Leonard Botello IV may look like your typical Texas pitmaster in photos and videos, with his backward baseball hat, black t-shirt, and jeans, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. Beyond his expertise in brisket fat caps and splaying whole hogs over coals, Botello also opens up about his struggles with panic attacks and impostor syndrome.
At 36, Botello is striving to elevate his Houston area restaurants, Truth BBQ, to a new level of craft barbecue excellence. However, he is also passionate about shedding light on the mental health crisis within the restaurant industry, a topic often left unspoken. Despite his success in garnering publicity and accolades, Botello grapples with imposter syndrome, constantly feeling like a fraud waiting to be exposed.
The journey to this point has been tumultuous for Botello, with stress and anxiety plaguing him since the early days of Truth BBQ’s humble beginnings in a small location in Brenham, Texas. As he expanded to a larger space in Houston, the pressure mounted, culminating in a terrifying episode that he mistook for a heart attack. Fortunately, his girlfriend Abbie Byrom was there to support him through the ordeal, a testament to their strong bond.
Over time, Botello sought therapy and learned to manage his anxiety, though the imposter syndrome still looms large. Despite his accomplishments and accolades, he struggles to internalize his success, often feeling like a fraud in the midst of recognition. Through coping mechanisms like breathing exercises, meditation, and physical activity, Botello finds ways to coexist with his inner demons and continue thriving in his endeavors.
Now married to Abbie and running multiple successful restaurants together, Botello is determined to raise awareness about mental health issues in the restaurant industry. While he grapples with the expectations and pressures of being a public figure, he hopes to serve as a symbol of resilience for others facing similar struggles. Ultimately, Botello’s journey is a reminder that it’s okay not to be okay, even in the face of outward success.
