In 2019, Sophie Hilaire Goldie was a consultant at McKinsey & Company, traveling constantly and barely living in her New York City apartment.

That summer, the former captain in the U.S. Army climbed Mount Everest, an experience that she says changed the course of her life.

“When I did that, I had this epiphany that I wanted to spend more time in nature and Central Park to me wasn’t really the level of nature I needed,” Hilaire Goldie tells CNBC Make It.

“On the plane ride home, I knew I couldn’t go back to life in New York,” she says. “That moment of knowing launched the next chapter — van life, homesteading, and loving myself. The mountain did transform me. She gave me direction and that’s been the real gift.”

When Hilaire Goldie returned to NYC, she didn’t renew her lease. But then the covid-19 pandemic hit and she found herself without a home and without a clue of where she wanted to head to next.

“I thought, ‘I’m not ready to pay rent or buy a house, so why don’t I move into a sprinter van and continue to visit different places and see where I want to land?’” Hilaire Goldie says.

“I always knew I wanted to get a van just to have, but this kind of felt like a no-regrets move because I thought, ‘Why don’t I just get it now, so I don’t have to pay rent anywhere and I can keep on traveling?’ I didn’t know how long the pandemic was going to last.”

Hilaire Goldie started searching and found a van on Craigslist for $29,900, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. Her dad picked it up for her in Oregon and the two met up in Colorado, where Hilaire Goldie’s life on the road began.

The van had already been partially built out but still needed a lot of work. Hilaire Goldie added a bedroom area, a kitchen, IKEA cabinets, solar panels, and a desk. She did most of the work herself and estimates she spent about $18,500 in renovations.

When Hilaire Goldie first lived in the van, she was still working as a consultant, so her daily life consisted of waking up to an alarm and working on her computer until the end of the day. She eventually quit her job and started really enjoying life in the van.

“I really enjoyed that period of life where nobody knew who I was and nobody had any expectations of me, which for me, was a big difference in how I was able to move through the world,” she says. “I didn’t feel like I ever needed to be on, I could just be van life Sophie, and people didn’t know I’d only been living in a van for a few years.”

Hilaire Goldie traveled all over the U.S., Mexico, and Canada and says the biggest lesson she learned from all these travels was not to plan anything.

“I realized that I can’t make plans that are better than what God has in store for me. I think I learned that lesson so many times in the van. Every time things didn’t go my way, I eventually learned to let it go. Don’t ruminate over something that was taken,” Hilaire Goldie says. “Whatever new path I was on, I just knew it was taking me somewhere even better than I could have come up with on my own.”

“I learned I needed to let go of control and it was a different way of traveling. Before, when I had a four-day weekend in the army or was working at McKinsey, I was scheduling every single second, but this was a lot more free flowing. I always found out that when I didn’t script things, they turned out even better.”

One of the fondest memories Hilaire Goldie has of living in the van was when she took a trip to Montana. She intended to find a place with no cellphone reception and learn how to sleep again after spending many sleepless nights working as a consultant.

“It was so simple, but it was so powerful, so having my little house with me throughout felt like I could not have planned anything better. I had my home, but was still in a very beautiful place,” she says.

After two years in the van, Hilaire Goldie realized she was ready to put down some roots.

“I just wanted a place where I could see a tree through four seasons and didn’t like the constant movement. It was a phase in my life that was exciting and it just got to the point where I was ready for a new phase,” she says.

Now, Hilaire Goldie lives on a 37.5-acre homestead she bought with her now husband, but still uses the van every day. It has essentially become a place to store supplies for their property, including chicken feed, hay, soil and more.

Hilaire Goldie has no plans to stop using the van — she and her husband even lived in it for a few months on their honeymoon.

“I will never sell this van. How could I sell the temple that I built? When the day comes, the van will become a little cabin on the property,” she says.

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As a pediatrician, I spend a lot of time engaging with families about nutrition. My philosophy is simple: If you empower a child to embrace healthy eating habits early on, they are more likely to carry these positive behaviors into adulthood. 

Early intervention can be transformative and help substantially reduce their long-term risk of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and even certain types of cancer.

