
Why Functional Water is the New Business Must-Have
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A
Women tend to suffer more from bad water than men. It's interesting because, you know, most people are drinking plastic, bottled water, and it's pure water and it's sucking those toxins out of the plastic, storing that plastic residual in their breast tissue. That's a big issue. Women particularly need to not be bathing and showering chlorine, nor should they be drinking out of plastic.
B
All right, guys, here with Ken Gawain, founder and CEO of ofora. I'm sure you guys have been seeing these guys everywhere. Thanks for coming on, man.
A
Thank you. Thanks for inviting me. Appreciate it.
B
What you pulled off here is in such a short time is incredible to watch, honestly, because this feels like a pretty new brand, right?
A
Well, it's about. Actually about 15 years.
B
Oh, wow.
A
Air one kind of put us on the map, though. Got it. They. They found us and love. We're their best selling premium water.
B
Really? Yeah, they just came out with their own. Did you see that?
A
Yeah, yeah.
B
They saw how much you guys were doing and got a little jealous. When did they find you guys?
A
About three years ago.
B
Okay.
A
And we're their best selling premium functional water.
B
That's incredible.
A
And we call this functional water.
B
Yeah.
A
It really does benefit your health.
B
So it's also medical, right?
A
Yeah, it's medical grade water, which is why it's bottled in plastic. It's nanopure. And you have to bottle nanopure water in glass because it'll leach the water. You know, I don't know if you've heard this, but it's called the pure water is called the universal solvent. So it'll absorb anything that comes in contact with. Interesting. We have to bottle in glass.
B
Right. Because if it was in plastic, it's just microplastics.
A
Well, and that's the problem with plastic. I mean, most plastic bottled water is RO water, which is pretty pure water. So it's literally sucking the toxins out of the plastic and people are consuming it. And that's an issue. That's an issue.
B
Yeah. I actually flew with this from Vegas.
A
Yeah. Did you get through tsa?
B
Yeah, I mean, they stopped me, but I just showed them the back where it says medical grade and they let me through.
A
It's pretty amazing. We have people doing that now. As far as I know, we're the only water that's.
B
You're definitely the first because people are just finding out about it now.
A
Yeah.
B
It's. Even the employees were like, we're going to buy that.
A
Yeah. Yeah.
B
You got a great product, man. And did you have patents for this company.
A
So, yeah, I'm actually an inventor and I have four. I've been in the water space as it relates to health and wellness for about 35 years and I have four patents on this water. It's not easy to make.
B
I bet the filters, the home filter you sell is pretty expensive, right?
A
Yeah, yeah. But again, it's nanopurified medical grade water and it's hyper oxygenated, 40 parts per million. So it's, you know, the kids call it crack water. It's very, very energizing.
B
Does it filter out fluoride and everything?
A
Yeah. The hardest to remove from water today is actually the pharmaceuticals.
B
Oh, the pfas.
A
Yeah. I mean, you know, and most of the pollutants we come in contact with every day is actually from not only drinking the drinking bad water, but showering and bathing in the water. Our skin's our largest organ and 80% of the pollutants we come in contact with is from bathing and showering.
B
Right. Well, there was a new study. They found 100% of microplastics in pupils, testicles.
A
It's everywhere.
B
It's probably from showering and bathing in it.
A
Yeah, yeah, that's really. Most of the problems are from bathing and showering.
B
So is there. You have a filter for the shower, Right?
A
So we have a shower. You know, we manufacture this water, of course, but we also manufacture and sell the systems to make this water.
B
Got it.
A
And we have whole home systems that'll literally filter all the water coming into your house.
B
Wow, I need that. I'm buying a house. So I'm gonna.
A
You do need that at some point. And you know, they're not inexpensive, but we also have what we call point of use systems where you. We can actually, we have a, what we call a bio shower and it filters out most of the pollutants.
B
Oh, that's nice. Well, when it comes to health, I can, I can justify 6,000 if it's going to improve my health a lot.
A
Definitely. And for now you can just put a, you know, a bio shower in and that's, that'll filter out.
