the Joshua Schall Audio Experience

Breaking news: Politicians have officially found a way to tax your muscle gains. Because of course they did! The U.S. and Canada just nuked their trade talks, and Trump slapped a massive 50% tariff on Canadian whey and milk protein. Then, not to be outdone in the competition of economic self-sabotage, Canada clapped back with their own 50% retaliatory measures on American dairy. So, while they play their high-stakes game of trade-war chicken, dairy supply chains are getting completely shredded. U.S. suppliers were already completely sold out for the year. But hey, who needs logic when you have politics? Sorry gym bros, but it’s time you got ready to pay mortgage-level prices for a basic tub of vanilla whey.

Welcome to another episode where Scott Dicker (Senior Director, Head of Research and Insights at SPINS) and I unpack shifting market dynamics impacting active nutrition. So, what’s on today’s program? We’re providing exclusive insights regarding two industry heavyweights: protein and creatine. During the first part, Scott and I discuss how underlying economics of whey protein have shifted meaningfully…as commodity inputs, supply chain capacity, and consumer demand converge to create structural disconnects that flow through to shelf price changes. Additionally, we analyze how a consumer shift toward mid-tier brands and single-serve options is transforming shelf dynamics…and whether the risk of "innovation slop" could push consumer demand to a breaking point. Then, we dive into the massive evolution of creatine. Once localized to bodybuilding circles, creatine average retail price is now surging…driven by larger pack sizes and a rapidly broadening demographic. Scott and I look at how new innovation is attempting to break down previous barriers, moving beyond muscle performance into cognitive health, women's health, and healthy aging. From the supply chain vulnerabilities to the explosive opportunities of "creatinification," we map out the future of this functional ingredient.

It was just announced that the Best Selling Protein Brand in the UK market, Grenade, is expanding into America with Indulgent Flavors (Including Oreo). Back in August 2024, I made the following comments about the Grenade Oreo protein bars. I’d expect more resources allocated to geographic expansion. Grenade is sold in more than 80 countries worldwide, but almost 90 percent of its total net sales come from its home market of the UK. And the key to geographic expansion might come from leaning further into its cross-pollinated product innovation. At one point in the late-2010s, Grenade had been ramping up sales activity in the U.S. market, but then seemed to almost disappear in the early-2020s. The Grenade Oreo protein bars would almost certainly do great in the U.S. market, but my guesses are that the previous successful Mondelez licensing relationship with GHOST Lifestyle might be holding up that geographic expansion right now. While I’m not certain of the licensing deal length (GHOST Oreo Whey launched just over three years ago), or if GHOST even has negotiated “food rights” with the Oreo brand team…any U.S. market availability of the Grenade Oreo protein bar likely doubles the brand’s total revenue in 12 to 18 months with a proper strategic go-to-market execution. You can call it happenstance if you want, but the U.S. market launch timing of these Grenade Oreo protein bars certainly lines up with GHOST and Mondelez completely winding down their long-term licensing partnership. Now, we wait patiently to see if Grenade revenue doubles in the next 12-18 months like I predicted!

Did a few M&A deals change the energy drinks market forever? Between the start of Q1 2025 and the end of Q3 2025, three massive M&A transactions completely rocked the beverage industry. Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) bought a majority stake in GHOST, Celsius Holdings acquired Alani Nu for $1.8 billion, and Nutrabolt secured a majority stake in Bloom Nutrition. On the surface, these look like standard beverage cooler land grabs, but if you look deeper, you’ll find three entirely different corporate philosophies playing out.In this video, I'm breaking down...Why Alani Nu is a "breathtaking" retail juggernaut, generating $2.5 billion in annual sales.How Celsius is stripping away Alani Nu’s legacy supplement lines to focus purely on RTD beverages, and why that might cap their long-term growth.How Bloom Sparkling energy drinks became an absolute rocket ship for Nutrabolt, paving the way for an upcoming IPO.Why Keurig Dr Pepper leaving GHOST completely autonomous to launch lifestyle products like protein cereal giving them the highest long-term strategic ceiling.Which of these three recent M&A transactions do you think was the most valuable, and who wins the long game over the next five years?

Great news! The government wants you to eat “real food.” The bad news? Your bank account didn’t get the memo. According to research by consumer insights and data firm Numerator, following the new food pyramid costs an extra $1,012 per person, per year. Essentially, that’s a 32 percent “healthy eating tax.” Cut the ultra-processed junk and sugar. Eat more protein, whole fruits, and full-fat dairy. It’s pretty simple, right? Expect quality animal protein and fresh produce appear are officially the new luxury goods. In fact, almost half of shoppers say price is the only thing standing between them and that “real food” life. And it’s obviously amazing how these updated dietary guidelines are quietly reshaping what we think is healthy, but we cannot totally overlook that “eating real” is going to feel like a side hustle for most Americans until supply chains can be rebuilt around supporting a shifted demand curve. So, are the new dietary guidelines a health plan or a wealth test?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Blake Mitchell of Interact Brands to dissect the modern realities of CPG packaging design and strategic brand building. Rooted in old-school Rust Belt Ohio principles from our entrepreneurial fathers, Blake and I champion the timeless rule of constructing brands that solve real problems for real people. And while we’ve both eventually left Ohio, our upbringing continually provides a unique foundational perspective on bridging the gap between coastal elite trends and everyday consumers…balancing the needs of "Erewhon Moms" and "Toledo Dads" without falling into cultural echo chambers. Additionally, Blake and I explore how today’s economic landscape has created a K-shaped world, forcing consumers to constantly trade up or down. Value is no longer a demographic. Instead, it’s a rapid-fire habit requiring instant recognition on retail shelves. We also chart the evolution of product categories (like protein bars) from strict functionality to lifestyle-driven emotion, examining how to design for mature consumer markets. Finally, we dive into the Grüns blueprint to see how supplements can break out of sterile pharmacy aisles, and discuss the massive, untapped opportunity in making men's reproductive health approachable and engaging.

