Young Entrepreneur: Bryan Marshall

Bryan Marshall is a 26-year-old, four-time Ontario Olympic Weightlifting Champion, has trained hundreds of athletes (from the NHL, NFL and CFL) and he currently consults with the Vancouver Canucks’ Player Development Program as a strength coach. Just last week, this Young Professional launched trü Performance Nutrition, a line of supplements he has been quietly working on for the past three years. Find out more about this Young Entreperneur in today’s feature.

Elevator Pitch: Describe your business in a nutshell.
trü Performance Nutrition is an elite health supplement line developed for athletes by athletes. We offer three stand alone products: a multivitamin, a pre-workout formula, and a post-workout recovery formula, but they’re designed to be combined for optimum results. All products are developed to meet the extraordinary nutritional needs of athletes – from novice to pro – while complying to all banned substance policies and cGMP manufacturing practices.

Why did you start your business, what was the inspiration?
While working with elite athletes in the NHL, NFL and CFL over the last few years, I discovered two major issues: 1) a lack of a supplement company that pro and amateur athletes can trust; and 2) the lack of a supplement company that produces supplements catered to the specific needs of athletes. trü Performance Nutrition is a solution to both of these problems. It is my mission to bring safe, high quality and effective nutritional products to the market.

What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of my day is hearing that one of my trü Performance Products helped an athlete achieve a new record or personal best in the gym. The most challenging part of this venture has definitely been getting used to spending more time in front of the computer doing administrative things. I am used to spending a lot of hours on my feet in the gym and since this project started, I have changed that quite a bit.

Where do you see your business going in 5 years?
In 5 years I would love for trü Performance Nutrition to be known as the most trusted and well-made nutritional supplement company in Canada. I would also like to establish the trü Performance Nutrition Athlete Fund and be able to raise enough money to support Canadian amateur athletes in their quest for Olympic gold medals.

What does success look like to you?
For me, being successful means doing something that you love to do while leaving a positive footprint in your industry. I am very fortunate to wake up every morning and do something that I am so passionate about while also being able to help others. That to me is successful.

What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
At this point, I would have to say the launch of trü Performance Nutrition. I started this project over three years ago and with lots of hard work, sweat and tears, I have watched it evolve from a dream into a reality. That is the single thing that I am most proud of so far in my career.

Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
I can honestly say that the biggest factor to my recent success has been my passion and willingness to do whatever it took to accomplish my goals. If I could say anything to other young professionals out there it would be to stay strong and don’t give up on your dreams and goals. No one will hold your hand through life, so you have to be willing to go above and beyond what the average person will do to see your dreams come to fruition.

Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I support Canada’s amateur athletes with the trü Performance Nutrition Athlete Fund, and I support Canada’s Special Olympics Athletes through motionball. These charities hit close to home for me because being an amateur athlete with dreams of international competition myself, I found the lack of funding very frustrating and I understand the importance of supporting our athletes financially.

What is Notable to you?
Nothing that I have done professionally, or personally, could have been done without the help of some very generous and caring people (you know who you are). The fact that there are still so many great people in this world that are willing to help out someone like myself is very notable. Thank you.