Lessons on defining success on your own terms.
When I first started the Head, Heart and Hustle podcast last year, I wanted it to be about more than just liberal arts. When most of us hear the word creativity, that’s exactly what we think of; writing, music, acting, painting, drawing, etc.
But when you think about it, creativity is simply about creating something. It doesn’t have to be about art per se. That’s a fallacy most of us fall into, and that’s why I was excited to interview Arielle Tannenbaum.

Arielle certainly grew up with an artistic background. She was a dancer at a young age, and like many adolescents and teens, she journaled during some of the most formative years of her life. But when a dancing injury forced her to find another creative outlet, she pivoted into an exploration of wellness and healthy living. Not only did this shift lead her into an interest of yoga and nutrition, but she became a health coach and community advocate in the process. From teaching people how to eat healthier to developing dinner parties that introduced friends and clients to local food and co-ops, Arielle took a fresh look at her life and what was making her happy.
“I’ve never been able to wrap my head around the ‘work-to-live’ mentality.”
Arielle acknowledges that her creativity has blossomed by finding ways to simplify her life. As her interest in health and nutrition grew, she rediscovered her love of creating things with her hands. Whether it was food, crafts, or other outlets, Arielle makes time to do the things she loves. She also seeks opportunities to connect to people and create a sense of community, a wonderful contribution to society in a time where true communities aren’t easy to find.
Perhaps then, it’s no surprise that this evolution led Arielle to become a Community Champion for Buffer. Essentially, Arielle is applying her natural skills and talents in the digital world. If you’ve ever used Buffer, read their blog, listened to their podcast, or attended one of their events, you realize that it’s a unique culture. Buffer is literally a virtual company; employees work from their homes around the world (or wherever else they happen to be at the moment), and the company’s salaries and budgets are available with full transparency on the web. They’ve also built a strong connection with their customers, no small feat in the digital world.*
Ultimately, Arielle explained to me that not only has her life become more fulfilling since she started her evolution, but that it doesn’t require as much sacrifice as one might expect. She’s adamant about not sacrificing sleep in her life, and makes time to think and reflect daily. Seems like her career, marriage and friendships, creativity, and commitment to community blend seamlessly in her life. We should all be so lucky.
If you’d like to hear more of our conversation around creativity and her experiences, listen to our discussion (it’s also on iTunes, as well).
Everyone thinks of success differently, and my interview with Arielle truly reminded me that sometimes less is indeed more.
* Full disclosure, I use Buffer for my personal social media accounts, as well as social media for the podcast, so I’m biased.
