Interviewer: Samantha, you have an incredible success story and a unique background in health, science, and business. Let’s start with how you see yourself as an entrepreneur. How would you describe your personality as a “business and health coach”?
Samantha Upchurch: I like to think of myself as someone who’s unapologetically direct, but in the most empathetic way possible. I don’t sugarcoat things. I’ll ask you a question, and when I repeat it back to you, it’ll hit you in a way that makes you laugh and think, “Wow, that’s what I’ve been telling myself?” Think Tony Robbins meets a biochemist. I’m a professional, but I’m understanding. I solve problems by seeing them clearly and communicating with clarity. I bring presence, kindness, and a sharp sense of logic to every conversation.
Interviewer: That combination is powerful. How does your scientific background give you an edge in business or coaching?
Samantha: You know, science can be intimidating, but I take complex science and translate it into something a five-year-old can understand. That’s my superpower. People don’t need jargon; they need solutions. When I explain how gut bacteria impacts your energy, mood, and focus, I don’t just quote studies, I tell stories. I use science to back what I say, but I bring it to life with examples from clients and from my own health journey.
Interviewer: So who’s really your person or your audience?
Samantha: It’s the woman who’s done with guessing. She’s tired, maybe overwhelmed. Or the guy who’s thinking of starting a business but is all over the place. Shiny object syndrome, burnout, paralysis from fear. I speak to those people – the ones who feel like they should be doing more but don’t know where to start. My job is to clear the fog and help them take action. My goal is to help them see clearly, act decisively, and understand that health is the foundation of all success.
Interviewer: How do you blend motivation, health and science in your content?
Samantha: Health and success are inseparable. You can’t run a business if you’re constantly sick or burnt out. I use research and real case studies to ground my content, but I talk about it in ways that are human and engaging. I make people feel seen and then show them exactly how to fix it. At the end of the day, you cannot run a business if your health is in decline, and sometimes you don’t know the silent battles that are happening inside.
Interviewer: You’re launching a new business. Can you share what ventures you’re working on?
Samantha: Absolutely. My current company, AFIL, offers an overview of your gut health and food sensitivities. It gives you a broad picture. IdeoBio, my new venture launching soon, is more focused on pinpointing specific strains of bacteria that could be affecting your balance. While AFIL offers insight, IdeoBio provides a more precise understanding of your gut and your health. Together, they offer a holistic approach to maintaining gut health and wellness.
Interviewer: With IdeoBio launching soon, what kinds of conversations are you hoping to spark around it?
Samantha: I want to talk about everything people aren’t hearing enough about – how your gut is tied to your mood, your skin, even your immune system. A lot of people still think gut health is just about digestion, but it’s so much more. I want to help people understand this isn’t just a test you take once and forget. It’s a lifelong partnership with your health. The data gives you control – and like I always say, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.”
Interviewer: There’s clearly a personal story behind all this success. Can you share what led you into this path?
Samantha: You know, I always had this question: When does a person truly change their life? I’m not talking about little shifts – I mean a full 360. A total rewiring. And I’ve realized, it happens the moment you understand you’re not living a permanent life. That this time here, this body, this breath – it’s borrowed. And when that reality hits you, it either paralyzes you… or it wakes you up.
I was a young mum with a 9-month-old when doctors told me I had one year to live due to a severe health condition. Later, it turned out to be a misdiagnosis, but at the time, I didn’t know that. In that moment, my world cracked open. Everything I thought mattered suddenly didn’t. I saw my family and thought, I refuse to leave him behind without a fight. That was the shift. That was when I stopped waiting for someone to save me and started saving myself.
I dove deep into research, studying nutrition, biochemistry, and healing. I became obsessed with understanding how the body works and why so many people suffer without answers. I rebuilt my life from the inside out. And what started as survival became passion. That passion became purpose. And that purpose? It became a business.
Today, I’m the founder of two multimillion-dollar health companies, with a third on the way. I’ve helped hundreds of people take back control of their health, just like I did. That diagnosis didn’t break me. It became the fire that built me. It didn’t end my life – it launched it.
Interviewer: That’s incredibly powerful. What lessons have your past ventures taught you?
Samantha: First, hire a coach. Second, never think you know everything. Third, know your numbers. And most importantly: don’t blend in. Use what makes you unique. Get out of the daily grind of working in your business and start working on it. That shift is everything. And trust your gut – always.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, what are your goals for your brand and the content you’re creating – both on YouTube and across your businesses?
Samantha: Short term, I want to create consistent content and get involved in online communities to help as many voices as possible. Long term, I’m aiming to grow my online presence and to be known as the health entrepreneur that people can come to for advice. I want my channel to be a hub where science meets success, and where people come to feel empowered and informed.
Interviewer: Samantha, thank you for sharing your story and insights with us – it’s been inspiring, truly. Where can our readers find you and follow along with everything you’re building?
Samantha: Thank you! You can find me on my website at drsamanthaupchurch.com, and on YouTube under Dr. Samantha Upchurch. Whether it’s business, health, or personal transformation, I’m here to help you take your power back.