2237: From Fat to Fit to Fortune With Mari Llewellyn
Dec 28, 2023
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Mari Llewellyn, co-founder of Bloom Supplements and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, shares her inspiring transformation from struggling with weight to thriving in the health industry. She discusses her journey into fitness, the challenges of going cold turkey off medications, and how exercise helped her find purpose. Mari also dives into the ups and downs of building a brand that made it into Target, the impact of social media on body image, and precious lessons learned along the way, all while navigating the balance between business and family plans.
Mari Llewellyn transformed her life by losing 90 pounds and emphasizes the importance of both physical and mental wellness.
The negative impact of social media, especially TikTok, on body image and unrealistic expectations in the wellness industry.
Mari Llewellyn discusses her journey to success, scaling her business, and the challenges of breaking into the retail market.
The importance of adapting to market needs, staying true to brand values, and learning from mistakes to achieve business success.
Deep dives
Mari Llewellyn's Journey from Unhealthy to Healthy and Building a Successful Business
Mari Llewellyn shares her inspiring personal journey from being unhealthy to achieving physical and mental wellness. In 2017, Mari lost 90 pounds and transformed her life. She discusses her struggles with mental health and how fitness and weightlifting helped her regain control and find discipline. Mari emphasizes the importance of ingredient-focused nutrition rather than calorie obsession. She talks about the challenges of navigating the online wellness industry and the harmful influence of social media, particularly TikTok. Mari also highlights her successful business, Bloom Supplements, and how it has grown with a team of dedicated individuals.
Navigating the Challenges of Social Media and Building a Genuine Brand
Mari discusses the negative impact of social media, particularly TikTok, on body image and unrealistic expectations. She stresses the importance of authenticity and honesty in the wellness industry. Mari shares her experience of building her own brand and the challenges of incorporating her own values while ensuring alignment with her growing team. She emphasizes the need for responsible content creation and education about proper nutrition, rather than endorsing extreme diets or quick fixes.
Mari's Journey to Success and Scaling her Business
Mari discusses her journey to success, including starting her own podcast and scaling her business. She shares her experience of getting her products into Target stores and the challenges she faced while trying to break into the retail market. Mari emphasizes the importance of numbers and data in proving the viability and success of her brand. She also expresses her desire to educate and empower young women in the health and fitness space, countering the harmful misinformation and unrealistic expectations prevalent in the industry.
The Future of Bloom and Personal Growth
Mari talks about the future of Bloom Supplements and her plans for the brand. While considering the possibility of partnering with other companies or investors, Mari highlights her commitment to maintaining authenticity and staying true to the core values of her brand. She discusses the challenges and rewards of being an entrepreneur, as well as her personal growth through building her business. Lastly, Mari touches on her plans for starting a family and the balancing act of work-life integration.
Podcast Episode: Behind the Scenes of a Health and Wellness Business
This podcast episode features an entrepreneur who shares insights into the challenges and successes of her health and wellness business. She discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic prompted her to pivot her focus from fitness to wellness, leading to increased demand for her products. She also shares some mistakes she made along the way, such as launching a product without having it in stock and developing a protein bar that did not align with her brand's values. The episode highlights the importance of adapting to market needs and staying true to brand values in order to achieve success.
Guest Experiences: Interviews with the Liver King and Paul Saladino
The host describes two notable guests on the podcast. The Liver King, known for his unconventional lifestyle and diet, was interviewed after a scandal and brought an entourage to the recording. The interview delves into his personal story and relationship with his father. Paul Saladino, a well-known figure in the health and wellness industry, was praised for his preparation and genuine approach to delivering information. Both episodes provided unique perspectives on health and nutrition.
Fertility and Hormonal Health Journey
The host shares her personal experiences with fertility and hormonal health. She discusses the impact of diet and lifestyle on hormonal balance, acne, and overall well-being. She describes how she went on a hormone healing journey, addressing issues related to progesterone deficiency and high testosterone. The host and her partner are currently focusing on fertility by following specific practices, such as tracking ovulation, refraining from excessive exercise, and maintaining a proper calorie intake. The conversation highlights the importance of proper nutrition and lifestyle choices in optimizing fertility and hormonal health.
In this episode Sal, Adam & Justin speak with Mari Llewellyn, co-founder of Bloom Supplements.
Mari’s origin story from being the problem to feeling good from the inside/out. (1:41)
From going viral to kick-starting a successful business. (7:41)
Her journey into weightlifting and healthy eating. (11:46)
Her experience going ‘cold turkey’ off all her medications. (16:50)
Reaching her full potential through exercise. (21:25)
Meeting her partner and becoming the perfect team. (24:27)
The idea behind the Pursuit of Wellness podcast. (29:05)
In her baby-making era. (36:39)
The process of scaling Bloom Nutrition Supplements. (38:56)
The problems with the health & wellness space for women. (41:56)
How Bloom made it into Target, its future exit strategy, and surviving COVID. (47:58)
The mistakes made along the way. (57:34)
The difference between feeling bloated and being well hydrated. (1:04:56)
The evolution of social media, marketing for her business, and the podcast. (1:08:20)
Her favorite, most memorable podcast guests. (1:14:39)
Life-changing things done on her health journey. (1:23:28)
Related Links/Products Mentioned
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