What if your next best client came from a relationship you already have? In this episode of Hot Tea with Umo and Bri, Umo and Bri talk about why referral systems are one of the most powerful ways to grow a sports nutrition, fitness, or wellness business. They share how trusted partnerships can bring in aligned clients, shorten the decision-making process, and create steady growth outside of social media. From building relationships with physicians, physical therapists, coaches, chefs, and other professionals to creating simple referral packets and tracking contacts in a spreadsheet, this conversation is full of real-life business tips. They also remind founders that referrals are built through care, follow-up, and genuine connection. Sometimes, one kind message or compliment can open the door to a lasting partnership.

Umo's Instagram: @sassy.sports.dietitian
Bri's Instagram: @theathletitian

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Episode highlights:
(1:23) Why referral ecosystems matter for sustainable business growth
(2:12) How referrals build trust and credibility
(3:21) Using physicians, clinicians, and patient word of mouth as referral sources
(5:38) How referrals help clients make faster decisions
(6:27) Attracting aligned clients through aligned partnerships
(7:32) Why nurturing referral relationships matters
(8:20) Referral growth versus relying only on social media
(10:31) Why LinkedIn can be a strong place for professional connections
(12:22) Choosing the right strategic partners
(15:18) Tracking referral contacts and follow-ups
(17:14) Creating simple referral systems and packets
(19:36) Using events, webinars, and collaborations to keep referrals active
(21:00) Building real relationships beyond business
(23:27) Why a simple compliment can start a great connection

What if the reason delegation feels so hard is not your team, but the way the work is being handed off? In this episode, Uma and Bri get real about why delegation often falls apart for business owners, especially when you care deeply about your work and struggle to let go. They share honest lessons from their own hiring mistakes, including hiring in chaos, unclear expectations, and assuming people know more than they do. They also talk about what actually helps: clear communication, strong systems, detailed SOPs, examples, accountability, and giving team members the support they need to succeed. This conversation is a must-listen for wellness and nutrition entrepreneurs who want to grow without carrying every part of the business alone.

Umo's Instagram: @sassy.sports.dietitian
Bri's Instagram: @theathletitian

Join our communiTEA: hotteawithumoandbri.com/communitea-signup

If you got something from today's Hot Tea, make sure you subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and spill the tea with someone else!

Episode highlights:
(1:23) Why delegation feels harder than it sounds
(3:26) Early hiring mistakes and lessons learned
(6:24) Common reasons delegation fails
(11:21) Setting clear expectations from the start
(14:40) Why systems, examples, and SOPs matter
(17:06) Accountability, ownership, and team autonomy
(20:47) Defining success and supporting different work styles
(23:30) Collaboration, team culture, and founder support
(26:23) Final takeaway on building a business that can grow

What if the visibility you are chasing could lead to real clients, brand deals, and lasting business growth? In this episode of Hot Tea with Uma and Brie, Uma and Brie talk about why speaking, podcast features, media quotes, and even local events can do much more than boost your name. They share how the right visibility can build trust, show your expertise, and open doors to partnerships you may never expect. They also keep it real about fear, preparation, staying true to your niche, and why going viral does not always help your business. This episode is a smart reminder that the best opportunities come when your message, your values, and your offers all work together.

Umo's Instagram: @sassy.sports.dietitian
Bri's Instagram: @theathletitian

Join our communiTEA: hotteawithumoandbri.com/communitea-signup

If you got something from today's Hot Tea, make sure you subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and spill the tea with someone else!

Episode highlights:
(0:48) Visibility as a business growth tool
(5:02) Different ways to share your voice
(7:04) Surprising opportunities from media
(12:21) Speaking as a business strategy
(20:11) Choosing topics that fit your passion
(26:01) How to prepare for speaking and media
(29:48) Consistency vs viral moments
(38:12) Pairing visibility with your offers

What happens when you feel pressure to chase every trend online while trying to grow a real business? In this episode of Hot Tea with Umo and Bri, the hosts talk about the struggle many entrepreneurs face: choosing between owning a clear niche or following what is popular on social media. They share how focusing on the right audience helped them grow their businesses, why new professionals should build real experience before calling themselves experts, and how trends can sometimes hurt credibility. The conversation also covers when pivoting actually makes sense and how to expand your niche without confusing your audience. If you’re building a business in fitness, nutrition, or wellness, this episode will help you stay focused and grow with confidence.

Umo's Instagram: @sassy.sports.dietitian
Bri's Instagram: @theathletitian

Join our communiTEA: hotteawithumoandbri.com/communitea-signup

If you got something from today's Hot Tea, make sure you subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and spill the tea with someone else!

Episode highlights:
(1:27) Season two kickoff and the big question: niche vs trends
(3:37) Why having a clear niche attracts the right audience
(9:59) Social media pressure and the trap of chasing trends
(13:27) The problem with calling yourself an expert too early
(18:56) When pivoting your business actually makes sense
(23:36) Expanding your niche without losing your message
(24:27) Building real authority through research and learning

Highly recommended to watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Gg5Tx_d5dCQ

Across these standout clips, you’ll hear powerful reminders you don’t need to be ready or perfect to begin. You’ll hear why starting small beats waiting too long, how looking inward instead of outward can change the way you grow, and why systems, boundaries, and rest are not luxuries, they are requirements. This episode touches on everything from hiring with intention and packaging your services with confidence to navigating slow seasons, preparing ahead, and building a business that can actually support your life.

