Slowing down is the key to maintaining positive VYBES - Interview with Jonathan Eppers, CEO of Vybes
In today’s Balancing Act Q & A we meet Jonathan Eppers, the CEO and Founder of VYBES, a wellness beverage company crafting organic drinks made with Hemp CBD (Cannabidiol). Prior to VYBES, Jonathan was the CEO and Founder of RadPad, an end-to-end rental marketplace that made finding a place, signing a lease and paying rent much easier. Jonathan made the switch from tech to CPG after he began using CBD to help with his own anxiety and believed CBD could help a lot more people if only it was available in beverage form, which led to the origins of VYBES, now one of the emerging category leaders.
Jonathan shares with us why he feels slowing down is essential, why getting enough sleep is not something he sacrifices, and how he manages his stress as a busy entrepreneur.
What does life balance look like to you?
For me, "Life Balance" means finding harmony and balance in everyday life. This is easier said than done, especially if you're as ambitious as I am, but I think the thing that's been most beneficial to me to life balance, something I practice every day, is the concept of slowing down. I've always had a tendency to fill up my entire day, I'm busy from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep. I'm getting much better at allowing more time in my day to have nothing to do, or time free of distractions. I'm more productive, creative & happier when my day isn't so crowded. My attitude and personality have also improved because I'm no longer feeling rushed and overwhelmed.
What do you do to stay active?
It might sound counterintuitive, but for me being active means getting 7-8 hours of good sleep every night. I tend to go to bed around 10p and get up at 6am. I rarely sacrifice my sleep. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night means I'm more refreshed and alert during the day. I also work out seven days a week. I love being in the gym. I get a bit crabby if I can't make it to the gym, so I make sure to plan this into my day.
What kind of diet do you stick with if you have one?
The best thing I've done for myself, my mind & body, is adopting intermittent fasting, which I do Monday - Friday. I don't eat between 8p and 1pm every day, though I will have coffee & water. I have much more energy & stamina, my mood is better and I feel sharper. It's been scientifically proven that intermittent fasting is one of the best things you can do to improve your health, well-being and lifespan. Otherwise I live by the motto "Everything in moderation, including moderation."
What is your guide to managing stress?
I get stressed when I feel overwhelmed, and my brain has a lot to do with that so I take care of my brain, which I feel is the most important part of my body. Outside of trying to eat well, in moderation, I've greatly reduced alcoholic consumption. I've replaced alcohol in social settings with VYBES, my CBD beverage and it works well for me. But my secret weapon to managing stress is a habit I picked up a few years ago. I started reading books. I read almost every day for 30-45 minutes, sometimes longer. It took some getting used to, but reading has done wonders for my brain and stress levels. It's one thing I recommend to everyone who asks - start reading!
What do you do on your day off?
As an entrepreneur and founder, I rarely get a day off, and that's ok, because my entire life blurs together. I prefer thinking of it as 'time off' and I take time off most evenings and throughout the weekend when I'm not thinking or working on my business. I really enjoy cooking and grilling, I love hosting friends over, I read, I listen to music and LA has a lot of outdoor things to do. I'm very visually oriented so I also spend a lot of time looking at magazines of art, fashion, architecture and landscapes.
What is your mood music?
I play classical music in the background of my office throughout the day. KUSC is my goto classical station. In the evenings and weekends my tastes shift towards music from groups like Rufus du Sol, Bob Moses & Fleetwood Mac.
What is your advice to those trying to attempt balance?
Figure out what causes you to feel stressed and anxious and try to eliminate whatever that is as much as possible. Figure out what brings you joy and happiness and try to amplify those things as much as possible. And slow down. Nothing great in life every happened quickly. Once you understand that, you'll feel less guilty for slowing down.