your body, physically and mentally.

 

Want to learn more about the many health benefits of kefir? You can connect with Julie and Lifeway via the Lifeway Foods, Inc.website (https://lifewaykefir.com/), Lifeway’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lifewaykefir/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LifewayKefir), Twitter (https://twitter.com/lifeway_kefir?lang=en), Julie’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/juliesmolyansky/), and Julie’s book The Kefir Cookbook: An Ancient Healing Superfood for Modern Life and Recipes from My Family Table and Around the World (https://www.amazon.com/Kefir-Cookbook-Ancient-Healing-Superfood/dp/0062651307/ref=asc_df_0062651307/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312069235624&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13909804341371986398&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013457&hvtargid=pla-464841057094&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=58874700621&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312069235624&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13909804341371986398&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013457&hvtargid=pla-464841057094).