B
Okay, so that's when you screw on or.
A
Yeah, got it.
B
Yeah, yeah, look into that too. So what about baths?
A
Same thing with baths. I mean, you know, the issue, you know, most women really like taking baths and the thing with the municipal water is that it has a lot of chlorine in it. And the chlorine. So you took a shower this morning, you're wearing a chlorine shell on your skin and that forms with Your organic matter and forms a very carcinogenic material called chloramine.
B
Wow.
A
And all the skin cancer that they attribute to the sun isn't from the sun because people are getting skin cancer where the sun doesn't shine. So, you know, it's this chlorine is an issue.
B
That's crazy.
A
Yeah. So you want to, you know, you don't want to bathe and shower in chlorinated water.
B
So no swimming pools either.
A
No. So but we have organic swimming pool systems.
B
Oh yeah.
A
Market as well.
B
So I'm going to hit you up for that too.
A
Yeah.
B
Because I do miss the pool and hot tub. I actually stopped going in as much because. Because of that reason.
A
It's a good reason. So we, we manufacture pool and spa systems. In fact, my very first patent when I was a senior at the University of Michigan was for chlorine free swimming pool.
B
Wow.
A
It was the best system then. It still is today.
B
So you've been doing this for a while?
A
Been doing it a while.
B
That's impressive.
A
Since my twenties.
B
Why do you think those pools didn't take off? Because I feel like everyone still uses chlorine.
A
Chlorine's a commodity product. It's a dollar a gallon. But you have to use an oxidizer. And our go to oxidizer is 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide. It's actually a stronger oxidizer than chlorine. And the only byproduct is pure oxygen. So it's a healthy alternative to chlorine. And then we integrate UV and ozone and it gives you nanopure water. You're basically bathing and showering and swimming and soaking in this type of water.
B
I don't know if you've seen the studies on people that bathe with this, but the results are crazy.
A
They are, they are. So I have a hyper oxygenated hot tub at home and I soak every day in it. And you know, a good overall indication of your health is your oxygen saturation. So I don't know if you've ever had your oxygen. You know, it's called a pulse oxygen.
B
I've tested it now.
A
Okay. So most people, you want to be 95% saturated at least. And you know, most people run 95, 96. I run 100% all the time.
B
Holy crap.
A
And at my age, that's pretty profound. So. And that's because I soak in this water every day. Day. And I also drink a gallon of it every day.
B
So you're reverse aging.
A
So. Yeah, well, yeah. I mean, I run circles around most of my younger staff.
B
So yeah, I drink two of these a day also.
A
That's fantastic.
B
Yeah.
A
Good for you.
B
Great. Drink tap water.
A
Oh my gosh.
B
Yeah.
A
Yeah.
B
I mean I thought Brita was actually filtering it because of their marketing and.
A
You know, the Britas and those smaller filters. If you remove 20% of the chlorine, the water tastes terrific, but 80% of it's still there, so.
B
Geez.
A
Yeah, it's just. They don't do much.
B
Yeah. This water has a very unique taste. Is that from the oxygen?
A
It's from. It's the nanopurity. We use really high grade minerals to raise the ph. This water is PH balanced. We like between 8.0 and 8.5. You'll see ph waters out there upwards of nine and a half percent.
B
Yeah, I've seen that.
A
And that's too high.
B
You think so?
A
Yeah, it causes problems, particularly for women.
B
Oh wow.
A
Yeah.
B
What problem would that cause?
A
Well, a lot of yeast infections and things like that. So, you know, women tend to suffer more from bad water than men. It's interesting because, you know, most people are drinking plastic, bottled water and it's pure water and it's sucking those toxins out of the plastic and they're storing that plastic residual in their breast tissue and that's a big issue.
B
So interesting.
A
Women particularly need to not be bathing and showering in chlorine, nor should they be drinking on a plastic. Period. End of story. I've been preaching this for years, but all plastic bottled water is reverse osmosis water, which is really pretty pure water and water in its purest form again you'll hear me say it's the universal solvent and it'll literally suck those toxins out of the plastic and you're consuming those. And for women, that's the go to place to store them. So that's an issue.
