The PricePlow Podcast

Doug Kalman joins the PricePlow Podcast to talk about his experience co-founding the ISSN and how he helps professional fighters prepare their diets. We run through everything from regulatory, Doug’s appearance on the UFC reality TV show, macro breakdown, hydration and electrolytes, nutrient timing, the ISSN’s position stands, and so much more — most of it geared towards performance. This episode was so good, it spanned the course of two days because the first hour just wasn’t enough. Enjoy! https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/doug-kalman-120 Video: Doug Kalman Explains Diet and Nutrition Prep for Combat Athletes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgeuG8jTKTI Show Notes: Doug Kalman on Diet and Nutrition for Fighters (0:00) – Introductions (7:07) – Resistance and skepticism (15:46) – Information and misinformation (26:03) – UFC (33:46) – Personalized nutrition (41:38) – Weight cutting (47:19) – Objective data (1:03:30) – Carbs (1:10:00) – Eating strategies (1:18:54) – Misconceptions around fructose (1:25:30) – EAAs and Hydration (1:31:30) – Tracking hydration (1:39:00) – Macronutrients (1:53:00) – Personal preferences (2:05:00) – Communication in sports How to Follow Doug and the ISSN Doug Kalman on LinkedIn @the_issn on Instagram ISSN’s Website A few other links: Doug’s first appareance on PricePlow: How Many Calories are in BCAAs? The ISSN’s Dr. Doug Kalman Knows The high-dose caffeine + taurine study in elite boxers study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9610400/ List of ISSN Position Stands

In October of 2023, we made our annual trip to the “mecca of ingredientology” – SuppySide West 2023 in Las Vegas, NV. This is a major trade show that includes basically every component of the dietary supplement and nutrition industry’s supply chains, from ingredient developers to flavor houses to machine manufacturers to distribution experts. If you’re active in this industry, it’s the one to be at. We kept our tradition strong by recording a new podcast with Katie Emerson of Nutrition21, who’s their Manager of Scientific Affairs and an event sponsor. This is a follow-up to two previous PricePlow Podcast episodes, #075 and #085, continuing the conversation but with some new updates, and a few things never before mentioned on PricePlow. nooLVL is for everyone… and what is Lustriva? The big news is that Nutrition21 retargeted nooLVL for nootropics, and isn’t just targeting gaming supplements anymore. Katie also updates us about her recent presentations and research, and we finally get to ask the question, “What is Lustriva?!” https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/nutrition21-ssw-2023-119 Nutrition21’s Katie Emerson Talks nooLVL and Lustriva https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVYd385veJI (0:00) – Introduction (6:30) – nooLVL energy and fatigue study (10:15) – Dosage arms race (15:30) – Rebranding / Retargeting nooLVL (18:45) – What’s Lustriva?! (21:30) – The success of beauty products (23:00) – Hair growth (26:00) – Wrap up Where to Follow Katie and Nutrition21 Nutrition21 on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nutrition-21/ Katie Emerson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-m-emerson/

At SupplySide West 2024, one of the biggest events was a panel discussion held at the Kyowa Hakko USA booth, featuring a star-studded cast of influential industry advocates: Dan Lourenço – Founder and CEO of Ghost Joey Savage – Chief Scientific Officer of Glaxon Chris Lockwood – VP of Scientific Affairs at Nutrabolt David Sandler – Scientific Consultant and COO of Jupiter Wellness The topic of the panel was The Growth of Branded Ingredients, with an initial focus on Cognizin Citicoline, an ingredient used by everyone listed above. The episode offers fresh and unique perspectives from each member, who have different reasons and purposes for various ingredients. When you’re as big as these brands, you have to rely on trusted and legally compliant inputs, and few in this industry are as trusted as Kyowa Hakko! Embracing branded ingredients and collaborative competition This was a hallmark moment for the dietary supplement industry — one that we call “collaborative competition”. To put it bluntly, a panel like this simply wouldn’t have happened 5+ years ago. But with a growing industry where all good players can win, and companies like PricePlow and Kyowa Hakko here to bring a network of forward-thinking industry advocates together, it’s now a reality. With this, we get more information, less duplication of mistakes, and the consumer is ultimately the beneficiary. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/kyowa-branded-ingredients-ssw-2023 Video Version: Watch Dan, Joey, and Chris Talk Branded Ingredients https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjpmO_3nsk0 Audio Version available for download Detailed Show Notes: Embracing Branded Ingredients with Kyowa at SSW 2023 (0:00) – Introductions and Branded Ingredients (1:45) – Why use Cognizin in supplement formulations? (4:30) – Cognizin Citicoline vs Alpha-GPC (5:00) – Energy, Focus, and Nootropics – Where to Next? (8:45) – Why branded ingredients? (14:15) – Operating in the Information Age (17:15) – Ingredient Suppliers Need to Know their Mechanisms (18:15) – How Important is Flavoring? What if it attracts kids? (24:00) – Ingredients that Don’t Taste Well (32:00) – Immune: Kyowa Hakko’s Immune Support Postbiotic Ingredient (35:45) – Branded Ingredients in Functional Foods? (41:00) – Trojan Horsing In Healthy Ingredients Where to Follow Everyone Kyowa Hakko USA on LinkedIn Follow PricePlow’s Kyowa Hakko news Dan Lourenço on LinkedIn Follow PricePlow’s Ghost Lifestyle news Joey Savage on LinkedIn Follow PricePlow’s Glaxon news Chris Lockwood on LinkedIn Follow PricePlow’s Cellucor news … Read more on the PricePlow Blog

