Grounded


In this episode of Grounded, host Lauren Mitchell brings together an inspiring panel of women leaders in hospitality to explore a question many professionals wrestle with: How do you continue to grow in your career while protecting your physical and mental well-being—especially with a demanding travel schedule?
Joining the conversation are four dynamic leaders, each carving her own path in the industry:
  • Julie Zucker, Partner & CMO, Branded Hospitality
  • Shelly Garner, Assistant Vice President of Area Field Sales, Ecolab
  • Liz Seelye, Founder, Starry Eyed Strategy
  • Kelly Grogan, Founder, CRUMBS
From boardrooms and conferences to hotel gyms and walking meetings, these women share candid insights on leadership, fitness, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and building routines that actually stick.
🔑 5 Key Takeaways
  1. Fitness is not about perfection—it’s about consistency.
    Whether it’s Peloton rides, CrossFit, Pilates, or walking meetings, each guest emphasizes showing up in whatever way you can.
  2. Scheduling movement makes it non-negotiable.
    Putting workouts on the calendar—just like meetings—dramatically increases follow-through, especially when traveling.
  3. Strength training builds confidence beyond the gym.
    Lifting weights teaches patience, resilience, and how to “do hard better,” skills that translate directly into leadership.
  4. Community and accountability matter.
    From Apple Watch challenges to workout buddies on the road, having people who cheer you on makes all the difference.
  5. Balance fuels better leadership and creativity.
    Movement, hydration, and nutrition don’t just support health—they improve decision-making, energy, creativity, and how you show up for your team.


🔗 Connect with the Guests

🎧 Ways to Tune In
Transistor: https://www.groundedonthepod.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2I7EoKaVff3SnW3CoIXjJ6
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grounded/id1680909033
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/451edb13-5534-43ee-b46c-be36a7581460
iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-grounded-281280581/
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/grounded-5259267
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/1064441
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Grounded-Podcast

Creators and Guests

Host
Lauren Mitchell
Lauren Mitchell is the Director of National Accounts and Custom Distribution at Produce Alliance, LLC. She is a dedicated fresh produce spend & spec maximizer for multi-unit national restaurant chains & groups. She gets to know your brand and infuses your expectation for quality, consistency and transparency to create more reliability in your produce category.

What is Grounded?

Join us as we engage with top tier producers in the foodservice industry to hear their perspective from all links throughout the supply chain. Here, we discuss brand development, company culture, global supply chain strategy, culinary innovation and leadership from folks who founded, operate or manage multi-unit restaurant chains. Each show is tailored around the guest to dig deep into their unique journey and how it shapes their current procurement strategy in order to aggregate the best insights toward the future of foodservice.