Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Leibovich.
Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m Chef Jessica Leibovich—a personal chef, mentor, and wellness coach based in San Diego. I’ve spent over 25 years in the culinary world, starting with classical training at Johnson & Wales and continuing in France. Early on, I built a high-end chef business serving incredible clients, rooted in refined technique and real connection.
But over time, I noticed my clients wanted more than beautiful meals—they wanted to feel better. That led me into the world of wellness-based cooking, supporting everyone from athletes to kids with epilepsy, cancer survivors, and executives managing burnout. I saw firsthand how intentional food can transform not just health—but life.
At the same time, I was navigating my own transformation as a single mom to two amazing kids (plus two needy dogs). I was rebuilding my life, maintaining a 20-pound weight loss, and creating systems that actually worked in real life. That personal journey led me to develop the No Deprivation Guide to Weight Loss—a practical, no-shame resource for people who want real results without giving up everything they love.
As my work evolved, I began mentoring chefs and career changers who were deeply passionate but stuck in burnout. Many were renting commercial kitchens, undercharging, and running themselves into the ground. That’s why I launched the Prosperous Personal Chef Academy—to give them a proven roadmap to build a profitable, fulfilling, freedom-based business.
At the core of everything I do is this belief: food should be joyful, wellness should be realistic, and success should feel aligned. Whether you’re trying to feel better, build your business, or reclaim your freedom—I’ve got you.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been easy—but I don’t think the right path ever is. Growing a business while raising two kids as a single mom, without family close by, definitely came with its challenges. I’ve worn a lot of hats over the years, and learning to balance it all—without burning out—took time and intention.
There were moments of real pressure, especially during my marriage, when finances were tight and I had to hold things down on my own. And as my business grew, juggling clients with highly specific wellness needs could get overwhelming. But even in the hard seasons, I never lost sight of why I do this work.
I’ve learned that building something meaningful doesn’t require perfection—it just requires alignment. And that’s what I help others create now: sustainable success, on their own terms.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My business has two core focuses—but one clear mission: to empower others to feel well, build boldly, and thrive on their own terms.
🔹 For my wellness clients
I specialize in highly customized, wellness-focused meals designed to meet complex nutritional needs—whether that’s managing chronic illness, following a macro plan, or feeding a household with mixed dietary goals. I’m known for making even the most “restrictive” plans feel delicious, doable, and sustainable. No stress, no deprivation—just real food that supports real life.
🔹 For chefs and entrepreneurs
Through the Prosperous Personal Chef Academy, I mentor chefs and career changers who want to build profitable personal chef businesses—without burning out or overworking. It’s a business-in-a-box: structure, systems, mindset, and step-by-step support. I also offer free trainings, toolkits, and affordable resources to help them get started or scale smart.
💡 What sets me apart
With over 25 years in the industry, I bring a rare blend of culinary mastery, wellness strategy, and practical business guidance. But more than anything, my clients tell me they feel seen. That level of care—whether in the meals I create or the coaching I provide—is what I’m most proud of.
Whether someone is trying to feel better in their body, or build a business that finally feels aligned, I’m here to help them get there—step by step, meal by meal, move by move.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
While I’ve built this business largely on my own, I haven’t done it alone. Along the way, I’ve been supported by incredible mentors and coaches who helped me stay grounded, push through uncertainty, and keep growing when the path wasn’t always clear. I’ve learned that seeking guidance isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.
My parents deserve deep credit as well. Their creativity, work ethic, and grounded values shaped me into someone who doesn’t give up easily—and who builds with heart.
I’m constantly inspired by my clients. Watching them heal, gain clarity, build confidence, and show up more fully in their lives reminds me why this work matters. Their transformations go beyond food or business—they’re living more purposefully, and that’s beautiful to witness.
The chefs I mentor fuel me too. Seeing them step into their own power and build businesses that reflect their purpose is an honor I don’t take lightly.
And of course, my greatest inspiration comes from my children. Being a single mom gives everything deeper meaning. They remind me daily why freedom, wellness, and purpose are non-negotiables.
At the center of all of this is God. He is my strength, my compass, and the reason I’ve been able to carry so much. I trust Him completely—and the more I surrender, the more aligned this journey becomes.
This work is about transformation. Mine, and the kind I’m blessed to witness in others. That’s what keeps me going.
Pricing:
- No Deprivation Guide to Weight Loss $47
- The Prosperous Personal Chef Academy $1450
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chefjessica.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjessicasd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chefjessicaleibovich
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mychefjessica
- Other: https://linktr.ee/mychefjessica