Taylor Knox of NutraMedia is back for his second installment of the PricePlow Podcast. This time, we met early in the morning before SupplySide West 2023, where we had a great conversation about energy drink labels. Taylor already explained their label design process and “brand therapy” on Episode #087, but this episode is almost entirely about energy drink design and the business surrounding it. If you want an epic energy drink label — nearly on par with what the geniuses at GHOST have been able to do — but don’t want to pay the extreme amounts of money it takes to make it, then TK and his team at NutraMedia are your team. Video Version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWYROJfiXYQ https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/taylor-knox-energy-drink-labels-117 (Apologies for the audio, someone lost the memory card with the microphone audio so we had to use the camera’s backup audio) Show Notes: Going to Brand Therapy with Taylor Knox (0:00) – (Re-)Introductions (6:30) – Can Design (16:30) – Manufacturing Costs (22:45) – On Imitation (32:00) – Regulatory Landscape (49:45) – The Complexity of Design (1:04:15) – Texture and Effects (1:11:30) – Intricate Details (1:19:45) – Expansion (1:23:00) – The Branding Future of PricePlow Where to follow Taylor and NutraMedia Taylor Knox on LinkedIn NutraMedia on LinkedIn NutraMedia’s website: NutraMedia.co Thank you TK for coming to our incredible BNB in Vegas before heading to the SSW Expo. As always, subscribe to the PricePlow Podcast and leave us a 5-star review on your platform of choice!

Ghost Lifestyle founder and CEO Dan Lourenço is back for the fifth time on the PricePlow Podcast, in an episode that’s becoming an annual tradition – a pre SupplySide West show! We last saw Dan in Episode #088, where he gave us Ghost’s Plans for 2023 and celebrated the 2022 PricePlow Brand of the Year award. In this episode, Dan explains what Ghost’s been up to in 2023 — besides Cinnabon and Legend V3 going global, it’s been all about scaling. But he’s also happy to give a sneak peak of Ghost Hydration RTD, trialing out the Strawberry Kiwi flavor that’s a fan favorite in the Hydration powder as well. He also teases a few other flavors. This was also a major year for Ghost Energy Drink, which not only took advantage of the scaling, but had new marketing pushes into music festivals and sporting arenas. As for 2024, Dan’s extremely excited to state that he’s very confident in a new “food item” coming to Ghost. We can’t make guarantees, but when Ghost enters a new arena, they do it their way, so we’re hoping for something extremely innovative. Same goes for Ghost Sleep, which is also mentioned! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spcEgeWAtTQ Show notes at https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/dan-lourenco-ghost-lifestyle-116 “Back in Vegas”: Show Notes with Dan Lourenço (0:00) – “Say it! Say It” (1:15) – The challenges of the Ghost YouTube Channel (4:15) – Avoiding Pigeonholing (05:30) – Ghost Apparel (06:15) – Ghost Protein RTDs (or lack thereof?) (9:00) – The success of Ghost Energy (17:45) – Looking at 2023 and forward to 2024 (19:55) – Legend V3 and Global Compliance (20:45) – Ghost Hydration RTD and a Food Item for 2024! (23:30) – Collabs: TMNT V3 Next Year? (26:00) – Energy: FaZe Pop Expansion and the Return of Strawbango (27:30) – Ghost Hydration RTD Kiwi Strawberry: Under the Table Tasting (29:30) – GRAS Status of Some Hydration Ingredients (33:30) – Living in a “More is More” Society (35:00) – Listening to customers (39:30) – Dan’s Favorite Thing of 2023 And as always, you can sign up for PricePlow’s Ghost Lifestyle news alerts so that you never miss a drop – and there are a lot of them to cover!