Why is one of the world's largest legacy beer companies quietly buying up the global dietary supplement market? In this video, I'm breaking down the radical corporate transformation of Kirin Holdings. Facing a terminal decline in Japan’s domestic beer market due to an aging population, Kirin is executing a masterful multibillion-dollar M&A playbook to pivot heavily into preventative health and functional ingredients. Discover how Kirin built its global "Health Science Triad" by acquiring dominant regional anchors like Blackmores, FANCL, and most recently, Jamieson Wellness for $1.4 billion. I'll dive into their 4-pillar corporate M&A blueprint, how they avoid rigid bureaucracy, and how they use consumer brands as a pipeline for their proprietary, high-margin ingredients like Cognizin and IMMUSE. Lastly, I'll explore if functional beverages and functional foods could be next, along with a future European expansion that would Kirin past their $3 billion Kirin Health Science International segment revenue goal by 2035? Let's get into the strategy.

Has the government finally admitted that feeling like you need a second mortgage just to afford the fancy cheese isn’t a vibe? Although instead of sending you a coupon, they’re launching the “Grocery Guarantee,” a strategic "risk-shifter" designed to crack the credit bottleneck for the U.S. food supply chain. By boosting federal loan guarantees, the U.S. Small Business Administration is effectively daring local banks to say "yes" to small producers, manufacturers, grocers, and associated support layers who were previously deemed too risky. And this isn’t some handout…we’re talking about a “modernization play” with 25-year terms for newer technology, smarter equipment, and bigger facilities. So, what’s the catch? While the “Grocery Guarantee” bridges the collateral gap, it doesn't erase today’s high-interest rate environment. If your small business is already underwater, a bigger debt might just be a heavier anchor. Therefore, this program will be most effective for businesses actively pivoting from "survival mode" to "expansion mode."

FitLife Brands just dropped its Q2 2026 earnings report, showing a massive 65% year-over-year revenue spike to $26.5 million. But behind that explosive headline number lies a much more complicated story of acquisition padding, falling legacy brand sales, and major strategic hurdles. Does FitLife Brands need a "strategic cleanse" to restore true balance? In this comprehensive breakdown, I'll dig deep past the surface-level numbers of the FitLife Brands portfolio. Based on Q2 2026 financial documents and my exclusive notes from the earnings call, I'm analyzing exactly how the company is performing after its massive August 2025 acquisition of Irwin Naturals. I divide the portfolio into Legacy FitLife and Irwin Naturals to uncover the real operational health of the business. While consolidated growth looks stellar on paper due to M&A activity, a sequential quarter-over-quarter growth rate of just 4.8% tells a very different story. Key Topics Covered:Sales Channel Shift: How FitLife has successfully lowered its historic "key customer risk" with retail giant GNC, moving from a digital-first strategy back into heavy wholesale distribution.Legacy FitLife Troubles: Why Legacy FitLife segment revenue plummeted 23% YoY, and how company leadership is using "muddy waters" to obscure individual brand declines.Amazon Algorithm Slump: A look into Mimi's Rock Corporation's low-20s percent YoY decline and FitLife’s unexpected partnership with competitive eating champion Joey Chestnut to drive off-Amazon awareness.MusclePharm Misstep: Why attempting to aggressively raise prices on MusclePharm whey protein products backfired, leaving them highly exposed to inflationary commodity cycles without true brand pricing power.Irwin Naturals Silver Lining: Breaking down Irwin’s $14.1 million quarter, its rapid 35% sequential expansion into e-commerce, and whether upcoming cost-saving synergies can rescue FitLife's dilutive profit margins.If you are a CPG industry professional, retail investor, or supplement brand builder, this deep dive into functional CPG market dynamics and execution strategy is a must-watch!

“One day, everyone will take creatine.” Maybe that sounds crazy to you. Or maybe you’re like me and more recently came to that conclusion. But for a very (very) small group of people, that bold visionary prediction became obvious more than three decades ago. Joining us is industry pioneer Steve Jennings, one of those rare individuals…who famously helped fuel British Olympic gold medalists with creatine in secret during the 1992 Barcelona games. In this episode, we explore the enormous structural shift driving creatine from “gym culture” to household staple. However, crossing the chasm towards the mainstream brings substantial friction. Therefore, we shed light on the serious risks of a market (potentially) growing too fast, from severe supply chain vulnerabilities and concentrated chemical precursor sourcing to an imminent pricing squeeze on raw materials (which might ultimately be a good thing as Steve outlines). Furthermore, driven by a surge in consumer demand for convenient, great-tasting formats…we discuss how "Creatinification" (and the category’s defining decade ahead) hinges on solving a fundamental biochemical challenge that has long eluded the supplement industry. Tune in as we discuss how the sector is engineering around this stability barrier, tackling immense demand growth, and unlocking preventative health solutions to build a creatine market poised to reach every consumer, everywhere. But without any further delay…here is the recent conversation I had with my good friend and the founder of Jenerise (a creatine technology company) Steve Jennings.

Procter & Gamble just dropped a staggering $3.8 billion to acquire Thorne, leaving mainstream financial commentators and health enthusiasts completely shocked. Why would a consumer packaged goods (CPG) titan known for Pampers, Tide, and Crest buy a premium dietary supplement brand? In this video, I'll pull back the curtain on the financial architecture and the radical corporate strategy driving this massive M&A transaction. This is far from just selling vitamins...creating a massive strategic paradigm shift into AI-powered predictive health, longevity, and data-rich consumer ecosystems. I'm breaking down the private equity wins for L Catterton, Thorne’s massive manufacturing and testing moats, and how P&G completely outmaneuvered rivals like Unilever and Haleon to dominate the healthcare practitioner market. Plus, we address the biggest question on every consumer's mind: Will P&G dilute Thorne's ingredients and destroy its scientific integrity? If you want to understand the future of proactive, personalized, and integrative consumer healthcare, this deep dive is for you.

Nestlé just dropped $523 million dollars to fully acquire the German complete nutrition brand Yfood. But don’t totally overlook this as just another simple brand acquisition. And that’s because it could become an important part of Nestle’s (mostly still disguised) global strategy to conquer the “Age of Ozempic” marketplace. Obviously, increasing household penetration of weight-loss drugs mean less food overall is being eaten, which has driven demand for hyper-concentrated, nutrient-dense meals, snacks, and liquids instead. But let’s see if Nestle begins to utilize Yfood as a gateway to drive GLP-1 patients into their new companion frozen food line…and eventually into personalized health platforms. Nevertheless, this isn’t a one-off, as Danone and Lactalis are buying up competitors too…further strengthening my long-held thesis that in the modern CPG business landscape, true power belongs to those not just feeding consumers (but fueling them).

