Earth Tenent

Born and raised in New Jersey and now residing in Los Angeles, Max Hemphill is on a mission to heal. He's a dedicated advocate of everything plant-based and making sure individuals and companies take responsibilities for their actions. Still only 27, Max has launched his own wellness company, is a successful photographer, and is already gaining major traction as a public speaker.

His own personal spiritual journey is truly enlightening and surely just the beginning. It's good vibrations only with Max.

Tell me about your family heritage and growing up in New Jersey?

I have family scattered in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia. While growing up in NJ was great, I didn't really love Jersey until I got older. I love the lushness and beauty that it has.

What were you into during your teenage years?

I loved music, and pretty much listened to the same artists and songs as I did before. Janelle Monae, Tyler, The Creator, Erykah Badu and The Internet were always on rotation. I had just gotten into modeling, so fashion was slowly becoming my favorite thing as well.

“I came across diatomaceous earth, a fossilized algae grown in dried lake beds.”

When did you first discover photography and figure that was your chosen path?

So I remember when I was around 6 years old my mom took me to this uniform store for school and I had begged my mom to buy me this toy camera and I'd walk around like I was actually taking photos. I would say that was the moment, but fast forward to 2016 I visited LA with a couple of my friends, and my friend that lived in Los Angeles somehow convinced me to photograph her clothing brand. I did, and the shoot got really great feedback. Then after that, I started to plan how I could use it to further my modeling career, but I ended up loving photography more.

Your way into the industry was somewhat unorthodox, correct?

Sure, I wasn't self-taught, nor did I know anything about lighting. So, I ended up being a production assistant for a while, and that was my school until I mustered up the courage to do photography full-time.

Any recent photographic projects that stand out as truly representative of your personal style / aesthetic / approach?

Yes! I visited an artist friend's place in Brooklyn. His name is Joseph Wilson - we just were having fun, but I feel like I captured him perfectly and the images represent a rawness I want to amplify in my images.

In 2018 you founded ‘Ascension', a wellness company rooted in organic and natural products. How did this idea come about?

Long story short, I wanted to transit from vegetarian to vegan, and so pretty much I wanted to clean my gut with some natural products. I came across Diatomaceous Earth, a fossilized algae grown in dried lake beds. It would essentially help to clear any unwanted bacteria, viruses and heavy metals from my gut, so that I could have a healthy digestive system. I noticed the incredible results and decided to sell it.

And how has your retail adventure been to date?

Really great, I am grateful that stores like Nordstrom and Urban Outfitters are championing small businesses like me.

Now, I know you’re a very spiritual person so can you tell me when you first became intrigued to experiment with certain plant-based healing experiences?

Since my teenage years, I've always been interested in trying plant medicine. In 2017, I got introduced to Ayahuasca and it completely changed how I viewed everything. It gave me insight on how I should open myself up and allow energy to flow and not resist.

Can you describe your most memorable / transformative experience?

Definitely Ayahuasca, because everything changed the night I drank it. Such a great teacher.

‍Are there any places / cultures / ceremonies that are on your bucket list?

Open to traveling to Italy and Africa this year. Would love to try a cacao ceremony with real shamans.

Can you briefly give me your thoughts on psychedelic therapy, which are now becoming much more commonplace in treating patients with maladies including post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder?

I think it's amazing and would love to see more of it being publicized. I'm very excited to see people stepping up to try it, especially MDMA.

‍And any writers aside from Michael Pollan that you recommend on the general topic of natural wellbeing?

Healing Mushrooms by Isokaupilla, and African Holistic by Llaila Afrika.

‍OK you and I both love a challenging hike, so can you give me your top 3?

William Rogers state park hike in Pacific Palisades, Rattlesnake Ridge in Washington, and I love walking in Westwood.