Almost everyone working within the dietary supplement industry knows Diana Morgan, the VP of Global Regulatory and Government Affairs at Nutrabolt. But it’s not just all that C4 that makes Diana an industry rock star — it’s the social events she puts on as well! In 2020, when industry trade shows abruptly shut down, Diana decided that it was time to bring back human physical contact. She started a series of in-person social events and parties known as What’s Up With Supps, and continues the tradition by hosting supplement industry parties alongside major industry gatherings and expos. We had Diana on to talk about her upcoming Retro Toy Party, which will be the final industry event in Las Vegas at SupplySide West 2023, held on Thursday, October 26 at the House of Blues. Diana explains the creation of What’s Up With Supps, and then we get into some of her regulatory work at Nutrabolt, talk energy drinks, and reminisce over our trip to Washington DC at this year’s Fly-In Day with Natural Products Association. Fun episode here, and if you’re going to be at SupplySide West, then meet up with us at the party! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAN49RHVOkY Show notes at https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/diana-morgan-whats-up-with-supps-115 Show Notes with Diana Morgan: What’s Up with Supps (0:00) – Introductions (2:15) – What’s Up With Supps Retro Toy Party for SupplySide West 2023 (5:30) – Industry Events (9:30) – Diana’s Role at Nutrabolt (16:00) – Vitamin Shoppe (21:30) – Advocating in DC (26:00) – Labeling and marketing (35:45) – GRAS status (43:00) – Amino acid calorie count (48:00) – Wrap up and SupplySide West Subscribe to the PricePlow Podcast Thanks for joining us, Diana! You can head back to the PricePlow Podcast and subscribe on your platform of choice.

The man, the myth, the legend — TJ Humphreys — joins PricePlow Podcast for Episode #114 to talk about All Black Everything (ABE), a new dietary supplement brand in America based upon UK-based Applied Nutrition’s pre-workout supplement. Mike and Ben joined TJ in Plano, TX to get TJ’s entire backstory, which starts at Lone Star Distribution, VPX Sports, and then the legendary run at ProSupps. After a quick pit-stop at RYSE Supps (see Episode #060), TJ’s good friends running Applied Nutrition out of England decided that they wanted to team up to bring their brand to America. And who better to call than TJ? So TJ started the American version of the brand, kicking it off with the ABE Pre-Workout and ABE Energy Drink. The offering has expanded into more stores since then, which includes ABE Pump, their stimulant-free pre-workout supplement powered by Nutrition21’s Nitrosigine. https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/tj-humphreys-all-black-everything-114 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjWKUIfLdjk Note: with this launch, you’ll be able to save with coupon code PRICEPLOW at AbeNation.com Show Notes with TJ Humphreys: All Black Everything Brings Edge (0:00) – Introductions (2:30) – TJ’s Background – Lone Star, VPX, and ProSupps (12:45) – The value of passion in a venture (18:15) – New business (27:00) – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (31:30) – The value of expertise and distribution (34:45) – The ProSupps Collaboration with DJ Khaled (40:30) – Retail and market feedback (48:30) – TJ’s Partnerships and All Black Everything’s Creation in the USA (55:30) – Manufacturing in the UK and Branding (1:03:30) – Marketing and exclusive flavors (1:13:15) – Creatine in ABE Pump (1:20:15) – Nitrosigine and More Nootropics in ABE Pump (1:25:00) – ABE Distribution and Funding Where to Follow TJ Humphreys and All Black Everything TJ Humphreys on Instagram: @ceo_swole All Black Everything Instagram: @ABENation TJ Humphreys on LinkedIn Thank you TJ and Nutrition21! Thanks again to Nutrition21 for sponsoring this episode, and to TJ and ABE for paying for Ben’s flight to Dallas. Sign up for PricePlow’s Nutrition21 news alerts so that you don’t miss any more major announcements and incredible industry podcasts!