Is your favorite tub of protein powder starting to break the bank? In this video, I'm breaking down why your protein supplements are getting "whey" more expensive...and it could all tie back to global nutrition giant Glanbia, the powerhouse owner of Optimum Nutrition (ON). Following their first-half 2026 earnings release on August 6, 2026, I'll dive deep into the financial numbers, provide my exclusive earnings call notes, and explain the supply-side shifts hitting the sports nutrition industry. From massive volume growth to the reality of commodity inflation, we explore exactly what is driving these changes and whether the market is reaching its pricing breaking point.Additionally, I'll provide insights on the following topics:Glanbia's massive $2.08 billion in group revenues and what it means for consumersHow Optimum Nutrition continues to pull in nearly $1.5 billion in trailing twelve-month revenue despite mandatory global price hikesWhy "protein mania" is clashing with dairy commodity inflation, and what Optimum Nutrition’s upcoming Q3 price increases mean for youWill competitors cut corners on formulation, and why ON’s iconic Gold Standard Whey refuses to change its recipeThe shift toward alternative protein sources (collagen, plant, and milk) and the desperate need for affordable, single-serve pack optionsSo, are you willing to pay more for your favorite protein, or are you looking for cheaper alternatives?

Has the CELSIUS growth story gone “stone cold” or are temperatures about to heat up once again? Celsius Holdings (NASDAQ: CELH) had quarterly revenue of $817.9 million, which was up 11% YoY. Excluding the Rockstar Energy acquisition-related financial impact, Celsius Holdings revenue would've only increased 1.6% YoY. CELSIUS had revenue of $387 million, which was down 11.6% YoY. Alani Nu had revenue of $364.4 million, which was up 20.9% YoY. And then lastly, Rockstar Energy had revenue of approximately $66.5 million. According to recent 13-week retail sales data, CELSIUS decreased by 2% YoY...remaining the third-largest energy drink brand in the category with a dollar share of 9.5%. Alani Nu increased retail sales 55.7% YoY and is now the dominant fourth brand in the U.S. energy drinks market with dollar share of 8.7%. And Rockstar Energy retail sales decreased 13% YoY and is still a Top-10 largest U.S. energy drink with dollar share of 1.9%. If we look at Celsius Holdings combined brand portfolio, it reached 20% of dollar share...ranking it third and trailing only Red Bull and the combined Monster Beverage portfolio. Additionally, while Celsius Holdings has a large lead on the combined Keurig Dr Pepper (controlled) brand portfolio of GHOST, C4, and Bloom…that lead is shrinking relatively quickly due to the extreme growth of Bloom. Things drastically shifted for CELSIUS because of the August 2022 distribution and investment deal with PepsiCo. Additionally, when Celsius Holdings took ownership of the Rockstar Energy brand last quarter, it designated them the PepsiCo strategic energy drink captain. Also, another major aspect of “Celsius Holdings and PepsiCo strengthening its long-term strategic partnership” was the transition of Alani Nu distribution into the PepsiCo DSD system starting December 2025. So then, in my latest first principles thinking content piece, I'll explore several key factors surrounding why the next 12-18 months will define the future of the Celsius Holdings brand portfolio.

Remember Saturday mornings watching cartoons with a giant, sugary bowl of cereal? For most of us, that childhood staple vanished the second we got serious about fitness. But what if you didn't need to trade your favorite childhood tradition for your macro goals? Well, today’s guest did exactly that. After cutting his teeth in the sports nutrition trenches with Nutrabolt (owners of C4 Energy), Eoin Carroll took the ultimate "cereal kid" dream and turned it into a high-protein reality by co-founding TRUELY Cereal, a brand challenging the previous market expectation that all high-protein cereals include an unappealing chalky aftertaste or soggy texture. In this episode, we discuss everything from the brutal realities of self-manufacturing to scaling into retail giants like Sprouts and Costco Canada. Also, Eoin and I break down the major consumer demand drivers reshaping grocery shelves like the surging "protein-ification" of every product category and the massive market impact of GLP-1 users. Oh, and one last thing…about two-thirds of the way into our conversation, Eoin had a minor technology failure. So, while I’ve done my best to keep our natural conversation flowing, you might notice a slight sound adjustment from Eoin swapping microphones that required me to stitch together clips.

With “protein mania” pushing the macronutrient into top-of-mind status (arguably creating more purchasing impulsivity), is it finally time for Premier Protein to embrace the “single life”? BellRing Brands (NYSE: BRBR) is a portfolio that owns a collection of convenient nutrition brands like Premier Protein and Dymatize Nutrition, which was previously wholly-owned by Post Holdings. A fast-paced and busy lifestyle is pushing consumers to switch to quick and healthy meal options. This has resulted in above average categorical growth rates and increased household penetration of RTD protein shakes that promote active lifestyles. Additionally, powders are becoming more mainstream, and category proliferation has created an environment where more consumers are purchasing both every day and performance nutrition positioned protein products at grocery stores and mass retailers. Bellring Brands reported 2026 Q3 net sales of $570.4 million, which was up 4.2% YoY. Premier Protein (~85% of BellRing Brands total revenue) increased by 0.7% YoY, driven by volume growth but partially offset by a decrease in price/product mix. Dymatize Nutrition was up 26.7% YoY, driven by higher average net selling prices. Moreover, I provide deep dives into Premier Protein RTD protein shakes business activity, along with examining similar metrics surrounding the protein powders from Premier Protein and Dymatize Nutrition. But then, Michael Axelrod officially took over as the new CEO of BellRing Brands. And you might be asking yourself, who is Michael Axelrod…and can he help improve performance and better translate category leadership into more consistent, profitable growth over time. In all honesty, since he only started a handful of days ago…and hasn’t laid out his strategic initiatives yet, I’m not totally sure. But here’s what I’ll say, Michael Axelrod has extensive up- and downstream CPG industry experience…and trust he’ll strengthen execution and improve operational discipline (most notably involving Premier Protein’s regionally diverse contract manufacturing network). However, here’s my biggest concern…can he effectively transition Premier Protein into this “full-fledged beverage company,” a much-needed strategic reality that previous leadership seemed hellbent on not embracing. And in a market where “singles” are quickly becoming a larger share of the total RTD protein shakes market, Premier Protein must think more deeply about not only its DSD distribution strategy but organizational structure. Right now, the RTD protein shakes category is more dynamic and competitive than ever, thus for Premier Protein to remain the market leader it will require not only greater operational discipline but new capabilities.

