Meet James S @simplemangoodfood | Therapist & Foodie

We had the good fortune of connecting with James S @simplemangoodfood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James S, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My work-life balance has changed significantly since starting my TikTok. Initially starting out my TikTok in 2022, I was in graduate school, pursuing my Master’s in Social Work. With that, I was juggling a full-time course load, a full-time job, and a social life. So, I was devoting a lot of energy to many areas of my life.

As I began to gain traction on TikTok, I graduated and moved on to start my career as a mental health therapist. I had and still have two jobs, both in the mental health field, while also engaging in TikTok and making an effort on Instagram. Initially, the balance was difficult for me as I did not know the effort it took to do social media. I thought it was as simple as recording and posting, but the more I did it, the more I realized that it takes tremendous effort.

For me, I think balance comes down to what you feel your calling is. If you feel that your calling is the channel(s) you’re doing for social media, then you put more energy into that and allow other things to take a back seat. However, if social media as a whole is the “other thing,” then you put energy into building that and find creative ways to keep your channels growing without sacrificing. The thing is, you will always have to sacrifice something in the grand scheme; it’s just a matter of figuring out what

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I hold two positions within the same field as a mental health therapist. One involves working with a company specializing in mental health services for nursing homes across Michigan, while the other is with a private practice offering therapy in the Oakland County/Wayne County area. I take pride in the opportunity to assist individuals navigating challenging times and supporting them on their journey to personal growth.

My path to this point was not without its challenges. Struggling through high school, I graduated with a 1.65 GPA. However, I persevered through community college, where my involvement in football earned me a scholarship to a university. Successfully entering a graduate program, I thrived with a 3.5 GPA. This journey taught me valuable lessons.

I discovered the importance of pushing myself beyond the limits that I sometimes put on myself. Recognizing the significance of a support system, whether it be friends, family, or even acquaintances—like my classmates in graduate school—proved vital. While we weren’t as close as friends or family, we motivated each other to excel.

I want others to understand that the journey from where you are to where you aspire to be is marked by both joy and challenges, including moments of anger, sadness, and doubt. However, these hardships should not discourage you from continuing, as the journey is ultimately worthwhile.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Food – Prime and Proper (Detroit), Eddie V’s (Troy), Motor City Soul Food (Southfield), Miyako Japanese Steakhouse (Auburn Hills), Bread and Yolk (Lake Orion), Butchers Union (Grand Rapids) Mabel Gray (Hazel Park) Sylvan Table (Sylvan Lake) London Chop House (Detroit), Duly’s Place Coney Island (Detroit)

Things to check out – Belle Isle, DIA, Motown Museum, Traverse City, Bronner’s, visit Grand Rapids, Mackinaw Island

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a special shoutout to my wife, Bri, who plays an integral role in the inception of this channel. Despite my preference for privacy and caution to put my face online due to a desire for minimal attention, Bri encouraged me to take the leap. My focus is on sharing experiences with good food and restaurants so that people learn about the restaurants that Michigan or other states/countries have to offer. Bri’s support extends to filming and giving me tips while editing, ensuring I maintain the privacy I value. Her teachings and inspiration have been instrumental in turning my channel from an idea into reality. Without her, I might still be contemplating rather than actively enjoying the journey of having a channel.

Instagram: @simplemangoodfood

Other: TikTok – @simplemangoodfood