LIFTS Episode 90 - Building the Future of AI-Powered Nutrition with Rami Alhamad

Welcome to the latest episode of L.I.F.T.S – your bite-sized dose of the Latest Industry Fitness Trends and Stories.

In this episode, hosts Matthew Januszek and Mohammed Iqbal sit down with entrepreneur and engineer Rami Alhamad, co-founder and CEO of Alma, an AI-powered nutrition companion. From his early days building PUSH, the pioneering strength-tracking wearable later acquired by WHOOP, to his mission with Alma, Rami shares insights on persistence, startup timing, decision-making, and the future of fitness technology.

Key topics covered include:

• How persistence and decision-making frameworks shaped Rami’s entrepreneurial journey.
• The origins of PUSH and its role in strength-tracking innovation.
• Why timing is everything in startups.
• Rami’s decision to sell PUSH to WHOOP and lessons learned.
• The pivot from hardware to AI-powered nutrition with Alma.
• Why ChatGPT is Alma’s real competitor.
• Challenges in nutrition tracking and how AI is solving them.
• Insights into branding, Nike, and the importance of offline communities.
• Predictions for the future of fitness and consumer tech.

👉 Learn more about Rami Alhamad:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramialhamad/

👉 Learn more about Alma

https://www.alma.food/

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0:00 Intro – Hosts and Guest Introduction

1:11 Persistence as a Founder’s Superpower

3:03 Decision-Making Frameworks and Philosophy

5:57 The Origin Story of PUSH

10:00 The Future of Strength-Tracking Technology

13:48 When to Sell a Startup

18:24 Pivoting to AI and Nutrition with ALMA

22:16 Obesity, AI, and the Case for ALMA

27:47 ChatGPT vs Nutrition Apps

32:38 Voice Logging and the Future of Nutrition Tech

37:26 Patents, Innovation, and Wearable Competition

40:38 Branding, Nike, and Reaching New Generations

44:49 The Future is Offline Communities

47:02 Generational Shifts and Technology

50:57 Final Takeaways and Closing Thoughts