B
And miscarriage rates are at all time highs.
A
Yeah. And women aren't getting pregn. And I mean, I know a lot of young people today are, you know, they're trying to get pregnant. Can't.
B
Right. Same.
A
Yeah, it's a, it's an issue.
B
So yeah, they're spending months and years.
A
Yeah. And it's, it's the plastic residual. I mean that's what, that's what mainstream medicine is even saying. So.
B
Yeah, the fact that mainstream medicine's even saying it, that's when you know it's bad.
A
That's right. That's right.
B
So what's the fix? If you have all this plastic in you, can you get that out.
A
Well, it takes time, but yes, you can. The first thing you have to do is eliminate bathing and showering in municipal water. I mean, municipalities are doing the best they can with the tools they have, but they just, they're unable to remove all these forever chemicals and, you know, again.
B
Yeah.
A
And their answer is to keep putting more and more chlorine in the water. And chlorine is a highly, highly carcinogenic material.
B
That's disgusting. Did you see LA announced they're going to combine the wastewater with the municipal water?
A
That's, that's, that's the future. So I tell people tap water is good for one thing, and that's putting out fires. You shouldn't be drinking it and you shouldn't be giving it to your pets.
B
People wash their fruits and vegetables with it.
A
Yeah, yeah. So, you know, you need to purify your water at home. You just can't drink tap water. You shouldn't be doing anything with it. Really?
B
Yeah. My dogs drink this now.
A
For real. It's worth the money.
B
They look a lot better. Their skin feels softer.
A
You're gonna have a lot less issues with them too. So, you know, cats tend to get a lot of urinary tract infection and this water would just like, fix that. So. Yeah, your animals should. I don't know why people are giving their animals tap water because it's just they're poisoning them.
B
But they're taught that, I mean, we were taught growing up that you drink tap water too.
A
Well, yeah. I mean, when I was growing up, tap water was actually pretty good. Yeah, it's just to drink out of.
B
The hose back then, right?
A
Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah.
B
Yeah. But now it's just too many chemicals, I guess, in the water.
A
Too many chemicals. Especially in dense populations like la. I mean, you know, it's. You know, we have a lot of people consuming a lot of pharmaceutical drugs and they end up in the water. So, you know, if, you know, like I say, you know, I'm bathing in women's hormones, bathing in my testosterone. I mean, that's the end of the story.
B
Yeah. They're fighting birth control in there, right?
A
That's right.
B
Disgusting.
A
Yeah. All these ED problems aren't necessarily. They're from that issue. Pharmaceuticals in the water.
B
When do you guys come into more stores? Because I live in Vegas, I can't find this in stores there.
A
Yeah, we're going to get there. But most, most of our sales, you know, we really promote online.
B
Oh, yeah.
A
And there's a 10% discount when you buy online, so Your go to should just be going online.
B
Got it. Yeah. Because you guys are in Erewhon everywhere. But I feel like no other states, right? In person?
A
No, no, we're in specialty markets, like, like special Air1 stores around the country.
B
I feel like sprouts are whole foods.
A
We're in sprouts.
B
Oh, you are?
A
Yeah. And we're Bristol Farms. We're in Lazy Acres. You know, we're in the higher end markets.
B
Yeah. Well, that makes sense because it's. Well, people say it's expensive, but. Yeah, you're paying for health. I mean.
A
Yeah. You know, if you think about it, I mean, I had a Starbucks just before I came in here. It was $8. So I mean, you know, so it's all relative. It's all relative, yeah. Right.
B
Yeah. It's one of those things though, because people are so used to paying for cheap plastic water bottles that they see that and they're like kind of disg. But it's reprogramming.
A
Yeah. Probably the best selling plastic bottle of water is Costco water.
B
Yeah, it's like 25 cents.
A
And the plastic, you know, it's really. If you, you look at the plastic bottle of water, the plastic bottles they're using, it's just. They're real soft and pliable. And so that means the water's really pulling out a lot of toxins, Particularly if they're sitting in the back of your car and it's hot.
