Today’s Guest – Brian Guadagno
1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?
My name is Brian Guadagno, I am 35 years old and I am the CEO/Founder of Raw Elements USA – Natural Sunscreen. I have been an Ocean Lifeguard since 16 years old. That experience drove me to develop my own line of natural sunscreens, choosing to stay away from chemical products.
2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?
Growing up in an Italian family household, meals were always very important happening. My parents always put a great deal of effort into preparing food at home and us eating together as a family. Eating good quality food that was good for us was taught to me at an early age. Being active and involved in many different sports and outdoor activities was just as important as schooling to my parents and they devoted endless amounts of time supporting myself and my sister in this way. Looking at our family all these years later, we are all thankfully very healthy and fit.
3. What did they do to inspire you?
Besides how they raised me as a child, I think what they are currently doing in their lives today is what is truly inspiring. Three years ago, I changed my diet to predominately whole food, plant base. I never thought that it would be something that I could do or would ever do. Initially, I met resistance from my family as we grew up on meats, etc. After some time and some research of their own, my parents have also made this switch in their household today. To see my Italian, Baby Boomer generation parents make and maintain that lifestyle switch is extremely inspiring to me.
4. How did their lesson change your life?
Being taught how important quality meals were and to be grateful for such always kept eating and foods very crucial to my well being. While the foods we were raised on 25 years ago may not necessarily be the same foods we are eating today, the value and attention to our meals has not changed.
5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?
I believe it’s safe to say that my parents convey the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle to kids considering they have both dedicated their entire lives as educators, school teachers.
6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?
It’s important to be active, to socialize and play activities with other children outdoors. Play sports, learn the activities that you enjoy, discover the activities you do not enjoy. Eat your vegetables! I was told that throughout my entire childhood, though I often didnt listen! Vegetables are good for you, just watch Popeye! Drink a lot of water, not soda and energy drinks, there is too much sugar and other ingredients that are not good for us.
7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?