We were lucky to catch up with Devin Alexander recently and have shared our conversation below.
Devin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
From overcoming my struggles as an obese teen to becoming the Chef on NBC’s Biggest Loser, my journey has been about transforming not just my own life but inspiring others to do the same. I’ve never been one to have a ton of willpower around food, so I found a solution by giving a makeover to my favorite dishes, such as gooey chocolate cake, bacon cheese burgers, and my grandmother’s lasagna. This allowed me to get fit and sparked my passion for helping others, especially teenagers who may be facing similar challenges.
My involvement with the Biggest Loser showcased the power of lifestyle changes, with contestants sending their diabetes into remission. This motivated me to delve deeper into the diabetes space, leading to a collaboration with The American Diabetes Association for my cookbook, “You Can Have It”! Many individuals living with diabetes were told to avoid anything that tastes good, and I wanted to prove them wrong by showcasing delicious yet diabetes-friendly dishes like Open-Face Bacon Cheese “Sliders,” “Lean and Loaded Nachos,” “Waffle Fry BBQ Bites,” Cheesy Lasagna Roll-ups, and more!
In recent years, my focus has shifted towards helping moms infuse fun into their kitchens that successfully entice their picky kids to make healthier choices. Having experienced skepticism about kids’ eating habits, I became determined to challenge these beliefs. As a mom myself, I’ve witnessed my child embracing vegetables from an early age (with a little help from my “kitchen games”), inspiring me to release the book, “The Land of Secret Superpowers: Vegetables.” The launch party, themed as a “Carnival of Vegetables,” successfully got numerous 4, 5, and 6-year-olds to veggies to eat for the first time…and continue eating them.
This powerful impact has driven me to concentrate more on my “Fit Mom Fit Kids” brand over the past year. I’m on the verge of launching a course designed to help moms and kids on a larger scale, bringing the joy of healthy living to families everywhere. Not only will kiddos be eating more veggies, but moms will have more time as a result of what they will learn in the course!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I was recruited by the Television Academy, renowned for the “Emmys,” based on a college script, intending to pursue a career in screenwriting. Arriving in Hollywood, I volunteered at charity events, showcasing my culinary skills to make friends mostly. Celebrities recognized my ability to craft delicious yet healthy meals, leading me to attend Culinary School. Although I initially aspired to be a screenwriter, my path shifted as I ventured into opening a successful catering business during culinary school. Tired of the late night hours of the catering business, I transitioned to the media world, working at Muscle & Fitness Magazine. What began as a column, there, turned into my first book, “Fast Food Fix,” marking the beginning of a rewarding journey. I spent a decade as the Chef and Media Partner to NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” hosting series on Discovery Health, FitTV, and PBS.
My culinary expertise has been featured on various TV shows, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Dr. Phil, and more. Recipes and tips from my repertoire have graced the pages of magazines such as Prevention, Men’s Health, People, and AARP. With ten bestselling books under my belt, including the NY Times Bestselling Biggest Loser Cookbook Series, I’ve diversified into children’s literature with my recent release, “The Land of Secret Superpowers: Vegetables.”
I’ve served as a Spokeschef and consultant for major US Food, Cookware, and Lifestyle Companies including Heinz, Ninja Blender, Circulon Cookware, Rodale Inc., Jennie-O Turkey, National Cattleman’s Beef Association, and NextDoor to name a few. Notably, I was the Executive Chef of signature restaurants on a major US Cruise line. One of my favorite roles, though, is having coached thousands of pounds off others while maintaining my own 70-pound weight loss for decades.
I’ve also gotten to travel the world as a Keynote Speaker. First due to my television background, then having been named, “Inspirational Woman of the Year” by NAWBO-LA (National Association of Women Business Owners), I’ve been able to speak for major corporations, not-for-profits, conferences, events, festivals, colleges and universities.
Being an “Obsessed Foodie”, I have always loved cute clothing with foodie puns. After commissioning tee’s, onesies and other apparel, including some Mommy-daughter matching tee’s, I opened an Etsy Shop, “Obsessed Foodie”, as an off-shoot of my core brand.
