What if the supplements you’re taking aren’t doing what you think they are? What if the glossy wellness branding, the celebrity endorsements, and the “all-in-one” miracle powders are actually the red flag? In this episode of The Wellness Club Social, we sit down with Borna Bandari, CEO of Cymbiotika Middle East and former California litigation attorney, to unpack the uncomfortable truth about the modern supplements industry - from inside the boardroom and the lab. Borna shares how burning out as a lawyer on an 18-hour-a-day case led him to a radical health transformation: solo hikes with a backpack and tent, losing 25–30kg, and eventually moving to Dubai to bring Cymbiotika to the region. We talk about ancestral wisdom vs. flashy marketing, why Cymbiotika refuses to pay celebrities or influencers, and what that really says about where other brands are putting their money: in ingredients… or in endorsements. We go deep on: • The real difference between a AED20 vitamin C and a AED200 vitamin C • Why ingredient integrity, sourcing, and bioavailability matter more than the label claim • The truth about “all-in-one” powders and why they’re Borna’s least favorite wellness trend • Borna’s own morning protocol: salt water, NMN, molecular hydrogen, glutathione & Turkish coffee • How influencers, fake engagement and paid posts distort trust in wellness • Why the future of wellness is a return to basics: real food, clean water, quality salt, sleep, stress management - with supplements as a powerful addition, not a shortcut This conversation will change the way you look at your supplement shelf, your food shop, and the brands you trust with your health. If you’ve ever wondered “Do I actually need supplements?”, “Which ones are truly essential?” or “How do I know which brands are legit?”, this episode is your playbook. 00:00 – Meet Borna Bandari 01:10 – The Philosophy Behind Cymbiotika 01:54 – From Lawyer to Wellness Leader 04:58 – The Origins of Cymbiotika 07:05 – Obsession With Ingredients 09:52 – Why Cheap Supplements Don’t Work 12:00 – The Rise of Wellness Apps & Consumer Awareness 13:59 – Mushroom Brands, Lion’s Mane & Regulations 17:05 – US vs UAE: How Wellness Markets Differ 20:11 – Do We Really Need Supplements? 22:49 – Why Some Supplements “Don’t Work” 27:02 – Bioavailability & Liposomal Technology 29:06 – Inside Borna’s Morning Routine 31:05 – The Myth of Supplements as a Quick Fix 35:07 – The Wellness Trend That Annoys Borna Most 38:24 – The Truth About Influencer Marketing 43:08 – How Cymbiotika Markets Without Marketing 46:07 – Are Events Worth It? 49:00 – The Future of Supplements 52:15 – Building a Brand With Integrity 53:05 – How to Buy Supplements Like a Pro Please like, subscribe, and leave a review. Share it with someone who cares about wellness - or someone who has a supplement shelf that needs rethinking. To learn more about Cymbiotika: cymbiotika.ae Instagram @cymbiotikame YouTube @cymbiotika TikTok @cymbiotika 🎧 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts ▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube
