Episode Summary

Ava is joined by recipe developer Megan Sheley for a conversation about food and cooking as a lens for self-exploration. Megan takes us through her journey from working a 9-5 to taking the leap into recipe development, including the TikTok moment that changed everything when her Lasagna Soup went wildly viral, and what she has learned about herself along the way.

Megan Sheley is a foodie-turned full-time recipe developer known for clean food and a dirty mouth. Food is at the center of Megan’s world, and she believes it is one of the best ways to bring people together. From viral recipes on TikTok to competing on Next Level Chef, and from van life to eat-pray-loving her way around the world, Megan uses food as a vehicle for self-exploration and personal growth. Through her work as a recipe developer, Megan inspires and empowers others to reconnect with food and create a life where eating is fun, tasty, and makes you feel good.

In this episode Megan shares behind-the-scenes stories from competing on Season 4 of Next Level Chef under the mentorship of Gordon Ramsay, including the hard decision to step away for health reasons, and what it taught her about boundaries, identity, and making aligned decisions.

Ava and Megan conclude their conversation with a deep dive into Megan’s travels and how they influence Megan’s day-to-day life as a recipe developer. From an Eat Pray Love-style chapter abroad to the expansion in the kitchen that comes from experiencing global flavors, Megan shares what cooking can teach you about creativity, nourishment, and making eating fun.