Everyone has been focused (and rightfully so) on the Electrolit growth story, but there’s another trending Mexican beverage company you shouldn’t be overlooking! For decades, Jumex was stuck in the “ethnic aisle” as a nostalgia brand for immigrants. But then, they teamed up with AriZona Beverages and went completely rogue…launching a Hard Nectar lineup that absolutely blew up on social media. Now, that iconic blue can is quietly conquering the United States…and the company is sponsoring college football, dropping energy drinks and functional hydration beverages. Grupo Jumex even revived the legacy premium juice brand Odwalla last year, proving its no longer some hidden small bodega beverage company.

Much like golf, which Arnold Palmer once said, “is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated,” launching a beverage brand looks easy from the outside, but day-to-day execution is deeply complex. But then, what happens when you combine both? Well, in this episode, we sit down with Luc Bohunicky, the first-time CPG founder behind COURSE RECORD, a functional beverage custom-built to combat the dreaded "back-nine fade." In this conversation, Luc shares his firsthand experiences navigating fragmented alternative sales channels (like golf courses and country clubs), fighting the "category curse" of large retailers, and managing diverse expansion opportunities as RTD beverage with less than two years in-market. Plus, we’re talking through how a generation of YouTube content creators is giving the sport an enthusiastic facelift and how golf-focused functional nutrition brands (like COURSE RECORD) should be thanking the “Tiger Effect” for successfully helping move the needle from mere “snacking” to intentional “fueling.” Whether you’re an early-stage CPG founder attempting to carve out a new category within an emerging niche market or proactive builder with a love for the evolving functional beverages market…this is the manual for anyone trying to solve the countless unsexy CPG entrepreneurial puzzles.

The global dietary supplement market just witnessed a massive $1.2 billion acquisition. In this deep dive, I'm breaking down how the family-owned Vitabiotics Group caught the eye of private equity giant Bain Capital. From fleeing geopolitical adversity during the 1947 Partition of India to achieving prime-time television fame on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den, the story of Vitabiotics is anything but ordinary. But behind the celebrity endorsements and household name recognition lies a brilliant corporate strategy. So, I'll analyze the mechanics of Bain Capital's massive buyout, the powerful supply chain cost-arbitrage moat fueling their valuation, and what this means for the future of the global supplement industry. Is Bain preparing for a massive horizontal roll-up maybe by syncing Vitabiotics with its 1440 Foods active nutrition brands? Let's look at the strategic playbook.

The U.S. energy drink market is a brutal, $28.5 billion battlefield where loyalty between brands and DSD distributors rarely exist. After helping build massive energy drink brands like GHOST, CELSIUS, Alani Nu, and C4, independent beer distributors watched PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) strip the volume right off their trucks. Enter Phorm Energy...the powerhouse joint venture between Anheuser-Busch, sports nutrition brand 1st Phorm, and combat sports mogul Dana White. In this video, I'm doing a year-one "heat check" on Phorm Energy. Learn how this unique partnership bypasses traditional beverage startup growing pains, solves the independent distributor loyalty crisis, and leverages a fierce, blue-collar fitness community to challenge the beverage industry's biggest giants. I'll be breaking down the latest retail sales data, compare their trajectory to the previous AB InBev & GHOST Energy joint venture, and reveal the strategic "playbook" needed if they plan to crash the Top 10.

According to the latest Keurig Dr Pepper “State of Beverages” Trend Report, the “Go-To” drink era is officially over. And the packaged beverage giant is blaming Gen Z and Gen Alpha for completely rewriting the rules of what we sip. For us old farts, wellness meant restriction. No sugar, no fun. But for younger consumers…wellness is a vibe check. They don't have one favorite drink anymore. Instead, they rotate through SIX different beverage categories weekly. Every choice is a personal statement, an emotional support beverage…with Gen Z and Gen Alpha 58% more likely than Millennials to choose drinks based on mood or occasion and 25% more likely to switch beverages based on their current activity. So, what do the drinks in your refrigerator say about you?

The sports drinks (and functional hydration market) is undergoing a massive structural shift, driven by corporate price wars, format innovations, and a literal beverage “real estate crisis” happening inside your local convenience store.In this market breakdown, I'll analyze the aggressive defense strategies of legacy CPG titans and the rapid rise of format-disrupting (and cross-category) insurgents. While early viral sensations like PRIME face historic post-hype cycle collapses, incumbent leader Gatorade (PepsiCo) has reversed its pricing strategy to aggressively capture volume growth, forcing Coca-Cola’s BodyArmor and Powerade to defend higher price points.Also, I'll dive deeper into the operational and distribution mechanics behind the market's newest giants:How Electrolit leveraged a Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) partnership to cross $750M in annual salesHow Unilever’s Liquid I.V. bypassed traditional bottling constraints to scale a $1B powder supplement empire.Why convenience store category managers are aggressively reallocating cooler real estate away from slow-moving sports drinks in favor of high-turn energy portfolios.Listen to understand why basic electrolyte replenishment is no longer a viable unique selling proposition (USP), and how occasion-based multi-functionality is rewriting the beverage playbook.MARKET ANALYSIS BRIEF: Are you seeing a permanent channel shift toward powdered stick packs in your local markets, or will ready-to-drink format innovations claw back the market share? Drop your categorical insights and observations in the comments below.

Dolly Parton spent decades living on a tour bus. Now, she’s using that wisdom to take down Buc-ee’s. So, if you weren’t aware, the “Queen of Country” just launched Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop. Instead of just walls of beef jerky, Dolly’s has live music stages, sit-down southern cafés, and a little sparkle of Dolly Parton magic that’ll make even a beaver blush. And while Buc-ee’s famously bans all semi-trucks, Dolly Parton plans to make the road feel like home for truck drivers. In fact, her massive travel centers feature elite trucker lounges, high-flow fuel lanes, and private showers to win over the millions of drivers Buc-ee's locks out. Since I’m located in Buc-ee’s backyard, with a massive location literally in our subdivision…there’s probably no chance I’m swapping my Beaver Nuggets for a “Cup of Ambition,” but you let me know where you’re stopping!