https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/tim-gritzman-natural-body-inc-113 It’s been too long since Tim Gritzman of Natural Body Inc — everybody’s favorite retailer in New York — has graced us with his presence on the PricePlow Podcast. Last seen in Episodes #044 and #045, Tim continues to keep the ship straight with this business partner, Steve Calabrese. For this episode, we discuss their latest Epic Block Party, which is an annual gathering / “sidewalk sale” / mini-expo of sorts that attracts 50+ brands, athletes, and business owners to New York every summer. We also get into Tim’s Flyby videos, and Tim’s Flyby Founding Principles, where he explains where there is “best”. If you’re into pre-workout supplements, retail store settings, and a touch of recent drama (and why Tim stays out of it as a retailer), then this episode is for you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHK-TlkVaXc Detailed Show Notes: Tim Gritzman Recaps Natural Body Inc’s 2023 Epic Block Party (0:00) – Introductions (6:30) – Pre-workout trends (13:00) – Consumer behavior (20:00) – Tim’s career (29:30) – Natural Body Inc’s Epic Block Parties (41:45) – Influencer Marketing (48:15) – Partnerships and sponsorships (58:00) – Promotional content ratio (1:05:00) – Skepticism about brands (1:12:45) – Community engagement (1:19:15) – Content strategy (1:25:00) – Product launches at the Block Party 1:39:00 What’s next for Natural Body Inc? Tim says that launches are so frequent that it changes week to week. He is of course preparing for Black Friday and the holiday season. In addition, Block Party is not necessarily a deeper discount than Black Friday, but it has more merch and is more of an experience. Tim is also shifting more into content with a new reel series on Instagram. He stresses the difficulty of meeting the 90 second time constraint. Tim discusses some new content and the differences between scientists and alchemists. Scientists care about the data and the stats, whereas the alchemists care about transferring the feeling of the pre-workout to a better workout. They talk about how even when ingredients are included below a clinical dosage, they can still retain efficacy. The goal is improving knowledge and enjoyment in the supplement industry. Tim reiterates that one of his foundational principles is that Natural Body is primarily a hospitality company, and secondarily a supplement company. (1:50:15) – Wrapping up Coverage of Product Launches from the 2023 Block Party Core Nutritionals x Natural Body Inc. The Big Crangrapple! MuscleSport x Natural Body Inc: Lemon Pound Cake Lean Whey and Creatine Hydration Where to Follow Natural Body Inc, Tim, and Steve Tim Gritzman on Instagram Tim Gritzman on YouTube Natural Body Inc on Instagram …<… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/peptistrong-nuritas-neil-foster-112 One of the most interesting ingredients we’ve covered this year is PeptiStrong, a pro-anabolic natural peptide network extracted from fava beans. Although technically a protein, PeptiStrong is not a dietary protein supplement like whey or casein – it’s actually a signaling network, meaning it delivers instructions to your cells that ultimately crank up their anabolic machinery. This means faster recovery, bigger gains, and even anti-catabolic action. This also means that it’s a complex and science-heavy ingredient, so we brought Neil Foster of Nuritas onto the PricePlow Podcast for Episode #112 to explain the story behind PeptiStrong. Nuritas is the biotechnology company that developed and sells the novel ingredient it, and they have revolutionary AI-driven research tools that led to its discovery and creation. If you want to read our long-from article about PeptiStrong, check out PeptiStrong: Natural Anabolic Ingredient from Fava Beans. But if you’d rather watch and listen to the full story and learn about the research behind it, then it’s right here on the PricePlow Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyq_VQmS8Pc Detailed Show Notes: Neil Foster of Nuritas Explains PeptiStrong (0:00) – Neil Foster Introduction (01:35) – Neil’s Background (03:00) – What’s Really In Food? (03:47) – How Does AI Research Work? (07:20) – Looking For Mechanisms vs. Outcomes (10:06) – Marketing With AI (11:50) – How Is AI-Driven Research A “Magnifier” Technology? (14:03) – Is PeptiStrong Unique To Fava Beans? (15:01) – PeptiStrong Data (18:07) – Peptides As Cellular Instructions (19:40) – Nuritas / GNC Partnership (20:12) – Human Clinical Studies – Leg Immobilization Recovery (26:53) – Human Clinical Studies – Exercise Recovery (28:37) – Neil’s Use Of PeptiStrong (29:22) – Recovery Is More Than Just Exercise (30:44) – Why Did Nuritas Focus On Muscle? (32:35) – Anti-Aging Applications For PeptiStrong? (36:13) – How To Take PeptiStrong (39:16) – Mike and Neil’s Standard Dosing Schedules (40:40) – PeptiStrong Bioavailability (41:30) – PeptiStrong Leg Extension Recovery Study (46:48) – Low Exercise Intensity As Confounding Variable (47:32) – PeptiStrong and Hormones (49:58) – PeptiStrong Protects Against Overtraining? (53:27) – PeptiStrong Mechanisms – Fully Understood? (54:49) – PeptiStrong Use Cases (55:42) – PeptiStrong and Joint Health (58:27) – PeptiStrong and Metabolic Health (1:00:59) – Neil’s Career (1:04:09) – New Studies Coming Where to Follow Nuritas and Neil Nuritas on LinkedIn Neil Foster on LinkedIn Thanks to Neil for taking the time to discuss this new peptide, and the rev… Read more on the PricePlow Blog

