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You probably know MuscleSport for Lean Whey, wild limited-edition flavors and some of the most creative products in sports nutrition.

But the story behind the brand is a hell of a lot bigger than protein.

In this episode of The Powerhouse Journal, Kaitlyn sits down with MuscleSport founder Jason Mancuso and Rob “Franky” Oberholzer to unpack nearly three decades of experience in the supplement industry; from retail, distribution and manufacturing to formulation, brand building and the modern MuscleSport comeback.

Jason shares how MuscleSport was built, the moments that nearly ended it, losing roughly $100,000 in inventory after Hurricane Sandy, and why he refused to sacrifice product quality just to hit a cheaper price point.

They also get into the “sorcery” behind MuscleSport’s flavor development, how inclusions helped change the protein experience, the story behind the Vault, the rise of Cream of Rice, Rob’s role in the brand’s resurgence, and why storytelling matters just as much as KPIs when you're trying to build something people actually care about.

Plus: what’s next for MuscleSport, the expansion of Lifted into the energy category, upcoming products, Black Friday insanity — and a few things Jason and Rob probably weren’t planning to reveal.

But this episode is about more than supplements.

It’s about taking risks, surviving failure, finding the right people, constantly evolving and refusing to let fear make your decisions for you.

Or, in Jason’s words: Fuck fear.

Follow MuscleSport on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/musclesportusa/

Follow Jason on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/suppchefofficial_/

Follow Rob "Franky" on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/franky_musclesport/

Follow Lifted on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/liftednutra/

Check out Musclesport (code: KAITLYN saves dollars) - https://musclesport.com/

Check out Lifted - https://www.liftedsupps.com/

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Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out of their day to listen to this podcast. It means more to me than you will ever know. 

Any questions or recommendations on who I should have on next? Email them to: [email protected]

Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynkennafitness/

Follow the Powerhouse Journal - https://www.instagram.com/thepowerhousejournal/

Shop Natural Body Inc: https://naturalbodyinc.com/?aff=kaitlyn

Save 10% on all of your energy drink needs using code: kaitlynkennafitenss at energydrinkcity.com

Read The Powerhouse Journal - https://www.powerhousejournal.com/

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What if you’re not doing too much? What if you just want more?

In this episode, I'm talking about what happens when your ambition, discipline, standards, and intensity start making other people uncomfortable - and why that doesn’t automatically mean you need to tone yourself down.

We get into the difference between obsession and self-destruction, why uncommon goals require uncommon inputs, being careful whose advice you allow to shape your life, and learning to stop needing everyone around you to understand what you’re building.

You don’t need to prove you’re normal. You need to find out what you’re capable of.

Let them think you’re crazy. Let them call you obsessed. Keep building.

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Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out of their day to listen to this podcast. It means more to me than you will ever know. 

Any questions or recommendations on who I should have on next? Email them to: [email protected]

Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynkennafitness/

Follow the Powerhouse Journal - https://www.instagram.com/thepowerhousejournal/

Shop Natural Body Inc: https://naturalbodyinc.com/?aff=kaitlyn

Save 10% on all of your energy drink needs using code: kaitlynkennafitenss at energydrinkcity.com

Read The Powerhouse Journal - https://www.powerhousejournal.com/

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What does it actually take to build something that lasts?

I sat down with Tom Reilly, one of the founders of VMI Sports, for a conversation about supplements, entrepreneurship, and the one thing he believes matters more than getting everything right: persistence.

We get into the story behind VMI, the intention behind their formulas, the explosion of creatine, and why Tom describes VMI as a “supplement company that markets, not a marketing company that supplements.” For him, innovation isn’t throwing something new on a label just to be different, it’s identifying a real problem and creating a product that actually solves it. 

But we also talk about the part of entrepreneurship social media doesn’t make sexy: years of work with very little to show for it. Working two jobs. Making mistakes. Hearing no. Nearly two years without paying themselves. Continuing anyway. 

Tom doesn’t call that discipline. He calls it persistence.

