Young and Profiting with Hala Taha: Episode E357 — Nick Bare: The Mindset That Built a Multi-Million-Dollar Business

Release Date: June 30, 2025
Host: Hala Taha
Guest: Nick Bare, Founder of Bear Performance Nutrition (BPN)
Categories: Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing

Introduction

In Episode E357 of "Young and Profiting with Hala Taha," esteemed entrepreneur and marketing expert Hala Taha sits down with Nick Bare, the resilient founder of Bear Performance Nutrition (BPN). Nick shares his inspiring journey from military service to building a multi-million-dollar nutrition brand, offering profound insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal development.

Nick Bare’s Journey: From Military to Entrepreneurship

[00:22 - 07:11]

Nick Bare begins by recounting his early life in central Pennsylvania and his initial aspiration to join the army. Faced with his mother's advice to pursue higher education, he secured an Army ROTC scholarship and attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he studied nutrition. Nick's passion for bodybuilding and sports nutrition fueled his entrepreneurial spirit even while enrolled in the military.

Nick Bare [00:22]: "We all have these curiosities that curiosity will always be a curiosity if you don't have the courage to take action."

Nick's first foray into business began in college when he took out a $20,000 pre-commissioning loan to start BPN. Despite humble beginnings—packing orders from his apartment and achieving $20,000 in revenue each of the first three years—Nick's determination never wavered.

Building Bear Performance Nutrition (BPN)

[08:06 - 21:42]

After graduating and actively serving in the Army, Nick's entrepreneurial journey faced significant challenges, including limited time due to deployments and financial constraints. In 2014, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, Nick invested his remaining $500 into a Canon T3 camera and began documenting his life and business on YouTube. This decision was pivotal, leading to increased brand awareness through authentic storytelling.

Nick Bare [21:42]: "We didn't have brand awareness so we had supply but we had no awareness."

Despite early struggles with brand identity and inconsistent revenue, Nick emphasizes the importance of authentic content and consistent effort. By 2017, BPN hit the seven-figure mark, overcoming cash flow issues through creative solutions and relentless dedication.

Overcoming Challenges and Scaling the Business

[21:42 - 36:15]

Nick reflects on the financial hardships of scaling BPN, including managing inventory without sufficient cash flow and the struggle of running a 6,000 square foot warehouse. He highlights the critical role of organic content and storytelling in driving sales and building a loyal customer base.

Nick Bare [31:32]: "We just leaned in harder to organic content. We had the laptop to edit, I had the camera to film. It was just man hours now of filming, editing, creating, uploading."

A significant turning point came in 2024 when BPN decided to narrow its focus to "performance endurance for the committed." This strategic pivot eliminated the confusion of catering to everyone and solidified BPN's brand identity, leading to exponential growth.

Leadership and Building a Legacy Brand

[36:15 - 57:00]

Nick delves into his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the distinction between being a good leader versus a good manager. He implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to streamline operations and foster a strong team culture. By maintaining an in-house team in Round Rock, Texas, BPN ensures unified vision and dedication.

Nick Bare [12:58]: "If you have the wrong people on the team, it's going to be really hard to scale and succeed."

Nick also shares insights from his interactions with Ben Francis, CEO of Gymshark, highlighting the importance of brand, product, and people in building a successful business. Under his leadership, BPN focuses on maintaining a strong culture that prioritizes purpose, ethics, and mutual respect.

The "Go One More" Philosophy

[57:00 - 75:14]

Central to Nick's ethos is the "Go One More" philosophy, which transcends mere persistence. Initially an action-oriented mantra—push an extra mile, lift one more rep—Nick evolved it into an outcome-focused mindset. His upcoming book, "Go One More," explores this concept in depth, illustrating how intentional decisions can significantly impact one's trajectory.

Nick Bare [59:28]: "Go One More is not actually just an action that is part of it, but it's this outcome that we can achieve and experience when we are very intentional with the decisions we're making."

Nick recounts personal anecdotes, including overcoming doubts during his first sub-3-hour marathon attempt by shifting his motivation from proving others wrong to self-improvement. This shift underscores the essence of "Go One More" as a framework for intentional growth and resilience.

