Category Archives: News & Views (Amway & Nutrilite)

News & Views (Amway & Nutrilite)

Amway’s Power of 5 Campaign Just Got Better

Here I’m with a young boy from Brazil who is a participant in our Power of 5 campaign. It’s a campaign definitely worth smiling about. For six years, the Power of 5 campaign has helped undernourished children survive, thrive and grow. Healthful nutrition and other lifestyle habits at a young age are key to establishing a solid foundation for life.
Here I am with a young boy from Brazil who participates in our Power of 5 campaign. It’s a campaign definitely worth smiling about. For six years, the Power of 5 campaign has helped undernourished children survive, thrive and grow. Healthful nutrition and other lifestyle habits at a young age are key to establishing a solid foundation for life.

No question about it, the best time to take care of your health is right from the start. The younger we establish healthy habits — good nutrition, exercise, preventative check-ups, and more — the greater the health dividends over a lifetime.

I find myself talking about this message more than ever. It’s a big reason why I am so happy to share the latest about Amway’s Power of 5 Campaign. Now in its sixth year, the campaign continues to make a serious difference in tackling malnutrition in children five years and younger.

Plus, the rewards of focusing on nutrition at such a young age can be measured in a higher quality of life over a lifetime. Yes, it’s a big deal.

An Earlier Start Means a Brighter Future

Think of it in monetary terms. Money guru and investor Warren Buffet says it best. Start to invest when you’re young and you have the benefit of time in the form of compounded interest. He likens compounded interest to a sticky snowflake.

Sitting by Francesca and surrounded by our children and grandkids. I take my job as grand dude (a moniker given to me by my grandkids) quite seriously. I just marvel at their quick insights into the world. Kids are the future.
Sitting by Francesca and surrounded by our children and grandkids. I take my job as grand dude (a moniker given to me by my grandkids) quite seriously. I just marvel at their quick insights into the world. Kids are the future.

“The nature of compounded interest is it behaves like a snowball of sticky snow. And the trick is to have a very long hill, which means either starting very young or living… to be very old.”

Compounding interest helps you grow your money exponentially, earning interest on previously interest, ad infinitum.

The idea of compounding can also relate to your health. When you invest in your health, you compound your opportunity for success later in life. The earlier you start, the better. You’ll be healthier, year after year, which means you’ll be able more capable of achievement, year after year.

For this reason, I am incredibly happy to share all the latest about Amway’s Power of 5 Campaign and the five reasons why I think it just gets better and better.

Children playing hopscotch. Play is one of the most effective forms of childhood development. However, to play, kids need energy and adequate nutrition. The Power of 5 Campaign provides children with nutrients they need to help fuel their play.
Children playing hopscotch. Play is one of the most effective forms of childhood development. However, to play, kids need energy and adequate nutrition. The Power of 5 Campaign provides children with nutrients they need to help fuel their play.

1. Power of 5 has a global reach.

The Power of 5 campaign is a collaboration of people and organizations from all over the world who focus their talents on helping prevent childhood malnutrition.

According to the World Health Organization, more than half of children under five years of age die from diseases that are preventable and treatable through simple and affordable interventions.

The Power of 5 Campaign tackles this issue by building awareness centering on childhood malnutrition and by addressing the critical need for proper nutrition during the first five years of life. It also allows a way for anyone that is interested to get involved. 

2. Power of 5 targets children under five years of age.

The Power of 5 campaign brings attention to the first five years of a child’s life. For all children, the first five years is a turning point. If they can reach this milestone in good health, they’re more likely to have a healthy, successful future. 

3. Power of 5 features Nutrilite™ Little Bits™.

Caregiver adding Nutrilite Little Bits powder to a child’s meal. It’s as easy as adding contents of one sachet into food.
Caregiver adding Nutrilite Little Bits powder to a child’s meal. It’s as easy as adding contents of one sachet into food.

