PodcastsMy First MillionDerek From More Plates More Dates: His +$100M Business Empire, Bryan Johnson & TRT
Derek From More Plates More Dates: His +$100M Business Empire, Bryan Johnson & TRT
My First MillionTue Sep 12 2023
Affiliate Marketing:
- Started off in affiliate marketing, focusing on SEO-driven blog content and promoting products through Amazon links
- Earned commissions on various products, such as supplements, hair loss prevention products, etc.
- Learned the importance of organically integrating products that were already used and believed in personally
Transition to Own Businesses:
- Saw an opportunity to start his own businesses based on the products he was already recommending as an affiliate marketer
- Started with dietary supplements, leveraging his knowledge of chemistry and pharmacology to formulate high-quality products
- Expanded into hair loss prevention products and telemedicine, areas he had expertise in and were aligned with his passion for preventative medicine
Financing and Funding:
- Has not raised any financing or funding for his businesses
- Relied on organic growth, influencer partnerships, and revenue generated from product sales
- Avoided wealth management portfolio guys due to underperformance and high fees
Managing Money:
- Liquidated investments managed by wealth management firms due to underperformance
- Currently holding cash and some cryptocurrency investments
- Focused on understanding complex tax planning strategies before making investment decisions
Spending Money Wisely:
- Does not spend money frivolously or on luxury items
- Prioritizes convenience and quality when it comes to travel (first-class flights) and food (high-quality groceries)
Hedonistic Treadmill and Happiness:
- Bought a Lamborghini but realized that material possessions do not necessarily bring happiness
- Focuses on spending money on experiences, personal growth, and quality of life rather than material goods
Business Goals:
- Sees Gorilla Mind and Merick Health as potential billion-dollar companies in the future
- Wants to continue growing and expanding these businesses globally
- Values credibility, trust, and quality in his products and services
Seasons of Life:
- Believes in segregating goals into seasons or stages of life
- Prioritizes different areas at different times to achieve exceptional results
- Recognizes the need for focused attention on specific goals before moving onto others
Evolution of Online Marketing:
- Started with SEO-driven blog content but has seen a shift towards social media platforms for product recommendations
- Importance of building trust and credibility through organic integrations instead of mindlessly promoting products for affiliate commissions
Trust in Health Niche:
- Derek emphasizes the importance of trust in the health niche
- Many charlatans with outrageous claims get platformed, making it hard to know who to trust
- Laymen often get confused by conflicting recommendations from different sources
- Derek advises self-educating individuals to find trustworthy experts with knowledge and evidence-based information
Becoming a Health Science Expert:
- Derek became an expert through years of self-education and learning from other experts
- He has been researching extensively since a young age, gaining knowledge over 10+ years
- While he doesn't claim to be an expert, others label him as such due to his extensive knowledge and research skills
Thoughts on Bryan Johnson:
- Derek shares his thoughts on Bryan Johnson's approach to health optimization
- He finds some aspects contradictory, such as calorie deprivation leading to hormone suppression but supplementing with testosterone afterward
- He questions the overall effectiveness and longevity-focused approach of certain protocols
Taking TRT and Supplements:
- Derek talks about his experience with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)
- He initially started TRT because of low testosterone levels but later decided to come off it when he still felt great without it
- He acknowledges that each individual's response may vary and believes it's better not to take TRT if it's not necessary
Quality of Food and Sourcing:
- Derek mentions that he spends a lot on groceries and prioritizes high-quality food
- He buys bison meat from a butcher because it is leaner and more nutrient-dense than regular ground beef at grocery stores
- Sourcing quality food can be challenging in Canada, but he tries to get the best available options
Usefulness of Peptides:
- Derek discusses the usefulness of peptides like BPC-157 for injury recovery
- He mentions that while they can be valuable in specific contexts, they should not be overused and must be used with caution due to potential side effects
GLP-1 Agonists:
- Derek talks about GLP-1 agonists as effective appetite suppressants
- He compares them to previous options like Adderall and Phentermine, which have negative health impacts
- While acknowledging their utility, he also highlights concerns about long-term use and children's usage
Challenges of Optimizing Health:
- Derek acknowledges that optimizing health can be overwhelming and arduous even with financial means
- Figuring out what supplements or interventions to prioritize is a complex task
- The quality and effectiveness of different approaches are often uncertain, making decision-making difficult
Future Success and Empire Building:
- Sam Parr and Shaan Puri express belief in Derek's ability to build multiple billion-dollar or nine-figure companies off his audience base
- They predict that there will eventually be an article revealing the extent of his success, surprising many people