Every Age Deserves the Nutrilite Advantage

That's me in the red jacket smiling for the aerial video as the 78-foot Double X sloop sails under the Golden Gate Bridge All hands were on deck for the beginning of this adventure to the South Seas. San Francisco, Calif., July 16, 2016. Photo: C. Woods.
That’s me in the red jacket smiling for the aerial video as the 78-foot Double X sloop sails under the Golden Gate Bridge All hands were on deck for the beginning of this adventure to the South Seas. San Francisco, Calif., July 16, 2016. Photo: C. Woods.

It’s a beautiful day out here in Telluride, Colorado. I can’t tell you how much joy it has been to be with my family enjoying the outdoors. Just the other day, I watched my youngest granddaughter ski. What a little marvel. She’s not even two, but she’s already on skis. It sure was fun to see her glide towards her mother’s outstretched arms. I wouldn’t be surprised if she is on the 2038 USA Olympic ski team. Yes, you can definitely say that I’m a proud granddad!

Grand-daughter Hazel on her way to Jenna's arms. What a great way to start 2021. Telluride, Colo. January 2021. Photo: Francesca Rehnborg
Grand-daughter Hazel on her way to Jenna’s arms. What a great way to start 2021. Telluride, Colo. January 2021. Photo: Francesca Rehnborg

Hazel is getting the early start that every toddler needs so they can thrive through the years and achieve their dreams. She is fortunate to be surrounded by the love and encouragement she needs to take on life’s challenges with confidence. Of course, fueling every step is good nutrition and plenty of outdoor play.

Watching Hazel reminds me how fortunate I am for the blessings my parents shared with me over the years, including the importance of good nutrition right from the start. With every decade, the Nutrilite brand has certainly been there for me whether I was fueling big dreams or simply persevering.

An early start with the Nutrilite brand

Me as a little one with my father. He always took great interests in my accomplishments. Balboa Island, Calif., 1937.
Me as a little one with my father. He always took great interests in my accomplishments. Balboa Island, Calif., 1937.

Many of you have heard me say that I am the first laboratory animal for the Nutrilite brand, as my mom was eating Nutrilite supplements when she was pregnant with me. That was over 85 years ago. My dad used to call me his first guinea pig. During those early days, I certainly was the first one that he could afford.

My father officially started his supplement business a couple of years before I was born. So you might say that Nutrilite and I grew up together and that I’ve had the benefit of eating Nutrilite supplements my entire life.

As a young boy, my Nutrilite supplements were a daily routine. My dad would encourage me to keep them close at hand. In fact, I remember playing baseball with a tin container in my pocket and listening to my Nutrilite supplements clink as I ran around the bases.

As I became a teenager, my energy only increased. Summers were filled with surfing, volleyball, swimming, and of course flirting with the girls.

By then, Nutrilite’s flagship product Double X™ food supplement had been introduced into the U.S. market, and my daily supplement habit was firmly established.

Build a strong educational foundation

Holding a container of Nutrilite™ food supplement. If you look closely you can see the “I Eat Nutrilite” button on my jacket lapel as a reminder to customers that Double X is something you “eat” to fill nutrient gaps to maintain good health rather than a pill that you “take” to treat disease.
Holding a container of Nutrilite™ food supplement. If you look closely you can see the “I Eat Nutrilite” button on my jacket lapel as a reminder to customers that Double X is something you “eat” to fill nutrient gaps to maintain good health rather than a pill that you “take” to treat disease.

As a young man, my father thought it was critical that I have a strong science background if I were to help take Nutrilite to the next level.

College was my next step.

With my degrees in hand, I officially joined Nutrilite Products, Inc., and over the next decade became deeply involved in research and product development. I also traveled from city to city, slide projector in tow, to speak to distributor groups about Double X™ supplement and getting back to the basics of good nutrition.

In 1958, I graduated from Stanford with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. Six years later, I graduated from UC Berkeley with a doctorate in biophysics. It was one of the most rewarding times academically in my life.

My trusty Firebird. This ketch took me to over 36 countries on a sailing sabbatical that changed the course of my life and perspectives. You can also see my handsome self with an even more handsome fish!
My trusty Firebird. This ketch took me to over 36 countries on a sailing sabbatical that changed the course of my life and perspectives. You can also see my handsome self with an even more handsome fish!