The Power of 5 Campaign addresses the need for proper nutrition by providing a supplement called Nutrilite™ Little Bits™. Developed by Nutrilite scientists, Little Bits supports the healthy growth and brain development of undernourished children aged six months to five years. Each serving provides 15 vitamins and minerals in a tea-size sachet of powder. These essential nutrients are designed to be taken daily with regular meals to help children increase energy levels, support learning abilities, achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, and generally provide nutrients necessary for children to live happy, healthy lives. 

4. Power of 5 empowers families with education.

The Power of 5 campaign facilitates nutrition education programs that help empower families to make healthy choices in all aspects of their lives. An educated family is an empowered family.

5. Power of 5 is teamwork at its best.

Over 25 humanitarian and government organizations have partnered with Amway to distribute Nutrilite Little Bits to malnourished children in various countries around the world including Brazil, China, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Panama, South Africa, Vietnam and Zambia. 

Here’s How You Can Help

If you are interested, you can help malnourished children get the nutrients and vitamins they need to grow healthy and strong. 

You can support a child with a month’s supply of Nutrilite Little Bits for as little as ten dollars a month. You can participate in one of the many global events to help create awareness and generate support. You could even create your own event to make a difference. 

Francesca and I participating in a virtual wellness event benefiting the Power of 5 campaign and COVID-19 relief efforts. No question about it, the greatest asset people can have is their health.
Francesca and I participating in a virtual wellness event benefiting the Power of 5 campaign and COVID-19 relief efforts. No question about it, the greatest asset people can have is their health.

As you can see, getting involved is easier than you may think. In fact, just last month, my family and I were able to participate in a virtual wellness event that benefited both the Power of 5 campaign and COVID-19 relief efforts. 

To learn more about how you can join in, visit the campaign’s website at powerof5.amwayglobal.com. 

Here’s to the best of health at every age,

Dr. Sam Signature

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News & Views (Amway & Nutrilite)

Don Hitzel: An Inspiration 100 Years in the Making

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Festive balloons fill a room, perfect for a birthday celebration. Longtime Amway Business Owner Don Hitzel just celebrated his 100th birthday.
Festive balloons fill a room, perfect for a birthday celebration. Longtime Amway Business Owner Don Hitzel just celebrated his 100th birthday.

A few months ago, Don Hitzel celebrated his 100th birthday in Spokane, Washington. When I heard the news, I was eager to call and wish him happy birthday on behalf of the entire Amway family. Why? In addition to hitting the century mark, Don has another impressive claim to fame. 

You see, Don has been eating Double X™ food supplement ever since he became a Nutrilite™ distributor in the 1950s. If you’re counting, that’s seven decades ago, back when Hollywood royalty helped introduce the product to health-conscious people all across America.

Don and I had a lovely chat on his birthday. His son Gary and daughter-in-law Diann, both fellow Amway Business Owners, hosted a catered affair for family and friends. “It was a big one,” says Don, “I must have had 100 birthday cards! 

There’s a lot about Don that betrays his age. His voice is crisp and clear. He stands tall and straight even when he casually poses for the camera. And, he has a sharp mind and a can-do spirit born from his Depression-era childhood, working daylight to dark on his parent’s South Dakota farm. 

Don Hitzel stands in front of an American flag. Celebrating his 100th birthday, Don is a perfect example of being 100 years YOUNG.
Don Hitzel stands in front of an American flag. Celebrating his 100th birthday, Don is a perfect example of being 100 years YOUNG.

He recalled his first paid job at the age of 15 with the National Youth Administration sponsored by President Roosevelt. Don worked at a fish hatchery where he was paid $15 per month to move heavy wheel barrels full of sludge. It was tough work for a 120-pound teenage boy, but he was young and fit and, at the time, the pay seemed like gold. 

The family soon moved to Washington State to flee the severe drought and dust storms that spread across South Dakota, turning farmland into wasteland. After spending a couple of years in the South Pacific during the war, Don settled into a long 35-year career managing large credit unions, helping people save, invest and grow their money.

As for his longevity as an ABO, Don says it’s much like success in other areas of life. “You need to work at it and stay with it,” he says, “but most of all, you have to believe in the product.” 