B
Yeah, I used to drink those all the time too.
A
Yeah.
B
I mean, they were so cheap. 25 cents in the vending machine. Now I know why.
A
Yeah.
B
And it was probably tap water.
A
Well, this water is, you know, you're purifying your body over time with this water. So this is how. This is the best way to eliminate the toxins that you accumulated over the years.
B
So what do you think about spring water?
A
You know, spring water, a lot of it's really good, but the groundwater, you know, we're actually finding more problems with the groundwater than we are the municipal water. Really, like particularly Hawaii. A lot of the cancer rates in Hawaii are really high.
B
Holy shit.
A
And the reason, if you think about it, all those plants, plantations that you. They're, you know, they were growing pineapples and, you know, they were using pesticides. And so the ground in the soil is really polluted and their water is not. Not good there. I mean, you would think Hawaii would have really great water, right? Well, they don't.
B
That's crazy.
A
So.
B
Yeah, because they're so natural there, but they're Using pesticides in Hawaii too?
A
Big time. I mean, not so much more pre. In the previous, you know, last couple decades, but. But it's in the soil. I mean, it's, you know. You know, I've heard stories of people, you know, runners that are running through the pineapple orchards that used to be there, and the cancer rates are really high there.
B
They get cancer just from running?
A
Yeah.
B
Holy crap.
A
Yeah, the soil is just. The soil is so bad.
B
That's a shame.
A
So polluted.
B
So, yeah, you got to be careful with fruits and vegetables because of the pesticides.
A
Big time.
B
And the water they use to water it.
A
Yeah, big time.
B
So I honestly stopped eating most of it.
A
Yeah. I mean, that's what's so great about Air1 is you, you know, you can go to the, you know, they. You don't have to read labels there.
B
Yeah.
A
Everything's. It's the best of the best.
B
So I'm going there after this, honestly, because I just love it. Every time I'm in la, I go there.
A
Yeah. Yeah.
B
I mean, I know I'm dropping 300, but it's. It's worth.
A
Your health.
B
Yeah.
A
So health is wealth anymore.
B
You don't know for sure. And you're looking great for your age, man. I mean, you can't deny these results.
A
No.
B
And you attribute mainly to the water, for sure.
A
Absolutely. So, you know, drinking is really important, but bathing and showering, it's the same thing. I mean, your skin's your largest organ.
B
So people don't even think about the dangers of showering or bathing.
A
No. And, you know, your oxygen level, what's really unique about this water? When I say it's functional water, I mean your oxygen saturation of your body is a really good overall indicator of your health. And as you may or may not know, I don't know. You've had your oxygen with a pulse meter. When I was er. Yeah. If you were in a hospital. Yeah. If you're in hospital, they tested your oxygen. So anything about above 95% saturation means you're healthy. Anything below that means you have serious health issues.
B
Wow. Just from that one test.
A
Yes. So you want to maintain your. Your saturation in the high, high 90s. So most people are 96, 97. You know, you're young, you're. I'm pretty good at this. You're about a 98.
B
Okay.
A
And I run 100% all the time.
B
Wow.
A
Which for someone my age is. Is remarkable.
B
Yeah. So what separates like a 90 from 100, you think?
A
Just, you know, we Live in a, you know, there's less oxygen in the atmosphere. We're breathing 21% oxygen here. The rest of it's pretty much nitrogen. The, they used to be higher. And, and also most people are shallow breathers. Most people aren't getting enough exercise. They're sitting around. You got to be, you know, you got to be moving and, and you know, all diet, all disease is hypoxic. Which means, you know, cancer loves cancer can't grow in a hype in an oxygenated environment. So my chances getting cancer are significantly reduced compared to people that are running maybe 95% or lower.
B
Wow.
A
So the higher your oxygen levels, your, your greater opportunity for optimum health.
B
Yeah. So if you're at a hunter, you almost can't get shit because.
A
No. So all, all disease is hypoxic means low oxygen levels. So if you can maintain higher oxygen levels, your chances of getting ill are significantly reduced. Cancer loves a non oxygenated environment, but it can't grow in an oxygen rich environment. That's cool.