After 10 years advocating for foster youth, my heart was compelled to become a foster-adoptive mom. I proudly embrace the title of ” mom” to my cherished “miracle” daughter, who is my greatest gift.
Decades ago, while initially facing skepticism about healthy food, the growing interest in guilt-free eating has expanded my audience. I’m actively involved in collaborations and have carved a niche in the diabetes space, and evolving my brand to include FitMomFitKids, aiding moms in their wellness journey.
To the future generation, I emphasize the power of confidence in making dreams come true. Writing down and visualizing dreams daily fosters belief in one’s capabilities. Passion for what you do will attract success – a sentiment echoed by many entrepreneurs, and my journey is a testament to this truth.
I feel so blessed to get paid to do what I love AND help others in the process!
www.devinalexander.com for more.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
At the peak of my career back in late 2015, en route to a star-studded event on the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles, a sudden collision changed my trajectory. As a passenger in a town car, immersed in work on my laptop, the impact resulted in a traumatic brain injury that left me facing a challenging recovery.
Months later, a neurologist handed me 4 prescriptions and told me that I needed to shut my brain down and spend most of my time in a dark room. She predicted a bleak future that would have me never on stage speaking publicly again. Disregarding this advice, I sought specialized care from professionals who treated professional athletes, emphasizing that my arena was the kitchen, not a football field.
Though the accident dealt a significant blow to my business and “celebrity” status, oddly, I find myself grateful for the experience. Amidst the recovery process, I reflected deeply and discovered that my top bucket list item was to become a mom. Balancing a glamorous, on-the-go lifestyle with the pursuit of relationships and parenthood was a challenge I embraced.
Upon recovering, I initiated the process to foster with hopes of adoption. Through dedication and research, I connected with my perfect-for-me little girl from the Los Angeles County Foster Care System. While luck played a role, my pursuit mirrored the intensity I apply to everything in my business.
Being a mom to my daughter has become my greatest joy, even eclipsing moments like making the New York Times Bestsellers List, hosting TV series, meeting celebrity icons, and winning a Telly Award. Her presence has ignited a passion leading me to create, what I am certain will be an even more meaningful mark in the world.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Discovering the importance of having the right attorney has been a game-changer in my journey. This invaluable lesson, learned the hard way, has saved me from headaches and financial woes. Back in the day, I partnered with a restaurant chain through my manager, enticed not only by the monetary compensation, but also by the prospect of launching my dessert line.
Optimistically, I enlisted the help of a reputable attorney who happened to be a friend and would thus save me money (or so I thought). However, her expertise didn’t extend to food or entertainment law, a crucial factor, especially in navigating the spokesperson aspect of the contract. The chain filed for bankruptcy, after I had invested time, effort, and personal funds into the venture and taught me a costly lesson – an experience I humorously refer to as my “Unofficial Masters Degree.” The financial setbacks were significant and unrecoverable. Having the right attorney with expertise in the field could have prevented this substantial loss.
Later in my career, armed with this lesson, I prioritized hiring the best attorney for a significant deal. This decision proved to be a lifesaver when an unexpected dispute arose with a well-known company. My meticulously crafted contract, designed to withstand scrutiny, highlighted that I had not only met but exceeded my contractual obligations. The company’s attempt to avoid payment and shift blame met its match in my rock-solid legal defense.
Engaging a top litigator, we emerged victorious against a major corporation without even needing to go to trial. This experience reinforced the critical role of legal expertise in safeguarding against unforeseen challenges. Today, I view hiring the right industry-specific attorney as an integral part of my business strategy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.devinalexander.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/devinalexander and www.instagram.com/fitmomfitkids_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devinalexander
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinalexander/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chefdevin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@devinalexander
- Other: www.tiktok.com/devinalexander and www.tiktok.com/musthavemomhacks
Image Credits
Photos by HighQ Photography: Fuschia dress with mini cheesecake; shopping cart with my daughter and photo of me stirring and my daughter eating apples Photo by Michelle Pederson: Headshot in Coral Dress and in Red Chef Coat