Meghan Markle has revealed that she turned to an Ayurvedic doctor when pregnant with both Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, when speaking on the latest episode of her podcast. In the fifth episode of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, which was released today, Meghan introduces a new guest, the founder of Clevr Blends, Hannah Mendoza.
The two discuss “adaptogens” such as mushrooms, and admitted some see the approach as a “little psychedelic and super woo-woo”. The instant organic lattes firm is a company in which The Duchess of Sussex has financially invested in.
The duchess said: “I think a lot of people when they hear mushrooms, they go ‘OK, she’s talking about being hippie-dippy, grounded in all these things’. If you aren’t familiar with adaptogens, you can go to this place of ‘Oh, it’s feeling a little psychedelic and super woo-woo’.”
Meghan described how she turned to an Ayurvedic practitioner when pregnant with Archie and Lili and how it was about seeing “food as medicine”. She said: “So there are these items and ingredients that have been part of our natural ecosystem and dietary system for a long time, whether acknowledged or not, that somehow you say mushrooms, and now people have a connotation attached to it.”
Adaptogens are active ingredients in certain plants and mushrooms which are said to impact how the body deals with stress, anxiety and fatigue. However, it is stated widely online, if you have a medical condition or you take medication, speak to your GP before trying an adaptogen.
Meghan Markle’s podcast launched on April 8, 2025 and it features Meghan interviewing female founders and friends, exploring their entrepreneurial journeys, successes, and struggles, while also delving into Meghan’s own experience launching her brand, As Ever.
The conversations cover topics like the challenges and triumphs of building a business, lessons learned, and the importance of self-belief. The show is produced by Archewell Audio Productions and distributed by Lemonada Media and will see Meghan welcoming a weekly guest for eight weeks.
The debut episode featured the dating app, Bumble founder, Whitney Wolfe Herd. The women met when Meghan invited them over for a New Year’s Eve Party, and Whitney has been on hand to provide advice for Meghan’s brand.
Alongside starting businesses, Meghan and Whitney both experienced “huge medical scares” following the birth of one of their children – post-partum pre-eclampsia.
“It’s so rare and so scary,” said Meghan. She also discussed the impact of handling this medical crisis under the scrutiny of the media: “The world doesn’t know what’s happening quietly, and in the quiet you’re still trying to show up for people”.
While asking Whitney about her own career, Meghan also shared some of her big fears around launching her brand As Ever – which included getting the packaging correct.
Other guests welcomed on the podcast include, Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code, Kadi Lee, founder of Highbrow Hippie, and Jamie Kern Lima, of IT Cosmetics.
Alongside launching a new podcast, Meghan has focused on developing her brand, As Ever, which was previously named as American Riveria Orchard.
Meghan confirmed the arrival of the brand in an Instagram Reel she posted on February 17. “As Ever essentially means as it’s always been,” she explained.
“And if you’ve followed me since 2014 with the Tig, you know I’ve always loved cooking and crafting and gardening. This is what I do and I haven’t been able to share it with you in the same way for the past few years but now I can.”
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