John’s Must-Reads: Spring 2024 Edition
As we head into spring, I’d like to share a few recent reads that I’ve really enjoyed: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How To Lose Your Mind and Create a New One by Dr. Joe Dispenza Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza offers an inspiring look at...
Lesson #72
Taking time to disconnect from the busyness of everyday life is essential. Taking time for yourself helps reduce stress and allows you to mentally recharge, which everyone needs. For leaders, the benefits can also extend into your organization. Stepping away from your...
Why You Should Play Pickleball
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. and for a good reason. It appeals to people of a variety of different ages and skill levels, is easy for beginners to pick up, and is relatively inexpensive. Not to mention, it’s an absolute blast! I first began...
Recent Thoughts on Conscious Capitalism
As we approach the 11th anniversary of our book, Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business, co-authored by my dear friend and Babson business professor, Raj Sisodia, I've spent considerable time contemplating the evolving perception of conscious...
Top Five Blogs of 2023
As we head into 2024, I’d like to revisit five blogs that resonated most with readers this past year: The Value of Mentorship In this blog, I talk about my greatest mentor: my dad, Bill Mackey. I have no doubt in my mind that Whole Foods would have failed in its...
Five Qualities of Successful Entrepreneurs
Many qualities are necessary to find success as an entrepreneur, but here are five that I find especially important: Perpetually Optimistic You may have heard the statistic that half of small businesses fail in the first 5 years. And it’s true – most businesses do...
John’s Must-Reads: Fall 2023 Edition
As fall is coming to an end, I’d like to share a few books I’ve read and have really enjoyed: Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker As a perpetual optimist, this book is one of my favorites! I would even claim that this is the most important book that has been written in...
12 of My Favorite Plant-Based Cookbooks
I follow a whole-food, plant-based vegan diet and have eliminated both refined sugars and oils, so I stick to simple, whole foods that allow me to make healthy, simple, and delicious dishes. Here are twelve of my favorite plant-based cookbooks (in no particular...
Kindness: A Simple Concept with a Big Impact
Nine months after opening the first Whole Foods, what’s known as the “100-year flood” came through Austin and severely damaged the store and destroyed all our inventory. I thought that this was the end and that Whole Foods would never recover given the extensive...
John’s Must-Reads: Alpe Adria Trail 2023 Edition
Back in August last year, I set out to hike the Alpe Adria Trail. The trail runs 466 miles long and consists of 43 stages, traveling through Austria, Slovenia, and Italy. Unfortunately, after two weeks of hiking, I developed a painful shin splint in my left leg that...
Lesson #71
I always try to be open, whether that’s open to new people, new ideas, or trying new things. Doing so allows you to learn things from other people, about yourself, and about life that you may not have been exposed to otherwise. This mindset has surfaced many important...
The Value of Lifelong Learning
People often assume that learning and growing is most critical during childhood and that not much changes after a person has their “come of age” moment. This is so far from the truth! Learning and growing is something that should be a lifelong pursuit. Every day is an...
The Many Forms of Integrity
Integrity is an important virtue that every conscious leader should aspire to. It comes in many forms, and it’s critical for leaders to embrace it and all its complexity. Integrity is often defined by what it is not, rather than what it is, for instance, “not lying”...
70 Lessons for 70 Years
In honor of celebrating 70 trips around the sun today, here are 70 lessons I’ve learned along the way: 1. Be optimistic.2. Go on a hike.3. Eat fruits and vegetables.4. Read, read, and read some more.5. Eat beans! 6. Prioritize sleep.7. Be open to friendships with...
Evolving Your Perspective
For many years, I considered myself well-informed on animal husbandry and believed that Whole Foods had rigorous standards that were best in class. That all changed at our annual shareholder meeting in 2003. For anyone who has ever led or attended this type of...
John’s Must-Reads: Summer 2023 Edition
Although I’m an avid reader all year long, there’s something about reading in the summer that is so enjoyable. Personally, I tend to travel more, so I often find myself able to read more on the go and in new and exciting places. Whether it’s an audiobook during a road...
John’s Recipe for Building a Successful Team
As leaders, we truly are only as good as our teams. Entrepreneurs and CEOs are often credited with all the success when building great companies or fostering revolutionary breakthroughs. In reality, all successful businesses have an amazing, talented team working...
Finding a Balance Between Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
When I talk to entrepreneurs and leaders at young startups, I frequently get asked questions related to business plans. What makes a good business plan? How important are they? How much influence should they really have on your day-to-day decision-making? It goes...
Remote Work: Has the Pendulum Swung Too Far?
I’m going to be direct about my opinion on a topic that can be controversial: remote work. I personally believe that being physically together in an office is critical for a healthy work culture. In-person connections are so valuable, and this is complicated by the...
Appalachian Trail Notes
Long-distance hiking is a great passion of mine. I love being able to disconnect and enjoy the beautiful nature around me. Although I have enjoyed hiking for the majority of my adult life, I developed my passion for long-distance, ultralight hiking after thru-hiking...
Your Guide to a Nutritious and Delicious Vegan Brunch
Who doesn’t love brunch? It combines the best flavors of both breakfast and lunch and is the perfect meal for a slow-starting, relaxed Sunday morning. When people think of brunch, they envision eggs, breakfast meats like bacon, sausage, and ham, pancakes and waffles,...