Fill Your Cup + Empty Your To-Do List

Here we believe that gentle is the new perfect, so consider this your invitation to put aside the striving, pushing to do it all perfectly, or going all in (and then all out) when it comes to your health and happiness.

Together, we’ll uncover the simple habits that will allow you to fill your cup, empty your to-do list, and reclaim more calm, clarity & joy in your life.

Radically Simple, Ridiculously Doable

Here’s what you need to know about our approach: we believe in simplifying everything. 

That’s why all of Real Food Whole Life’s recipes fall into the category of “can something this simple really be this easy?” So simple that we often receive messages like this from readers:

“Your recipes are like a mystery to me. They’re like 4 ingredients and every time I’m like….suuuuurrreee this is gonna be good. There’s no way just four ingredients can turn into a meal… But every single time you are right! It’s amazing. Needs no additions, it’s like a magic trick. So thank you!” — Steph G.

Yes, on Real Food Whole Life recipes are uniquely organized for you by cooking method and level of ease — so simple, they’re basically magic! 🪄

A new way to pursue #lifegoals that makes you feel happy not crappy

Before I started Real Food Whole Life, I was a researcher, and studied human behavior for over 20 years. I was fascinated then, as I am now, with how people make decisions, what we believe health is, and how we form and keep habits. What I’ve learned over the years is that what we think makes for a happy, healthy life doesn’t always line up with what the science says. 

We tend to think that health and happiness comes from working harder, having more willpower, and never making a mistake… It turns out, the opposite is true. In fact, science shows that happiness is far more related to establishing small habits (not relying on willpower alone), learning to be kind to yourself, and living a life in alignment with your values and how you want to feel. Really, it’s simpler than you think. 

Here at Real Food Whole Life, you’ll get science-backed resources to support your health, wellness, mindset and more through our sustainable, gentle approach.

And you don’t need to sort through journal articles, or go to school for psychology to find the “perfect” way to do things. We study the behavioral and mindfulness science, and do the heavy lifting for you. I literally wrote the book on feeling good, The Feel Good Effect, all in an effort to distill the small, science-backed, needle-moving tools and strategies that will help you feel good.

We’re going to help you find those life-changing quick wins to get you there without working harder, doing more, or adding “shoulds” to your list.

Credentials & Education

Robyn Conley Downs, MEd

With a background in behavior change, psychology, and mindfulness, Robyn and her partner Dr. Andrew Downs have created a fresh approach to habit design that works like magic – all based on the question, “What about actually feeling good?” Together they distill the science of joyful, sustainable change, so you can clear your plate of all the “shoulds” and finally start feeling good.

Robyn professional credentials & education

• BS, Political Science and Education, University of Oregon
• MEd, Education, emphasis Behavior Change, Central Washington University
• 4 years, Public Affairs and Policy PhD program, Portland State University
• Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200 hours)
• Nutrition Certification, Cornell University
• Author, The Feel Good Effect
• Host, The Feel Good Effect Podcast, (over 2M downloads)
• Founder, Co-Director, The Feel Good Effect Habits Coaching Certification
• CEO, Editor in Chief, Recipe Developer, Real Food Whole Life

The Good Stuff

• Married to her “one and only” Dr. Andrew Downs for 19 years
• Mom to the girl with strawberry blonde hair who goes by Elle
• Frequent spiller of drinks, making parties particularly awkward

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Andrew Downs, PhD

Andrew professional credentials & education

• BA, Psychology and History, University of Notre Dame
• MS, Clinical Psychology, Washington State University
• PhD, Clinical Psychology, Washington State University
• Professor, Psychological Sciences, University of Portland
• Strength-Based Leadership Coach
• Director, The Feel Good Effect Habits Coaching Certification

The Good Stuff

• Seems happy and whole, despite having no Instagram account
• Chief dishwasher for thousands of Real Food Whole Life recipe projects
• Never tells anyone he’s a psychologist so people don’t think he’s analyzing them (he’s usually not)

Select Publications

• The Feel Good Effect: Reclaim Your Wellness by Finding Small Shifts that Create Big Change
• Addictive Technology: Prevalence and Potential Implications of Problematic Social Media Use
• Association Between Psychosocial and Organizational Factors and Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior in Desk-Dependent Office Workers
• Physically Active Adults: An Analysis of the Key Variables that Keep Them Moving
• Vigorous Physical Activity, Sports Participation, and Athletic Identity: Implications for Mental and Physical Health in College Students