From Childhood Leukemia to “Health First”: Alex Conley and the KONO Mission

In this “Elephant in the Room” conversation, Joshua Holland sits down with Alex Conley, founder of KONO Nutrition, for a wide-ranging discussion that starts with light and vision (Raw Optics, colorblindness, and Irlen spectral filters) and quickly deepens into Alex’s personal health journey—being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a child, the mindset his parents instilled, and how that experience shaped his mission to help people “put health first.”  They also unpack what differentiates KONO’s approach in a low-trust supplement world: ingredient sourcing, nature-first formulation logic, and why “missing” inputs like trace minerals and silica matter—especially in hydration.  5 Key TakeawaysMindset and community can shape outcomes: Alex shares how his parents protected him from fear and consistently reinforced courage during years of treatment.Health first is a business standard, not a slogan: KONO frames every decision—ingredients, products, education—around “health first.”  Color + light matter: Discussion covers colorblindness, screen light exposure, and why some people explore spectral filter lenses (Irlen).  Electrolytes are more than salt + magnesium: Alex explains KONO’s hydration focus on trace minerals and silica to support deeper “full body” hydration.  Soil health ties to human health: The conversation connects modern depletion and sourcing practices to how people think about nutrient density and recovery.Featured PartnersKONO NutritionKONO Nutrition formulates supplements around one standard: Health First—with an emphasis on intentional sourcing and nature-aligned formulation.  Discount code: JOSHWebsite: KONO Nutrition : https://kononutrition.com/The One Device — wearable frequency + light + sound pendant — A jewelry-style wearable that delivers infrared light, micro-vibration/sound and crystal-activated resonance throughout the day to support sleep, stress resilience, recovery and HRV. Worn on the body, in the environment, or by the bed; charges via USB and intentionally emits no Bluetooth / no EMF. Learn more: https://theonedevice.comuse code: JOSH Timestamps00:00 START00:02 Intro, “Elephant in the Room,” Raw Optics frames (Tempest Daylight)  05:00 Colorblindness discussion + corrective lens curiosity07:15 Irlen Institute and spectral filter lenses (overview)  09:15 Alex’s childhood leukemia diagnosis and early memories14:45 Family support, community rallying, and resilience18:00 LLS hero moment + mother’s journal story22:40 “Health First” mission and KONO’s purpose  24:30 GNC origin story, functional medicine curiosity, ikigai pivot35:50 How KONO started: first product + formulation standards40:15 What “KONO” means (and the backstory)43:30 KONO’s best-seller: full body Hydrate+ and why trace minerals + silica matter  50:30 Soil depletion, nutrient density, and real-world implications55:20 Code JOSH, where to find Alex + closingGuest: Alex ConleyKONO Instagram: @kononutrition  Alex Instagram: @alexdconley (as shared in the episode)🌐 Connect with Joshua & SWTTPodcast Website: https://www.simplywalkthetalk.comYouTube: @simplywalkthetalkInstagram: @simplywalkthetalkTikTok: @simplywalkthetalkJoshua Holland: https://linktr.ee/joshuajholland