What started as a passion project evolved into a business for change. We empower people to take control of what goes into their body, and environment. Our mission was cultivated over years of experiences, adventures, and observations of our founder. Below is a timeline by Patrick explaining why fitppl was created.
Our mission is to raise awareness of the catastrophic plastic pollution epidemic by taking measurable action through our Active Cleanups, and creating socially-conscious, forward thinking products.
fitppl is a collective of individuals with a vested interest in crafting products that are better for people and better for the planet. The fitppl lifestyle: what we drink, the way we eat, the way we think, is held together by the common thread of sustainability.
2011: Foundation
After living in Costa Rica during 2011 and eating a diet of wholesome, local foods, I grew to embrace this simplified lifestyle. Later, I would realize this time would plant a critical seed that would develop into the fitppl brand.
2012: Idea
After returning from Costa Rica, I took a job at an Austin start-up. The initial idea for fitppl came to me in August 2012 while working here. It was difficult to eat healthy from the options that were provided. I asked the office manager to bring in a protein powder for the kitchen to make smoothies. They brought in a generic, dairy-based protein with flashy graphics and a laundry list of ingredients people didn't understand. I noticed others wanted to make healthy choices too, but needed simplicity to balance out their busy lifestyles. I began brainstorming how to bring the honest simplicity of Costa Rican food to my current lifestyle, and the busy lifestyle of others. From that simple idea, a passion project was born called fitppl.
2013: Purpose
I quit my job in March 2013 and pursued freelance film, a skill I’d taught myself from personal interest. This schedule allowed me to spend more time to traveling. fitppl was still just an idea at this point. The real purpose for the brand purpose came to me while traveling through Thailand in the fall 2013. Swimming near Koh Hong Island, I noticed a lot of plastic floating around the otherwise clean and crystalline ocean - this revelation sparked my concern. The more research I did about plastic pollution the more dire the situation became: the catastrophic plastic waste in the oceans is one of the biggest problems facing not only our species, but countless others. The origins of the Ditch The Plastic initiative was born from the experience.
2014: Action
Now with a fresh focus on my dream to launch a company with a real purpose, I got to work. I started to hone in on the first line of fitppl products. As an avid weightlifter, fixed gear cyclist, traveler, and reflecting back from my experience in 2012, I always relied on the convenience of protein powders, but grew unsatisfied with the current offerings claiming to be natural. I was determined to create simple, clean powders. I also noticed supplement companies were some of the biggest contributors to the plastic pollution issue, and began incorporating the Ditch The Plastic initiative into the products. While developing the fitppl brand, I learned a lot about conventional animal farming methods and the enivronmental toll it caused, it just wasn't realistically sustainable. So I decided to use plant-based ingredients. I began sourcing ingredients and testing the formulas every night in my kitchen.
2015: Launch
By early 2015, I was juggling a busy freelance filming schedule while carving out time to continue building the fitppl brand. I spent nights meticulously testing, tweaking, and tasting the final blends of our first product line. One of the biggest challenges was finding companies that would work with us. I was incredibly stubborn about not using plastic, and most wanted to stick to the status quo of wasteful plastic tubs and scoops. It was also important to keep all production and packaging close to Austin to reduce our transportation footprint. I didn't cut any corners and wouldn't budge about how I wanted things done. Finally in late 2015, after years of hard work, fitppl was launched with a mission to craft products that are better for people and better for the planet.
Purpose & Future
Our first Active Cleanups cleanup was hosted shortly after our launch. Putting my mission back in 2013, into action. fitppl has always been a passion project. No paid celebrity endorsements. No marketing gimmicks. Just pure drive to a create a company that aligns with my beliefs and allows people to take control of what goes into their body, and environment. As the company grows, so does the mission, which is the #1 goal. It was a lot of work to get where we are, and there's a lot more work to be done. I eventually want to expand our active cleanups all over the country so everybody can help put our mission into action. People, planet, and purpose is the reason fitppl was started and will be the foundation for every product we create.
2011: Foundation
After living in Costa Rica during 2011 and eating a diet of wholesome, local foods, I grew to embrace this simplified lifestyle. Later, I would realize this time would plant a critical seed that would develop into the fitppl brand.
2012: Idea
After returning from Costa Rica, I took a job at an Austin start-up. The initial idea for fitppl came to me in August 2012 while working here. It was difficult to eat healthy from the options that were provided. I asked the office manager to bring in a protein powder for the kitchen to make smoothies. They brought in a generic, dairy-based protein with flashy graphics and a laundry list of ingredients people didn't understand. I noticed others wanted to make healthy choices too, but needed simplicity to balance out their busy lifestyles. I began brainstorming how to bring the honest simplicity of Costa Rican food to my current lifestyle, and the busy lifestyle of others. From that simple idea, a passion project was born called fitppl.
2013: Mission
I quit my job in March 2013 and pursued freelance film, a skill I’d taught myself from personal interest. This schedule allowed me to spend more time to traveling. fitppl was still just an idea at this point. The real purpose for the brand purpose came to me while traveling through Thailand in the fall 2013. Swimming near Koh Hong Island, I noticed a lot of plastic floating around the otherwise clean and crystalline ocean - this revelation sparked my concern. The more research I did about plastic pollution the more dire the situation became: the catastrophic plastic waste in the oceans is one of the biggest problems facing not only our species, but countless others. The origins of the Ditch The Plastic initiative was born from the experience.
2014: Action
Now with a fresh focus on my dream to launch a company with a real purpose, I got to work. I started to hone in on the first line of fitppl products. As an avid weightlifter, fixed gear cyclist, traveler, and reflecting back from my experience in 2012, I always relied on the convenience of protein powders, but grew unsatisfied with the current offerings claiming to be natural. I was determined to create simple, clean powders. I also noticed supplement companies were some of the biggest contributors to the plastic pollution issue, and began incorporating the Ditch The Plastic initiative into the products. While developing the fitppl brand, I learned a lot about conventional animal farming methods and the enivronmental toll it caused, it just wasn't realistically sustainable. So I decided to use plant-based ingredients. I began sourcing ingredients and testing the formulas every night in my kitchen.
2015: Launch
By early 2015, I was juggling a busy freelance filming schedule while carving out time to continue building the fitppl brand. I spent nights meticulously testing, tweaking, and tasting the final blends of our first product line. One of the biggest challenges was finding companies that would work with us. I was incredibly stubborn about not using plastic, and most wanted to stick to the status quo of wasteful plastic tubs and scoops. It was also important to keep all production and packaging close to Austin to reduce our transportation footprint. I didn't cut any corners and wouldn't budge about how I wanted things done. Finally in late 2015, after years of hard work, fitppl was launched with a mission to craft products that are better for people and better for the planet.
Purpose & Future
Our first Active Cleanups cleanup was hosted shortly after our launch. Putting my mission back in 2013, into action. fitppl has always been a passion project. No paid celebrity endorsements. No marketing gimmicks. Just pure drive to a create a company that aligns with my beliefs and allows people to take control of what goes into their body, and environment. As the company grows, so does the mission, which is the #1 goal. It was a lot of work to get where we are, and there's a lot more work to be done. I eventually want to expand our active cleanups all over the country so everybody can help put our mission into action. People, planet, and purpose is the reason fitppl was started and will be the foundation for every product we create.
