The Healthy Hive
There’s a little spot inside LA Fitness on Cattlemen Road in Bee Ridge that defies your expectations of a typical gym smoothie bar. It’s called The Healthy Hive, and it’s run by Chef Evan Gastman, a guy who’s shed the weight—not just physically, but mentally—from his years navigating the food industry. Chef Evan, a classically trained chef who once lived in the exalted world of French cuisine, didn’t just change his eating habits. He made a total pivot, shifting his career from high-end restaurants and buttery sauces to organic smoothies and clean ingredients.
“I was running multiple restaurants at a time, doing consulting,” Evan says, “but I opened up this organic smoothie and juice bar inside LA Fitness instead.” The kicker? You don’t even need to be a gym member to get in on the goods. “We’ve got doctors from the hospital next door and people just dropping by for lunch.”
Raised in New York before moving to Venice in high school, Evan shared a bond with his father over food. “A big part of my childhood was experiencing new and unique food experiences with my dad,” he recalls. When his father passed away from pancreatic cancer, the kitchen became Evan’s way of holding on to that connection. And The Healthy Hive became a way to honor nutritious choices for optimal health.
But don’t get it twisted: There’s more going on behind the scenes here than just blending some bananas and protein powder. Evan’s evolution wasn’t just about cutting out gluten or chasing health trends. “Eating clean and healthy became a focus. It was about knowing where my food came from and relearning the system.” This kind of reflection is what led to the birth of The Healthy Hive.
Like many chefs, Evan started with indulgence: rich, decadent dishes meant to wow the palate. He opened The Summer House on Siesta Key and worked with top-tier restaurant groups. But after years of pushing heavy plates, he realized something had to change. “I’ve lost about 60 pounds in the last two years,” he says. “I started paying attention to what I was putting into my body, and what I was serving to others.”
So now, whether it’s sourcing organic blueberries or grinding fresh espresso for a smoothie, Evan brings the same precision to The Healthy Hive as he did to fine dining. “I had to go around and find watermelons for a juice, and only two of them were naturally sweet enough to use,” he says. “That’s what sets us apart: the attention to detail.”
That attention shows in every aspect of his menu. The protein shakes pack a punch, like the Jack Be Quick, a 49-gram protein smoothie made with freshly brewed espresso, peanut butter powder, banana, and chocolate protein. “We’re using no sugar, all non-GMO, clean, organic ingredients,” Evan explains. “I’m transparent. If we can’t get organic one week, I’ll tell you. I’m not cutting corners.”
He’s also adamant about keeping prices accessible. “Eating healthy shouldn’t be more expensive than eating junk,” Evan says, voicing a frustration shared by many chefs (and the community in general). “As a chef and a father, I don’t know how we fix that, but I try to do my part.” His smoothies range from $9 to $11, packed with high-quality ingredients. Sure, you can add a dozen extras to make it a $20 smoothie, but his menu is designed so you don’t have to break the bank to eat well.
His success has even led to some unexpected opportunities. “We’re right by the hospital and a bunch of doctor’s offices, and we’ve had success doing lunch drop-offs. We just did 40 orders.” That’s not something you’d expect from a smoothie bar inside a gym, but Evan’s background as an award-winning chef means he can handle the demand and custom orders with ease.
In a world of shortcuts and processed junk, Evan’s Healthy Hive stands out. It’s a place where every detail, from the watermelon juice to the chia pudding, reflects his years of experience and passion for doing things right. He’s not just feeding people; he’s making a statement. And I, for one, am all ears.
