This episode is brought to you by Eight Sleep, the leader in sleep fit technology. Their award-winning Pod 5 sleep system helps you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling more refreshed by automatically adjusting to your ideal temperature, elevation, and sound throughout the night. Upgrade your rest and your recovery: use code VALERIA for $350 off at http://eightsleep.com/valeria 

In this insightful and inspiring episode, Valeria sits down with Alex Zatarain, co-founder of Eight Sleep, to discuss how she’s transforming the way we think about rest, recovery, and performance. Alex shares the story of building one of the most innovative sleep technology companies in the world, from identifying the gap in the market to creating the Pod - a smart mattress designed to personalize and optimize your sleep. Together, they explore the science behind quality rest, the connection between sleep and mental health, and how technology can help us live longer, healthier lives. Alex also opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, balancing ambition with self-care, and the habits that keep her grounded. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a tech enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to sleep better, this episode offers actionable takeaways and a behind-the-scenes look at a brand changing the future of sleep

📱Follow Alex & Eight Sleep 

Instagram: @alexzatarainj https://www.instagram.com/alexzatarainj/?hl=en 

Eight Sleep: https://www.instagram.com/eightsleep/?hl=en 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrazatarain/?locale=en_US

X / Twitter: https://x.com/a_zatarain

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Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/2101362?tab=collections

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Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/ 

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What we talked about: 

0:35 - Valeria Recap Toronto Team Retreat 

2:54 - Introducing Alexandra Zatarain

5:43 - Start of Interview

6:35 - Growing up in Mexico

7:18 - Learning what opportunity really means

12:22 - The college assignment that changed the game

14:04 - Meeting her husband and future co-founder

15:37 - Opening her world to tech in the “Silicon Alley”

18:32 - Working with her husband

21:08 - Trying to building something in 3D printing

22:15 - Coming up with the idea of Eight Sleep 

25:30 - Leaving her job and forming the company

27:00 - How the technology works

30:55 - Temperature is crucial for good sleep

32:06 - Changing the conversation on sleep

34:09 - Sleep Fitness

38:20 - Mitigating women’s sleep issues

41:37 - Keeping it simple with sleep products

43:10 - Being a female Latina founder

46:51 - Building a company with her husband

49:58 - Valeria triggering people with Gary work dynamic

51:41 - “The team you build is the company you build”

52:32 - Balance and keeping herself in check

58:20 - Alexandra’s book recommendation 

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