Don says he’s a bit puzzled why he’s still around after all these years. However, I have a few ideas, and it starts with a lifetime of healthy habits.

Simple lifestyle choices, serious benefits 

There’s no debate that lifestyle choices can help us stay healthy as we age. 

Maintain a healthy body weight, and you’re more likely to avoid high blood pressure, insulin resistance, heart disease and asthma. 

Get enough regular exercise, and you’re more likely to avoid type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. If you drink alcohol, doing so in moderation can help you avoid heart disease, type 2 diabetes and chronic lung disease. 

Don’t smoke (or quit if you do), and you’re more likely to avoid lung problems and heart disease. Plus, you’ll avoid all the harm tobacco smoke causes, including DNA damage, inflammation and oxidative stress. 

While each of these lifestyle factors delivers serious benefits, together they have real power. In fact, a new study reveals that some combinations of these lifestyle factors are better than others if you want to avoid chronic diseases as you age.  

For this study, the researchers completed an extensive prospective multicohort study that includes 12 European cohorts. Study participants had to be free of six chronic diseases at baseline – type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – and provide relevant information about lifestyle habits, health status and other factors. Over 166,000 men and women were eligible to be included in the study analysis. The participants were in their early 40s and were followed for about 12 years, on average. The researchers focused on 16 lifestyle profiles based on combinations of four healthy lifestyle factors (weight, activity, smoking and alcohol).

Over 166,000 men and women were eligible to be included in the study analysis. The participants were in their early 40s and were followed for about 12 years, on average. The researchers focused on 16 lifestyle profiles based on combinations of four healthy lifestyle factors (weight, activity, smoking and alcohol). The results are detailed in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA Internal Medicine (published online April 6, 2020).

Family taking a walk. Healthy aging is associated with an optimal activity level (at least 2.5 hours of moderate activity or at least 1.25 hours of vigorous activity each week).
Family taking a walk. Healthy aging is associated with an optimal activity level (at least 2.5 hours of moderate activity or at least 1.25 hours of vigorous activity each week).

A better lifestyle profile means more disease-free years

Here’s what I found fascinating. Those who had the best lifestyle scores had over nine more years of disease-free living compared to those with the worst lifestyle scores. Four specific lifestyle profiles were associated with the highest number of years free of disease. All four of them included a healthy body weight (a body mass index less than 25) and at least two other factors such as regular physical activity, moderate alcohol intake and never smoking. In other words, maintaining a healthy body weight is key, and other lifestyle factors have an additive effect. In all cases, the more, the better.

How does Don’s lifestyle profile rate? Well, he says he’s never had a weight problem. He’s always been active and still makes it a habit to get on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day. He drinks alcohol in moderation with an occasional cocktail of Crown Royal Canadian whiskey. He did smoke as a younger man, but quit 36 years ago. 

Don has one of the better lifestyle profiles, and it likely plays a role in his longevity. Plus, eating Double X™ supplement for 70 years has certainly helped keep his body (and brain) fully nourished over the years. 

Image celebrating your 100th birthday with health and vigor. You can prepare now by shaping healthy habits that last a lifetime. 

As I have always said, the younger you start, the better.

Here’s to a lifetime of great habits!

Dr. Sam Signature

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News & Views (Amway & Nutrilite)

Precision Weeding Helps Meet High Demand of Echinacea

My daughter Koral and I stand in a field of echinacea in full bloom as we take in the majesty of snow-capped Mount Adams in the background. Our sustainable farming practices and modern farming technology keep these fields productive and fertile, season after season. Trout Lake Farm West, July 22, 2015. Photo: Darwin Hintz.
My daughter Koral and I stand in a field of echinacea in full bloom as we take in the majesty of snow-capped Mount Adams in the background. Our sustainable farming practices and modern farming technology keep these fields productive and fertile, season after season. Trout Lake Farm West, July 22, 2015. Photo: Darwin Hintz.

Nutrilite™ Immunity Echinacea has long been one of our most popular products. The team works hard to ensure there’s no need to worry about running out of echinacea plants. From the field workers to the equipment operators to the manufacturing and processing teams, all hands are on deck to make sure the echinacea crop grown for the product thrives. And, it all starts with something that may surprise you: Precision weeding.

