Check out our interview with wellness entrepreneur, raw food expert, and holistic health advocate Sophie Jaffe.
Sophie is passionate about making eating healthy feel decidedly decadent. She 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. Sophie has crafted revolutionary products from the world’s most potent superfoods designed to detoxify the body and reach an optimum and enduring state of wellness and beauty. Her unique line of cleanses and products includes adaptogenic blends, superfood honeys, and superfood coconut butters to make your life better from the inside out.
Follow Sophie at @sophie.jaffe and @philosophielove
Hi Sophie, please tell us a little about you?
I’m an entrepreneur, yoga teacher, certified raw food chef, wellness guru, but above all I’m a mama to 3 beautiful children, sister, friend and wife. I’m a huge supporter of therapy, healing and doing the work. I founded and operate Philosophie, a health and wellness brand with a mission to help people achieve complete nutrition in every meal. We offer superfood products and cleanses that nourish the body with whole, live, nutrient-rich foods. I have a podcast with my husband called IGNTD where we bare our souls and share amazing topics like spirituality, female sexuality, intentional drug use, astrology, co-parenting, open marriages and more with our favorite humans. We love to help couples feel inspired to take their love to the next level. I’m a yogi and have been for 18 years. I lead international yoga retreats called Nourish Your Soul.
I believe in the power of manifestation + believe I have manifested my entire life – each step of the way – with hard work and sprinkles of magic. What you think you become, what you feel, you attract and what you imagine, you create (buddha) I also believe you own how you show up for others, AND own how they show up for you. Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that doesn’t serve you. We only live once, make it profound.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Magical, nurturing and full of love.
What’s your background?
I studied psychology at UCLA and received my B.A. in the field which influenced my desire to forge a path to lifelong wellness, inner strength, and happiness. After college, I began working at an organic raw juice bar down the block from my house and eventually became the manager of the store. 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 became a certified raw vegan chef and my passion for healthy eating led me to create Philosophie.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
I am moved most by my family and deeply influenced by my children. My best friends have influenced my life in showing up fully for me and my children when my own family has been absent. When your friends become family, that is the ultimate gift.
Tell us about your successful company Philosophie?
I started Philosophie and ultimately my wellness journey by simply wishing that I could have an amazing blend of superfoods and proteins together in one, convenient place. I started creating my own blends and giving them 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. From there, social media really escalated my career in wellness. I was introduced into a wellness community + network in LA where I decided to not only share my superfood products but my story on living a healthy and BALANCED life.
The Philosophie mission is to help people achieve their fullest state of health by making it easy to get complete nutrition in every meal. Superfood Products and Reset Programs that are unlike any of the other nutritional supplements and detoxification programs on the market because they actually nourish the body with whole, live, nutrient-rich foods.
I believe that feeling good (feeling nourished, healthy, vibrant, and self-empowered) is what fuels us to work to be better people—better mothers, wives, sisters, friends, and active contributors to our world. And feeling good really just comes down to some basics—movement, rest, paying attention to what we put in our bodies, thinking positively. I know though that sometimes it can seem anything but basic and easy, and this is where I found my calling: making health and wellness simple, accessible, and daily joy.
What makes Philosophie different from other companies?
All of our products are organic, vegan, raw, gluten-free, and have absolutely no filler ingredients. The detoxifying Green Dream blend, beautifying Berry Bliss blend, and energizing Cacao Magic blend contain nothing but pure, healing ingredients that have been deemed “superfoods” due to their exceptional nutrient density. Because these blends can be added to absolutely any food, it’s really easy to enrich any meal with the health benefits of these potent superfoods.
What part of your job do you find the most challenging?
The most challenging aspect of what I do is finding the balance of it all, which – let’s be honest – is never going to be perfect. There’s only one of me and I’m pulled in a thousand different directions and some days I’m stretched so thin all I can do is take care of me and my needs. 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 — as long as my kids are safe, happy, and healthy, that’s all that truly matters. Everything else is an added bonus in life.
There’s never going to be enough time in a day. There’s so much, too much to be done. And I really want to do EVERYTHING that I can; I want to share wellness with as many people as I can around the world, but I also want to feel free, like I can hike, dance and play with my kids without being chained to my laptop all the time.
While there is no true end to my day when you own a company you can set boundaries. I say “no” to things that don’t match my values or fit in with my schedule. I stay present in everything I do and show up completely. I welcome in any emotion and tune in with my body constantly. When I’m feeling anxious and overwhelmed I slow down and when I’m feeling invigorated and vibrant I act with purpose.
How did you get inspired to pursue this venture?
It honestly just fell into my lap. I fell in love with raw foods + superfoods. I left the juice bar and wanted to continue healing others through food. I started Philosophie. And just kept going!
What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?
Walking away from a friendship that wasn’t lighting me up anymore and was draining my energy in a low vibe way. What was on the outside wasn’t matching the inside. It was deeply painful and I’ve done a ton of healing around it so I can move on with my love with grace.
Now tell us about your popular IGNTD podcast with your husband, Dr. Adi Jaffe?