Learning more about the world

In my 40s, I was eager to take the Nutrilite brand around the world. To do this, I felt that I needed to experience the customs and dietary practices of various cultures first hand. So I set sail on the Firebird for a three-year journey that would take me to 36 countries.

We stocked plenty of Nutrilite supplements on board the Firebird. Looking back, I know eating it every day helped me stay healthy and active during those years.

During my travels, I discovered that the healthiest people I met were also the happiest, most prosperous and most involved in their communities. It was this observation that confirmed my belief that taking charge of our own health is critical to living full, satisfying lives, to going after our dreams, and to having enough drive to act on what’s really important to us.

This is the message of optimal health that I have taken around the world for the last 40- plus years as the Global Brand Ambassador for Nutrilite supplements.

Flashback photos of Francesca and me through the years. We do have a fun time!
Flashback photos of Francesca and me through the years. We do have a fun time!

Love, work and play: A beautiful combination

Just after my return, I met Francesca and we married in 1980. Things haven’t been the same since. We have been living life to the fullest, whether it is at work, love or play.

I am able to say “Yes” to all the great adventure that comes our way precisely because I have made my health a priority throughout the years.

Like many people, I was not blessed with good genes. I need to work hard to take good care of my health. But I am blessed with the determination to do all the things that will keep me healthy, starting with staying active, eating right and eating my Nutrilite.

Go Team Nutrilite. You can hardly see me, but I’m in the middle near the front row. I’ll always be there to cheer you on. City to Surf Run, Sydney Australia, 2005.
Go Team Nutrilite. You can hardly see me, but I’m in the middle near the front row. I’ll always be there to cheer you on. City to Surf Run, Sydney Australia, 2005.

New markets for the Nutrilite brand

In my 50s and 60s, I traveled extensively around the world, helping to open up international markets at a record pace, introducing Nutrilite products to 47 new markets over a 20-year period from 1986 to 2006.

Wherever I went, I packed my running shoes along with my Nutrilite supplements. Throughout the years, I’ve been able to participate in more than 25 marathons. I was even able to convince Francesca to run her first marathon about 25 years ago. Since then, she has run in more than 20.

In 2003, Team Nutrilite Global Fitness Club was established. During my travels, it was a great joy to participate in many health runs and other activities celebrating optimal health. I know eating my Nutrilite supplements played a big role in staying fit

Nutrilite Double X food supplement. It was first introduced in China in 2005 and marks the brand coming full circle to its early roots.
Nutrilite Double X food supplement. It was first introduced in China in 2005 and marks the brand coming full circle to its early roots.

Just before my 70th birthday, I had the privilege of introducing Double X to China in 2005. This was truly a special occasion, as the Nutrilite story had come full circle.

About five years ago, at 80 years of age, I sailed to the South Seas. I wanted to return to many of the places I visited during the Firebird trip and report back on what has changed. We sailed on the Double X, named for our flagship product. It was a tight squeeze, but I was able to stock the boat with my favorite Nutrilite products, including Double X and Protein Powder.

Generations powered by the Nutrilite brand

As I look back over the decades, I have had a wonderful life with Nutrilite products fueling every step. I’m so proud that the brand is a global leader in wellness solutions. As I look to the future, I see exciting growth for the Nutrilite brand as more and more consumers recognize the important role of prevention in their quest for optimal wellness as they age.

Of course, starting as early in life as possible is ideal, but the next best thing is to start now.

As the saying goes, the goal is to die young … as late in life as possible.

Here’s to all the best from decade to decade and from one generation to the next!

Cheers,

Dr. Sam Signature

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

3 thoughts on “Every Age Deserves the Nutrilite Advantage”

  1. Beautiful post. Amazing to see that your entire life has been intertwined with Nutrilite and how much of an advocate for it, you are. Wish many more to be living ambassadors like you!

  2. Hi Sam!
    I love this – As the saying goes, the goal is to die young … as late in life as possible.
    I can’t believe Hazel is already on skis! Wow!
    It’s a great life and great memories all along the way. Thanks for sharing and always being such an inspiration.
    Mar

  3. Hi Sam,
    I very much enjoyed your message. It was my privilege to have spent 35 years, associated with you, and Nutrilite.
    Best regards,
    Terry

Comments are closed.