B
And you found all this out so early. You said in college you were working on this. I feel like right now is where people are finding out. But you knew this 30, 40 years ago.
A
You know, the tap water has become so degraded over the years and we saw this happening and I started addressing it many, many years ago. And you know, we have to bottle this water in glass because of the purity. It's so pure that again, you know, it would be le if it wasn't in, if it wasn't in glass.
B
Right.
A
And glass is a bit of an issue. It's expensive to ship. It is, you know, it's heavy, it breaks. But it's really, if you have pure water, it's the only thing to drink. You need to be drinking out of glass.
B
Some people do the aluminum cans.
A
Aluminum or stainless. Stainless is the best. Stainless is non leaching as well.
B
Got it.
A
Glass, stainless, just, you know, stay away from plastic.
B
Yeah. What about the pouches and the bot. The cardboard boxes?
A
There's nothing wrong with the cardboard boxes. The pouches are normal. You know, cans and pouches have a lining in them. And again you'll keep pure. Water will absorb anything comes in contact with. So it's going to be pulling lead, pulling those chemicals out of those pouches and plastic.
B
Do you have a wellness spa also?
A
Yes. So, and we, well, we sell, we sell hyper oxygen hot tubs. That's, that's. So there's two ways to absorb oxygen and soaking and drinking. Those are the two go tos and ideally, as you get when you turn 50 years old, you should be soaking in a hyper oxygenated hot tub every day.
B
Wow.
A
Yeah.
B
Because your oxygen is down.
A
Yes. So. And when you combine drinking with it, you know, between the two, you're going to maintain those higher oxygen levels and your chance of getting sick or getting cancer as you age are significantly reduced. Wow.
B
When was the last time you were sick? You even remember?
A
You know, I. Yeah. I mean, for my. I just don't get sick. And if I do, you know, it's like cleared up in a day.
B
At your age. That's impressive. For real.
A
It is.
B
Yeah. Yeah. I haven't been sick in a year.
A
Good for.
B
Since I started taking health serious. I used to get sick every month.
A
Okay.
B
When I was drinking tap water and doing God knows what.
A
It's hard to believe you're drinking tap water a year ago.
B
I mean, out of a Brita. But yeah.
A
Yeah. Well, it's. Yeah.
B
They did well with their marketing, you got to admit.
A
Absolutely. For sure.
B
Yeah.
A
And the water, like, you know, the water tastes good. I mean, it's. You take out 20% of the chlorine and the water tastes great.
B
Yeah. So, I mean, now they're getting sued, but we'll see what happens. I don't know the status of it.
A
Yeah. The filters are just too small. And that's generally the problem with the water improvement industry, is the filtrations are all too small.
B
Absolutely. Well, Ken, anything else you want to promote or close off with?
A
Well, I just think people, you know, we're 70% water. If you dehydrate our brains the size of a walnut. So our brain is mostly water. It does matter. The water you consume and bathe and shower in, it matters big time. So something people should consider.
B
Yeah. Look into filters, guys. Look into the quality of the water you're drinking. It's changed my life, it's changed yours. So definitely take a look, guys. Otherwise, thanks for watching. Thanks for coming on, Ken. That was fun.
A
Thanks for inviting me.
B
Yeah. See you guys next time.
A
All right. Thank you.
Podcast Summary: Digital Social Hour – Why Functional Water is the New Business Must-Have | Ken Gawain DSH #868
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Ken Gawain, Founder and CEO of Ofora
Release Date: November 7, 2024
In episode #868 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly delves into the burgeoning market of functional water with Ken Gawain, the visionary founder and CEO of Ofora. This insightful conversation uncovers the critical issues surrounding water quality, particularly the detrimental effects of plastic bottled water on health, and explores the innovative solutions Ofora brings to the table.
Sean Kelly warmly welcomes Ken Gawain, praising his rapid success and the significant impact Ofora has made in a relatively short timeframe. Ken reveals that Ofora has been in the industry for about 15 years, with the brand gaining substantial recognition in the past three years through partnerships with prominent entities like Air1, where Ofora is the best-selling premium functional water [00:35].
