Kyle Forgeard's Health Journey and Business Success: A Story of Transformation

Added: Jan 24, 2024

This podcast features Kyle Forgeard, the founder of the NELK Boys, a popular social media group known for their YouTube channel and merchandise drops. Kyle discusses his journey from creating a YouTube channel in 2010 to building a successful brand and business. He talks about hitting a breaking point in his life and realizing the need to make a change for his physical health. This realization led him to focus on transforming his lifestyle and hitting the gym hard.

Key takeaways

Kyle Forgeard's journey from creating a YouTube channel to building a successful brand and business is a testament to the power of authenticity and perseverance.

The NELK Boys' ability to pivot from YouTube monetization challenges to creating a successful merchandise line demonstrates the importance of diversifying revenue streams.

Forgeard's commitment to transforming his lifestyle and focusing on his physical health has led to significant improvements in his overall well-being.

Consistency, accountability, and a supportive network are crucial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and achieving personal and professional goals.

Surrounding oneself with successful and inspiring individuals, such as business partners and mentors, can have a positive impact on personal growth and business success.

Early Beginnings and YouTube Success

Kyle talks about how he started making videos as a kid and eventually created a YouTube channel called NELK Films. The channel gained traction, and the videos started getting thousands of views. He mentions that the turning point came when they started doing pranks and being themselves, which resonated with their audience. The NELK Boys' YouTube channel became popular, and they started gaining a following.

Monetization Challenges and Merchandise Success

Kyle explains that their YouTube channel faced monetization challenges due to the controversial nature of their content. This led them to explore other revenue streams, and they decided to launch their own merchandise line. They adopted a limited edition model for their merchandise drops, creating scarcity and building hype around each release. The strategy proved to be successful, with their merchandise drops attracting hundreds of thousands of people to their website and generating millions of dollars in revenue.

Evolution of the Business and Partnerships

As the NELK Boys' brand continued to grow, Kyle realized the need for experienced business partners to help legitimize and scale the business. He met John and Sam, talent managers who had worked with Justin Bieber, and formed a strong connection with them. They offered to help project manage a new venture, and Kyle expressed his desire to start a alcohol brand. This led to the creation of Happy Dad Seltzer, a new project that the NELK Boys and their partners were excited to work on.

Challenges and Successes in the Alcohol Industry

Kyle discusses the challenges they faced in the alcohol industry, including their previous association with drinking in their videos and the difficulty in securing partnerships with established brands. Despite these challenges, they were able to leverage their existing fan base and create a successful launch for Happy Dad Seltzer. The brand gained traction and became a popular choice among their audience.

Initial Health Assessment and Lifestyle Changes

Forgeard underwent a health assessment, which revealed several concerning issues such as liver inflammation, high cholesterol, low vitamin D levels, high blood sugar, and low testosterone. He decided to make significant lifestyle changes to improve his health. He committed to a structured exercise routine, cut out grains and bread from his diet, and focused on consuming high fats and proteins. He also implemented a strict regimen of two-a-day workouts, including weightlifting and cardio, six days a week. Additionally, he made a commitment to limit his partying to once a week and posted weekly progress photos on social media to hold himself accountable.

Supplements and Hydration

Forgeard incorporated several supplements into his routine, including a methylated multivitamin, glutathione, and electrolytes. He also emphasized the importance of staying hydrated and consuming hydrogen water, which he found to be beneficial for his overall health.

Impact of Lifestyle Changes

As a result of his lifestyle changes, Forgeard experienced significant improvements in his health. His liver function improved from a 2 out of 10 to a 9.5 out of 10, and his testosterone levels increased from the mid-300s to the 800s. His overall physical appearance also improved, with noticeable changes in his body composition and energy levels.

Challenges and Accountability

Forgeard acknowledges the challenges of maintaining his new lifestyle, especially while traveling and being surrounded by temptations. However, he found ways to stay accountable, such as setting specific goals, posting progress photos, and creating consequences for himself if he deviated from his plan. He also emphasized the importance of structure and discipline in maintaining his health regimen.

Business and Personal Growth

Forgeard's health journey has not only had a positive impact on his physical well-being but has also influenced his business decisions. He recognizes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to ensure his long-term success and productivity. Additionally, he highlights the role of his business partners and their support in his health journey.

The Impact of Health on Business

Forgeard discusses the impact of his health journey on his business, Happy Dad. He mentions that the company is set to launch in Canada in February, which is a significant milestone for the brand. He also talks about the growth of Happy Dad and the introduction of a new product, a hard tea, which he believes could be even bigger than the Seltzer. He also hints at a potential partnership with a well-known figure, which could further elevate the brand's success.

Forgeard also shares his admiration for Dana White, the CEO of the UFC, and how their friendship has been a dream come true for him. He expresses his gratitude for the support and mentorship he has received from White, emphasizing the impact of surrounding himself with successful and inspiring individuals.

The Mental and Physical Benefits of the Health Journey

Forgeard highlights the mental and physical benefits of his health journey, including feeling less anxious and more confident. He attributes his improved mental state to being more consistent with his health routine and making fewer excuses. He also emphasizes the importance of feeling great physically, as it allows him to be more available for his business and other aspects of his life.

The Importance of Consistency and Accountability

Forgeard emphasizes the importance of consistency and accountability in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He talks about setting short-term goals and keeping promises to oneself, which has helped him stay on track with his health journey. He also mentions the impact of having a supportive network of friends and mentors who have encouraged and guided him along the way.

The Definition of an Ultimate Human

When asked about the definition of an ultimate human, Forgeard believes it is about being the best version of oneself and performing at the highest level in one's field. He also mentions the importance of being a leader and setting an example for others, which aligns with his personal and professional goals.

Videos

Full episode

Episode summary