Let me tell you a little secret about me. There’s almost nothing in this world I love more than a four-scoop sampler from my Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream. And if you’re thinking I’m just being another melodramatic “content creator” seeking attention…think again! My now wife (then girlfriend) literally joked early in our relationship about “if I loved her more than Handel’s” because that was such a high measuring stick. But all joking aside, the biggest issue is that my lactose-intolerant wife and my first love (aka Handel’s) you know since I grew up in Youngstown, Ohio haven’t gotten along! Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is beautifully old school in the most indulgent way possible…and unfortunately that meant lacking delicious non-dairy options. Well, to my surprise…I just read about Handel’s partnering with Oatly, utilizing their full fat Oatmilk in three new indulgent non-dairy ice cream flavors this summer. So, I guess now my only problem is that I live in Southeast Houston…and the closest Handel’s location is about an hour away!

The wellness CPG space was just rocked by a massive headline: Prenetics announced that its supplement brand, IM8 Health (co-founded with David Beckham), secured a staggering $1 billion non-dilutive growth financing commitment from venture capital titan General Catalyst. But behind the gaudy headlines lies a complex financial mechanism that could either change wellness CPG forever. In this video, I'm breaking down the reality of General Catalyst’s Customer Value Fund, unpacking the mechanics of cohort financing, and exposing the silent operational risks known as "Growth Trap Over-Optimization."Is Prenetics executing a brilliant sprint to a Big CPG acquisition, or are they walking into another corporate strategy nightmare? Let's look past the spreadsheet illusion.Additionally, I'll cover key topics like:Prenetics' strategic detour and divestiture of Europa Sports ProductsHow General Catalyst’s CVF funds up to 70% of digital marketing spend without equity dilutionWhy software scales effortlessly but physical consumer packaged goods do notHow global CPG giants like Unilever or Nestlé unroll internet-famous brands and fix "cost problems"

Are Energy Drinks Under Attack? Inside the FDA’s New Caffeine Crackdown 🥤⚠️What started as a niche market largely pioneered by Red Bull has exploded into a high-stakes, multi-billion-dollar global battleground. But the beverage industry is facing its biggest hurdle yet: an unprecedented, synchronized global wave of bans, restrictions, and regulatory crackdowns.From absolute age-restriction sales bans in Europe and Canada to state-level consumer protection investigations led by the Texas Attorney General, governments are changing the rules of the game. Now, the FDA has officially stepped in, placing mandatory caffeine labeling at the very top of its 2026 regulatory priority list.In this video, I dive inside the underlying drivers behind the possible FDA shift, explore the hidden rise of caffeine in "functional foods," and talk about why targeting "bright packaging aesthetics" ignores the real issue: a core lack of consumer health literacy.Also, I look at the massive double standard between popular transparent energy brands like Alani Nu and CELSIUS vs. the "regulatory immunity" enjoyed by major coffee retailers (and their unmetered caffeine drinks).Is the energy drink market really a "wild west" of high caffeine and low oversight, or are regulators just looking for an easy win? Let's get into the data-driven solutions we actually need.

Did you know that Spain just dropped a massive ban on energy drinks, and it should raise concern for any U.S. brand prioritizing geographical expansion across Europe? If you’re in Spain (and under the age of 16), you can no longer purchase energy drinks. While Lithuania started the trend in 2014, Spain became the first Western European country to enact age-of-sale laws on all energy drinks. Moreover, Spain also age-restricted any energy drink containing more than 32 milligrams of caffeine per 100 milliliters to those over 18 years-old. And although that concentration of caffeine is the industry standard for most energy drinks globally, some pundits fear Spain including an age restriction could spark copycat regulatory actions across Western Europe. But what do you think: is this a win for public health or government overstepping?

Is Simply Good Foods’ Turnaround Strategy Working? 📉 (Atkins, QUEST, & OWYN Deep Dive) The Simply Good Foods Company just dropped its Q3 fiscal 2026 earnings report, and the results reveal a massive divide between its portfolio brands. While one legacy brand is severely dragging down performance, others are battling product quality issues or holding onto explosive growth in unexpected categories.In this video, I break down the Q3 2026 SMPL financial data, look behind the scenes at the earnings call, and decode what the "Age of Ozempic" and GLP-1 drugs mean for the future of traditional dieting brands like Atkins. I'll also look at how Quest Nutrition is pivoting away from being just a "protein bar company" and what OWYN must do to painstakingly win back consumer trust.Whether you're a retail investor, CPG industry stakeholder, or just curious about convenient nutrition market trends, this breakdown is for you!

The Secret Weapon Powering Peter Rahal’s New Food Empire 🤫🧪Peter Rahal is aggressively tearing up the traditional CPG playbook. While most modern food brands follow a predictable loop...launch a trendy product, scale online via performance marketing, and hope for an acquisition by a legacy CPG conglomerate, Peter Rahal is engineering a quiet structural revolution to dominate the future of nutrition. In this video, I'll pull back the curtain on Medici, Peter Rahal’s newly established holding company. By unifying hyper-optimized consumer brands under the same corporate umbrella as proprietary, cutting-edge food technology, Medici is building an undeniable dual-engine competitive moat.I break down how its flagship brand, David Protein, exploded to a reported $300 million in revenue in less than two years. But protein bars are just the beginning. From a high-protein frozen dessert line that sold out in under 30 minutes to shelf-stable canned wild-caught cod, Rahal is reshaping consumer platforms. Discover the master plan behind Medici’s decentralized "house of brands" architecture...including the upcoming candy brand HallPass and savory line Svelte Snacks. Most importantly, we reveal Medici’s "secret weapon," which is the vertical integration of Epogee and its revolutionary EPG alternative fat technology, which slashes fat calories by 92% without sacrificing mouthfeel. Finally, we look ahead at Medici's next logical strategic moves to conquer the low-calorie sweetener space and monopolize the very molecules we ingest daily.

Stop clinging to that "pristine" brand image, as the old CPG playbook of polished, sterile messaging is fundamentally broken because it ignores how trust actually works today. Modern consumers don’t want abstract brand voices…they want believable like seeing how your product fits into a messy, real, lived-in life! Arguably, this is why social commerce is exploding…as it’s more real life than sales pitch. So, start putting humans at the center of your CPG brand…whether it’s a founder or an employee with actual skin in the game. Individual personalities are the only things that scale now because video platforms are literally built to distribute people, not logos. Likewise, tap into niche creators who already speak the language within your specific cultural intersection. However, remember that collaborations aren’t just for "reach," they represent your CPG brand’s community and societal class…which can earn you the right to expand laterally (when strategically appropriate).

