This 'Chopped' Champ Beat Cancer 6 Times, Lost Nearly 200 Pounds and Found Power in Presence Chef Eric LeVine discusses what happens when you strip away ego, lead with truth and live fully in the moment both in and out of the kitchen.
By Shawn P. Walchef Edited by Jessica Thomas
Key Takeaways
- Eric LeVine believes ego is the biggest barrier to growth. By removing it, he found clarity, honesty and a new way to lead.
- After years of chasing the next big thing, LeVine now finds power in presence. It was a mindset shift inspired by his wife and earned through hardship.
- From cancer to burnout, LeVine’s setbacks didn’t define him. They became the foundation for a more intentional, authentic life.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Chef Eric LeVine doesn't do filters, not in his kitchen, not on a podcast mic and not in life.
He's a Food Network Chopped champion, author of multiple cookbooks and a James Beard-nominated chef with decades in the industry.
But none of that matters, he says, if you're not being real. "I'm not trying to impress anyone," he tells Shawn Walchef, host of Restaurant Influencers. "I'm trying to matter."
Related: How a 'Finance Guy' and 'Restaurant Guy' Joined Forces to Invest in Over 55 Companies
That kind of honesty isn't a branding strategy. It's survival.
LeVine has beaten cancer six times, shed 186 pounds and finished a marathon on a blown-out knee. Through it all, he's learned that authenticity is as essential as it is admirable.
However, reaching that point required more than physical resilience. It meant burning away ego, something LeVine calls the most dangerous ingredient in any kitchen, business or life.
"Ego is the worst part of people," he says. "It keeps them from learning, from growing, from being honest with themselves. Ego will kill you faster than failure."
He didn't just face the diagnosis; LeVine beat it. And in doing so, he began to rebuild every part of himself. He lost weight, reconnected with his health and ran a marathon despite a serious injury. The finish line wasn't about glory. It was about proving to himself that he could do hard things for the right reasons. Not ego, but purpose.
Related: How a Jersey Kid Grew His Restaurant Business Into a West Coast Powerhouse
Living in the moment
Somewhere along that journey, LeVine stopped hiding behind the grind. "I was never really present," he says. "I was always chasing the next. My wife helped me realize that the moment we're in is the most powerful one we have."
That shift in perspective now drives everything he does, from leadership to speaking engagements to writing cookbooks. "I hate writing cookbooks," he admits, "but I love what they represent. They're real. They're a connection."
That connection is what sets LeVine apart. He doesn't try to be the loudest voice in the room — just the most real. He tells his story not to highlight pain, but to showcase what's possible when you stop pretending and start being genuine.
Related: Most Creators Are Doing Brand Deals Wrong — And This Sponsorship Expert Has Some Advice for Them
"I'm not afraid to make mistakes," he says. "And I'm not afraid of what my past was like. It doesn't define me. It built me."
In a world of polished branding and performative leadership, LeVine is betting on something different. Something human. Something honest. Something real.
About Restaurant Influencers
Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point-of-sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.
Toast — Powering Successful Restaurants. Learn more about Toast.