Because you’re not going to execute perfectly. Your plan is going to change. You’re going to make mistakes. 

The people who ultimately build something meaningful are the ones willing to learn, adjust, and keep going.

This one goes way beyond supplements.

Follow Tom on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom_vmisports/

Follow VMI Sports on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vmisports/

Shop VMI products (code: KAITLYN saves you dollars): https://www.vmisports.com/

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Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out of their day to listen to this podcast. It means more to me than you will ever know. 

Any questions or recommendations on who I should have on next? Email them to: [email protected]

Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynkennafitness/

Follow the Powerhouse Journal - https://www.instagram.com/thepowerhousejournal/

Shop Natural Body Inc: https://naturalbodyinc.com/?aff=kaitlyn

Save 10% on all of your energy drink needs using code: kaitlynkennafitenss at energydrinkcity.com

Read The Powerhouse Journal - https://www.powerhousejournal.com/

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Before you spend money on another supplement, take a step back and evaluate what you’re actually buying.

In this episode, I break down five essential questions that can help you look beyond bold claims, trendy ingredients, flashy packaging, and influencer marketing. You’ll learn how to evaluate a supplement based on its purpose, formula, ingredient doses, and overall value - not simply what appears on the front of the label.

We cover:

1. What is your goal?
   Why every supplement decision should begin with a clearly defined purpose—and why even a well-formulated product may be a poor choice if it doesn’t match what you’re trying to accomplish.
2. Is every ingredient dosed to work?
   How to look beyond an ingredient’s name and consider whether the amount included is supported by relevant evidence for the product’s intended purpose.
3. Does the formula match what it claims to do?
   How to determine whether the complete formula logically supports the benefits being advertised—or whether the marketing is making promises the formula can’t reasonably support.
4. Does every ingredient have a job and purpose?
   Why longer ingredient lists aren’t automatically better, how unnecessary additions can make a formula look more impressive, and why every active ingredient should contribute to the product’s central goal.
5. Are you paying for quality or marketing?
   The ultimate test: If the label were completely blank, would the formula, quality, serving size, and price still convince you to buy the product?

By the end of the episode, you’ll have a practical five-question checklist you can use whenever you shop for supplements online or in-store. The goal isn’t to tell you which product to buy - it’s to help you slow down, examine the facts, and make a more informed decision about what deserves a place in your routine.

**This episode is intended for general educational purposes and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting a supplement, especially if you take medication, have a medical condition, are pregnant or nursing, or are preparing for surgery**

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Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out of their day to listen to this podcast. It means more to me than you will ever know. 

Any questions or recommendations on who I should have on next? Email them to: [email protected]

Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynkennafitness/

Follow the Powerhouse Journal - https://www.instagram.com/thepowerhousejournal/

Shop Natural Body Inc: https://naturalbodyinc.com/?aff=kaitlyn

Save 10% on all of your energy drink needs using code: kaitlynkennafitenss at energydrinkcity.com

Read The Powerhouse Journal - https://www.powerhousejournal.com/

Support the show

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The Bearded Gorilla is BACK.

Shaun Hawley returns to the podcast for another completely unfiltered conversation about the supplement industry - where it’s been, where it’s going, and what’s actually winning right now.

We get into the rise of transparency and why proprietary blends have become nearly impossible to defend, what separates a great product from a great BRAND, why flavor matters even though taste is completely subjective, and how collaborations and nostalgia have become some of the biggest forces shaping supplements and energy drinks.

We also break down some of the brands we believe are doing things right, the problem with consumers reacting to headlines without doing the research, and why media has a responsibility to educate instead of simply chasing outrage.

Plus, Shaun catches us up on his bodybuilding season, moving from Classic into Open, bringing his best package ever despite not winning the show, his upcoming growth phase, and what he’s learned from building his own platform and doing content his way.

This is less of an interview and more of two supplement-industry nerds sitting down and talking shop - formulas, flavor, branding, collabs, social media, bodybuilding, bullshit and everything in between.

