# Splendid Radio w Justin Gay & Greg C.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubmdKHdsQTg
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/ubmdKHdsQTg

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## Quick Overview

Justin Gay, known as Mr. Seeds of Xanadoo, profoundly influenced the host's 33-pound weight loss in three months through microgreens, fostering a deep friendship and inspiring the host's juicing journey, while also sharing insights into his diverse entrepreneurial ventures and passion for growing.

**Key Points:**
- The host lost nearly 33 pounds in three months, dropping from almost 280 pounds to 247 pounds, by incorporating Justin Gay's microgreens into an intermittent fasting diet with protein.
- Justin Gay, originally from Los Angeles by way of West Covina (mostly Walnut), now resides in Fontana.
- Justin's favorite hip-hop movie is 'Breaking,' which he believes 'gave birth to disorderly' and appreciated for its recognizable LA filming locations like Legion Park.
- The first hip-hop song Justin connected with was 'King of the Beat' from the 'Beat Street' soundtrack, which he would 'kick... around that whole school' in fourth grade.
- Justin's entrepreneurial journey began in childhood by breeding and selling hamsters, then dwarf blue bunnies, and later large beard bunnies, eventually evolving into breeding dogs for about six or seven years.
- Justin chose microgreens as a 'gateway crop' because they allowed him to 'grow a lot of different things in a really small space' efficiently, providing the same variety as larger farms.
- Justin finds radishes the easiest thing to grow, while mushrooms, though fun ('like you growing a pet'), were discontinued due to excessive byproduct (sawdust) that didn't integrate with his microgreen soil composting.

**Context:** The 'Splendid Radio' episode features a conversation between the host and Justin Gay, also known as Mr. Seeds of Xanadoo, a microgreen grower and entrepreneur. The host recounts how an initial encounter at a Long Beach Farmers Market, where Justin was selling wheatgrass and microgreens, profoundly impacted his health and led to a close friendship. The discussion delves into Justin's background, his diverse entrepreneurial ventures, and their shared passion for hip-hop and music production.

## Detailed Analysis

The 'Splendid Radio' episode features a deep dive into the life and entrepreneurial journey of Justin Gay, known as Mr. Seeds of Xanadoo, through a conversation with the host. The host credits Justin's microgreens with facilitating a significant personal health transformation, leading to a 33-pound weight loss in three months by incorporating them into an intermittent fasting regimen. Justin, originally from the Los Angeles area and now residing in Fontana, shares his early entrepreneurial spirit, which began with breeding and selling hamsters, then various types of bunnies, and eventually dogs. The conversation also explores their shared love for hip-hop, with Justin naming 'Breaking' as his favorite hip-hop movie and 'King of the Beat' from 'Beat Street' as his first influential song. They discuss the nuances of music production, emphasizing the importance of analog boards, compressors, and preamps in achieving a 'warmth' and 'soul' in sound, contrasting it with modern digital production. Justin explains his strategic choice of microgreens as a 'gateway crop' due to their high yield in small spaces, driven by a passion for growing instilled by his mother. He highlights that his primary focus for microgreens is flavor, not just health, drawing from his experiences with Michelin star chefs and his grandparents' bartering culture. While he finds radishes the easiest to grow, he discusses the challenges and eventual discontinuation of mushroom cultivation due to byproduct management, despite finding them 'one of the funnest things' to grow. Justin also reveals his current venture into beekeeping, which he describes as teaching him 'Zen.' The host praises Justin for his generosity in sharing knowledge, particularly regarding juicers, and their discussion underscores the value of fresh, locally sourced produce and the importance of preserving food through methods like freezing.

### Personal Transformation & Friendship

- Host lost nearly 33 pounds in three months, dropping from almost 280 pounds to 247 pounds, by incorporating Justin's microgreens into an intermittent fasting diet
- Justin's garlic chives were the host's first microgreen sample, leading to a weight loss journey
- The host was inspired to get a juicer after seeing Justin's produce and receiving his guidance, eventually investing in a Kovic auger-style juicer for better yield and juice longevity

### Justin Gay's Background & Entrepreneurial Roots

- Justin is originally from Los Angeles, by way of West Covina and Walnut, and now resides in Fontana
- His entrepreneurial spirit began in childhood, breeding and selling hamsters, then dwarf blue bunnies, and later large beard bunnies
- He evolved into breeding dogs for about six or seven years, driven by a capitalist mindset and love for pets

### Hip-Hop & Music Production Insights

- Justin's favorite hip-hop movie is 'Breaking,' which he believes 'gave birth to disorderly' and appreciated for its recognizable LA filming locations
- The first hip-hop song Justin connected with was 'King of the Beat' from the 'Beat Street' soundtrack, which he would 'kick... around that whole school' in fourth grade
- They discuss the importance of analog boards, compressors, and preamps in music production to achieve 'warmth' and 'soul,' contrasting it with the 'cleanliness' sought in movie audio

### Microgreens & Growing Philosophy

- Justin chose microgreens as a 'gateway crop' because they allowed him to 'grow a lot of different things in a really small space' efficiently
- His primary focus for microgreens is flavor, not just health, influenced by experiences with Michelin star chefs and his grandparents' bartering culture
- He emphasizes bringing the 'freshest thing' to people and doing it 'in front of them' to ensure no questions about quality

### Diverse Growing Ventures & Challenges

- Radishes are identified as the easiest crop to grow, recommended for beginners
- Mushrooms were a 'funnest' venture ('like you growing a pet') but were discontinued due to excessive sawdust byproduct that didn't integrate with his microgreen soil composting
- Justin is currently engaged in beekeeping, which he describes as teaching him 'Zen' and a new level of calm
- He advises using freezers as a 'best friend' for storing bulk produce and juice for preservation