Adi and I started the IGNTD podcast two years ago as an honest exploration of all things relationships. We created it as a safe place for anyone to go to as a resource to talk and listen about subjects that people aren’t always willing to open up about. We’re overly passionate about GOING THERE, always hitting new depths. Cheating, disordered ways of thinking, spirituality, wellness, mindful parenting and sexuality. Radical transparency and vulnerability are what we’re all about, helping you to UPLEVEL yourself to your highest being.
I never imagined that when we started the podcast it would bring so much to my life, my relationship and this community. This has been space for deep connection over honest + vulnerable conversations with some of our closest friends, inspirational leaders + creators, and going DEEP just the two of us.
What are the topics you guys talk about?
What do we NOT talk about?! There’s really no limits. From intimacy and sex to cheating and trust all the way to death, drugs, spirituality, friendships, work, health, nutrition, wellness and success… we talk about it all!
How did you get involved in this project?
Through IGNTD we had already been leading couples workshops, retreats and more on the tools to take your relationships, friendships, work-life + couple-ship to the next level. After some convincing (on my husband’s part) we decided to take it to a whole other level and share the conversations we were already having with friends, clients and through our work on this more widespread platform.
What is the key for a successful podcast?
We’re not afraid to GO THERE and have conversations about topics that matter and I think it’s been a major part of our success. From religion to politics to spirituality to cheating and our relationship to death, you can count on us to be raw, open and vulnerable.
What’s next for Sophie Jaffe in 2020?
Philosophie superfoods is BLOWING UP. New Philosophie products!!! Lots of new video content. Ways to connect with me digitally and take class with me from your home! More magic. Two retreats. So much more!
Best advice you have followed?
The best advice I’ve been told is that it’s important to know what else is happening in your market and to stay on top of trends, but more importantly, to know when to shut out what everyone else is doing and stay aligned with what you value.
What’s your favorite quote?
I have a coffee mug that says, “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” This quote is really special to me and my family since it actually helped strengthen my relationship with my husband, Adi. It’s also great to go by in whatever situation you’re facing—when you remove the fear, the doubt, and the negative, insecure voice in your head, you’re left with the beautiful freedom to be YOU.
Name one of your strengths.
I’m a hardworking badass that isn’t afraid to make mistakes and take risks. I’m also fiercely loyal yet open to new people & experiences.
Any advice to other young entrepreneurs out there?
Find your passion, something that fulfills you, something that challenges you, something that springs you out of bed and into the world. And, fill your life with people who give you energy, who support you in your mission, and who will be there for you on darker days, as well as the brighter ones.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo – it’s basically my bible.
What is your own definition of happiness?
To me, happiness is an inside job. If my thoughts are happy, I’m happy.
What is your favorite healthy food?
I will have a smoothie with lots of fruits, veggies, nut butter and SUPERFOODS every. single. day. It gives me so much joy because it tastes good and gives my body so much nourishment and love. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a HUGE fan of coconut butter or nut butter and have no shame in eating giant spoonfuls.
And your favorite cheat food?
I don’t believe there’s any food that can qualify as a cheat food. I eat intuitively and for the joy of eating food. As long as I’m in a strong mental + emotional state and in a place of love I’ll eat ice cream or burgers and fries because I know I can enjoy them at that moment without the guilt or shame. It comes back to the WHY.
Do you support any charity?
Project Angel Food – whole team volunteers at their kitchen throughout the year
Lunch On Me – founder was a guest on the IGNTD podcast
Border Kindness – promoted organization and donated goods
Susan G. Komen – hosted Philosophie events throughout the year for donations
I also speak on these issues across my platforms: women’s rights, environmentalism, hunger & homelessness
Any future plans that you wish to share with us?
I’m always up-leveling my work to create the best products and give the best experiences I possibly can. Philosophie is going to see some MAJOR up-levels this year including new products that will make superfoods and high-level nutrition more accessible to the masses. As a mama of 3, I know how hard it can be to balance your own health and nutrition while supporting and raising a family – I want to provide a source of love and comfort. I’ll be hosting more events both on and offline, next-level workshops and retreats!
How important is Social Media for your business?
I initially used it for Philosophie, to get the word out. I loved it – recipes, tips, wellness values. I found sincere joy in sharing my day-to-day with a community online. It made sense. Social media has been INCREDIBLE for Philosophie. I can truly be myself there and share my perspectives, lessons, trials, and struggles with so many people. It’s helped to get the word out not just about who I am, but what Philosophie stands for and what makes it unique. Without social media, it would be predominantly word-of-mouth since we aren’t in thousands of stores and can’t afford traditional advertising.
It’s become a platform for me to share. It’s a peek into my life – all of it – from the good to the bad. It’s really important to establish your goal of starting Instagram and what you hope to gain from it.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram (personal) / Instagram (Philosophie) / Instagram (IGNTD)
Song: Anything by Frou Frou or Death Cab For Cutie and the Amélie soundtrack
Movie: Anything with Julia Roberts, Little Women (the original), and anything with will Ferrell
Travel destination: The family and I love traveling to Tel Aviv. It’s become a second home and a destination we look forward to traveling to every summer. We take the time to reconnect and completely recharge. We spend days on the beaches, playing in the water and eating delicious, vibrant fruits. We visit with family and friends. It’s a beautiful place to visit.
