We’re looking forward to introducing you to Amber Caudle. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Amber, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first hour and a half of my day is sacred. I wake up early and devote that time to connecting with myself. My phone stays off so I can be fully present. I begin with quiet meditation, journaling, and visualization to set the tone for how I want to feel and show up. I sip hot lemon water with sea salt, step outside for the first rays of morning light, and spend a few moments with my dog and bird. I also move my body gently through stretching, Tai Chi–inspired flow, and light slapping to awaken my energy and circulation. These rituals have been a non-negotiable part of my life for years—they ground me in consciousness, clarity, and vitality so I can show up at my highest level and make the greatest impact.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Amber Caudle, chef, author, and founder of The Source Café in Hermosa Beach, California. My work is rooted in the belief that food is medicine and that how we nourish ourselves—physically, mentally, and emotionally—shapes every part of our lives. At The Source, we serve intentional, seed-oil-free, organic meals designed to support longevity, vitality, and joy.
Beyond the restaurant, I teach classes, host workshops, and offer coaching to support people in finding true food freedom and deeper connection with their bodies. My upcoming book, Hungry: A Journey of Coming Home, shares my personal story of healing my relationship with food and body, and the tools that helped me get there. I’m also the founder of Sol Tallow, a handcrafted skincare line made with the same integrity and pure ingredients I use in my kitchen. Everything I create—whether it’s a meal, a class, a product, or a coaching session—is rooted in love, integrity, and the intention to help others reconnect with their bodies and their power.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed my worth was something I had to earn—through being perfect, performing, or taking care of everyone else. That belief carried into my relationship with food and my body for many years, where I tried to control and prove my value through how I looked or how disciplined I could be. Today, I know my worth is innate. I don’t have to earn love through perfection or productivity.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
When I opened The Source Café 13 years ago, I was in one of the hardest seasons of my life. On the outside, I was chasing my dream of creating a place where people could experience food as medicine. But behind the scenes, I was struggling with severe disordered eating, deep unhappiness, and exhaustion. I was working 80 to 90 hours a week, often short-staffed, and there were moments I couldn’t even afford to pay my team. I remember thinking, Who do I think I am? Maybe I made a mistake.
That first year was filled with self-doubt and uncertainty, but something in me refused to give up. I kept showing up one day at a time. Over the years, The Source has become one of my greatest teachers. She’s taught me resilience, confidence, and trust—showing me my strength and reminding me of what’s possible when you stay true to your purpose. The Source was born out of my own healing journey, and she continues to be a reflection of that healing—for me and for others.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what matters most to me is living with purpose—being a source of good in the world and using my gifts to make a meaningful impact. I’m deeply devoted to helping people find peace and freedom in their bodies and their relationship with food, and it touches me every time I witness transformation in someone’s life through this work.
Family, friendship, and community also mean everything to me. I value walking side by side with people who are committed to growth, consciousness, and truth—supporting each other on the journey. I strive to live as the most authentic version of myself and to bring that integrity into everything I do, whether it’s in my restaurant, with my coaching clients, or in my relationships. Ultimately, freedom, authenticity, service, faith and courage are the values that guide my life.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m in full surrender—when I release control and trust that everything is unfolding in divine timing. It’s in those moments of deep faith and inner knowing that I feel completely connected to God and to myself. For me, peace isn’t the absence of challenge; it’s the presence of certainty—the quiet truth that I’m always being guided, even when I can’t see the whole path.
I find peace in honoring my intuition, staying connected to my purpose, and following the breadcrumbs life places before me. When I live from that place of trust and devotion, worry and fear dissolve. I feel lit up, grateful, and fully alive—anchored in the knowing that I’m supported, protected, and exactly where I’m meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thesourcecafe.com
- Instagram: the.source.cafe
- Other: ambercaudlela is my wellness IG
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