Why Barebells Just Bought Its Contract Manufacturer (The Protein Bar Wars) 🚀The protein bar market is trapped in a "sea of sameness," as most brands use the exact same ingredients and contract manufacturing cloned recipes. Except for Barebells, which completely disrupted the global market by making protein bars that taste like actual candy. In this video, I break down the massive strategic acquisition by Barebells' parent company, Vitamin Well Group (backed by Cinven), to buy EMPWR Nutrition Group...the secret engine behind Barebells' success. Discover how mega-cap private equity scales a consumer platform, why "form factor" is the ultimate intellectual property, and how this deal completely rewrites the strategic optionality available as they compete against major incumbent protein bar brands like Quest Nutrition.Also, I'll provide insights on the following:📉 How customer concentration leverage allowed Cinven to buy a top-tier manufacturer at a massive discount.🍫 Why the mechanical process of making a "candified" multi-layer bar is an underacknowledged nightmare—and why owning it matters.🎯 How wiping out the co-packer middleman frees up cash for prime retailer real estate and aggressive discount.⏱️ How owning the production schedule allows Barebells to prototype and test wild seasonal flavors ahead of competitors.🔥 What happens to the 100+ other global brands that currently rely on EMPWR for production?So, is the asset-light business model dead for wellness CPG brands? Watch to find out!

Is This the End of Vitamin Pills? Are you tired of swallowing giant supplement capsules every single day? You’re not alone. Nearly 40% of adults suffer from "pill fatigue," defined as the physical and psychological burnout of maintaining a complex, multi-bottle daily routine. In this video, I'll dive into the radical shift toward what I dubbed "Frictionless Wellness." Next-generation wellness CPG brands are abandoning traditional pills entirely to treat the mouth as the ultimate biological highway. By bypassing the gut and liver, these innovative direct-to-mouth formats deliver rapid oral absorption without the need for water. But can these "bleeding-edge" innovations cross the strategic chasm into permanent consumer habits, or will they get crushed by heavyweights like Celsius energy drinks?Key TakeawaysOral Absorption: Direct-to-mouth delivery skips the harsh stomach acid and liver first-pass effect, potentially shaving 30–60 minutes off nutrient onset timesCandy-fication vs. Efficacy: Brands face a brutal balancing act between packing a clinical dose of an ingredient and making a functional candy taste tolerableMilligram Ceiling: Form factors like pouches and strips physically cannot hold heavy macronutrients, limiting their ability to replace full nutritionNiche Utility Wins: The future belongs to hyper-specific use cases—like fast-acting sleep strips or focus-driven modern oral pouches for long road trips

Here’s something I told a client, but they couldn’t come to grips with it. The "anything-goes" science foods era is dying…and society is firmly heading into an Age of “Sensory Grounding.” Texture has become a personality trait. I’m talking about "texture-maxxing" everything…you know freeze-dried, crispy, chewy, and velvety mashups. Also, in this economy, consumers want quality they can actually feel and trust…whether that’s the emotional safety of handmade sourdough or the fermented, fiber-packed, and sour canned veg prepared by long-lost “old-school Grandma” methods. It’s about craving quality and reliability over wild food trends…seeking a strong value proposition for every dollar spent.

Is Your Supplement Brand Looking at TikTok Shop All Wrong? Most supplement and health brands treat TikTok Shop as an isolated sales channel. They look at direct dollars spent versus immediate revenue out, and if the margins aren’t instantly positive, they call it a failure. That legacy mindset is costing brands millions in lost growth. In this video, I'll break down why a performance-siloed view of TikTok is holding you back, and how the fastest-growing brands are using it to fuel a massive, multi-channel flywheel effect. TikTok Shop is currently the 4th largest health ecommerce retailer in the US, generating over $800 million in the vitamins and supplements segment alone over a recent 52-week period. But the real value isn't the sales inside the app. And I'll discuss the predictable multi-channel consumer loop that begins with a massive surge in Amazon branded search volume, shifts towards an ecommerce windfall on Amazon, and then that viral online discovery spills over into physical retail, leading to a massive lift in offline revenue and total distribution points. But to unlock this, leadership has to abandon traditional DTC playbooks, give up absolute creative control, and embrace a "loose reins" affiliate strategy to scale content volume. Watch the full video to learn how to let the algorithm act as your ultimate creative director and achieve true attention arbitrage.

Trump promised a manufacturing boom, but the truth thus far has been arguably much messier (at least across the CPG industry). On the one hand, CPG giants like Mars, Chobani, and Coca-Cola announced they’d spend billions on new manufacturing facilities. Although with interest rates staying relatively higher…and construction costs skyrocketing, we’ve seen a strategic rebalancing. And yes, Tyson Foods, General Mills, and other massive CPG companies are selling factories just to stay lean…but the larger strategic narrative can be defined as "making more with less." So, what’s going on? The expected CPG manufacturing boom has been stealthy…with companies not necessarily building bigger but retrofitting existing factories to be smarter. And within a sector that relies heavily on immigrant workers, automation and high-tech robotics are critical to replace the labor they can't find. Output is rising, and efficiency is increasing…yet manufacturing jobs are slightly dipping. This is a complicated story, but likely only the beginning of a new industrial era.

The beverage industry is hitting a catastrophic wall, but it isn’t just standard inflation. A high-stakes "metallurgical siege" is unfolding at the exact intersection of consumer packaged goods (CPG) and defense economics. In this video, I break down why aluminum costs have recently surged on the London Metal Exchange and what this means for the future of grocery shelves and beverage coolers. From China's strict production caps to Middle East tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, global supply chains are fracturing. But the biggest threat? The Pentagon. Under federal law, defense contractors have prioritized access to American metals. As the U.S. modernizes its military arsenal under a $1T+ defense budget, the CPG industry is left fighting for the residual scraps...artificially inflating baseline costs and crushing profit margins for everyday brands. I'll dive deep into the companies caught in the crossfire, why the famous 2021-2022 Celsius Holdings survival playbook won't work today, and how "form-factor agility" (moving from cans to powder stick packs) will separate the survivors from the bankrupt in the late 2020s.Also, I'll be examining topics like: Why the U.S. only produces 1/3 of its required primary aluminumHow military procurement dictates commercial grocery marginsWhy venture capital is abandoning weak-margin CPG brands for defense technologyThe folklore of Celsius Holdings importing cans from Europe, and why protectionist tariffs killed that strategy for 2026 Why brands can no longer shrink past the standard 12-ounce sleeveHow functional wellness beverages hold the ultimate leverage over traditional soda and beer.

