Celebrity Inventor: How Dr. Philip Goglia of Revenge Body Created His Nutrition App
…My best tip, perhaps my biggest “weak muscle” in business, is to be patient. I have learned that passion about a project is of course the root of “amazing”
Dr. Philip Goglia has been dubbed the “nutritionist to the stars” working with hundreds of professional athletes and celebrities. You might not have worked with him but you certainly recognize him as a guest on Khloe Kardashian’s “Revenge Body” on E! and also on Extra TV’s “Bod Squad.”
He doesn’t “play” a doctor on TV, he actually holds a PhD in Nutritional Science and is a graduate of Duke University, The American College of Sports Medicine and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. WHEW!
Another cool tidbit…. he has been a certified nutritionist for over 30 years and was named the official “superhero nutritionist” for his work with Marvel Comics Productions.
He is also the best-selling author of Turn up the Heat — Unlock the Fat Burning Power of Your Metabolism.
When not writing books or working with celebrities, you can find him working on G-Plans where he is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer.
G-Plans is the first all-encompassing online nutrition program that creates customized meal plans based on a user’s metabolic body type. Goglia took a few minutes out of his very busy day to talk entrepreneurship and what G-Plans is all about…
What was the moment in which you realized there was a need for G-Plans in the marketplace?
As the internet evolved into a place of influential wellness platforms, I saw that many of them were using nutrition as a way to market supplements or to promote a single nutritional ideology. It all seemed so one sided and not consumer friendly — like “ buyer beware.”
In 2000 my best-selling book, “Turn Up The Heat,” was released and became a platform for “metabolic typing,” and the root of the G-plans platform. In 2007, I had tried to launch a version of G-Plans, but was not successful with strategic, user friendly technology. I was frustrated seeing 20 to 26 clients daily in my brick and mortar and was obsessed with creating a larger reach.
Seven or so years ago my wife Lisa Saridakis and I initiated a collaboration with two of our clients — Luke Mahoney and John Levan — who happened to be obsessed with fitness and nutrition and also amazing technology strategists.
Together, the four of us designed, built and soft launched a robust nutrition and wellness platform that categorized, simplified and individualized 12 week patterned nutrition and wellness protocols for the subscriber. G-Plans was built within the strategies of my book “Turn Up The Heat.” As the platform developed it has become a stronghold of wellness for tens of thousands of subscribers that understand that “one size fits all” food programming or low calorie food programming doesn’t work in the long run and is not sustainable.
Business is never as easy as it looks on the outside. Can you tell me a little about some of the stumbling blocks of helping to get G-Plans launched?
Stumbling blocks, that’s easy. That would be me — wanting so much so quick in order to rapidly please all of the clients I have worked with over the years.
Because most stumbling blocks are found within the translation of thought to technology, the four of us (Lisa, Luke, John and I) decided to soft launch the platform a little bit at a time and rely on user feedback to better understand client needs and the interface between the subscriber and platform.
Additionally, we have built the G-Plans platform with no outside funding. We have used reinvestment strategies to stay on a debt-free growth path, which has at times been difficult but has also been the root of business development creativity. As internet “influencers” within nutrition and fitness increased their reach and marketing strategie, I realized I wanted our platform to be disruptive and honest with no gimmicks, no sexy pictures trying to sell you anything.
As the G-Plans platform grew in popularity, I discovered 3 things:
- How many people within the user community freely sent in amazingly positive comments about their platform experiences and success.
- How other companies would launch negative outreach comments regarding the G-Plans platforms to reduce their risk of subscriber reduction.
- I was surprised at how many other platforms tried to duplicate our strategies and technology. I wasn’t sure if I should be flattered or pissed.
When did you know G-Plans was going to be a hit?
After 3 years of development that included soft launch strategies, fixes , videos, text writing, and meetings with Lisa, Luke and John, Luke sent me pages of testimonials about how the platform has literally changed the lives of so many subscribers.
I was overwhelmed and knew with certainty that the 4 of us were making a difference. Just months ago, before COVID, Lisa and I spent the weekend in San Diego at our G-Plans corporate office. Seeing the partnerships and the enthusiasm from the over 50 employees and their collaborative passion about nutrition, wellness and the development of the G-Plans platform confirmed our integrity and mission to make a difference in peoples’ lives.
I have been frustrated for years only seeing 20–26 people daily. I wanted — craved — an opportunity to reach hundreds of thousands that started years ago with a “Phil-up and go” infomercial, then the book “Turn Up The Heat,” and now, most importantly, with a global platform promoting multiple individualized metabolic nutrition programs that are easy to use and data collective. John, Luke, Lisa, myself and all of our G-Plans family and collaborators know with conviction that we can offer positive changes to peoples’ fitness and nutrition lifestyles through the g-plans platform.
Where do you see G-Plans going next?
The G-Plans platform has so much depth in technology, nutritional science and wellness data collection that I can see it being a strategic wellness module for insurance companies looking for collaborative partnerships to better support their subscription base. Additionally, the G-Plans platform is so robust that it could be used for certain hospital applications, rehab facilities and high end gym applications like Equinox or online programs like Beach Bodies. As a company our primary passion and goal is to continue to develop the depth and versatility of the G-Plans platform nutrition solutions with the subscriber experience, sustainability and interface.
What is one tip you can offer to future entrepreneurs that might help them along the way?
My best tip, perhaps my biggest “weak muscle” in business, is to be patient. I have learned that passion about a project is of course the root of “amazing,” but in order to turn passion into fruition, you have to reverse engineer your thoughts and strategies:
- What is your message?
- How will you interface with your subscriber and what is their pay off for spending their time and / or money on your platform?
- Virally market your message. Collaborate with others and never alienate any idea or alternative thought about your process. There are many different doorways into the same room
- Be positive, be collaborative and embrace difficulty with an “unreasonable” mindset. Seek discomfort.
How can our readers follow you online?
To learn more about G-Plans visit their Website
Or follow them on social media: @G-Plans (Instagram), @GPlansNutrition (Facebook), @G_Plans (Twitter)
