Episode 133 is a road trip through my history, a journey from where I started to where I am now ⋯ and, along the way, I will chat about what drives me in everything I do (not just chocolate).
When and Where to Watch
🗓️
The stream airs LIVE at 11:00 PDT/MST (12:00 MDT, 1:00 CDT, 2:00 EDT), on Friday, July 11th, 2025.
Links below to watch LIVE and to view the archived episode.
Click on this (shareable) link to watch on YouTube. Please subscribe (free!) to the @PodSaveChocolate YouTube channel, like this video, comment, and share this episode to help grow the #PSC community.
This LINKEDIN link is shareable.
Watch and comment LIVE or view the archived episode on LinkedIn. Join my network on LinkedIn to receive notifications and to refer business to each other.
To paraphrase William Shakespeare (Malvolio in Twelfth Night), “Some people are born to chocolate, some people achieve chocolate, and some people have chocolate thrust upon them.” I believe I am in the middle category: I was neither born to chocolate nor did I have it thrust upon me. My ChocolateLife is a result of a conscious decision, though one I freely admit I had no idea where it would lead when I made the decision.
This episode of PodSaveChocolate is an exploration of the why and the how (and not a little of the when of) TheChocolateLife. Where did the idea come from, and why is it called TheChocolateLife? What is my purpose in living my Chocolate Life – what are some of the philosophical and practical underpinnings?
I think it’s an interesting story, one that will resonate within you, one that you will take to heart, and one that you will share with others.
Let’s begin:
Life isn't about finding yourself. Life’s about creating yourself. — George Bernard Shaw
I have to disagree with GB on this point. I don’t think Life is about creating ⋯ or inventing or possibly reinventing ⋯ oneself. Living the Chocolate Life is a metaphor for the process of discovering yourself and sharing that self with others.
An analogy is the Japanese concept of ikigai: meaning “a reason for being.” It’s the intersection of:
1) What you love (your passion) 2) what you’re good at (your vocation) 3) What the world needs (your mission), and 4) What you can be paid for (your profession).
Ikigai is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Unlike Western ideas of purpose, however, ikigai is not necessarily grand or career-focused; it can also be found in small, everyday pleasures and routines: A meaning for one’s life, not the meaning for your life.
For some, ikigai is a career or calling and can be fluid and personal, not always tied to monetary compensation. For others, it’s found in family, hobbies, or community involvement; the pursuit of ikigai is seen as a lifelong journey, not a destination.
⁉️
Living the Chocolate Life extends the concept ofikigaiin one crucial way.
I believe that it’s not enough to simply discover the intersection of passion and talent that might potentially benefit others.
So I added a fifth element (no, not that one):
5) How you intentionally inspire others to pursue their ChocolateLife.
Living The Chocolate Life has a conscious intent aspect: Once you’ve found your own Chocolate Life – that is, once you’ve discovered the intersection of your passions and talents (and maybe figured out how to get paid for them) – the next, requisite, step is to actively inspire others to find and follow their own Chocolate Life, no matter what their ikigai is.
The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away. — Pablo Picasso
Origins
But that is not where I started. I did not come to the clarity expressed in the above until about 2015, and have been regularly iterating and refining the ideas for over a decade, looking for ways to simplify the language and make it more expressive.
Come join me on that journey, too, as I go way back and explore the early education of a chocolate critic and the evolution of my thinking since that day in 1994 when I had my entrepreneurial chocolate epiphany.
Questions?
If you have questions or want to comment, you can do so during the episode or, if you are a ChocolateLife member, you can add them in the Comments below at any time.
What IS The Chocolate Life? | #PodSaveChocolate Ep 133
This episode of Pod Save Chocolate is a deep dive into the origins, philosophy, and personal journey behind “The Chocolate Life,” as told by its creator, Clay Gordon. Here’s an organized summary capturing the heart of the episode:
**Introduction & Purpose**
- Host Clay Gordon introduces himself and sets the stage: this episode is a reflective road trip through his personal and professional journey in chocolate.
- The central question: What is The Chocolate Life, and what does it mean to live it?