If you had “legacy juice brand pivots to GLP-1 side-effect management” on your bingo card, come collect your prize. Honestly, whatever simulation loop we’re in currently, does anything say “growing up” quite like your favorite childhood juice brand suddenly caring more about keeping your Ozempic-induced bloating in check than your sugar high? Backed by a $10 million manufacturing overhaul, Langers’ new No Worries GLP-1 Support Beverage moves beyond basic hydration to act as a functional companion (packing a hefty dose of prebiotic fiber along with magnesium and tart cherry juice into every can). This strategic move proves Langers is no longer just a juice brand…transforming into a problem-solving powerhouse for the modern, health-conscious consumer.

More than one-fifth of the 150K+ convenience stores have spoken, and they shared some interesting opinions about the growing energy drinks category. And even if you aren’t familiar with every insight regarding this beverage category, I’m sure you intuitively recognize that convenience is the most important sales channel (by sales dollars) for energy drinks in the U.S. market. But here are my top “categorical” takeaways from the most recent Goldman Sachs Beverage Bytes survey. Firstly, c-stores are preparing to allocate more space for the female-focused, better-for-you energy drink brands…with 87% stating they’ll find more room for Bloom between now and January 2027. Similarly, after just lapping its first year in-market, Phorm Energy is expected to earn more “cooler space” between now and the start of next year. Finally for my category “inflation watchers,” around 81% expect pricing to increase across the energy drinks market throughout the year…with 25% believing price hikes will be “significant.”

When PepsiCo acquired Poppi for nearly $2 billion in early 2025, everyone assumed Olipop would be next. Rumors swirled, negotiations stalled with Coca-Cola, and then...Olipop walked away. Critics claimed they missed the peak of the prebiotic soda mania. But the truth could be much more rebellious. In this video, I break down why Olipop's independence isn't a failure, analyze Olipop's impressive financial health ($700M+ in tracked sales), and explore three hidden paths for unlocking their future enterprise value.In this video, you’ll learn more about:Olipop "Mistiming Myth": Why critics are wrong about Olipop missing the prebiotic trend.Red Bull & Monster Energy Factor: How alternative distributors could change the convenience store game.Gut Health M&A Roll-Up Strategy: How Olipop could clone the Simply Good Foods playbook to target an IPO in 12-18 months.Food Tech Pivot: Transforming OliSmart into a B2B ingredient supplier.What do you think? Should Olipop sell to Coke, or should they build an independent gut-health empire?

Is the golden age of protein over, or is the market hiding something much worse? While mainstream pundits point to falling average retail prices as a sign of consumer fatigue or market saturation, the reality is far more dangerous. CPG brands are trapped in a brutal macroeconomic vice: unprecedented, structural commodity inflation for whey protein vs. an already strained consumer. In this content, I break down why the "health halo" of the protein market is approaching a catastrophic breaking point, how brands are quietly altering your favorite protein snacks, and why the ultimate threat to your protein powder might actually come from the butcher counter. In my latest content piece, I'll cover topics like:Pricing (ARP) Illusion: Why category prices look lower on paper while individual products (UPCs) are actually getting more expensiveProtein Product "Format Shift": How low-ticket, immediate-use items like RTD shakes are masking deep market friction▪️ Formulation Trap: Why substituting protein inputs isn't as simple as swapping sugar or fat, and how it leads to "chalky, brick-like" productsConsumer Surplus Theory: The exact economic mechanism that could trigger a massive market contractionSubstitution Threat: How government actions and downward price corrections in real whole foods (beef, poultry) could pull shoppers out of the center aisleIndustry Warning Signs: Sneaky ingredient changes happening right now across protein powders, protein bars, and lifestyle snacksUltimately, "protein mania" won't end because you stop wanting better nutrition...it will halt because the industry broke its promise of quality!

“Why complicate it?” Oftentimes, I’ll ask that question repeatedly when developing a product innovation strategy. While rethinking traditional product presentation (whether packaging or form factor) can help disrupt normal consumer behavior, effective strategy almost always lies in finding the simplest, most elegant solution that delivers the desired outcome. As an example, I recently came across Roxii Supercube…which created frozen nutrient-dense, functional cubes designed to make wellness as simple as putting ice into any beverage. Novelty will certainly capture attention…and its social media shareability is undeniable. Although I’m unsure functional ice cubes offer a compelling enough reason to switch from the ubiquitous wellness CPG product formats (like ready-to-mix powders) and truly become embedded into today’s daily routines.

Is the practitioner supplement market dead? Or is it just evolving into something completely unrecognizable? In this video, I break down why the traditional "insulated fortress" of practitioner dietary supplements (which accounts for around 9% of the total U.S. supplement industry) has officially been dismantled. With the death of information asymmetry, the rise of virtual dispensing systems like Fullscript, and precision AI-driven personalized manufacturing, a brand-new strategic playbook is required to win. I'll analyze the battle between legacy supplement giants (defending clinical prestige) and newcomers inverting the funnel through "Reverse-Channel Entry." Discover why the future of health optimization belongs entirely to data interoperability...bridging wearables, lab diagnostics, and virtual prescription pads. If you are a practitioner, brand owner, or health-tech founder, this is the blueprint for how supplements are being manufactured, sold, marketed, and prescribed.

McDonald’s is officially getting “dirty.” After watching a tiny soda shop called Swig explode in recent years, the “Golden Arches” is ditching burger innovation for TikTok-inspired beverage concoctions. So, why the sudden pivot? There’s no secret here…it’s about blending up profit margins! Beef is getting expensive to make and harder to sell. But flavored fizzy sugar water (sometimes with a splash of cream), those cost pennies and sell for a premium (even against the "clean eating" backdrop). Then, are we saying the era of the $12 burger is over, and the era of the $7 soda is just beginning? Regardless, I’m interested to see if McDonald’s can weaponize their scale to steal the "treat culture" crown.

