Fueling Performance: The Science Behind Endurance Nutrition With Gabe Multer
Feb 10, 2025
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Gabe Multer, founder of Carbs+, is on a mission to transform endurance nutrition for athletes. He shares his journey from burnout to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for quality nutrition options. With a humorous cautionary tale about fueling mishaps, Gabe critiques existing products and discusses the challenges of bringing innovative solutions to market. He dives into the nutritional essentials for endurance sports and the importance of feedback in product development, all while exploring how technology can enhance the cycling experience.
Gabe Moulter's journey into entrepreneurship was driven by identifying gaps in the sports nutrition market for under-fueled endurance athletes.
The challenges he faced in launching Carbs Plus highlighted the importance of strong partnerships and community engagement in building a brand.
Deep dives
The Entrepreneurial Journey
Gabe Moulter discusses his journey towards becoming an entrepreneur, which was inspired by witnessing his father run multiple businesses. Initially aspiring to be a professional cyclist, he pivoted to entrepreneurship after realizing he wasn't going to achieve that dream. He reflects on the steps he took to prepare for this career, including pursuing higher education and gaining experience in software sales. An influential conversation at a wedding helped him recognize that waiting for the perfect moment was a form of procrastination, pushing him to pursue his business idea with urgency and conviction.
Identifying Market Gaps
Moulter highlights the gap he identified in the sports nutrition market, particularly for endurance athletes, who often struggle with under-fueling during training and competition. His analysis showed a stark contrast in the carbohydrate intake recommendations for elite athletes versus the lack of affordable, effective products available. He experienced firsthand the limitations of existing products while training, leading him to conclude that many athletes, especially those not sponsored, were resorting to cheaper, subpar fuel options. This realization motivated him to create Carbs Plus, aiming to offer high-quality, carbohydrate-dense products at a fair price.
Challenges of Product Development
Launching a new energy gel product posed various challenges for Moulter, particularly due to the complexities of working with contract manufacturers and meeting industry standards. Producing gel products requires precise processes and equipment that are difficult to access for new brands, which complicates market entry. Moulter had to navigate the financial and logistical hurdles of meeting high minimum order quantities while ensuring product quality. The experience taught him the necessity of strong partnerships and the importance of having flexibility and support from manufacturers willing to work with emerging brands.
Innovative Marketing Strategies
To effectively market Carbs Plus and establish a presence in the crowded sports nutrition field, Moulter focused on building a community through a cycling team that served as initial ambassadors for the brand. He leveraged lower price points to differentiate his product from competitors, thereby attracting attention and encouraging trial. Utilizing partnerships with established channels, such as The Feed, greatly increased brand visibility and helped disseminate his product quickly. Moulter believes that consistent customer use leads to organic growth through word-of-mouth and positive experiences in product efficacy.
Today's guest is Gabe Multer, the founder of Carbs Fuel, a company dedicated to enhancing endurance nutrition for cyclists. In this episode, we dive into his journey of launching a business in the cycling world—what sparked the idea, the hurdles of growing a nutrition brand, and the science behind optimal fueling for performance. Entrepreneurship is a road full of uncertainty, and Gabe’s experience sheds light on the mindset, resilience, and creativity needed to turn a vision into reality.
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