Let no weed go to seed

“Never let a weed go to seed.” You’ll hear this catchy phrase often when you visit Trout Lake Farm. If you ask Phil Hintz, Trout Lake Farm East Farm Manger, you can’t hear it enough. Why? Although it may sound simple, it’s actually a process that has a profound effect. 

In fact, precision weeding is a key reason why we are able to meet the always high demand for Nutrilite™ Immunity Echinacea.

Darwin Hintz, Technology Manager for Trout Lake Farm and Nutrilite Global Agribusiness, explains it best. If the weeds take over, you can lose your entire crop. But, unlike conventional farmers, organic farmers are unable to rely on conventional herbicides and pesticides. We need another way to save crops, yet keep costs down. For this, the team turns to the precision of GPS tractors.

Cutting time, labor and cost 

The Trout Lake Farm team has been steadily adding GPS tractors to their fleet of equipment. In this way, they have the most sophisticated satellite-driven technology at their disposal so they can consistently plant, grow and harvest crops with the precision needed to meet global demands for Nutrilite™ products.

These high-tech tractors are so precise that they weed within one-half inch on either side of a plant , even when the operator is not looking. With this precision, the hand-weeding crews only need to focus on the last inch. 

Think about it, that’s barely the width of two fingers! 

Hand weeding is a critical step, but it’s time-consuming, labor-intensive and is a big cost of organic farming. GPS tractors help overcome all these challenges. Plus, this weed control process is so efficient, explains Darwin, that a quality crop can be harvested in one year rather than waiting two to three years. 

GPS tractor planting echinacea at the end of a long day. Echinacea is a crop destined for Nutrilite™ Immunity Echinacea. Trout Lake Farm East, Wash., March 26, 2020. Photo: Darwin Hintz.
GPS tractor planting echinacea at the end of a long day. Echinacea is a crop destined for Nutrilite™ Immunity Echinacea. Trout Lake Farm East, Wash., March 26, 2020. Photo: Darwin Hintz.

Taking precision weeding to the extreme 

Close up of echinacea flower in bloom. Trout Lake Farm West, 2019.
Close up of echinacea flower in bloom. Trout Lake Farm West, 2019.

Trout Lake Farm has recently added four advanced GPS tractors. To me, these tractors are the trifecta of modern farming excellence: precision, economy and eco-friendly. 

“Our latest GPS-equipped planter tractor adds new features that enable extreme precision and performance beyond our previous capabilities,” says Darwin. Like the cockpit of a jet, the cab is command central where the operator manages the entire process from multiple monitors.

“And don’t underestimate the value of the economy mode in our newest tractor purchases,” continues Darwin. With this feature, a tractor can maintain proper lubrication and better control engine speed and fuel use. Even the tire sizes are selected for optimum traction and minimal soil compaction. 

Of course, this is all part of our Best of Nature promise behind the product.

Prepared to meet the needs of today’s – and tomorrow’s – consumers

The Trout Lake Farm team continues to be on the leading edge of creative discovery and innovative farming practices. What’s more, they eagerly share what works – and what doesn’t – with other Nutrilite farms and farming partners around the world so they too can apply best practices for eco-friendly, organic farming that’s both productive and cost efficient. 

Phil (left) and Darwin Hintz (right) join Francesca and me in a growing Echinacea purpurea field. Their modern farming and technology leadership play a key role in many crops destined for Nutrilite™ products. Trout Lake East Farm, Wash, 2019.
Phil (left) and Darwin Hintz (right) join Francesca and me in a growing Echinacea purpurea field. Their modern farming and technology leadership play a key role in many crops destined for Nutrilite™ products. Trout Lake East Farm, Wash, 2019.

So, the next time you reach for the product, I encourage you to think of the Trout Lake Farm team. Their commitment to precision weeding – and the thousands of other good decisions they make throughout the year – is a key reason people around the world can continue to benefit from Nutrilite™ Immunity Echinacea.

