What if the hustle finally felt aligned? We sit down with personal trainer and accountability coach Jonathan Ryan Anzaldi to unpack how two lifelong dreamers traded New York’s weekend warrior cycle for a sustainable blend of strength, clarity, and self-made momentum. From first jobs and comparison traps to Laguna Beach mornings and a thriving coaching business, this is a honest look at reinvention, friendship, and the habits that stick.
Jonathan opens up about rejecting the nine-to-five, building a single-person brand through social media, and turning a quarantine ghost kitchen into a six-figure win without compromising quality. We get practical about fitness after 30—why strength training beats aesthetic chasing, how to program push, pull, squat, hinge, carry, and press, and what realistic progress looks like when life gets busy. On nutrition, Jonathan’s Italian roots shine: imported pasta over ultra-processed options, portion control over restriction, and flavor-forward tweaks that keep you consistent. Accountability coaching ties it together with clear plans, macro awareness, and permission to enjoy the foods you love.
We also go deep on sobriety as a keystone habit. Honest conversations, hard boundaries, and long-term support reshaped finances, skin, sleep, and focus. Friendship plays a defining role—calling out the truth with care, riding out messy seasons, and celebrating growth without judgment. If you’re navigating a career pivot, craving a calmer nervous system, or ready to build routines that compound, you’ll find practical, human advice you can use today.
Want guided structure to start strong? Jonathan is offering $100 off his eight-week strength training program with code mocktails at thatsalu life.com. If this conversation gave you a spark, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s reinventing, and leave a quick review so more people can find it.
Mocktails Or Messy podcast
IG: @mocktailsormessy | TikTok: @mockmess
Watch | YouTube Mocktails Or Messy
Listen | Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Featured | #11 of Best Local Podcasts: FeedSpot
