Mari Llewellyn, through her own 90 pound weight loss and beyond, has become a wellness expert.
She has built an empire helping her listeners of her podcast, the Pursuit of Wellness, has built her supplement brand Bloom Nutrition with her husband, Greg LaVecchia, and founded her own fitness app, Strength By Mari.
Now, she and podcasting producer and expert Michaela Phillips are launching the Pursuit Network, a new media company with a curated lineup of wellness-driven shows hosted by top wellness influencers and fitness experts. The network aims to “redefine how wellness conversations are heard and shared,” she said.
Their shows include Llewellyn’s own show, Pursuit of Wellness, alongside For the Healthy Hoes hosted by Ri Turner and Sunset Tim, which has honest conversations about intentional living. It also includes The EMPWR Podcast by Samantha Christine, which is approachable and rooted in real-life experiences, and The Neuro Experience podcast hosted by Louisa Nicola, which makes complex topics around brain health digestible.
“We chose these creators because they’re more than hosts, they’re community builders,” said Llewellyn. “They show up with care and consistency, creating spaces where people feel safe to learn, grow, and just be, even in the in, between.”
Things have changed since she first started the Pursuit of Wellness podcast in 2023. “My ultimate goal was to expand the conversations I was having,” she said. “The podcast became a way for me to explore these topics on a deeper level by speaking with incredible experts, people I may never have had the chance to sit down with otherwise.”
From health experts to airtime with doctors, the podcast has covered everything from women’s hormone health to food quality, to muscle growth, weight loss, mental health and motivation.
Llewellyn still interviews experts, but as of late, hosts solo episodes, where she shares her IVF journey. “One of the things I love most about podcasting is how it evolves with you,” she said. “There are natural ebbs and flows, sometimes I’m really focused on high, level wellness education, and other times I’m more introspective, sharing my personal journey.”
Phillips notes that the community that Llewellyn has cultivated is what has helped guide the podcast new network. “We really listen. Mari listens. Our team listens. We read every comment, we survey, we see how people are responding, and what’s incredible is how supportive the audience is,” she said. “It’s never just a one, way street, it’s a real conversation.”
The duo wanted to elevate other voices they believed in, which is what led to the podcast network. Llewellyn cites Bloom Nutrition’s influencer program. “We're able to help creators do what they do best,” she said. “I'm just passionate about platforming other people and helping them tell their stories, too.”
Phillips felt that the Pursuit of Wellness “could tell a bigger story.” That was the start of their business plan for The Pursuit Network. “That’s when we started asking: What if we took this blueprint and expanded it?” said Phillips. “What if we built a new kind of media company, one designed for modern talent, offering strategic content development, brand partnerships, and business growth opportunities beyond just podcasting?”
When it comes to podcast networks, they saw a gap in that space. “There isn’t a space fully dedicated to supporting creators who are focused on bettering themselves and their communities,” said Llewellyn. “Under Pursuit, you’ll find a diverse range of shows and creators covering health and wellness, self, improvement, personal growth, relationships, mental health and business.”
The problem with traditional podcast networks, says Llewellyn, is that they “scale rapidly and onboard a large number of shows,” she said. What makes The Pursuit Network different is that they’re focused on quality over quantity. “We want to build a tightly knit group of creators who feel heard, supported, and empowered. Our approach is about fostering a true community.”
Meanwhile, the Pursuit Network will be hosting live events in cities across the country this year. “There’s something special about being in the same room, sharing those moments in real life, and we’re really looking forward to making that happen,” said Llewellyn, who plans on bringing on more fertility experts and IVF specialists on the show.
“Women’s health is still a huge priority for me, and as I plan to step into pregnancy and motherhood, and I know the podcast will naturally grow alongside my journey,” she said. “I love making my platform a reflection of what I’m experiencing in my life.”
