In this episode of the Hold the Standard Podcast, I sat with chef and restaurateur Brian Bornemann, the force behind Los Angeles dining spots like Crudo e Nudo to unpack what it really means to create something that lasts in a transient, image-obsessed world.
A much needed reframe of nourishment.
From walking away from fine dining to rewriting the rules with purpose-driven restaurants, Brian shares how he’s using food as a tool to build systems that are sustainable, equitable, and rooted in real integrity.
They get into:
- Why Brian abandoned the traditional fine dining path for something more meaningful
- What it means to build a restaurant that reflects your personal evolution
- How his team is redefining success in the hospitality industry
- The tension between scaling and maintaining soul
- Vulnerability, reinvention, and leadership through values rather than ego
This is a raw, thoughtful conversation about purpose, identity, and doing the hard thing for the right reasons even when no one’s watching.
10/16/25 WOD
DEUCE Athletics GPP
Complete 4 Rounds of the following:
5 Staggered Stance LM Press (ea)
Complete 3 rounds for quality of:
10 lateral push ups
50 yd offset OH KB/Suitcase DB carry
EMOM 16
Min 1: 12 ball slams
Min 2: 6 DB FFE split squats (ea)
Min 3: :30 max cals
Min 4: Rest
DEUCE Garage GPP
3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3
Tempo Back Squat
-:90 Rest-
Complete 3 rounds for quality of:
15-18 Hollow Rocks
16 Alt Lateral Med Ball Bounds
Then, complete the following for time:
40 Cal Bike
100′ Walking Lunges
800m Run
100′ Walking Lunges