Many parents already know the importance of feeding kids vegetables and limiting added sugar. We often discuss “eating the rainbow,” emphasizing the need for a diverse range of colorful fruits and vegetables. Parents frequently prioritize dark leafy greens, antioxidant-rich blueberries and healthy-fat-packed avocados. 

However, there’s one nutritional powerhouse that often gets overlooked: beans. Here’s why I wish more parents fed this underrated superfood to their kids. 

Beans, in all their varied forms, are an exceptional source of plant-based protein. Many bean varieties contain all the essential amino acids that are vital for supporting a child’s energy, growth and active lifestyle. 

Beans are also loaded with both soluble and insoluble fiber, a duo that’s a game-changer for digestive health. Insoluble fiber promotes regular bowel movements, preventing constipation and keeping things moving smoothly. Soluble fiber contributes to that feeling of fullness and satiety after a meal, which can be helpful in managing appetite and preventing overeating. 

Soluble fiber also plays a role in lowering LDL, or “bad” cholesterol levels, and helps to stabilize blood sugar fluctuations after meals, preventing those dreaded energy crashes.

Beans are naturally fortified with an impressive array of essential vitamins and minerals. 

They are also a fantastic source of folate, which is vital for cell growth and development, as well as iron, which is crucial for carrying oxygen throughout the body. 

Plus, they’re packed with magnesium for nerve and muscle function, and a range of B vitamins that support energy production and brain health.

Soybeans in particular have a good amount of healthy fats in them, like omega 3 and omega 6 fats that support heart and brain health. 

Beyond their nutritional profile, beans offer practical advantages. They are very affordable, making them accessible to families on any budget. Their long shelf life means you can stock up and always have a healthy meal option on hand. 

Additionally, incorporating beans into our diets is an environmentally-friendly choice. They have a lower carbon footprint compared to many animal protein sources, contributing to a more sustainable food system.

Of course, all the nutritional knowledge in the world won’t make a difference if kids refuse to eat what’s offered. This is where the magic of beans truly shines. 

I’ve found that many children genuinely enjoy the taste and texture of beans, and they are remarkably easy to prepare in various kid-friendly ways.

For younger children or more picky eaters, start with something simple and approachable, like steaming edamame (young soybeans) or adding black beans to a cheesy quesadilla. I’ve even found success with black bean-based brownies, a surprisingly delicious and nutritious treat. 

For more adventurous eaters, consider introducing lentil soups, flavorful bean chili or stews. The versatility of beans makes them easy to incorporate into a wide range of dishes, ensuring there’s a bean recipe out there for everyone.

Dr. Kelly Fradin is the Chair of Pediatrics at the Atria Health and Research Institute and the mother of two children. She is the author of ”Advanced Parenting: Advice for Helping Kids through Diagnoses, Differences and Mental Health Challenges.” To learn more, you can find Dr. Fradin on Instagram @adviceigivemyfriends.

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If you work full-time, you already know how much time and effort it takes to master work-life balance. Add to that a relationship, and it becomes even harder.

As a psychologist who studies couples — and who has a working wife — I’ve faced these challenges firsthand. Thankfully, my job as both a researcher and husband has taught me how important it is to be intentional about how my wife and I spend our time, specifically on weekends.

Here’s how people in the happiest, most successful relationships spend their free time:

A couple who spends a lot of time together, but is constantly distracted by texts, emails or social media, probably isn’t as happy as a couple who spends less time together, but without their phones.

That’s why carving out one-on-one time without any interference from technology is so important. And how you spend that time is actually irrelevant. It doesn’t need to be extravagant or planned down to the minute. What matters is presence.

It could be a quiet morning coffee where you exchange unfiltered thoughts, a slow walk to fill the silence, or a good old wining-and-dining — as long as the phones and laptops are put away.

After a draining week of work, it’s normal and even healthy to crave solitude. But it can be hard to choose between “me time” and “we time.”

Luckily, there’s a way to satiate the need for both alone time and bonding simultaneously. “Parallel play,” a concept derived from child psychology, is when two people engage in their preferred activity separately, but alongside each other.

For couples, this might look like one partner reading on the couch, while the other plays their favorite video game next to them. They might not be engaging directly with one another, but they’re still intentionally sharing space and de-stressing with an activity they each enjoy.