Cheers,

Dr. Sam Signature

P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe to our RSS feed and have blog posts delivered right to your inbox.

Reference

  1. Randolph RK, Gellenbeck K, Stonebrook K, et al. Regulation of human immune gene expression as influenced by a commercial blended Echinacea product: preliminary studies. Exp Biol Med. 2003;228(9):1051-6. PMID: 14530514.
News & Views (Amway & Nutrilite)

Can’t Make a Nutrilite Tour? Get a Sneak Peek

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Tour guide Takeshi Saito explains the importance of colorful plant foods and their phytonutrients to a group of guests visiting Nutrilite’s Center of Optimal Health, Buena Park, Calif.
Tour guide Takeshi Saito explains the importance of colorful plant foods and their phytonutrients to a group of guests visiting Nutrilite’s Center of Optimal Health, Buena Park, Calif.

Did you know that every year more than 20,000 guests visit the Nutrilite Center of Optimal Health in Buena Park, California? Here, they learn about the Nutrilite™ brand and its rich history, our traceability story, and our Best of Nature, Best of Science philosophy. It all adds up to helping people understand why the Nutrilite brand is a world leader when it comes to pure, safe and effective supplements.

Twenty thousand people may seem like a lot, but I know there are many more who would like to visit but may not have the opportunity. So, I asked Bob Tully, Supervisor of Guest Services and Tours at the Center of Optimal Health, to share with you what he believes are the best highlights of our facility tour.

Bob Tully shares his expertise regarding the Nutrilite brand and optimal health with Amway Business Owners. Manila, Philippines.
Bob Tully shares his expertise regarding the Nutrilite brand and optimal health with Amway Business Owners. Manila, Philippines.

Bob has been sharing his Nutrilite expertise for almost two decades now. He has welcomed people from all over the world to the Center who are eager to learn as much as they can about the Nutrilite brand. He’s even traveled to other countries – about 20 at last count – to help even more people embrace healthy living and build a thriving business by sharing the benefits of Nutrilite supplements. In short, Bob knows the Nutrilite brand story inside and out, and he is eager to share it with others.

Here are four of Bob’s favorite tour “stops” or points of information along the tour, and why our guests enjoy them so much:

1. You learn about the important connection between Nutrilite and China

“The better consumers and business owners understand what goes into Nutrilite supplements, the more confident they can be about using and selling them,” says Bob. I couldn’t agree more. For this reason, one of Bob’s tour highlights is the information you learn about the rich history of the Nutrilite brand. 

In a nutshell, Nutrilite’s story began in China over 100 years ago when my father, Carl Rehnborg, spent time living and working there. The observations he made and his subsequent research led him to develop the first Nutrilite product in 1934.

As many of you know, plants and their health-promoting phytonutrients are the foundation of the Nutrilite philosophy and supplements. It has been this way since the beginning.

This story has now come full circle. In 2015, the Amway Botanical Research Center in Wuxi was established. The ABRC is an impressive, state-of-the-art facility where researchers investigate some of the same traditional Chinese medicine that inspired my dad so many years ago. You learn more about this important connection between Nutrilite and China throughout the tour.

Book cover of the Nutrilite Story, 2009. For those interested in an in-depth understanding of the Nutrilite Story, I encourage you to pick up a copy today.
Book cover of the Nutrilite Story, 2009. For those interested in an in-depth understanding of the Nutrilite Story, I encourage you to pick up a copy today.

2. You get a deep understanding of our “Best of Nature, Best of Science” philosophy

During a typical tour, you learn about the synergy between nature and science, especially when you visit our new Research & Development building. You learn about our Best of Nature philosophy at our rooftop farm display, a greenhouse structure that showcases Nutrilite farms and our sustainable farming methods. You see our Best of Science approach in action as you watch our scientists hard at work exploring new botanicals for existing products or creating new products.

It’s all part of helping you better understand the Nutrilite advantage that makes the brand a leader in the world of plant-based supplementation.

