Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kris Fedeli. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kris, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for FORYA® was born out of a personal struggle and a broader observation. I was running a successful fitness business in Virginia, engaging with around 100 clients daily in a personalized group setting. I was fueled by my love for the fitness industry and my degree in exercise science, but my energy was rapidly depleting. I would finish the day with optical migraines and total exhaustion. It was then that I asked myself: “How can I continue helping people improve their health without having to be physically present all of the time?”

As I delved deeper, I noticed a significant gap in the supplement market. People, including my clients, were seeking energy boosters but were often falling into traps set by flashy marketing campaigns of companies selling products loaded with high caffeine, sugar, and unpronounceable chemicals. The detrimental health effects of these products deeply troubled me.

I was particularly drawn to the shot category (4oz or less), not the larger 8oz drinks. In my vision, I saw an opportunity to craft a product that not only energizes but also genuinely supports health – without the accompanying crash or harmful ingredients common in existing products.

This vision took shape during a challenging period, as my wife and I were experiencing difficulties in our journey to start a family, and my fitness business was transitioning due to a buyout. Regardless, I was compelled to act. I knew in my gut that FORYA® was not only a worthwhile endeavor but a necessary one. This drive to create a truly health-positive product that supports various aspects of wellness, from energy, immunity, muscles, bones and joint health, without artificial or harmful additives, became my mission – and thus, FORYA® was born.

Kris, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello, I’m Kris Fedeli, co-founder of FORYA®. My journey began in the fitness industry, where I spent a significant portion of my life, fueled by my degree in exercise science and love for helping others overcome their hurdles and accomplish their goals. For a decade, I operated a successful fitness business in Virginia, working hands-on with around 100 clients per day. While rewarding, this path became physically taxing, leading me to seek ways to empower people to improve their health beyond the confines of a gym.

That observation and personal exhaustion led to the birth of FORYA®, an all-in-one dietary supplement shot. We offer a premium, unique, carefully formulated 4oz shot designed to promote comprehensive health — boosting energy, supporting the immune system, muscles, bones, joints, and offering anti-inflammatory benefits, all while using clean, natural ingredients.

What sets FORYA® apart is our uncompromising commitment to health and transparency. We’ve prioritized a formula free of artificial sweeteners, colorings, and flavorings, making a product that stands in stark contrast to the misleading options flooding the market.

I am most proud of our unwavering dedication to making a positive, tangible difference in people’s lives without compromising their long-term health. Every step, from concept to product launch, was taken with our customers’ well-being as the focal point.

What I want potential customers, followers, and supporters to know is that FORYA® is more than just a supplement; it’s a statement that your health should never come second. It is your partner in pursuing a vibrant, energetic, and healthful life, every single day.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

This is quite the serendipitous story. After having the idea and action plans, I now needed capital and a partner who was well versed in business but more importantly someone I’d want to work with on this.

Not knowing at the time where I was going to find this person or unicorn, my wife and I received a strange string of phone calls, voicemails and text messages from our financial advisor. Unless something was extremely urgent this kind of reach out seemed a little aggressive. Needless to say we scheduled a meeting and it literally was just our typical meeting, nothing urgent.

In the meeting as we were talking, I felt the need to tell her what I REALLY wanted to do and that was to quit
my job and start a supplement company and ultimately create a special, one of a kind product. I went on to tell her some of the ins and outs of my idea. She seemed intrigued and said “I think I have someone you might want to talk to.”

She is a very ambitious person and at that moment called one of her connections/clients, Tony Bambocci. Not only did she call, she put the phone on speaker and placed it in the middle of the oversized table. As the phone rang, I had no clue what to expect. Tony answered and I basically gave him my on the spot, awkward, I don’t know you 30 second elevator pitch.

Turns out Tony used to have a product (flavored sparkling water) with a group of doctors that sold around Pa. I couldn’t believe the coincidence. Not only that, he lived on the same street roughly six houses away from where I grew up as a kid in Altoona, Pa.

Tony and I had a phone conversation a week or so later that I’ll never forget. I pitched him my full idea and what I needed. He, without hesitation said “I’m in.” I can’t tell you the electricity that went through my body when I heard those words, but it was from head to toe a jolt of energy.

Cut to seven years later (2023), we’ve been partners and great friends ever since determined to make a giant impact.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Since this product was so unique and addressed several pilers of health, it needed to have a good name. I could not get The fountain of youth out of my head. After tossing around a few ideas, my step mom said “why not call it Foya?” Which is basically an acronym. We went with the name and took it all the way to the USPTO.

As we waited months for an approval, we began some design work with a few professionals. We ended up getting to the very last day for approval and received an email from an attorney representing GOYA Foods. The lawsuit was claiming that our name was problematic, because it was too similar to their name. Because they have a product listed in the energy drink category, we had to pivot and change our name.

After some back-and-forth with their attorneys and our attorneys, which took around six months and was a significant and frustrating delay, Tony and I came up with FORYA® which in the end, worked out better than we could’ve hoped.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.foryalife.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/_foryalife_?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foryalife?mibextid=D4KYlr

Image Credits
Photographer: https://amandabriscophotography.com/ Cyclist: Gayle Connell Instagram – https://instagram.com/gayleconnell?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==