It’s basically a way of saying: “I love you, but I also need to love me for an hour or two. Let’s do it together.” 

Relationships thrive on ritual. Coming home to your partner and knowing that the weekend will bring something familiar — something reliably yours — can be comforting.

In fact, research shows that rituals can help couples organize their lives in a way that allows for both change and stability to coexist. Individuals can merge into a shared identity that feels distinct from either person alone. You can ground yourselves together, no matter what chaos surrounds you.

What those rituals look like is completely up to you. Don’t shy away from cheesy. It could be Sunday morning pancakes, or board game night with a goofy scoreboard on the fridge. If you’re more practical, maybe it’s a weekly sit-down over a glass of wine to plan out the week, or tackling one nagging chore together with your shared playlist in the background. 

Studies show that couples who have a satisfying sex life are more likely to be happier in their relationships.

But with endless chores and errands, weekends can start to feel like a second workweek — with little time left over for intimacy. Sex quickly starts to feel like less of a priority.

DON’T MISS: How to successfully change careers and be happier at work

That’s why structured intimacy can be a good thing. Many people think it can diminish spontaneity, but if anything, it actually removes the mental fatigue of trying to make intimacy happen.

It’s also a great way for couples to engage without distraction, all while combating the emotional strain of work. So, make it intentional and set a time.

Playfulness, according to research, is one of the most reliable tools couples can use to strengthen their relationship. It can boost relationship satisfaction, ease conflict and break up the sense of monotony that partners can start to resent. 

During the week, we unknowingly train ourselves to look for things to stress over. But on weekends, we need to take those goggles off. The act of being silly — and being met with silliness in return — helps us reconnect with the childlike wonder we carry inside that gets buried beneath our responsibilities. 

So, look for joy on purpose. Maybe you pull out a trivia game with nonsense rules or challenge each other to a dance battle.

There’s no right or wrong way to be playful, and chances are, you already know how to make your partner laugh. You just have to remember to do it.

Mark Travers, PhD, is a psychologist who specializes in relationships. He holds degrees from Cornell University and the University of Colorado Boulder. He is the lead psychologist at Awake Therapy, a telehealth company that provides online psychotherapy, counseling and coaching. He is also the curator of the popular mental health and wellness website, Therapytips.org.

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Mark Cuban has finally left the tank.

The billionaire entrepreneur and investor’s final episode of ABC’s “Shark Tank” aired on Friday, marking the end of his 15-season run on the show. Investing isn’t a science, so it’s no surprise that Cuban had his share of hits and misses on the show — but the billionaire will exit with a healthy portfolio, he says.

Cuban invested “about $33 million” in total during his time on the show, he tells CNBC Make It. From those investments, he estimates he’s received up to $35 million in cash returns, and his mark-to-market equity from those businesses is worth “at least $250 million.”

“I’m f—ing crushing it on the market,” Cuban told Fortune in January, referring to the overall market value of the dozens of companies he’s invested in since joining “Shark Tank” in 2011.

On camera, Cuban committed as much as $61.9 million to more than 200 deals, according to the website Shark Tank Insights — but the deals that happen on-screen don’t always result in consummated investments after the fact.

DON’T MISS: How to change careers and be happier at work

More notably, Cuban has said that his primary goal with “Shark Tank” investments wasn’t even centered around making money.

“I don’t do the show to get the best investments,” he wrote on Twitter in July 2022, in a post that no longer appears on the social media platform, now known as X. “And I don’t always invest because I think I’ll make money. Sometimes my deals are purely to help [an entrepreneur] or send a message.” (Cuban, a vegetarian since at least 2019, invested in multiple vegan food brands on the show.)

At the time, Cuban noted that he’d taken a net loss “on a cash basis” from his “Shark Tank” investments, before accounting for the value of his actively held stakes. Now, he says he’s coming out ahead in terms of both cash and mark-to-market, an accounting term that refers to assessing an asset, like an investment, based on its current fair market value.

Mark-to-market is basically a way for Cuban to determine the overall value of his investments, some of which he’s yet to exit, based on how the market value of those businesses has grown since he first invested.

Cuban’s past comments have provided a window into the billionaire’s investing strategy, at least when it comes to the TV show.