**Community & Engagement**
- Gordon emphasizes the importance of community support, encouraging viewers to join The Chocolate Life as members and to participate in discussions on various platforms.
- He highlights how community involvement helps grow and sustain the project.
**Philosophical Foundations**
- The concept of The Chocolate Life is closely tied to the Japanese idea of “ikigai” — a reason for being, the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
- Gordon adapts a Shakespeare quote: “Some are born to chocolate, some achieve chocolate, and some have chocolate thrust upon them.” He places himself in the “achieve” category, having consciously chosen chocolate as his path.
- He contrasts George Bernard Shaw’s notion of “creating yourself” with his own belief that life is about discovering and sharing your authentic self.
**Personal Journey & Epiphany**
- In 1994, Gordon experienced an “entrepreneurial epiphany” after discovering single-origin chocolate in France. This led him to become the world’s first professional chocolate critic.
- A chance decision to explore a French town rather than go straight to the airport resulted in discovering unique chocolate bars, which sparked a transformative chocolate tasting with friends.
- This experience revealed the diversity and depth of chocolate, setting him on a new career trajectory.
**Professional Background**
- Gordon’s background spans fine arts, radio, photography, and high technology, including pioneering work in computer graphics and HDTV.
- Communication—translating complex ideas into accessible language—has been a consistent theme throughout his career.
- Skills and perspectives from his tech and art careers directly influenced his approach to chocolate.
**The Chocolate Life as a Calling**
- For Gordon, The Chocolate Life is a metaphor for self-discovery, sharing, and continuous learning.
- He stresses the importance of fun, passion, and skill, and the value of remaining open to serendipity and unexpected opportunities.
- The journey is about finding meaning and fulfillment, not just in chocolate, but in any pursuit.
**Independence & Impact**
- Gordon deliberately chose to remain an independent observer and critic, rather than a chocolate maker, to provide unbiased perspectives and research.
- His contributions include writing, editing, and building a global chocolate community, notably through his book “Discover Chocolate” and The Chocolate Life website.
- The Chocolate Life community now spans over 160 countries, with thousands of members.
**The Fifth Element: Inspiring Others**
- Gordon adds a “fifth element” to ikigai: a conscious intent to inspire others to find and follow their own “chocolate life,” whatever their passion may be.
- His mission is not just personal fulfillment but serving as a catalyst for others’ journeys.
**Serendipity, Retrospection & Advice**
- He encourages viewers to reflect on their own lives, recognize moments of serendipity, and pursue what genuinely motivates them.
- Fulfillment, he argues, comes from rediscovering passions and integrating them into life, even if the path is unpredictable.
**The Origin of the Name**
- The name “The Chocolate Life” was inspired by a playful twist on Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ la Vida Loca,” which became “LaVidaCocoa.com” and then “The Chocolate Life.”
- The application of ikigai and the focus on meaning, purpose, and community evolved over time.
**Art, Sharing & Value**
- Drawing on John Dewey’s philosophy, Gordon argues that the value of art (and chocolate) lies in the relationships and experiences it creates, not the object itself.
- He encourages sharing passions to inspire and bring joy to others, making the world more gracious.
**Call to Action & Conclusion**
- Gordon invites viewers to join The Chocolate Life community, share their stories, and engage in discussions.
- He closes with a signature line: “If you are working with chocolate and not having fun, you are doing it wrong.”
**Key Takeaways**
- The Chocolate Life is about more than chocolate—it’s about finding your purpose, having fun, sharing what you love, and inspiring others to do the same.
- Serendipity, curiosity, and openness to new experiences are critical to leading a fulfilling life.
- The journey is ongoing, and the community is central.
In sum, this episode is a blend of memoir, philosophy, and a call to action, encouraging everyone to seek out and embrace their own “chocolate life”—whatever form it may take.
Not a Member?
Live The Chocolate Life – Live La Vida Cocoa! Sign up for Free to comment and receive members-only content.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Premium subscriptions available.
Press ESC to close.
You've successfully subscribed to The Chocolate Life
Great! Next, complete checkout for full access to The Chocolate Life
Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.
Success! Your account is fully activated, you now have access to all content.
Clay Gordon
