Meet Ruth Truett

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ruth Truett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Ruth, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?

I am a food blogger. Food blogging and recipe development were a part-time hobby that turned into a full-time career and the only way this was possible was to have an extremely strong sense of self-discipline. Naturally, I am unusually hard-headed and fiercely independent. I like to say it’s genetic.

I grew up on a cattle ranch with two of the hardest working parents a person could have. I saw day-in and day-out, not only the sheer determination and immense hard work, but the discipline both my parents had to possess to make the ranch successful. It wasn’t easy. A lot of times it wasn’t fun. However, their refusal to give up created the ranch that will be with us for generations.

From their incredible example, I have always loved taking on a project and figuring it out step-by-step. The blog was just such a project. I knew absolutely nothing about how to start a website, but step-by-step, day-by-day, I plucked along. The harder I worked, the more successful the blog became.

Self-discipline isn’t always pretty, but it’s the reason there’s a recipe archive instead of just a folder full of half-finished ideas. No matter how my day is going, I show up—and that consistency adds up.

This year has been one of the most difficult I’ve ever faced as far as the blog is concerned. I have spent hundreds and hundreds of hours doing nothing more that frustrating, complicated computer work. The self-discipline required to get through this is something I am so proud of and all of those hours making myself focus have paid off.

I don’t always stick to an ideal schedule, but I do hold myself accountable—because I know that building something real takes more than inspiration. It’s not always fun or easy, but having a sense of self-discipline can take a hobby and turn it into a dream. You don’t need to see the entire staircase, you just need to take that first step and never, ever give up. That mindset alone can move mountains.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

During quarantine, I decided I needed something to pass the time. At that point, I had already started writing down recipes and sharing them on social media and with friends and family. The obvious next step was a website. I literally googled “How To Start A Food Blog” and was off to the races.

Rufus For Real is where comfort food meets real life. I’m not trying to make 17-step soufflés or decorating cakes with tweezers—I’m making food that busy people can actually cook on a Tuesday night without losing their minds, their sanity, or setting the kitchen on fire. Think: cozy, approachable recipes that feel like a hug but don’t require a culinary degree or 3 hours of free time. I started my blog as a way to share the kind of food I love to make (and eat!) when life is full but you still want something tasty on the table.

I don’t pretend everything turns out perfect the first time (it doesn’t), and I’ll never judge if you swap the fancy cheese for whatever’s in your fridge. My audience isn’t made up of chefs—it’s made up of real people with loud households, messy kitchens (is there any other kind of kitchen?!), and a deep appreciation for a good bowl of queso and batch of mouthwatering chocolate chip cookies. I’m here to create recipes that are not intimidating in the least and to make lives a little tastier in the process

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

My journey as a food blogger would not have come this far without sheer perseverance, a creative brain, and a lot of optimism.

Perseverance is one of the most important tools in my arsenal. There were times I spent hours on a recipe, only to realize it tastes like trash. You laugh, you cry a little, and then, you do it all over again. That’s perseverance.

The truth is, building anything—whether it’s a blog, a brand, or a new habits—takes showing up even when you feel like you can’t. Some days feel like a win, and some days feel like you’re talking to a hole in the wall. But, if you love what you’re sharing and believe it matters (even just a little), you find a way to keep going. Perseverance doesn’t have to be some big, thing—it can just be deciding to post the video, write the recipe, or try again tomorrow.

I have a creative brain, I always have, and I have to exercise it. For me, it’s less about reinventing the wheel and more about making simple things feel fresh and fun. Sometimes it’s adding a weird-but-wonderful ingredient, sometimes it’s how I film it, and sometimes it’s just leaning into the chaos of real life in the kitchen. My kids help keep that real life part super reallll.

I think creativity shows up most when I stop trying to be perfect. The best ideas usually come when I’m goofing off, testing something I’m pretty sure is gonna be a flop, or trying to make a recipe work with a two kids and dog running amuck. It’s not about being fancy—it’s about making everyday food feel doable and super tasty. And when I can make someone laugh and want to try a recipe? That’s the magic combo I’m always chasing after.

Honestly, optimism is kind of like salt—everything’s a little better when you’ve got just a pinch of it. Especially in the kitchen. You can’t go into a recipe thinking it’s going to flop, or that dinner will be a disaster. You’ve gotta believe that the bread will rise, the smoke detector doesn’t alarm, and that even if it does go sideways, you’ll at least end up with a good story (and maybe some awesome takeout). Optimism is what keeps you trying new things, even after a burnt batch or an off week.

And beyond the food, optimism is what gets me through the messy middle of…well, everything. Life, blogging, parenting, you name it. It’s waking up and deciding, “Okay, today could be really good.” It’s hitting publish on a recipe and thinking, “Someone’s going to make this and love it.” You just need to trust that good things can happen, even in small ways.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

You cannot have success without rest. There are going to be days when you’re overwhelmed, frustrated, and ready to call it quits. I’ve learned that when I’m overwhelmed, forcing it only makes everything feel heavier and more unattainable. Taking a break isn’t quitting—it’s clearing space in your head and in your heart for better ideas.

I give myself permission to pause on a regular basis. I have to to maintain my sanity. I go for a walk and get some sunshine, make a batch of pastina just for me, or watch my favorite trash TV with a pile of snack mix—it clears my overloaded brain cells. Turns out, my entire batch of brain cells and my family are the better for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rufusforreal.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rufusforreal/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therufusforreal/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rufusforreal
  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rufusforreal/