https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/brian-littlefield-jocko-fuel-111 On September 7, 2023, Team PricePlow traveled northeast to Maine, to visit the offices of Jocko Fuel and Origin USA. Jocko Fuel was born out of Origin, who manufactures jiu-jitsu gis, boots, and other apparel in the USA, using American materials. After touring the facility, we sat down with Brian Littlefield, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Jocko Fuel. We came primarily to introduce the new Jocko Pre-Workout, but actually kicked it off by trying the new Blue Raspberry Jocko Go energy drinks, a Vitamin Shoppe exclusive. In this long and incredible conversation, we first talk about the founding of Origin and the arrival of retired US Navy Seal Commander Jocko Willink, which led to the creation of Jocko Fuel. After introducing the new Jocko Pre-Workout formula (first released on PricePlow through this podcast), we discuss why Jocko Fuel only uses natural flavoring and sweeteners, avoiding sucralose, aspartame, and ace-K at all times. The trio also discusses other products coming down the pipe, life lessons from jiu-jitsu, Brian’s background, products that are made in the USA, and some of the “tuition payments” they had to make as a growing brand. This was an all-around incredible trip, one of our best podcasts ever, and we’re more than honored to be the team to disclose the Jocko Pre-Workout to the world. Detailed show notes are below — you can listen on your favorite audio podcast app or watch on YouTube: Watch on Video: Jocko’s Black Belt Formulator, Brian Littlefield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5HZb-Y1Z3k Our Trip Recap to Maine, Visiting Jocko Fuel and Origin View this post on Instagram A post shared by PricePlow (@priceplow) Detailed Show Notes with Brian Littlefield (0:00) – Introductions and Go Energy Drinks (14:00) – Jocko Fuel’s Branding (20:30) – Jocko’s affiliation with Origin (24:15) – Partnerships (29:45) – New JOCKO GO flavors (36:15) – The Jocko Pre-Workout (41:00) – The philosophy behind JOCKO FUEL (54:00) – The importance of good partnership alignment (1:04:30) – Caffeine and sweeteners (1:19:00) – Making “Life Bets” (1:29:20) – Upcoming Product with the 3-Sweetener Trifecta (1:31:30) – Hydrate, and Jocko Fuel’s Stance on Carbs (1:33:30) – What is Brian? Brian’s Background in Supplements (1:43:30) – The learning principles of jiu-jitsu (1:48:00) – New Jocko Molk Protein Bags, Retail Exclusivity (1:49:45) – Jocko Greens (1:57:30) – The Behemoth that is Jocko and his Podcast (2:01:00) – Will Jocko Fuel try Manufacturing in the USA again? (2:08:45) – If only PricePlow were doing this in 2016… (2:14:45) – We need more research data (2:18:30) – Made in the USA? (2:26:15) – Recap at the End Important Links Sign up for Jocko Fuel news ale… Read more on the PricePlow Blog