EP27: From Grind to Grounded: Reclaiming Life and Leadership with Gareth Were
“The fire of purpose feels different than the void of unworthiness. One fuels you forward. The other keeps you endlessly proving.”
— Gareth Were
Welcome back to Your Frequency Shift Podcast, where we dive into the real conversations that shape life, leadership, and legacy. I’m Nick VonPitt, and today I’m joined by someone I deeply respect — Gareth Were.
Gareth is a father, a founder, and the owner of Pie Me Café, a fast-growing hospitality brand redefining what it means to lead with soul in business. His journey is one of awakening, burnout, surrender, and reclamation.
From heartbreak and self-abandonment to conscious entrepreneurship and fatherhood, Gareth’s story is an invitation for anyone who’s felt the tension between building something great and becoming someone you can be proud of.
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Your Frequency Shift Podcast, Gareth and Nick unpack the raw reality of moving from grind to grounded leadership. Gareth shares how heartbreak became the catalyst for his awakening, how self-awareness reshaped the way he leads in business, and how burnout has repeatedly called him back to truth and presence.
We explore themes of surrender, fatherhood, men’s work, and what it means to build businesses without losing yourself in the process. This episode is a reminder that doing the inner work isn’t a luxury — it’s the foundation for sustainable impact.
Key Discussion Points
Awakening Through Heartbreak
Gareth opens up about the breakup that shattered his sense of self but also cracked his heart wide open.
This heartbreak became the catalyst for discovering spiritual practices, self-awareness, and the deeper work of returning home to himself.
“It wasn’t a coping mechanism. It was felt. There was no resistance — I just surrendered.”
Entrepreneurship as a Mirror
Business reflects the inner state: flow and synchronicity when aligned, struggle when out of integrity.
With 85 staff and rapid growth, Gareth shares how entrepreneurship has forced him to refine self-awareness, integrity, and presence.
“Awareness is the key. Without it, you can’t access truth in your leadership.”
Burnout and the Practice of Retreat
Burnout shows up as ongoing pressure, overthinking, and disconnection from body and nature.
Gareth shares his antidote: stepping away to recalibrate, turning off distractions, and reclaiming perspective.
“Retreats remind me that the real Gareth is untouchable by struggle.”
The Universal Themes in Men’s Work
Common struggles: low self-worth, shame, the belief “I am not enough.”
Presence is the missing piece — the ability to hold space, witness nuance, and connect deeply.
Men are called to move from proving their worth to embodying it.
Personal Reflections
Gareth’s Path
From heartbreak to leading a hospitality brand, Gareth’s journey has been marked by surrender, awareness, and willingness to keep evolving. His story highlights that success without soul is empty — and that leadership begins within.
Conclusion
This conversation with Gareth Weir is a call to every founder, leader, and father: to stop grinding from emptiness and start leading from grounded presence.
If you’re in the tension between achievement and authenticity, Gareth’s story is proof that surrender, self-awareness, and soul-led leadership aren’t just possible — they’re necessary.
Reflection Prompts:
What part of my current grind is actually rooted in unworthiness?
Where am I avoiding rest, retreat, or recalibration?
How am I modeling presence and integrity at home, not just in business?
Thank you for joining us on the Your Frequency Shift Podcast. Until next time — keep honoring your truth, protecting your energy, and living in the frequency of who you really are.
About Gareth Were
Gareth Were is a father, founder, and the owner of Pie Me Café, a growing hospitality brand redefining soulful leadership in business. His journey began with heartbreak and burnout, leading him into a deeper path of self-awareness, presence, and purpose. Beyond entrepreneurship, Gareth has facilitated retreats across Europe, supporting men and women through transformation and healing.
Today, Gareth continues to walk the path not as a guru, but as a man in practice—balancing fatherhood, business growth, and the ongoing work of living authentically. His story is a reminder that true success isn’t just what we build, but who we become in the process.
Connect with Gareth
For our listeners who want to learn more about Mat and his work, you can connect with him through the following channels:
Website: https://www.pieme.de/
Listen to the Full Episode
Don't miss this inspiring conversation! Listen to Episode 27 of Your Frequency Shift Podcast:
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