Two distributors walk past a wall that displays our Best of Nature, Best of Science motto. Flasks on the wall denote the colorful phytonutrient concentrates found within Nutrilite supplements.
Two distributors walk past a wall that displays our Best of Nature, Best of Science motto. Flasks on the wall denote the colorful phytonutrient concentrates found within Nutrilite supplements.

3. You experience virtual tours of our Nutrilite Farms

While we are proud to show our guests the facilities here in Buena Park, we have not been able to share the entire seed-to-supplement story, until now. With our Virtual Reality station, Bob explains, we can take visitors on a virtual tour of all four of our Nutrilite farms and the ABRC in Wuxi. We can also give them a 360-degree experience in our manufacturing facility and our research labs. “With our new VR technology, we can give our guests a true one-of-a-kind experience,” says Bob.

I know this one is a real crowd-pleaser, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of Bob’s favorite tour stops.  

Nutrilite staff and visiting Amway Business Owners pose for a photo after the conclusion of a Nutrilite tour. Wishing you always, “The Best of You!”
Nutrilite staff and visiting Amway Business Owners pose for a photo after the conclusion of a Nutrilite tour. Wishing you always, “The Best of You!”

4. You are inspired to be the “Best of You”

“The most compelling part of the tour experience is something that can’t be manufactured or fabricated,” says Bob. “It’s the passion for the work we do.” 

I have to agree. You’ll find it in our processes, in the quality of our supplements, and in our commitment to sharing the benefits of optimal health. 

We call it the “Best of You,” and it’s easy to spot. You see it in our employees at the home of the Nutrilite brand and in our staff at the Center for Optimal Health. You’ll also see it in successful Amway business owners as they inspire those around them to live their best lives. 

I have to admit, when you have a passion for optimal health, life is so much better!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this sneak peek of our Buena Park facility tour. On behalf of Bob and his team, I sincerely hope to see you here in person so you can experience a Nutrilite Tour Experience firsthand. It may just be the inspiration you need to take your life and business to the next level. For more details and to schedule a tour, visit experience.amwayglobal.com. 

Cheers,

Dr. Sam Signature

P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe to our RSS feed and have blog posts delivered right to your inbox. 

News & Views (Amway & Nutrilite)

How to Be A Mentor Who Matters

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Practicing my golf swing with a golf swinger during my morning exercise routine. It’s a great example of active learning, a favorite technique of one of my mentors in business and life.
Practicing my golf swing with a golf swinger during my morning exercise routine. It’s a great example of active learning, a favorite technique of one of my mentors in business and life.

When I’m asked about what makes a good mentor to help others build a thriving business, I often think of the traditional method of teaching that surgeons use. It’s known as “Watch One, Do One, Teach One.” It’s really just a catchy phrase for a basic principle of adult learning, but it’s a good one to remember, especially if you want to be a mentor who matters.

Real learning is found here

Have you ever felt that you have an easier time learning something new when you are actively involved in the process – either mentally or physically – or when you have to explain it to someone else rather than when you simply watch someone else?

If so, your feeling is spot on.

Adult learning experts know people are more likely to learn (and remember) if their learning is “hands on” or if they need to explain it to someone else.

Want to learn to play golf? Don’t just watch, get out there and practice (and help others as you become better). Want to improve your nutrition knowledge? Don’t just read about it, eat more nutritious foods and teach others to do the same.

It’s really no different if you want to build a business in health and wellness. Yes, you can inspire others with your own healthy living, but you will be a better mentor when you teach others through active learning.

A special twist on active learning

One of my mentors, Dr. Alexander (“Alex”) Nichols, put his own special twist on this tried-and-true method of teaching. By doing so, he helped me build a solid scientific foundation and helped me appreciate the importance of living a life of purposeful work, yet still take time to play.

Most importantly, Alex inspired me to find my passion for health and wellness, a passion that continues to guide my life and career today.

Dr. Alexander Nichols. A pioneer in lipid research, a great teacher and an amazing mentor. (Photo/J Lipid Res. Nov  2015)
Dr. Alexander Nichols. A pioneer in lipid research, a great teacher and an amazing mentor. (Photo/J Lipid Res. Nov  2015)

The excitement of active learning

I first met Alex at UC Berkeley in the early 1960s when I was working on my doctorate. Alex was a top investigator for Dr. John Gofman, a respected medical physics professor. (I’ve written about Dr. Gofman and his powerful influence on my life in another post.