“What really gets me going is when people have an operating business where they’ve already gone for it. And they’ve invested everything,” Cuban told TV Tango in 2011. “They’ve put their heart, their soul, their time, everything that they have available to them into the business. And they’ve laid it on the line. And they just need a little bit of help.”

Cuban also appreciates any entrepreneur’s level of raw effort, intelligence and “ability to sell,” he said. The more money he puts on the line, however, the less willing he is to take a risk on something that won’t recoup his investment, he noted.

“I contrast [those factors] to the risk-reward of the business or of the investment,” said Cuban. “So in other words, if I’m investing $10,000, there’s a different risk-reward profile than if I’m investing a million dollars.”

Disclosure: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to “Shark Tank.”

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For the last 10 years, I’ve worked with hundreds of students and their parents as an extracurricular coach at Spike Lab. 

I’ve watched my students grow into exceptional and confident young adults, pursuing their passions, starting businesses, developing complex projects, fundraising, and winning awards.

They’ve also been accepted to many selective institutions, including Harvard, Princeton and Stanford. 

While coaching these students, I’ve had the chance to get to know their families, too. Here are four things parents of these highly successful kids never do: 

Parents often pin their hopes on selective schools, as though anything less is unacceptable. Then they work backwards with a singular obsession to achieve that goal, starting tests and application prep early.

Instead of fixating on acceptance to any one college, focus on what is within your power. Help your kid develop the initiative, planning, critical thinking, creativity and communication skills necessary to succeed, no matter where they go. These are the qualities colleges and employers look for anyway. 

College admittance should only be a happy byproduct of success. Don’t ask, “Will my child get into an Ivy League?” Try instead, “Will my child have the ability to succeed anywhere?” If the answer to the latter question is yes, the answer to the former will be more likely to be yes as well.

Teens are often swayed by their peers — but parents aren’t immune to that pressure either. I often see parents signing their kids up for an activity purely out of a competitive feeling of FOMO. But this habit can result in kids who have generic resumes and, more importantly, they don’t get to develop an independent sense of identity. 

When one of my students enrolled in a rigorous science course unrelated to his interests, his reason was that “everyone at my school takes it.” The class wasn’t a requirement, just a norm that neither he nor his parents had questioned. 

While it’s valuable for kids to socialize with their friends, they also must cultivate their own sense of self. What are they interested in? Where do they want to invest their time? You as a parent can mentor them through this one and also set an example. The old “if everyone jumped off a cliff, would you” adage does not just apply to kids. 

It’s common for parents to take on difficult tasks or solve problems on behalf of their kids as a “Snowplow” parent often try to solve their kids’ problems for them

I’ve heard stories from teachers who regularly receive parent emails about their kid’s bad grades or about an inter-student conflict. 

Sometimes an intervention is necessary. But before you take action, ask yourself whether this is something you need to take on. Sometimes, when a tough moment presents itself, it can actually be an opportunity for your kid to learn how to assert themselves. 

Snowplowing, however well intentioned, can undercut the development of agency. If teenagers think someone else will do something for them, they won’t learn to do it for themselves.

In our program, we have students review the defining moments of their lives. Alongside moves, new schools and other common milestones, students frequently list something like being turned down by a varsity team. Rejections give students the confidence to come back stronger or help them reframe how they see themselves. 

It also prepares kids for reality. So rather than discouraging them from taking a leap, teach them how to bounce back from disappointment. Challenge them to do their own version of rejection therapy as practice. 

Once they acclimate, rejection becomes less scary. A student of mine cold emailed 70 professors to find a lab internship. He received dozens of nos. But in the end? One came through. And he learned a lesson in resilience and humility.

Failure and rejection can be wonderfully instructive. And even when they’re not, kids develop grit and position themselves for future success. Moreover, your child might defy your expectations. We often project our own fears onto kids. Kids don’t need adults placing a ceiling on what’s possible. Let them surprise us.

Theo Wolf is a writer and educator, with a focus on passion and purpose development in young adults. He is on the founding team of Spike Lab, a coaching program for high school students, and helped build Snowday, a free search engine for high school summer and extracurricular programs. Theo is a graduate of Cornell University and a mentor at Harvard University’s Lemann Program on Creativity and Entrepreneurship. 

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