Eden Stelmach and Justin Rapoport: Getting An Upgrade; How Anyone Can Build Habits For Optimal Wellness, Performance, & Focus
An Interview With Ben Ari
Consistent Sleep Schedule: Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is crucial for peak performance, whether at work or in sports, as it directly impacts overall well-being. Adequate sleep is a key factor in a child’s growth and development, which aligns with TruHeight’s emphasis on establishing healthy sleep routines for kids and teens. A well-rested body is better equipped to maximize growth potential.
As a part of our series about “How Anyone Can Build Habits For Optimal Wellness, Performance, & Focus”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Eden Stelmach and Justin Rapoport.
Eden Stelmach, co-founder of TruHeight, is fueled by a genuine passion for innovation, creation, and the art of storytelling. With a focus on transforming children’s and teens’ growth through vitamins, supplements, and optimal nutrition, Eden also embraces the entrepreneurial spirit, remaining humbly dedicated to exploring new inventions and pushing boundaries while building meaningful projects. Before co-founding TruHeight, Eden’s journey included a role at MGM Studios, contributing to iconic films such as James Bond, Creed, and Tomb Raider.
Justin Rapoport is a visionary entrepreneur who pioneered the world’s first smelling salt company tailored exclusively for athletes, revolutionizing the way athletes tap into their performance potential. His innovative spirit didn’t stop there, as he also achieved remarkable success by selling his Amazon agency, specializing in advertising and SEO solutions, helping brands enhance their presence and profitability on the world’s largest e-commerce platform. With an exceptional track record of pioneering ventures, his latest focus is on TruHeight Vitamins — a clinically proven brand dedicated to empowering children and teenagers to achieve their full height potential.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
Eden shared, My childhood was truly unique and has shaped a significant part of who I am today. In those early years, I developed an ambitious spirit that continues to drive me to this day. However, I also faced a notable challenge — I was noticeably smaller than my peers, which made me a target for bullying.
Throughout this journey, my mom played a pivotal role. She was determined to find a solution to my growth challenge without resorting to growth hormone treatments, which she had concerns about potential side effects. Together, we delved deep into the realm of nutrition, researching and formulating a nutrient-rich diet that marked a significant turning point in my growth and overall well-being.
This pivotal experience of overcoming adversity and discovering a natural, holistic solution left a lasting mark on me. It ignited my passion for health and wellness, eventually leading to the founding of TruHeight. At TruHeight, our mission is to empower kids and teens to reach their full potential in a healthy, natural, and sustainable way — just as I did.
What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.
Justin shared, I have always had a deep-rooted passion for entrepreneurship. I’d say I just have a passion for innovation and creation. My parents saw it from a young age and they always pushed me to try new things so I have to give the credit to them.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Was there a particular person who you feel gave you the most help or encouragement to be who you are today? Can you share a story about that?
Eden shared, As a co-founder of TruHeight, I need to give credit to my incredible business partner, Justin. Together, we embarked on this journey to create a company dedicated to children’s growth and well-being. Justin’s vision and dedication has been instrumental in shaping TruHeight’s success. We’ve faced numerous challenges along the way, one being making a nutrient-packed gummy that also tastes good which is incredibly hard to do but with Justin’s unwavering commitment to our mission and his ability to strategize and adapt have been invaluable. He’s not just a co-founder; he’s a trusted collaborator and a driving force behind our achievements.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or take away did you learn from that?
Justin shared, My biggest mistake is impossible to say, I have a 30 year track record of mistakes haha. We all make mistakes, it’s important to have them so you can learn. If you get something right on the first time you don’t really learn from it. I dropped out of Indiana University to pursue music when I was 18 and the mistakes and failures I learned from that fueled my passion into e-commerce.
The road to success is hard and requires tremendous dedication. This question is obviously a big one, but what advice would you give to a young person who aspires to follow in your footsteps and emulate your success?
Justin shared, The most important thing for anybody in entrepreneurship is not being scared of trying or failing. As Phil Knight would say “Just Do It”. Can’t give any better advice than that.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
Eden shared, The Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson had a profound impact on me. Steve’s relentless pursuit of excellence, his emphasis on innovation through interdisciplinary thinking, and his commitment to simplicity in design all resonated deeply. It inspired me to approach my own endeavors with a similar passion for innovation and a dedication to excellence.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does that resonate with you so much?
Justin shared, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail” my basketball coach in 3rd grade told our team that and it always stuck with me.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
Eden shared, Currently, one of the most exciting initiatives we have at TruHeight is the development of three new products tailored specifically for toddlers: a Brain Booster Gummy, a Bone Growth Gummy, and a Toddler Formula. These products represent a significant step forward in our commitment to children’s growth and well-being. The Brain Booster Gummy is designed to support cognitive development, the Bone Growth Gummy promotes healthy bone development, and the Toddler Formula provides comprehensive nutrition for this critical stage of life. We believe that by offering these products, we can help parents provide their toddlers with the essential nutrients they need to thrive, setting a strong foundation for their future growth and development.
OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the core focus of our interview. This will be intuitive to you but it will be helpful to spell this out directly. Can you help explain a few reasons why it is so important to create good habits? Can you share a story or give some examples?
Justin shared, Creating good habits is a form of discipline. Often times you don’t want to wake up early, you don’t want to eat healthy, you don’t want to finish that assignment due tomorrow. Creating good habits not only in work but life is a recipe for success and longevity.
How have habits played a role in your success? Can you share some success habits that have helped you in your journey?
Eden shared…
1. Consistent Learning: The habit of continuous learning has been fundamental. I make it a point to read, research, and stay updated in my field. This habit ensures I’m always well-informed and able to adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
2. Effective Time Management: Prioritizing tasks and managing time efficiently is another crucial habit. It helps me stay organized and focused, ensuring that I allocate my energy to the most important aspects of my work.
3. Adaptability: The habit of adaptability is vital in a rapidly changing world. I embrace change and cultivate flexibility, allowing me to navigate unexpected challenges with resilience.
4. Create a Routine: Establish a daily or weekly routine that incorporates your desired habits. Consistency is key to habit formation, so choose a time that suits your schedule and stick to it.
Speaking in general, what is the best way to develop good habits? Conversely, how can one stop bad habits?
Justin shared, To throw a book plug in, anyone trying to develop good habits should read “Atomic Habits” that book gives a lot of tools you can take to develop good habits. To replace bad habits, replace the bad habit with a good habit. For example, if you snack at night, replace that snack by drinking a glass of water.
Can you share three good habits that can lead to optimal performance at work or sport?
Eden shared…
1. Consistent Sleep Schedule: Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is crucial for peak performance, whether at work or in sports, as it directly impacts overall well-being. Adequate sleep is a key factor in a child’s growth and development, which aligns with TruHeight’s emphasis on establishing healthy sleep routines for kids and teens. A well-rested body is better equipped to maximize growth potential.
2. Nutrition and Hydration: Fueling your body with the right nutrients and staying hydrated is essential for sustained energy, cognitive function, and optimal performance in various aspects of life. At TruHeight, we view proper nutrition as a cornerstone of our philosophy. Just as I personally experienced growth through a nutrient-rich diet, we recognize that ensuring children and teenagers receive the necessary vitamins and minerals is vital for their overall health and development. Encouraging a balanced diet by incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into her meals while reducing sugary snacks and sodas can promote both growth and general well-being.
3. Stress Management and Mindfulness: Managing stress and practicing mindfulness techniques can significantly enhance focus, decision-making, and resilience in work, sports, and life in general. At TruHeight, we understand that stress can negatively impact growth in children and teens. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of reducing stress through relaxation exercises and mindfulness practices as part of our holistic approach to growth. These habits contribute not only to growth but also to overall physical and mental well-being.
Can you help explain some practices that can be used to develop those habits?
Eden shared, I enjoy meditation because it significantly reduces my stress and helps me focus on what truly matters. It’s like a mental reset button that I can press whenever life gets overwhelming.
Can you share three good habits that can lead to optimal focus? Please share a story or example for each.
Eden shared, Prioritizing quality sleep has been a game-changer for my focus and productivity, and I attribute this to incorporating TruHeight Sleep Gummies into my nightly routine. These gummies, enriched with natural ingredients like melatonin, ashwagandha, lemon balm, and L-theanine, help me relax and achieve a restful night’s sleep, ensuring I wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day. Additionally, setting clear and achievable goals is another cornerstone of maintaining focus; having well-defined objectives in mind channels my energy and attention effectively. For instance, when launching a new product at TruHeight, we establish specific targets, keeping our team aligned and driving successful product launches.
As a leader, you likely experience times when you are in a state of Flow. Flow has been described as a pleasurable mental state that occurs when you do something that you are skilled at, that is challenging, and that is meaningful. Can you share some ideas from your experience about how we can achieve a state of Flow more often in our lives?
Justin shared, I think the best way to achieve a state of flow is to genuinely enjoy what you do whether at work or in life. I like to do everything I do with a sense of purpose, not just for the sake of doing something. For example, if you play tennis, you can play with a sense of purpose (working on your footwork/backhand/etc) or you could play just to have fun. Playing with purpose requires discipline and mental challenges but the goal of improvement is what makes it meaningful.
Ok, we are nearly done. You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Justin shared, Being kind. I think being kind is the most important thing in life.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we both tag them :-)
Eden shared, If I had the opportunity to share a private breakfast or lunch with someone, it would undoubtedly be Elon Musk. His visionary approach to entrepreneurship and innovation has not only reshaped multiple industries but also inspired countless individuals, including myself, to think beyond conventional boundaries. Musk’s ability to tackle complex problems, from electric vehicles to space exploration, demonstrates a remarkable blend of creativity and practicality. Engaging in a conversation with him would be a unique chance to gain insights into his mindset, his strategies for overcoming challenges, and his vision for the future. It would be a truly inspiring and enlightening experience.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Follow us at Truheightvitamins.com!
Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success.
