My name is Jose Rosa, and I am the founder of The Thrival Network and co-creator of Everest Eats, a plant-based culinary and wellness brand based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My journey into a whole-food plant-based lifestyle began in 2016 through my wife, Katy. While she was studying environmental science, one of her first classes opened her eyes to how deeply industrial agriculture impacts our planet. That awareness led us to watch Cowspiracy, and from that night forward, everything changed. She decided to stop eating meat, and out of love, curiosity, and a deep sense of partnership, I joined her. That decision became one of the most pivotal of my life.

Within weeks, I felt lighter, more energized, and more connected to myself and the world around me. When Katy later removed dairy from our meals without telling me, the difference in how I felt was undeniable. It was as if my body had finally remembered what “clean” truly felt like. From that point on, food was no longer just something we consumed; it became our medicine, our message, and our movement.

We began our project Everest Eats in 2019, right before the COVID-19 pandemic, as a meal delivery service focused on whole-food plant-based meals. What started as home-cooked meals for friends quickly evolved into serving hundreds of families across the Pittsburgh area. Our purpose was simple but powerful—to nourish people and the planet through food that was vibrant, healing, and full of life. At its core, our mission was to create a more sustainable future through food by helping people reconnect with how their daily choices impact both their health and the planet. The timing, though challenging, was a blessing in disguise. When the world shut down, people began seeking healthier, more conscious ways to eat, and Everest Eats grew exponentially.

Over time, the work evolved. After earning my Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from the Center for Nutrition Studies, I realized that our impact extended far beyond the food itself. The deeper purpose was to help people heal their relationship with food, to move from mindless consumption to conscious nourishment. That realization led me to create The Thrival Network, a wellness platform that brings together plant-based nutrition, mindfulness, and personal transformation.

I am now building a program called Thrival Coaches that will coach groups of people on how to build more sustainable relationships with food, overcome food addiction, and rediscover self-love within their own bodies. I haven’t launched my first official coaching group yet, and that’s where the vulnerability comes in. I’m learning to sit in the space between readiness and fear, trusting that when it’s time, the right people will be there. My mission is to serve from experience and authenticity, not perfection.

In addition to my work with The Thrival Network, I also serve as a director of environmental health and safety. In that work, I focus on creating safer, cleaner, more sustainable workplaces and practices. That experience continually reinforces my belief that sustainability must be embodied in every area of life, from the food we eat to the environments we create.

Ultimately, The Thrival Network is about connection. Connection to our food, our planet, and our true selves. It’s about remembering that we were never meant to merely survive; we were meant to thrive!

My advice for others is to start before you’re 100 percent ready. You’ll never have every detail figured out, and that’s okay. The act of taking the first step, even when it feels uncertain, is what reveals the path ahead. Focus on your strengths, stay grounded in your “why,” and don’t be afraid to learn as you go.

When we launched Everest Eats, we weren’t trained chefs and didn’t have a business plan or a commercial kitchen. We had passion, purpose, and persistence. We learned that clarity is born through action. Surround yourself with people who share your vision, and remember that fear and faith can’t coexist in the same space. Choose faith. Every obstacle becomes a stepping stone when you stay rooted in purpose.