DEVOTE with Sam Cutler Mengel | The Reset Edit by Arrae, Volume 05

Welcome back to the Reset Edit: your destination for chic routines & smarter habits from some our favorite wellness creators. 

Your big dreams deserve your total DEVOTION.

 On this week’s installment of the Reset Edit, we invited our friend Sam Cutler Mengel, founder of MINDFULL, to share her journey of self-acceptance and courageous action. Keep reading for Sam’s grounded advice on honoring your desires, leaning into freedom instead of force, and building self-esteem through daily discipline!

DEVOTE

with @thefitfatale

You only have 15 minutes to set the tone for your day. What are your morning non-negotiables when you’re running low on time?

Sam Cutler Mengel: Even when I’m short on time, I have a few non-negotiables that help me feel grounded. I’ll throw on quick affirmations I can listen to while getting ready, make a cozy matcha latte, and have a nourishing starter from MINDFULL to fuel my morning.

Walk us through your weekly workout schedule. What forms of movement are you loving? What about go-to rituals or supplements before/after you hit the gym?

Sam Cutler Mengel: Right now, I’m really loving strength training. I do about 30 minutes, five times a week, typically Monday through Friday. I walk daily for 30-60 minutes and I stretch daily for 10-20 minutes. I try to incorporate 1–2 sessions of Pilates or hot yoga each week to keep things balanced. I’m also a big fan of contrast therapy, so you’ll often find me in the sauna or ice bath once or twice a week. It’s become a non-negotiable part of my recovery and mental reset.

What’s your current favorite Arrae product and why?

Sam Cutler Mengel: I’m obsessed with the Calm capsules—I don’t travel without them. They’re part of my wind-down ritual and genuinely help me feel more grounded, especially on high-stress days. I also love taking them preemptively before a big meeting or tough conversation to stay ahead of any anxious energy. Bloat and Tone have also become staples in my routine. Tone is my go-to after strength training, and I reach for Bloat as needed, especially when eating out to support digestion and ease any post-meal bloating.

What’s your take on discipline? How do you walk yourself through challenging moments, both on and off the mat?

Sam Cutler Mengel: To me, discipline is really about self-trust. When you consistently show up for yourself, you build confidence—and that confidence is what carries you through hard moments. Discipline isn’t about being perfect; it’s about doing what you said you would, even when it’s hard. Every time you skip something you promised yourself (like a workout) you chip away at that self-trust. Over time, this erodes confidence. But when you follow through, even on the tough days, you reinforce that trust and strengthen your belief in yourself. The results don’t come from pushing harder—they come from the confidence built by keeping your word to yourself.

If you could sit down with your younger self and give one piece of advice that has been formative to who you are today, what would you share?

Sam Cutler Mengel: Let go of the need to control everything, especially your body. Stop counting, restricting, and micromanaging. Trust that you’re safe to feel good in your body, and that true healing comes from freedom, not force. I wish I had known where to turn, and that leaning into self-love and community would give me so much more than guilt, self-criticism, and shame ever could. You don’t have to do it alone—and you don’t have to punish yourself to grow.

One undervalued quality you wish more people would embody:

Sam Cutler Mengel: Self-focus. We’d all be better off if more people spent less time comparing and more time getting curious about how they can grow into the best version of themselves. When you become deeply committed to your own growth, you naturally become more resilient, confident, kind, and trustworthy. You radiate self-love—and that love not only inspires others, but also helps you show up better for them. If we don’t prioritize becoming better for ourselves, how can we expect growth in our careers, health, relationships, or families? It’s the invisible thread that ties it all together. So no, focusing on yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

Thank you, Sam! Be sure to stay connected on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @thefitfatale, and follow MINDFULL at @mindfull.so.