In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with landscape architect, permaculture expert, and entrepreneur Matthieu Mehuys. From a childhood on a Belgian farm to a home base in the Azores, Matthieu’s story is rooted in a lifelong fascination with how tiny seeds become thriving ecosystems. His journey weaves through entrepreneurial experiments with chickens and the stock market, an Amazon rainforest adventure cut short by dengue fever, and ultimately, the creation of a global business teaching people how to garden in harmony with nature .

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

Matthieu shares how gardening is more than just growing food—it’s a form of sovereignty, health, and rebellion against industrialized food systems. He explains why biodiversity makes you a “lazy gardener,” how soil microbiomes mirror the human gut, and why working with nature is always more profitable than fighting against it .

The conversation turns practical too: growing radishes and potatoes as first steps, tapping into community gardens, and even indoor tower farms. Matthieu also challenges common misconceptions around GMOs, gluten, and bread, contrasting modern food production with traditional practices that honour the balance of nature .

Alongside gardening wisdom, Matthieu opens up about surfing, gratitude practices, and the thrill of seeing clients transform their gardens and their lives. For anyone who’s ever dreamed of pulling fresh food from their backyard—or rebelling against the system by growing a potato—this episode is a reminder that small steps can lead to profound change.

• “Every small change you can make in your diet is going to have a big impact.” — Matthieu Mehuys
  
• “Money is oxygen.” — Michael Dargie
• “Biodiversity is the key to making you a lazy gardener.” — Matthieu Mehuys
  
• “Growing something of your own feels like reconnecting with the universe.” — Michael Dargie
  
• “The only people who have ever changed the world are entrepreneurs.” — Matthieu Mehuys

• Matthieu’s Garden Training: gardenofyourdreams.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthieumehuys/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulownia_la/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@valley.of.eden3
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthieu.mehuys
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthieu-mehuys-64b0b5111/
• Free Training: gardenofyourdreams.com/free-training
• Real Estate & Landscaping Projects: paulownia-la.com
• BrandJitsu Book by Michael Dargie: brandjitsu.com
• The Biggest Little Farm (film): IMDb link

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