In the Mix - A NuLiv Science Podcast

NuLiv Science
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Where supplement science meets real-world innovation. In the Mix dives deep into the ingredients powering today’s top supplement brands — from the minds of formulators and scientists to the voices of founders, athletes, and creators shaping the wellness space. Hosted by NuLiv Science, each episode uncovers the story behind the science, the brands that trust our ingredients, and what’s next for the industry. Whether you're a brand owner, product developer, fitness enthusiast, or just supplement-curious — this is your front-row seat to the supplement game. 🧬 Powered by NuLiv Science 🎙️ New episodes weekly 📍 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

  1. 5d ago

    The Mushroom Drink That Got Into Target, Kroger, and Sprouts

    Melting Forest moves roughly 10,000 cans a day with a team of fewer than 10 people. Sean McDonald, founder and CEO, and Nancy Pineda, who runs operations, joined Richard Wang on In the Mix with NuLiv Science to explain how that actually works. We covered the parts most founder interviews skip: what velocity a grocery shelf really demands, why they added cost to the can instead of cutting it, and how a full-spectrum cordyceps ends up dispersed in a beverage instead of sitting at the bottom. Melting Forest is a food-based functional beverage brand now in just under 8,000 stores, including Target, Sprouts, multiple Kroger divisions, Ralphs, Stater Bros, Bristol Farms, and World Market, with a recent launch in Canada. In this episode: Putting unapproved prototype cans on a Bristol Farms shelf to watch shoppers react Why the mushroom branding scared off national buyers, and why that was the point The real velocity bar for an RTD: three to six units per store per week Fail fast, and why 20 strong stores beat 2,000 weak ones Solving mushroom solubility instead of hiding behind extract ratios Cordyceps at 20 microns, caffeine held at 150mg Why Senactiv® was formulated for truck drivers and warehouse workers, not athletes Glow Up: 15g collagen, 5g fiber, no caffeine, and why it isn't sold as a protein drink FODMAP certified fiber, and the cost of not bloating your customer How Astrion® made the cut, and why supply reliability decided it Saying no when a national retailer wants to change your formula

  2. Jul 20

    Apollon Nutrition Founder Robik Samborsky on Loyalty, Athletes, and Staying Independent

    Robik Samborsky built Apollon Nutrition without a website, without distribution, and without ever meaning to start a supplement brand. It began as a smoothie bar in his New Jersey gym. Fifteen years later, it's a multiple-time Brand of the Year winner. In this conversation with the NuLiv Science team, Robik talks through his path from immigrating to the US to buying Apollon Gym on a shoestring, why he's turned down chasing mainstream retail, how he thinks about athlete loyalty and long-term trust, and where he sees the supplement industry heading. This conversation includes personal experiences and opinions shared for discussion purposes. NuLiv Science does not promote or endorse the use of unregulated products.

  3. Jun 14

    The Formulator Behind Gold's Gym Supplements Explains Every Ingredient Decision

    What does it actually take to build a supplement line worthy of a 60-year legacy?  Kenny Carter, Director of Product Innovation at Gold's Gym, breaks down the full  formulation philosophy behind the Gold's Gym supplement line — from why citrulline is dosed at 8g, to why creatine belongs in a gummy instead of a pre-workout, to the role AstraGin® plays in making every other ingredient work harder. In this episode, Kenny covers: → The "gold, silver, bronze" dosing framework — and what most brands get wrong → Why AstraGin® is in the pre-workout (and why most brands skip gut health entirely) → The creatine gummy: why it exists, and the pH-stable pectin process behind it → Natural caffeine vs. synthetic — and what it means for how you feel mid-workout → The "less is more" philosophy for younger athletes → Where the Gold's Gym supplement line is headed: RTDs, protein snacks, hydration → What it was like to walk into the Mecca for the first time — and never leave Kenny trained at Gold's Gym Venice Beach for a decade before moving into product development. He's been formulating for science-first sports nutrition brands ever since. This conversation goes deep on what separates ingredients that belong on a label from ones that actually move the needle. --- NuLiv Science is the maker of AstraGin® — a patented ingredient derived from  Panax notoginseng and Astragalus membranaceus, shown to support amino acid  absorption in the gut. Learn more at nulivscience.com. --- Chapters: 0:00 Intro & flavor tasting 2:15 Rapid fire: fitness questions with Kenny 9:00 Gold's Gym Venice — The Mecca experience 18:45 From personal trainer to Director of Product Innovation 26:00 The clinical dosing framework: gold, silver, bronze 33:30 Why AstraGin® is in the pre-workout 38:00 Creatine gummies: the science and the manufacturing challenge 46:00 Natural caffeine and the "no crash" design goal 52:00 Younger athletes and the "less is more" philosophy 58:30 RTDs, format expansion, and what's next for Gold's Gym 1:04:00 The genesis: "How could this fail?"