When I arrived at Berkeley, I was assigned to Alex’s lab as a research assistant. We were trying to figure out how to isolate and measure specific blood lipids and understand their role in heart disease.

Of course, today blood lipids like high LDL-cholesterol or low HDL-cholesterol are well known risk factors for artery-clogging heart disease. But back then, this was a big black box of unknowns with only the possibility of discovery.

Yet, if anyone was up for the challenge, it was Alex.

Alex had a big, well-equipped lab that housed six giant (and expensive) analytical ultracentrifuges. Plus, all six machines were devoted to isolating and researching blood lipoproteins. This was a big deal because it meant we could make rapid progress with our research.

You see, I came from Stanford where the entire school shared one single analytical ultracentrifuge. One. In order to use it, a researcher had to schedule time. Sounds easy enough, but there was a serious obstacle: You could only book one hour a day. Needless to say, it was frustrating.

So off I went to Berkeley where the medical physics researchers put my chemical engineering degree and knowledge of ultracentrifugation to good use. I was excited about the work and even more excited about the progress we could make armed with those six wonderful ultracentrifuges.

Three people gather around a computer to share information. People are more likely to learn (and remember) if their learning is “hands on” or if they need to explain it to someone else.
Three people gather around a computer to share information. People are more likely to learn (and remember) if their learning is “hands on” or if they need to explain it to someone else.

Building a solid scientific foundation

I spent a great amount of time working alongside Alex. I credit him with teaching me the scientific method – how to properly design studies, how to evaluate data correctly, how to write papers – and the whole scientific process.

He was an exceptional teacher, and a big fan of active learning. While most graduate students and research assistants just follow directions and do small things, I was able to coauthor three papers that were published in respected journals. To say I was lucky is an understatement; most graduate students never get that opportunity.

Teaching prevention and seeing real rewards

I credit my time with Alex with my ability to develop a deeper understanding that prevention, rather than drugs, is our best answer to most of the world’s health problems.

What really solidified this belief for me was watching patients get better. They were able to manage their blood lipids, shed excess weight and improve their over health, all by eating better. It was gratifying to know that I played a role, however small, in helping them reclaim a passion for living.

I was more convinced than ever: To live your best life, diet and lifestyle matter, and they matter in a big way. It’s a concept that is as true today as it was back then, arguably more so. Heart disease and stroke are still the world’s biggest killers and have been for the last 15 years, according to the World Health Organization. Yet, much of this tragedy could be prevented by embracing a healthy diet and lifestyle.

A person balances atop a rock on one foot as the sun sets on the horizon. Staying energized and inspired to achieve your goals is easier when you live your life in balance.
A person balances atop a rock on one foot as the sun sets on the horizon. Staying energized and inspired to achieve your goals is easier when you live your life in balance.

Experience work-play balance

Alex also made sure we experienced plenty of balance between work and play. Our research was tough work and we were serious about it, but we were just as serious about taking breaks.

Sure, if we had an important project going on in the lab, it was not unusual for us to stay with the project for 12 to 18 hours, even longer, to complete it. But it wasn’t unusual for us to head to the gym for a quick workout or squeeze in a game of volleyball during the workday.

Those breaks not only energized us, but also inspired many conversations about the majesty of science and how it might help the world to be a better place. 

Guiding my future

After five years at Berkeley (some of the best years of my academic life), I earned my PhD in biophysics in 1964. It was time to decide on my next step.

Thanks to Alex and his guidance, I began my lifelong journey to take the Nutrilite™ brand around the world and help people experience a passion for living that only optimal health can provide.  

Alex passed away a few years ago at the age of 90. I have no doubt over the years his mentorship influenced countless careers. I’ll be forever grateful that mine was one of them.

Imagine the good you can do by being a mentor who matters.

Cheers,

Dr. Sam Signature

 

 

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