Meet Shane Heath | Founder & CEO of MUD\WTR

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shane Heath and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shane, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. It’s a pretty weird surf town. A lot of hippies and progressive ideas come out of there. Some big brands in tech and action sports are born and raised there, too. Geographically, it’s very unique. It is a place where you can be in the ocean surfing and then go a mile inland and hike or bike in a vast redwood forest.

My dad works in construction. He built all the homes I grew up in. He might not think of himself as an artist, but he is. I routinely saw drawings become physical spaces, some of which I would rest my head in.

My mom was a computer science major. She has been working for one of the biggest mushroom growers in North America since before I was born.

Growing up, I was always around creativity, computers, and mushrooms which for sure influenced my decision to pursue art and design in school.

Like my dad, I loved taking ideas and drawings and turning them into reality, so I became an entrepreneur.

Like my mom, I loved mushrooms and wanted to bring their benefits to millions of people through my computer.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our brand purpose is much bigger than the products that we sell. Like Patagonia and its mission to save the planet, our mission is to save the mind. Our products help people create healthier habits around how they rise and rest, which in turn, leads to better mental well-being. But we don’t stop there.

We use our platform and profits to advocate for the development, destigmatization, and legalization of therapeutic usages of psychedelics, fungi, and other modalities to create healthy minds by healing them.

That’s what we’re all about.

Giving people permission to not just feel good, but to get good at feeling.

Giving people the permission to change their minds, because everything from how we treat each other to how we treat the planet, all the way down to how we treat ourselves, all starts from a healthier within.

We’re here to create healthy minds through healthy habits, because if you can change your mind, you can change anything.

It hasn’t been easy, but it feels like we’re heading in the right direction.

The way I see it, it’s like swimming hard, but with the current. We’ve got the wind at our back.

Building a company with a greater purpose is something I take great pride in. Looking around at the world, there’s no shortage of things to worry about. With all the issues out there, it’s easy to feel helpless, maybe even hopeless.

But I find comfort in the thought that the mind is like the lead domino. If you’re not happy with the fruits you’re producing, it’s time to change the seeds you’re sowing.

When our inner worlds are in harmony, it affects everything—how we treat ourselves, how we interact with others, our impact on the planet, and even the kind of businesses we create and manage.

I’m driven by the desire to build a company that’s part of the solution.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a best friend in town our days would usually start off the same way: waking up and brewing some MUD\WTR. I like to mix in our :creamer, a bit more cacao, and some milk. Then, it’s sauna time with some breathwork and light movement to get the body going. We’d follow it up with a few rounds of cold plunges and heat sessions to kickstart the mind.

During the day, we’d head to our new cafe, MUD\WTR :gather. There, we’d join a class or two, grab some smoothies, and meet some fascinating folks who drop by.

At some point I’d take them for an intense session at Sweat Yoga, and a psychic development class with the incredible Yancy Schwartz at Shefa. We’d hit Topanga for some longboarding, swing by Meraki for jiu-jitsu, and wind down with the Sunday service and meditation at Self Realization Fellowship in the Palisades.

For nightlife, we’d go to this underground comedy show at Westside Comedy on Tuesday nights where big names like Dave Chappelle sometimes stop through to practice material. We’d also catch some music at Winston House or head east if there’s a good show.

Food-wise, we be at Erewhon, Alfalfa, Butcher’s Daughter … and there’s a decent farmers market on most days. And when we’re feeling gluttonous, we hit up Heavy Handed for the best burger in town.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve always drawn a lot of inspiration from professional athletes. Growing up in a surf town, surrounded by friends who turned pro, I absorbed that competitive spirit. Though I never hit those surfing heights, I channeled that drive into my career, constantly striving to outdo myself, to be a better version of me.

But to be clear, it’s been a tough journey.

For years, maybe decades, I battled self-doubt.

There were times when fear, anxiety, and impostor syndrome felt like shackles holding me back.

In 2015, things started to click in my career. I had solid ideas, and skills in brand, marketing, UX, and UI—I knew I was good. But I lacked confidence, especially in meetings. I’d rather work solo, perfecting my solutions in silence, than voice my thoughts out loud.

Then came a turning point. Duke, my boss at the time, a seasoned pro who’d managed teams in Silicon Valley’s elite, took me aside one day. “Shane,” he said, “you’re the most talented person I’ve ever worked with who doesn’t know it.”

A compliment, yes.

But to me, it was a wake-up call.

Was I really going to let my fears define me? Was I prepared to go through life never fully believing in my own potential?

And the big question: What would happen if I confronted and overcame these barriers?

That conversation with Duke sparked a period of intense self-development. Years of hard work on understanding and nurturing my self-belief, self-love, and intuition. It’s what laid the foundation for me to start and lead MUD\WTR with confidence today.

Website: http://mudwtr.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somanypossibilities/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-heath-719b4833/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MUDWTR