174 - Mike Matthews, Legion CEO: Supplement Shopping 101

Ingredient Sourcing

The discussion on ingredient sourcing highlights the challenges faced by supplement companies in maintaining quality amidst fluctuating supply chains. Mike Matthews explains that the cost of ingredients like creatine and whey protein has significantly increased, particularly since COVID-19, due to supply chain disruptions in countries like China 1. He shares that his company uses a premium whey protein sourced from Irish cows, which, despite its high cost, is preferred for its superior taste and quality 2.

Those days are gone forever. What I'm hearing on the inside, so to speak, is that over the course of...we should see prices on some things come down from their COVID highs, but not go back to pre-COVID. Everything is more expensive now, more or less permanently.

--- Mike Matthews

Danny Matranga notes the noticeable price increase in protein products, reflecting broader market trends 1.

   

Flavor Development

In the realm of taste and flavor development, Mike Matthews emphasizes the importance of exceeding consumer expectations through careful ingredient selection and flavor crafting. He notes that popular flavors like fruit punch and chocolate are often chosen for their broad appeal and ease of production, but achieving unique flavors requires more time and expertise 3. Matthews also discusses the financial implications of using natural ingredients, which can significantly increase production costs but result in superior taste and quality 4.

You spend some money on a protein powder, make sure it tastes really good. Make sure that whoever you're going after, you are ideally exceeding their expectations of the protein powder.

--- Mike Matthews

He argues against selling products like BCAAs and testosterone boosters, which he believes do not serve the consumer's best interests 5.