"I didn't realize that mushrooms were neuroplastic and could help you heal your own negative thought patterns and your traumas and addiction and PTSD and all these different things." — STEPHANIE MOYAL, Co-Founder of Troop Welcome to the Turmeric & Tequila Podcast! In this episode, host Kristen Olson chats with Jake Mellman and Stephanie Moyal, the visionaries behind Troop, a company revolutionizing the world of functional and psychedelic mushrooms. Discover their unique journey from traditional jobs to mushroom entrepreneurs, fueled by deep family ties and a passion for mental wellness. Jake and Stephanie discuss the benefits of their science-backed products, share transformative personal stories, and offer insights on the safe use of psychedelics. Plus, grab an exclusive discount for Troop's products. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that blends ancient wisdom with modern science, all while promoting community and connection. Whether you’re into personal growth, health benefits of mushrooms, or entrepreneurship, this episode is for you! Time Stamps: 00:00 Childhood candy obsession led to gummy company. 03:47 Reflecting on past experiences and embracing identity. 08:27 Week of broken leg led to mushroom business. 10:46 First time taking a grace period. 14:56 Advocating for fulfilling purpose and serving others. 17:34 Organic start to company selling mushroom gummies. 23:01 Feeling pulled in different directions, seeking freedom. 24:02 Trusting gut, persevering through challenges, psychedelics help. 27:43 Functional mushrooms offer various health benefits. 32:30 Transparency in marketing builds trust with consumers. 34:31 Ask experts, commit, write a business plan. 39:13 Promoting psychedelics and exploring the world of mushrooms. 43:17 Longtime athlete uses wearables, takes regular mushrooms. 44:55 Company named troop after interconnected mushroom growth. Nature communicates and cooperates for growth. 48:23 Set clear intentions, safe setting for therapy. 53:18 "Applauding your podcasts, humanizing, wish you luck." Troop: We’re all about the mush life, as such, we’re bringing the world of mushrooms to a friendly neighborhood near you. Perfect for any day that ends in ‘y,’ our mushroom gummies are ready for you morning, noon and night. We’ve sourced the best ingredients and methods (slow clap for science) to make sure our gummies deliver on all thing’s health and wellness (check out our FAQs for more on this), without sacrificing the fun and flavor of your new favorite gummies. If you have any questions or just want to chat (we love a good chat), hit us up. JAKE:  I am Jake Mellman, cofounder of Troop. I am from CA and studied at USC. I am a serial entrepreneur and have learned tons of lessons along the way.  I discovered the power of mushrooms years ago by accident and have been since extremely involved.  STEPH:  I’m Steph, cofounder of troop. I grew up in California and studied in Boston. After several career paths that didn’t fulfill my ultimate dreams,  I read a book about mushrooms that changed the course of my life. I didn’t know mushrooms had the ability to rewire your brain and heal your body.  Once I discovered this secret, the rest was history. @trytroop https://trytroop.com/ https://facebook.com/trytroop http://instagram.com/trytroop https://tiktok.com/@trytroop https://twitter.com/trytroop   Connect with T&T: IG: @TurmericTequila Facebook: @TurmericAndTequila Website: www.TurmericAndTequila.com Host: Kristen Olson IG: @Madonnashero Tik Tok: @Madonnashero Website: www.KOAlliance.com WATCH HERE   MORE LIKE THIS: https://youtu.be/ZCFQSpFoAgI?si=Erg8_2eH8uyEgYZF  https://youtu.be/piCU9JboWuY?si=qLdhFKCGdBzuAeuI https://youtu.be/9Vs2JDzJJXk?si=dpjV31GDqTroUKWH