Meet Josie Santi | Podcast Host, Speaker, & Writer

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

Hi Josie, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
We hear this idea that we have to hustle extremely hard in order to be successful–there’s a lot of toxic productivity instilled in our culture, where many people feel guilty if they’re not being productive, or feel like they’re unworthy of success if they don’t work a lot of hours. While I understand the truth behind needing to work hard instead of expecting success to fall into your lap, I think this toxic productivity is distracting us from what we need to actually be successful. Years ago, I sacrificed my well-being, my social life, etc. to work longer hours into my career. It just made me burnt out, not creative, uninspired, and I had no idea what direction to work toward or what I should do next to grow my career. It wasn’t until I invested in my physical and mental health, my relationships, my joy, my life outside of my work that I had so much more clarity, inspiration, and creativity. and presence that allowed me to show up to work better and helped me get to where I am. I don’t believe in “work-life balance” because I believe they all work together. I look at my workouts, my time with friends or my fiance, the way I eat, my routines, etc. as investments in my career–they’re what help me show up to interviews and client sessions so present, they’re what give me clarity on the right next steps for my career, they’re what give me the best possible inspiration and creativity to do my best work. I think we have it all wrong: it’s not about the time you put into your career, but the energy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I come from a background in fashion media, having been a writer for online publications for years and had an internship at ELLE Paris. I eventually became a Fashion Features Manager and continued to pursue a career in fashion. But everything started to change when I studied Religious Studies (and learned about ideologies like Buddhism and practices like Ayurveda). I had this “aha” moment that so many of us are doing life wrong–and our culture encourages it. We’re burning out on work, we’re viewing our bodies as enemies, and what we define as “wellness” is really another to-do list that ensures we never feel good enough. But I knew there could be more. I wanted to help women actually feel amazing in their lives, so that they feel like they are living as happily and fully as possible. So I think what sets my podcast and other content apart is that it’s not just “self-improvement,;” it helps you become your best self while loving who you already are. I also encourage women to be the expert of their own bodies and lives, knowing that MY advice isn’t always what’s best–it’s learning to trust your own intuition. I view my job as really helping women trust themselves again. I felt like I had this calling very early on, but I just had no idea how to execute it or really make a living off of it. At the time, I was still working in fashion, so I started my own health & life coaching business as a way to start helping women, and it helped me understand so much more a wide range of what women are dealing with, how they think about their bodies, their biggest stressors, etc. This knowledge is what I believe is the foundation for the podcast I do now, which is my greatest joy and purpose. It’s amazing to look back and see even the things I didn’t think were related to my “dream career” or what I’m doing now, actually helped form me and gave me the skills that I need on a daily basis. I think that’s true of all jobs and all careers–you always learn something you apply to a future role, even if you don’t immediately see the relationship.

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?
I am a WeHo girl, through and through. I love a drag brunch (my favorite drag show is at Beaches!), or heading to Hollywood for a night out (my favorite place is Tramp Stamp Granny’s or Desert 5 Spot when there’s a band–I love singing and dancing along to live music, and any piano bar has my heart). A rooftop hotel pool is another WeHo must (the Edition is my favorite, or The Mondrian, especially going to brunch at their Casa Madera restaurant before getting a day pass at the pool). My ideal WeHo day would be hiking Runyon Canyon or going to a Pilates class (Evolve has a gorgeous studio), brunch (my go-to’s are Cecconi’s, Bottega Louie, Gracias Madre, or La Boheme) and then bar/restaurant hopping along Sunset Boulevard. My favorite restaurant in the city is probably Delilah’s–it instantly transports you to the 1950s, and the live band is so beautiful. The Beverly Hills Hotel is another special place for us–we go to brunch every year on my birthday to the Cabanna Cafe. The Melrose Farmers market is another very fun stop on Sunday mornings, and we live in the neighborhood (in my opinion, the most beautiful neighborhood ever!) so it’s so fun to get a coffee from Alfred’s and walk through the neighborhoods checking out the beautiful homes. Whenever friends or family come into town, I always take them to the Warner Bros studio tour in Burbank–I know it’s super touristy but SO fun to see, and I love all of the Old Hollywood fun facts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Who I am now is absolutely a tapestry of my parents, my grandmother, amazing mentors, all the incredible people who have instilled in me the self-worth, drive, empathy, and creativity that I know has gotten me to where I am. If I had to pinpoint one person, I really do not know if I would be where I am without my fiancé. He not only gave me the confidence and skills to network and reach out to others that eventually is what got me the interview that started my entire career (and created rolodex systems for me to keep track of my contacts, which later became the foundation for so many opportunities), but I think having someone with you all the time who relaxes your nervous system lets you tap into the best parts of you. I always say that when I met him, I met me. The security I’ve felt with him has allowed me to chase after more of my dreams and have bigger aspirations, because I felt like I had such a safe home base. We met when I was 21, and meeting someone at that age who thinks the world of you really helps you think the world of yourself.

Website: https://wellnessbyjosie.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josie.santi/

Other: The Everygirl Podcast, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-everygirl-podcast/id1632453113

Image Credits
All of the photoshoot images: The Everygirl Podcast