Active Overwatch 021

We are changing up the format of this weekly newsletter from our typical “The Story, The Strategy, The Product” format to a weekly roundup format.

More quick hitting bullet points and an easier ready. While still adding our opinions and commentary when needed.

So here’s your weekly roundup of news, trends, and stories in the health & fitness space. A list of what’s happening, new innovations, interesting finds, and more.‍

Weekly roundup

Therabody unveils new recovery products. Including infrared LED compression boots, wireless travel compression boots, a heated massage gun, and a vibrating blackout sleep mask.

• Recovery is top of mind for consumers today and I like that Therabody is 1) Creating products across the spectrum and 2) Combining methods into singular products, such as compression and infrared therapy.

Plunge and Liquid death collab. With an upright cold plunge in the theme of a Liquid Death can. Called the “Freeze to Death Cold Plunge”.

• I love collabs that seem random, but also just make sense. In this case, both these brands have cult like followings that should make this limited edition collab a success. Mostly in terms of the press it receives though.

Hungryroot launches an AI SmartCart. Using 10 machine learning models to analyze your own ordering behavior and behavior of similar people. Then giving you grocery lists, meals, and snacks for you to eat healthier.

• Most of the AI features companies are launching seem pretty impractical. I tend to be more bullish on AI that removes decision fatigue and saves us time, rather than just a shiny add-on that doesn’t actually add value. And this SmartCart by Hungryroot seems to provide that practical value.

Factor launches a supplement line. The ready-to-eat meal subscription company expands their product offering with this subscription supplement line that includes a greens powder, protein powder, and hydration powder.

• This is gonna go 1 of 3 ways: 1) It doesn’t do well, and they return to just offering meal subscriptions. 2) It goes well and they successfully expand their business to two core offerings. 3) They are completely pivoting to supplements and medical products and want out of the meal subscription game.

Hormbles Chormbles unveils a power candy. Set to launch in 2025 and inspired by the founders love for candy. It will derive from protein and be low calorie and low sugar.

• I just want to talk about the name. At first, I hated it because I thought it was hard to say. But then I loved it because of how much it stands out. Healthy snacks and candy is a saturated space and you have to stand out with branding if you want to survive.

L Catterton acquires majority stake in Solidcore. The deal values Solidcore between $600 and $700 million. With around 130 locations currently, Solidcore plans to open 30 more in 2025.

• I wanted to highlight this because the story of how Anne Mahlum started and grew Solidcore is awesome. This video by the podcast, My First Million, provides a good breakdown.