Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexia Acebo.
Hi Alexia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Of course! Entrepreneurship has been a theme in my life for a while. Being an artist, figuring out ways to support that endeavor, I may have had an underground eyebrow waxing business in college, and I also sold study guides on the University of Alabama black market. Hopefully, we’re far enough removed…. I had 12 W2’s in 2019 and I’ve done everything under the sun. I’m not afraid to work but I am afraid of things that don’t feel aligned with my purpose on this side of Heaven.
Fast forward to 2020 and what started as a pandemic pastime turned into a passion. Breakfast chats on social media became bi-weekly sessions with women all over the world to fix period problems, attain body composition goals, work through disordered eating patterns and so much more. My business, THE BKFST CLUB, came to life before I even had an inkling about what it was or could be.
Before The Club came into existence, I wrote on a piece of paper (that I’m looking at right now): “THE BKFST CLUB is a revolution of the female mind, body, and spirit- starting with breakfast.” And that’s my hope, to revolutionize women’s relationships with every part of their being- on and off the plate.
Personally, lingering GI distress and a history of borderline Crohn’s & H.Pylori, multiple binges and purges each week (sometimes each day), joint pain and inflammation, menstrual cycle irregularity and hormone imbalance, cystic acne, and zero self-confidence were major themes of my life before I dug into functional nutrition.
I tried everything I could to change my body from the outside in, worried about perception- my own and that of others. But what I never did was work from the inside out. So I began chasing the function of my body, mind, and spirit. I looked for ways to feel my best on and off of my plate (studying at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in the interim) and you know what happened? The aesthetic I wanted for so long followed when I chased what mattered.
I don’t and haven’t followed a meal or workout plan in 2 years. I don’t and haven’t used a supplement or expensive pill. I don’t restrict, ever. What I do and what I’ve done is listen to my body. Every single day, every single phase.
I used helpers and healers and western medicine now and again. I figured out the food and movement my body loves and more importantly, the people it loves to be around. I synced my entire life to my menstrual cycle. And I did all of it with the 80(discipline)/20(WAHOO!!!) approach- balance.
The biggest thing I did though, was realize that I couldn’t do it alone, and wounded healers are the best healers. That’s why I started THE BKFST CLUB.
To help women overcome gut dysfunction, hormone imbalance, body dysmorphia, and disordered eating- things I struggled with for years. And find the true version of themselves through work on food, relationships, spirituality, and more.
Your body knows what to do if given the time, space, information, and love. You don’t need strict meal plans, a one-size fits all dietary approach, overwhelming mindfulness routines, or overly intense move schedules when you have a biological blueprint and natural rhythms. The aesthetic you’re searching for will only follow the function your body can carry out.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think being a small business owner is signing up for a bumpy ride but a very purposeful one with a ever-rerouting GPS on the way to your destination. Most of my personal struggles in the business have been the feeling of “Who am I to be able to help people or think that I can?” aka imposter syndrome to the max. But I know that I went through my own personal health struggles for that reason exactly, to help others.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I identify as an artist and creative even though we’re talking about my business, THE BKFST CLUB. Because I’m an artist first and I believe that’s the reason I’m in this field of integrative nutrition, those desires led me to entrepreneurship. I also believe deeply that entrepreneurs are some of the most creative people alive.
I grew up dancing from the time I was two years old in my mother’s studio in Tampa, FL and went on to study professionally, attend the University of Alabama, and eventually perform across the globe in Asia until I settled in New York City to pursue musical theatre. In my young career, I’ve had the honor of working in TV, Film, and onstage. Recently, I was a part of the CHICAGO national tour as well as On Your Feet! at The Muny in St. Louis (Qué siga la tradición!!!!). I am still actively pursuing a career in performing and creation while building everything that is THE BKFST CLUB, and I can say I’ve never felt more aligned with what I was put on this earth for – making art and entertaining, as well as helping people feel wholly like themselves.
What I think sets me apart is the fact that I’m not afraid to work and I’m not afraid to tell my story honestly. I think I have the stage to thank for the vulnerability and lack of fear when it comes to rejection. Starting a business is a lot of no’s and a lot of failure but having walked into as many audition rooms as I have, and been told no for every reason under the sun, my skin has grown pretty thick. It’s also given me a sense of the absolute perfect plan that we can do nothing to force in either direction. I know I will always end up where I’m meant to be in life, in work, and in relationship.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First and foremost, I’m a person of faith so I have to give credit to the best creator of all time. I wouldn’t be where I am without the best guidance around.
I’m also hugely indebted and grateful to my parents (both entrepreneurs) for lighting that fire within me and showing me what it means to really put the work in. My brother, Austin- newly Esquire, has been a huge help in guiding me in the legality of contracts on all fronts. Everyone should have an attorney in the family- especially when starting a small business!! The rest of my family (I really love my family) for always supporting me in every choice I’ve made- no matter if it was to move to China to dance on a boat in the middle of the ocean or quit my job to help people get their periods back. I love every single one of them and I wouldn’t be who I am without the Martinez/Goan/Acebo crew.
My mentors have also been huge. From college professors whose voices are in my head each and every day to the healers, helpers and teachers I work with to improve daily- both in business and in art. I’ll call out one specific life influencer of mine, Matthew. He’s my vocal coach but truly so much more. He encouraged me when I told him my plans to take a step away from fitness and build this thing so that I could also focus on my craft of performance. But more than that, he’s held me accountable through so many seasons of life and always made me feel worthy of life than I am working toward. I think we all need people who tell us we can and tell us when we’re better than what we are presently.
My creative partner Kayla, I have no words for – she is an absolute brand and marketing genius and beyond that- she’s one of the best people I’ve ever known. She started out as a client and experienced The Club magic for herself and now she’s my right hand in creating the daily ins and outs of THE BKFST CLUB. We have a little code that we say which will no longer be a secret now, but we sign everything SL for sin límites or limitless because there really are no limits to where THE BKFST CLUB can go, and how many lives can be changed for the better.
Finally, the best for last is my partner, Bryce. He’s the one who initially told me people cared what I had to say when I was posting my breakfast on Instagram and making bad jokes. He compiled all of my recipes in a cookbook and gave it to me as a gift saying, this should be something. He helped me build up the courage to leave step away from fitness and build my business from the ground up. Now he’s my partner and CFO. He’s one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met and his heart is as big as they come. THE BKFST CLUB wouldn’t exist without him.
Pricing:
- FREE consultations with Alexia
Contact Info:
- Email: club.bkfst@gmail.com
- Website: thebkfstclub.com
- Instagram: @thebkfstclub
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebkfstclub/
- Other: https://secure.gethealthie.com/users/sign_up/clients?provider_id=893146&invite_code=f443bb
Image Credits
Jeremy Daniel Claire Crause
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