Is this the deal that changes the future of the world’s largest dairy company? 🥛➡️💪 In this content, I break down Lactalis Group acquisition of the UK-based supplement brand, Protein Works. Discover how a $36B+ traditional dairy behemoth is breaking out of the dairy aisle to conquer the high-margin world of functional nutrition. 📌 What You'll LearnProtein Works Story: How a brand started in a spare bedroom scaled to $74M in revenue with 15%+ profit margins.Lactalis Strategic Shift: Why legacy dairy processors face a low-margin battlefield and how Lactalis plans to escape it.Hidden M&A Value: How Lactalis will turn raw dairy byproducts (whey and casein) into premium, direct-to-consumer profits.Dairy Industry Blueprint: A comparison of how industry titans like Lactalis, Danone, Chobani, and Glanbia are racing to fuel (not just feed) the modern consumer.Do you think the Lactalis and Protein Works deal can successfully replicate Glanbia's historic success with Optimum Nutrition?

Your kid wants to drink exactly what you’re drinking. And honestly…CPG brands are finally letting them by taking grown-up wellness trends and making them playground ready. We’re talking about No Seed Oils, extra protein, and "Adult Functionality" in a lunchbox-sized serving. Although I wouldn’t consider this just a trend, as CPG brands are responding to the “MAHA Moms” wanting clean labels and showing an unwillingness to compromise just because their kid is small. So, a question to my fellow parents…would you give your kid a "mini" version of your favorite protein shake?

The cookie industry is experiencing a massive renaissance. But to understand where the future of cookies is going, we have to look back at the woman who wrote the original "Cookie Code" Debbi Fields. In this video, I break down how Mrs. Fields pioneered modern single-product retail, and how modern titans like Crumbl and new wellness startups like Fields Good are remixing her 1980s blueprint for the 21st century.💡 What You'll LearnSensory Marketing Transition: How brands replaced the real-world smell of fresh cookies with high-definition digital "visual hunger" videos.Algorithmic Skeleton: How Mrs. Fields used microcomputers and predictive algorithms in the 1980s to manage inventory, paving the way for Crumbl’s modern tech-stack app.New Luxury Economy: How Ashley Fields (Debbi’s daughter) is taking her inherited culinary DNA to build a functional health-cookie empire for the GLP-1 and wellness era.

Is this UK supplement company smart or crazy? For decades, the U.S. sports nutrition market has been a graveyard for ambitious British brands. They cross the Atlantic with huge UK market share, only to get crushed by the brutal realities of the American marketplace. But Applied Nutrition is throwing out the traditional expansion playbook. Instead of spending millions to acquire their own brand name trademark in the United States (forcing them to launch under the clunky moniker AN Supps) they are betting everything on operational excellence. In this content, I break down Applied Nutrition’s massive $16 million cash acquisition of Buffalo-based manufacturer Nutrablend Group. Also, I explore why building supply chain resilience matters more than flashy marketing, and how their genius "Trojan Horse" flavor partnerships with Mondelēz International (Sour Patch Kids & Swedish Fish) might just unlock success on Walmart shelves.Key Takeaways From This Video:Margin Fix: Shifting manufacturing to Upstate New York instantly eliminates transatlantic shipping costs and import duties.Retail Security: Localized production capacity gives them the operational resilience required by retail giants like Walmart.North American Revenue Catalyst: The Nutrablend facility is projected to contribute $30 million in third-party manufacturing revenue by FY2027.What do you think? Can Applied Nutrition officially conquer America without using their own brand name?

Are you upset about that morning matcha ritual getting A LOT more expensive? Maybe blame all those performative males who are seemingly adopting emotionally sensitive progressive personas (such as drinking matcha and carrying tote bags) to attract women. Regardless, whether it's the matcha latte craze or the proliferation of packaged matcha products, supply can’t keep up with the unprecedented demand…as record heat and severe droughts in Japan throttled yields, while labor shortages further strain production. With no end in sight regarding these higher prices, maybe it’s time every “green goddess” denounces this current performativity example…so even the most dedicated "matcha men" switch back to chugging Monster Energy.

Is there a carbonation crisis bubbling up across the beverage industry? For decades, beverage executives stayed awake worrying about the war on sugar, anti-alcohol laws, and Gen Z trends. Today, the biggest liability might be the bubbles themselves. A massive shift in human biology and consumer habits is quietly threating the multibillion-dollar packaged beverage landscape:Surge in Gastrointestinal Distress: Roughly two-thirds of adults regularly suffer from distressing digestive symptoms like bloating and IBS. Their first medical directive? Cut the carbonation.GLP-1 Effect: Weight-loss medications chemically delay gastric emptying. When trapped carbon dioxide hits a slow-moving stomach, it causes intense pain, nausea, and reflux. GLP-1 households cut their spending on sugary, carbonated drinks by nearly 10% within just six months.The alcohol sector (particularly traditional beer) is facing an existential contraction. Meanwhile, non-alcoholic brands are rapidly launching defenses...Functionality: Rebranding fizz into a gut-health hero using prebiotic fibers (e.g., Olipop, Poppi).Going "Fizz-Free": Growing massive platforms with non-carbonated energy drinks (e.g., CELSIUS). Altering the Gas: Experimenting with nitrogenation for a creamy, stomach-friendly mouthfeel.What's next? Expect front-of-pack labeling to evolve. Standardized visual "fizz scales" and terms like “lightly effervescent” will soon become mainstream retail standards.The modern consumer’s biology has fundamentally changed. Executives who view digestive health and GLP-1 side effects as a passing trend are misjudging the market. The bubble hasn't popped yet, but it’s noticeably losing air!

Monster Energy and the Boston Red Sox just pulled off the most iconic marketing partnership in sports history. And yes, I’m about to go all “Captain Obvious” here, since presumably some of y’all aren’t baseball fans. But the 37-foot-high left field wall at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox, is known as the Green Monster. And the classic OG color of Monster Energy drinks is green. Thus, plastering a Monster Energy logo on the Green Monster is probably too much (but also legendary). But speaking of “legends,” if I was Monster Energy…I’d steal this product strategy from the GHOST Energy sports marketing playbook. Regardless, should I “side quest” this? Enjoy a Monster energy drink while sitting in the Monster Seats right above the Monster Energy logo on the Green Monster.