  4. May 25

    The Exact Reason Why 99% of Businesses Fail

    In this episode, we dive deep into the supplement industry with Drew Peters, a powerhouse in the world of sports nutrition and health optimization. Drawing from his extensive expertise, Drew shares the "ugly side" of the supplement business, his personal protocol for staying lean at 50, and the secrets behind formulating the perfect pre-workout. Meet our Guest: Drew Peters is a renowned industry figurehead and formulator holding several key roles: Owner of VG NutraceuticalsChief Science Officer for Vital Source Nutrition, Beast Bites, and Zenos HealthExpert Consultant for global brands like Dragon Pharma What You’ll Learn: The "Three-Prong" Pump Strategy: Why most pre-workouts fail by only targeting one pathway and how to maximize vasodilation, muscle fullness, and nitric oxide retention Gummy Science vs. Marketing: The massive manufacturing hurdles of putting clinical doses into gummies and why stability is a "slurry" nightmare. Longevity at 65: Why Drew maintains 11–12% body fat year-round and his "desert island" list of essential supplements: Creatine, NMN, and high-grade Curcumin. The Business Trap: Why 99% of brands fail within 24 months due to cash flow, scaling struggles, and the impact of private equity on brand culture. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to scale a brand or a fitness enthusiast wanting to optimize your protocol, this conversation is packed with "behind the scenes" insights you won't find anywhere else.

  5. May 18

    How Animal & Smarties Created the Ultimate Creatine Chew | Product Development Q&A

    We sit down with Jason Budsock, VP of Product at Animal, at their headquarters in New Jersey, to discuss the science and strategy behind some of the most iconic supplements in the industry. In this podcast: The Smarties Collaboration: Discover how two family-owned New Jersey businesses—Animal and Smarties—partnered to create an authentic, sugar-free creatine chew that mirrors the classic candy's flavor profile.Supplement Formulation: Jason explains the mindset behind developing a formula, balancing the needs of the consumer with retail stakeholders and scientific efficacy.Optimizing the Flagship: Learn why Animal continues to optimize its 40-year-old flagship product, the Animal Pack, to stay on top of the latest trends and science.Daily Supplement Staples: Jason shares his personal non-negotiable supplements, including creatine (20g daily split), Animal Pack, and pre-workouts like Animal Fury.The Future of Animal: A sneak peek into upcoming formats and the new Animal/Universal building and gym opening soon.

  6. May 4

    The Politics of Supplements with Marc Lobliner

    This video features a wide-ranging conversation with supplement industry veteran Marc Lobliner, covering everything from the science of performance to the realities of entrepreneurship and the state of global leadership. A central theme is the concept of "1 + 1 = 3," where specific ingredients like goBHB, creatine, and Astragin can work together to provide benefits for cognition, heart health, and muscle preservation that exceed their individual effects. The conversation explores how global politics and trade regulations directly impact the supplement industry, from the sourcing of containers to the availability and price of high-quality ingredients like creatine. Watch the full conversation and read more on the blog here: https://nulivscience.com/creatine-gobhb-supplement-synergy/

  7. Apr 15

    Can This Hybrid Drink Replace Your Energy Drink and Protein Bar?

    In this episode, we sit down with Sarvar Nazir, the visionary founder of  @ProxEnergy , to discuss how he is revolutionizing the functional beverage market with the world's first true "hybrid" drink. Sarvar shares the incredible journey of how he went from prototyping formulas in his truck and garage with a SodaStream to launching a professional-grade carbonated protein energy drink. We dive deep into the science behind the formula, including the use of 20 grams of protein and premium ingredients like Senactiv and Alpha-GPC to provide clean, jitter-free energy. For the full breakdown of the conversation and FAQs, read the blog here: https://nulivscience.com/why-prox-is-the-new-standard-for-hybrid-performance-drinks/

  8. Mar 15

    Master Your Metabolic Health with Carbivore | CleverPro

    In this podcast episode, we sit down with Tito, Matt, and Emma from CleverPro to explore metabolic health, and muscle preservation. We discuss the "GLP-1 Catch-22"—the risk of losing critical muscle and bone mass instead of fat—and how metabolic-first formulations like Carbivore and Heatwave work to bridge this gap. The conversation also covers the importance of insulin sensitivity, the role of mTor in building muscle while burning fat, and how clinically studied ingredients like InnoSlim® are used to optimize carb breakdown and appetite suppression. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to learn why metabolic-first performance is the key to healthy aging and elite wellness.

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About

Where supplement science meets real-world innovation. In the Mix dives deep into the ingredients powering today’s top supplement brands — from the minds of formulators and scientists to the voices of founders, athletes, and creators shaping the wellness space. Hosted by NuLiv Science, each episode uncovers the story behind the science, the brands that trust our ingredients, and what’s next for the industry. Whether you're a brand owner, product developer, fitness enthusiast, or just supplement-curious — this is your front-row seat to the supplement game. 🧬 Powered by NuLiv Science 🎙️ New episodes weekly 📍 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

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