Stephen Zabala’s Food for Thought: A Podcast to Nourish Body, Mind, and Community
Stephen Zabala, a chef, nutrition enthusiast, and small business owner, is gearing up to launch Food for Thought, a podcast that promises to dive deep into the multifaceted world of wellness. With a career rooted in food and a personal journey marked by discipline and self-discovery, Zabala is poised to bring his passion for health, community, and meaningful conversation to a new platform. His upcoming podcast aims to explore not just nutrition but the broader pillars of wellness—physical fitness, mental health, financial stability, spirituality, and creativity—while amplifying the voices of local experts and innovators in Upstate New York and beyond.
From Kitchen to Community: Zabala’s Journey
At 37, Zabala has spent over two decades in the culinary world, starting as a dishwasher at 16 and working his way up through restaurants. His love for food was always paired with a curiosity about its impact on health, leading him to study nutrition and integrate fitness into his lifestyle. Frustrated by the constraints of traditional restaurant work, where he couldn’t fully control the quality or purpose of the food he served, Zabala founded Greenfork, a meal prep company based in the Saratoga area. Greenfork reflects his mission to make nutrient-dense, whole-food-based meals accessible to his community, offering pre-portioned dishes high in protein, complex carbohydrates, and vegetables, all designed for convenience without compromising health.
Greenfork is more than a business for Zabala—it’s a vehicle for education and empowerment. Through nutrition talks, community programs like Food is Mood, and his hands-on approach to fitness coaching, he’s committed to helping people understand the connection between what they eat and how they feel. His philosophy, encapsulated in the Greenfork motto “You are what you eat,” extends to the animals we consume, emphasizing that their diet shapes their nutrient density and flavor. This holistic view of food as medicine—or poison, depending on the source—underpins everything Zabala does, from avoiding seed oils in his cooking to advocating for farm-fresh eggs over their pale supermarket counterparts.
The Genesis of Food for Thought
The idea for Food for Thought grew out of Zabala’s desire to expand his reach beyond the kitchen and gym. As a self-described “curious” person, he’s always been drawn to conversations that unpack what drives people to pursue their passions. Over the years, he’s built relationships with farmers, nutritionists, fitness trainers, artists, and financial advisors in his community, each offering unique perspectives on living well. Food for Thought is his chance to share these insights with a wider audience, creating a platform where listeners can learn practical tips, challenge misconceptions, and find inspiration to optimize their lives.
“I want to talk to people that are in the community doing cool things that I like, that I’m also kind of into,” Zabala explains. His vision for the podcast is broad, encompassing not just food but the entire spectrum of wellness. He sees nutrition as more than what’s on your plate—it’s the music you listen to, the books you read, the thoughts you nurture. This expansive definition shapes the podcast’s structure, which will feature guests from diverse fields, each contributing to one of Zabala’s five pillars of wellness: physical health, mental clarity, financial security, spiritual growth, and creative expression.
What to Expect from Food for Thought
Food for Thought is set to be a blend of education, storytelling, and actionable advice, with a strong local flavor. Zabala plans to kick off with a roster of guests he’s already connected with—think farmers discussing sustainable agriculture, nutritionists unpacking gut health, or musicians exploring creativity’s role in mental well-being. One early guest will be a passionate powerlifting and nutrition coach, whose journey from CrossFit to coaching promises a lively discussion. Another episode will feature the women behind the Food is Mood program, diving into how diet influences mental health, a topic Zabala is eager to amplify.
The podcast won’t shy away from tough topics, like the challenges small farmers face in a system stacked against them or the misinformation clouding nutrition advice. Zabala’s seen how trends flip-flop—low-fat one decade, low-carb the next—and he’s committed to cutting through the noise. “I want to get to the meat and potatoes of it,” he says, emphasizing practical, science-backed strategies over fads. Expect conversations about nutrient density, with Zabala breaking down why a vibrant egg yolk or a deep-red venison cut signals more vitamins and minerals than their processed counterparts. He’ll also tackle personal finance, inspired by his own late start in learning about investments, and spirituality, drawing from his recent exploration of Buddhist philosophy.
What sets Food for Thought apart is its community focus. While Zabala welcomes guests from anywhere, he’s particularly excited to highlight Upstate New York voices—people you might bump into at a farmers’ market or gym. “I’m lucky enough to know a lot of cool people that are doing really cool things,” he says, and he wants listeners to feel that same connection. Whether it’s a farmer explaining why pasture-raised pork tastes better or a financial advisor demystifying IRAs, the podcast aims to make wellness approachable, not elitist.
A Personal Touch
Zabala’s authenticity shines through in everything he does, and Food for Thought will be no exception. As a single father and business owner, he juggles a lot, relying on lists and discipline to stay on track—a habit honed by challenges like 75 Hard, a 75-day regimen of workouts and clean eating. While he admits to bending the rules slightly on his latest round, the experience reinforced his belief in structure as a path to clarity. “Those task lists for me are really big,” he says, a nod to his self-diagnosed ADD and packed schedule.
His personal evolution—from a chef to a wellness advocate—adds depth to the podcast’s mission. Zabala’s not preaching perfection; he’s sharing what’s worked for him, like swapping seed oils for olive oil or prioritizing recovery over relentless workouts. His curiosity drives the show, but it’s his relatability that will keep listeners coming back. “I’ve been able to bring myself to a pretty good point now, and I just want to keep digging into that and help spread the message,” he says.
Looking Ahead
As Food for Thought prepares to launch, Zabala is already envisioning its impact. He sees it growing alongside Greenfork, with the podcast fueling interest in his meal prep services and nutrition talks. The show will live on a new website, buyinglocal.us, with QR codes in print publications linking directly to episodes. Social media will amplify its reach, but Zabala’s focus remains on substance over flash—real conversations that leave listeners better equipped to navigate their own wellness journeys.
For those eager to tune in, Food for Thought promises a feast of ideas, grounded in Zabala’s belief that small, intentional choices can transform lives. Whether you’re curious about nutrient density, seeking financial peace, or craving creative inspiration, this podcast will have something to chew on. Follow Greenfork on Instagram (@greenforkeats) or visit eatgreenfork.com to stay updated on the launch, and get ready to rethink what it means to be well-fed.