Because at the end of the day, there’s enough room for all of us to win.

The goal is to make the industry better.

Follow Shaun: https://www.instagram.com/thebeardedgorilla/

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Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out of their day to listen to this podcast. It means more to me than you will ever know. 

Any questions or recommendations on who I should have on next? Email them to: [email protected]

Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynkennafitness/

Follow the Powerhouse Journal - https://www.instagram.com/thepowerhousejournal/

Save 10% on all of your energy drink needs using code: kaitlynkennafitenss at energydrinkcity.com

Read The Powerhouse Journal - https://www.powerhousejournal.com/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

What does it actually take to build one of the most respected brands in sports nutrition?

In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Summers, Executive at 1st Phorm, to talk about the 13-year journey of helping build the company from the ground up. We go far beyond supplements and into the principles that create lasting success—discipline, culture, leadership, delayed gratification, and holding yourself to a higher standard.

We discuss why so many people chase titles instead of earning them, how 1st Phorm's Legionnaire program changed influencer marketing forever, the power of playing the long game, why consistency beats motivation, and how small daily actions compound into extraordinary results.

Whether you're building a business, advancing your career, chasing athletic goals, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this conversation is packed with practical lessons you can apply immediately.

In this episode, we cover:

• Aaron's journey from a small-town kid to 1st Phorm executive
• The vision that built 1st Phorm
• Why culture is your greatest competitive advantage
• The philosophy behind the Legionnaire program
• Entrepreneurship vs. building an incredible career inside a company
• Why most people quit before success has a chance to compound
• The Chinese bamboo tree lesson on patience and consistency
• Leadership through accountability
• The daily standards that create extraordinary results
• Balancing career, family, faith, and fitness

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who's committed to becoming better every single day

Follow Aaron on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aaronsummers/

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Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out of their day to listen to this podcast. It means more to me than you will ever know. 

Any questions or recommendations on who I should have on next? Email them to: [email protected]

Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynkennafitness/

Follow the Powerhouse Journal - https://www.instagram.com/thepowerhousejournal/

Save 10% on all of your energy drink needs using code: kaitlynkennafitenss at energydrinkcity.com

Read The Powerhouse Journal - https://www.powerhousejournal.com/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Most supplement companies sell hype.

Very few build trust.

In this episode, I sit down with Robik, owner of Apollon Nutrition, for one of the most honest conversations I've had about the supplement industry.

We break down why transparency matters, how brands manipulate consumers through marketing, why many influencers have lost credibility, and what actually separates great supplement companies from mediocre ones.

We also dive into how Apollon was built from a small gym into one of the industry's most respected brands, why innovation has slowed down, what makes a truly great protein or pre-workout formula, and why telling the truth—even when it's unpopular—is the best long-term business strategy.

If you want to become a more informed consumer or you're tired of the marketing nonsense surrounding supplements, this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• Why the supplement industry has a trust problem
• The biggest red flags consumers should watch for
• Marketing vs. formulation: what actually matters
• Proprietary blends, transparency, and ingredient quality
• How Apollon Nutrition was built
• What separates premium brands from hype brands
• Why innovation in supplements is disappearing
• Building a business through honesty instead of shortcuts

Follow Apollon Nutrition - https://www.instagram.com/apollonnutrition/

Follow Robik - https://www.instagram.com/robik2075/

Shop Apollon Nutrition Products (code: kaitlynkennafitness): https://www.apollonnutrition.com/

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It means more to me than you will ever know. 

Any questions or recommendations on who I should have on next? Email them to: [email protected]

Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynkennafitness/

Follow the Powerhouse Journal - https://www.instagram.com/thepowerhousejournal/

Save 10% on all of your energy drink needs using code: kaitlynkennafitenss at energydrinkcity.com

Read The Powerhouse Journal - https://www.powerhousejournal.com/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Justin Hall; aka Supplement Snoop, is back for round two, and this conversation went exactly where you’d expect: all over the supplement industry with absolutely zero filter.

