Descending K2, the world’s second highest mountain, Pakistan

In the world of health and fitness, understanding one's metabolism is often seen as the holy grail. It can make the difference between reaching your fitness goals and falling short. But what if there was a way to accurately measure your metabolism and tailor your diet and exercise routine accordingly? Enter Calorify, a cutting-edge company that's changing the game when it comes to understanding metabolism.

In a recent interview, Santa Cruz Works had the opportunity to sit down with Hari Mix, the founder of Calorify, to learn more about his journey, the inspiration behind his company, and the groundbreaking technology they're bringing to the world.

The Backstory

Hari Mix is not your average entrepreneur. With a background as an elite athlete, he has achieved remarkable feats, from being one of the fastest distance runners in the US to conquering some of the world's highest mountains without supplemental oxygen. However, his athletic pursuits led him to a problem he was determined to solve.

During high-altitude climbing trips, Hari experienced significant weight loss, including muscle mass, due to the demanding metabolic requirements of such extreme conditions. Recognizing the need to optimize his metabolism to preserve muscle mass while at high altitudes, Hari embarked on a journey to find a solution.

With a bachelor's and PhD from Stanford and a seven-year stint as a professor at Santa Clara University, Hari possessed the academic skills necessary to explore this challenge. He had learned about a metabolic measurement technique back in 2014 but struggled to find collaborators in the scientific community. It wasn't until 2021, just before a major climb, that he teamed up with anthropologist Herman Poncer at Duke University to conduct critical testing.

The Birth of Calorify

Hari's high-altitude expedition revealed that he was burning an astounding 6,400 calories a day on average during his summit bid. This experience prompted him to found Calorify, with Herman Poncer joining as the scientific advisor.

Calorify's mission is simple yet revolutionary: to quantitatively measure how many calories individuals burn in real-world environments while they maintain their normal lifestyle, diet, and exercise routines. The company also measures calorie intake, body fat percentage, and exercise levels, providing a comprehensive overview of an individual's metabolic health.

The Calorify Experience

The Calorify experience starts with a home-based kit. Users order the kit from the company's website, receive it within two days, and perform a series of tests over a week, including collecting urine samples and consuming a specially labeled water sample. The samples are then sent back to Calorify's lab in a compact box, about the size of a deck of cards. Users receive their detailed metabolic data on the same day the samples arrive at the lab.

While Calorify offers direct-to-consumer sales, the majority of their work is in the business-to-business (B2B) sector. They collaborate with prestigious organizations, including NBA teams, the US Army, Tour de France teams, and pharmaceutical companies involved in drug development. The applications of their technology are vast, from optimizing athlete performance to assisting with medical weight loss and drug dosage calculations.

Unlocking the Potential

One of the key takeaways from our interview with Hari Mix is the immense potential of Calorify's technology. Beyond helping athletes fine-tune their training and nutrition, the applications extend to areas such as weight management, burn patient care, and chemotherapy patients. Calorify takes the guesswork out of calorie deficits and surpluses, ensuring that individuals can achieve their health and fitness goals safely and efficiently.

Hari Mix emphasized that Calorify is not a magic solution but a valuable tool. It provides individuals and professionals with accurate data, enabling them to make informed decisions about their metabolism, diet, and exercise plans. The goal is to make understanding one's metabolism as common as checking blood pressure or heart rate.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Towards the end of the interview, we asked Hari Mix for his advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. Having transitioned from academia to entrepreneurship, Hari shared some valuable insights. He stressed the importance of learning and adapting, particularly in areas like fundraising and hiring, which are critical for the success of a startup. He emphasized the significance of finding exceptional team members and mentors, noting that they can make a substantial difference in a company's growth trajectory.

The Santa Cruz Connection

Calorify's choice to establish its roots in Santa Cruz County, specifically in Scotts Valley, caught our attention. Hari Mix cited the area's livability and affordability as factors that influenced the decision. He also praised the local culture of creativity and startups, underscoring the importance of being close to a supportive community.

Conclusion

Our interview with Hari Mix shed light on the remarkable journey of Calorify, a company that is redefining how we understand and harness metabolism. From elite athletes to everyday individuals striving for better health, Calorify's technology has the potential to impact lives in countless ways.

As Calorify continues to grow and refine its offerings, we anticipate hearing more success stories and witnessing the positive effects of their technology on individuals and industries. Hari Mix's journey from elite athlete to entrepreneur serves as an inspiring example of how passion, expertise, and a commitment to solving real-world problems can lead to groundbreaking innovations.