Nutrition and Health Insights

[75:14 - 77:30]

The conversation seamlessly transitions into nutrition, with Nick advocating for a balanced diet tailored to individual needs. He emphasizes the importance of macronutrients—proteins, fats, and carbohydrates—and dispels myths surrounding supplements like creatine.

Nick Bare [59:45]: "Creatine has so many different benefits. Not from just power output and muscular development and muscular endurance, but there's also studies now showing the benefits for mental processing and mental acuity."

Nick recommends foundational supplements such as whey protein, multivitamins, fish oil, and creatine monohydrate, while also addressing common nutritional mistakes like succumbing to contradictory dietary information. He encourages meal prepping and mindful eating to support both physical and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Practical Q&A: Supplementing Entrepreneurial Challenges

[77:30 - 81:08]

In an engaging segment titled "Supplement This," Nick offers actionable solutions to common entrepreneurial challenges through metaphorical "supplements":

1. Fear to Launch:

   Nick Bare [68:49]: "I believe courage is the answer to many of life's problems. Apply courage in action."

2. Imposter Syndrome:

   Nick Bare [69:22]: "Just be okay with being an imposter and the new person. Be vulnerable and ask for help."

3. Stagnant Business Growth:

   Nick Bare [73:06]: "Identify that you are responsible, take accountability. Embrace change as an opportunity."

4. Lack of Energy:

   Nick Bare [73:24]: "Ensure you are passionate about what you do. If not, pivot or change your mindset."

Vision for the Future and Legacy Building

[75:20 - 81:13]

Nick outlines BPN's ambitious 10-year vision, aiming to become the most respected endurance consumer brand globally by 2035. This vision aligns with the core values of brand integrity, product excellence, and dedicated people.

Nick Bare [75:23]: "We want to be known as the Nike or Apple of endurance performance."

He emphasizes that building a legacy involves intentional decision-making and consistent alignment with long-term goals. Nick encourages entrepreneurs to focus on storytelling and brand building as foundational elements for sustained profitability.

Nick Bare [78:45]: "Building a brand through storytelling and connecting with an audience is extremely powerful and beneficial."

Closing Insights and Takeaways

[81:08 - End]

Hala Taha wraps up the episode by highlighting Nick Bare's emphasis on consistency over occasional greatness and the profound impact of the "Go One More" mindset. She challenges listeners to identify their own "one more moment" to push beyond their perceived limits.

Hala Taha: "What can you push a little bit further than you think you can?"

Nick encourages listeners to explore his extensive YouTube content for a comprehensive view of his journey and to look forward to his book, "Go One More," set to release on June 24, 2025.

Key Quotes

• Nick Bare [00:22]: "We all have these curiosities that curiosity will always be a curiosity if you don't have the courage to take action."
• Nick Bare [21:42]: "We didn't have brand awareness so we had supply but we had no awareness."
• Nick Bare [12:58]: "If you have the wrong people on the team, it's going to be really hard to scale and succeed."
• Nick Bare [59:45]: "Creatine has so many different benefits. Not from just power output and muscular development and muscular endurance, but there's also studies now showing the benefits for mental processing and mental acuity."
• Nick Bare [68:49]: "I believe courage is the answer to many of life's problems. Apply courage in action."
• Nick Bare [73:14]: "They took away from it, doesn't add to. And it's different from being obsessed."
• Nick Bare [78:45]: "Building a brand through storytelling and connecting with an audience is extremely powerful and beneficial."
• Hala Taha: "What can you push a little bit further than you think you can?"

Where to Learn More

• YouTube: Search "Nick Bare" for over a thousand documented videos.
• Website: bpnsupps.com
• Instagram: @NickBearFitness
• Book: "Go One More" — Available June 24, 2025

In Summary:
Nick Bare's episode on "Young and Profiting with Hala Taha" is a masterclass in resilience, strategic focus, and the power of consistent, intentional action. From overcoming early business struggles to defining a clear, enduring brand vision, Nick exemplifies what it means to build a lasting legacy. His insights into leadership, nutrition, and personal growth provide invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs aiming to profit not just financially, but in all aspects of life.