We break down why a great formula alone isn’t enough to build a successful brand, why “clinically dosed” doesn’t automatically mean better, and why proprietary blends still piss us off. Justin also pulls back the curtain on the realities of building myQ Brain Food; from manufacturing and inventory to razor-thin margins and the hidden costs most aspiring brand owners never consider.

We also get into fear-based marketing, overrated and underrated brands, our current favorite proteins, caffeine fear-mongering, and why social media has people diagnosing every normal bodily function as a medical disaster.

Plus, I share what I may eventually build under Powerhouse and how I want to help create more education, transparency, and trust in an industry where consumers are constantly being sold more bullshit.

Nearly two hours of supplements, business, strong opinions, and absolutely no bullshit. 

Follow Justin - https://www.instagram.com/supplementsnoop/

Shop Justin's Brand: MyQ Brain Food - https://myqbrainfood.com/

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Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out of their day to listen to this podcast. It means more to me than you will ever know. 

Any questions or recommendations on who I should have on next? Email them to: [email protected]

Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynkennafitness/

Follow the Powerhouse Journal - https://www.instagram.com/thepowerhousejournal/

Save 10% on all of your energy drink needs using code: kaitlynkennafitenss at energydrinkcity.com

Read The Powerhouse Journal - https://www.powerhousejournal.com/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Most people think mobility means stretching.

Matt Phili is here to tell you that's only a small piece of the puzzle.

In this episode, Kaitlyn sits down with the founder of Primal Mobility to discuss why so many people continue to struggle with chronic pain despite stretching, foam rolling, and trying every "fix" under the sun.

Matt breaks down the real difference between flexibility and mobility, why strength in end ranges matters, and how limitations in areas like the ankles, hips, and thoracic spine can create pain throughout the entire body.

They also dive into:

• Why your hips may not actually be "tight"
• The surprising relationship between chronic pain and the nervous system
• Why fear of movement can keep injuries lingering for years
• The truth about Jefferson curls, knee-over-toe training, and "dangerous" exercises
• How Matt built Primal Mobility from rock bottom while supporting his family
• Why movement is one of the most powerful tools we have for improving both physical and mental health

Whether you're a CrossFit athlete, someone dealing with nagging aches and pains, or simply want to move and feel better for life, this conversation will completely change the way you think about mobility.

Follow Matt:
Instagram: @primal.mobility

Check out Primal Mobility: https://www.primalmobility.com/

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out of their day to listen to this podcast. It means more to me than you will ever know. 

Any questions or recommendations on who I should have on next? Email them to: [email protected]

Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynkennafitness/

Follow the Powerhouse Journal - https://www.instagram.com/thepowerhousejournal/

Save 10% on all of your energy drink needs using code: kaitlynkennafitenss at energydrinkcity.com

Read The Powerhouse Journal - https://www.powerhousejournal.com/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

We are back on the mic for a solo episode...

Most people don't need another motivational quote. They need a framework.

In this episode, I break down the 3 traits that I genuinely believe can completely change the trajectory of your life:

Learn Fast – Stop making the same mistakes over and over. Every setback should teach you something.

Stay in the Fight – Success isn't reserved for the most talented people. It's often reserved for the people who refuse to quit.

Go First – Stop waiting for permission, confidence, or the perfect opportunity. Take initiative and bet on yourself.

You don't need to be smarter, luckier, or more gifted than everyone else.

You simply need to keep learning, keep showing up, and keep moving forward while everyone else stays stuck.

Learn fast. Stay in the fight. Go first.

It sounds simple, but IF YOU APPLY THESE, it might just change your life.

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Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out of their day to listen to this podcast. It means more to me than you will ever know. 

Any questions or recommendations on who I should have on next? Email them to: [email protected]

Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynkennafitness/

Follow the Powerhouse Journal - https://www.instagram.com/thepowerhousejournal/

Save 10% on all of your energy drink needs using code: kaitlynkennafitenss at energydrinkcity.com

Read The Powerhouse Journal - https://www.powerhousejournal.com/

Support the show