You’ll also hear deeply human reflections on faith, obedience, resilience, and trusting the process even when outcomes feel uncertain. These are the lessons learned through experience, repetition, missteps, and courage, not theory.

If you’re building a career or business in wellness and want clarity, steadiness, and real talk without the fluff, this episode is a powerful reminder of what truly moves the needle.

Press play and revisit the moments that matter most.

What if the way you parent, show up, or even just exist is your version of art?

In this powerful and honest conversation, Dezi Abeyta, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, performance strategist, and founder of Food Talk Nutrition, shares why he believes creatives should be treated like elite athletes. From getting real about burnout and rebuilding his life after Red Bull to creating performance teams for touring musicians, Dezi drops gems on owning your identity, taking risks, and rewriting your roadmap. He also talks about parenting with intention, being “professionally petty,” and the power of your pen. If you’ve ever felt boxed in by traditional career paths or wondered if you’re “too different” to succeed, this one’s for you.

Connect with Dezi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deziabeyta/
Can't Believe I Made It Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/cbimi/

Umo's Instagram: @sassy.sports.dietitian
Bri's Instagram: @theathletitian

If you got something from today's Hot Tea, make sure you subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and spill the tea with someone else!

Episode highlights:
(2:22) Who was Dezi before the career & podcast?
(6:01) What sparked his passion for wellness & performance
(8:54) His first unconventional career move & “kill list” motivation
(13:53) Realizing he didn’t need permission to create his own lane
(17:23) Why creatives are the new athletes
(25:21) How he supports musicians like athletes
(29:20) Gatekeeping vs. sharing: Where Dezi stands
(36:04) Advice for breaking into a brand-new space
(42:02) Diversifying income & the Men's Health journey
(47:17) Parenting, risk-taking & working with purpose
(59:41) What’s next? Dezi’s vulnerable relationship with writing
(1:06:07) A message to aspiring BIPOC professionals
(1:09:09) Staying grounded with inner child work
(1:17:10) Dezi flips the script: Umo & Bri’s vision for the podcast
(1:22:42) Soft launch hint: Something BIG is coming!

What do you do when life feels too heavy to carry? In this honest episode of Hot Tea with Umo and Bri, the hosts open up about how 2025 pushed them to their limits: personally and professionally. From unexpected pregnancies and loss to burnout and business stress, they share how therapy, faith, and stepping back helped them move forward. If you’ve had a hard year too, this one’s for you. Raw, real, and full of hope.

Umo's Instagram: @sassy.sports.dietitian
Bri's Instagram: @theathletitian

If you got something from today's Hot Tea, make sure you subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and spill the tea with someone else!

Episode highlights:
(2:17) Social media vs. real life: balancing motherhood, business & emotions
(5:20) When fitness isn't the answer—learning to rest
(6:22) The hardest year yet: pregnancy, loss, and leaning on faith
(12:10) When stress impacts your health: a wake-up call
(16:09) What worked and what didn’t in 2025
(19:05) Stepping back from client work: finding new roles
(21:10) Planning for peace and purpose in 2026
(24:25) Building a better business while showing up for family
(28:00) Protecting your peace online and offline

Are you already feeling behind and the new year hasn’t even started yet? In this energizing episode of Hot Tea with Uma and Bri, your favorite duo shares real, practical steps to help you close out Q4 with intention, and hit the ground running in Q1. From setting clear, trackable goals to refining your systems, team, and tech, they break down why “doing it all” isn’t the move, but planning smart is. You'll hear personal stories, hard lessons, and honest truths about what didn’t work, and what finally clicked. They also dive into how to avoid burnout, set strong boundaries, and why financial planning (yes, taxes too!) is a non-negotiable. If you're a health, wellness, or fitness entrepreneur, this one’s your must-listen game plan.

Umo's Instagram: @sassy.sports.dietitian
Bri's Instagram: @theathletitian

If you got something from today's Hot Tea, make sure you subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and spill the tea with someone else!

Episode highlights:
(1:26) Why year-end reflection is crucial for a smooth Q1
(2:45) Celebrate your wins—and learn from the misses
(4:35) How to avoid a Q1 scramble in the healthcare space
(6:00) Real talk: setting realistic, trackable goals
(8:10) Mini-goals and aligning systems, team, and tools
(10:15) Year-end tech, team, and tool audit
(13:16) What you should outsource (and when)
(15:33) Why it always circles back to the business owner
(16:26) Avoid overcommitting during Q4
(18:10) Boundaries and saying “no” the smart way
(19:59) Taxes and financial planning: do not skip this
(24:47) Don’t ignore industry trends because your business depends on it
(25:34) Final thoughts: You don’t need a new you. You need a clear plan.