Ken raises alarming points about the widespread use of plastic bottled water, emphasizing its harmful effects, especially on women. He explains, “Most people are drinking plastic bottled water, and it's pure water and it's sucking those toxins out of the plastic, storing that plastic residual in their breast tissue. That's a big issue.” [00:01]. This highlights the vulnerability of women to contaminants leached from plastic bottles, which are exacerbated by the body's interaction with pure water acting as a universal solvent.
Functional water, as introduced by Ken, transcends traditional hydration by offering medical-grade water that genuinely benefits health. He clarifies, “It's nanopure. And you have to bottle nanopure water in glass because it'll leach the water.” [01:11]. Unlike conventional bottled water, Ofora's functional water is designed to maintain purity without introducing microplastics or other contaminants.
Ken passionately discusses the myriad health benefits of Ofora’s functional water. Key attributes include:
He shares his personal experience, “I run circles around most of my younger staff…” [06:41], attributing his exceptional health and high oxygen saturation levels to his daily consumption of Ofora’s water.
Ofora not only provides premium bottled water but also offers advanced water filtration systems for home use. Ken elaborates on two main systems:
He underscores the necessity of these systems by stating, “Most of the problems are from bathing and showering.” [02:55], highlighting that 80% of pollutants contact the body through skin exposure.
A pivotal discussion revolves around the concept of oxygen saturation as a key indicator of health. Ken explains, “A good overall indication of your health is your oxygen saturation. So most people, you want to be 95% saturated at least… I run 100% all the time.” [06:30]. He attributes his remarkable health and resistance to illness to the hyper-oxygenated water he consumes and the daily use of hyper-oxygenated hot tubs, which he believes can even reverse aging [06:56].
Addressing environmental and health concerns, Ken advocates for packaging functional water in glass or stainless steel rather than plastic to prevent leaching of toxins. He remarks, “Glass, stainless, just, you know, stay away from plastic.” [17:50]. This commitment to non-leaching materials ensures the purity and safety of the water.
Ken offers a scathing critique of municipal tap water, exposing its inadequacies in removing contaminants like pharmaceuticals and microplastics. He states, “Municipalities are doing the best they can with the tools they have, but they just, they're unable to remove all these forever chemicals…” [09:12]. Additionally, he highlights environmental issues affecting groundwater quality in regions like Hawaii, linking high cancer rates to pesticide pollution in the soil and water [13:08].
Expanding on water purification beyond drinking, Ken introduces Ofora’s chlorine-free swimming pool and spa systems. He points out the dangers of chlorinated water, including the formation of carcinogenic chloramines from chlorinated municipal water [04:43]. Ofora’s systems utilize 35% food-grade hydrogen peroxide, coupled with UV and ozone treatments, to create a safer, healthier bathing environment [05:28]. Ken’s first patent in college was for a chlorine-free swimming pool system, showcasing his long-term dedication to healthier water solutions [05:25].
Ofora’s products are primarily available online, with a 10% discount incentive for online purchases [11:16]. Additionally, Ofora is stocked in specialty markets such as Sprouts, Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres, and select Air1 stores. Ken notes, “We're in specialty markets, like, like special Air1 stores around the country… higher end markets.” [11:44], making the products accessible to health-conscious consumers willing to invest in quality.
In concluding the conversation, Ken reiterates the paramount importance of water quality for overall health, emphasizing that “We're 70% water. If you dehydrate our brains the size of a walnut. So our brain is mostly water. It does matter.” [19:58]. Sean Kelly and Ken Gawain agree on the transformative impact of functional water, urging listeners to prioritize their hydration sources to achieve optimal health and prevent disease.
Notable Quotes:
This episode of Digital Social Hour provides a comprehensive look into the critical issue of water quality and the innovative solutions offered by Ofora. Ken Gawain's expertise and passion illuminate the profound impact that functional water can have on personal health and well-being, making a compelling case for consumers to reconsider their hydration choices.