What if a healthier relationship with food started with enjoying it more?

In this episode of Live Like a Girl, Dr. Mindy sits down with acclaimed chef and Next Level Chef mentor Nyesha Arrington for a conversation about food that goes far beyond calories, macros, or following the “perfect” diet.

Nyesha shares how cooking with her grandmother shaped her relationship with food from childhood, why recipes can carry memories and identity across generations, and how years in professional kitchens taught her to see food as art, connection, and eventually, fuel.

They also get practical: cooking oils, salt, spices, kitchen tools, meal prep, fasting, strength training, hydration, and the small upgrades Nyesha has made that helped her feel dramatically better in her body.

Plus, Nyesha opens up about leadership in high-pressure kitchens, working alongside Gordon Ramsay, earning the title of “Chef,” and why she refuses to fit into anyone else’s definition of what a woman should look like.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

How childhood experiences can shape your relationship with food
Why food is closely tied to memory and identity
How Nyesha shifted from cooking purely for taste to thinking about food as fuel
Which cooking oils she keeps in her own kitchen
Why salt and spices can completely change a meal
The kitchen tools every home cook actually needs
How meal prep helps Nyesha make better choices when life gets busy
Why she uses fasting during periods when she needs deep focus
How strength training and sleep became part of her wellness routine
What working in elite restaurant kitchens taught her about leadership
Why she refuses to make herself more “digestible” for anyone else

Resources Mentioned

Olive Oil
Bone Broth, use code MINDY10

More on Chef Nyesha Arrington

Nyesha Arrington is an acclaimed chef, television personality, and co-star of FOX’s Next Level Chef. Trained in Michelin-starred kitchens, she has become known for her creative approach to food, mentorship, and commitment to thoughtfully sourced ingredients. She also hosts and produces Eater’s Plateworthy and is passionate about wellness, functional fitness, and using food to bring people together.

Instagram: @nyeshajoyce
Native by Nyesha

For more resources related to today’s episode, visit the podcast episode page: drmindypelz.com/ep365

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Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, fasting routine, or lifestyle.

How to Make Healthy Food Actually Taste Good with Chef Nyesha Arrington

Live Like a Girl with Dr. Mindy Pelz

How to Make Healthy Food Actually Taste Good with Chef Nyesha Arrington