GOLO's Ownership: The Founders and Company
The GOLO diet is the flagship program of GOLO, LLC, a privately held health and wellness company established in 2009. The organization is headquartered in Newark, Delaware, and was co-founded by two key figures: Jennifer Brooks and Chris Lundin. Together, they created a business model centered on improving metabolic health through a combination of a proprietary dietary supplement and a food plan.
The Vision of Jennifer Brooks
Jennifer Brooks is the President and a co-founder of GOLO. A board-certified holistic nutritionist with degrees in culinary arts and mind-body transformational psychology, Brooks' unique background heavily influences the GOLO philosophy. Her approach emphasizes that weight management is about more than just numbers on a scale; it involves sustainable lifestyle changes centered on good nutrition and understanding the science behind food. Her mission was to move beyond traditional crash diets and empower individuals with nutritional knowledge. Brooks and her team developed the 'GOLO for Life' plan to focus on food as a way to fuel the metabolism rather than simply restricting calories.
The Leadership of Chris Lundin
As CEO and co-founder, Chris Lundin brings a wealth of business and marketing expertise to GOLO. His experience spans over 35 years and includes leadership roles in international sales and marketing for various health and wellness products. Lundin's business acumen has been instrumental in scaling GOLO's reach, notably through aggressive television marketing campaigns that significantly boosted brand recognition, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is responsible for the company's overall strategic direction, business development, and commercial success.
The History and Growth of GOLO, LLC
Founded in 2009, GOLO, LLC was created with the goal of finding a more effective and natural solution to weight loss, focusing on addressing insulin resistance. The company was developed by a team of doctors, pharmacists, and researchers who believed that metabolic dysfunction was a primary obstacle to weight management. The company's key offerings include the 'GOLO for Life' food plan and the Release dietary supplement.
Timeline of GOLO's development:
- 2009: GOLO, LLC is founded by Jennifer Brooks and Chris Lundin in Newark, Delaware.
- 2012: The company secures its first round of funding.
- 2016: GOLO raises Series A funding.
- 2020-2021: A robust TV marketing campaign, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, greatly increases brand visibility and market share.
- 2023: GOLO announces the opening of new corporate headquarters in Newark, DE.
- 2024: The company expands its product line to include frozen, nutritionally balanced food items delivered directly to customers.
The GOLO Program and Its Components
The core of the GOLO program consists of a combination of dietary guidance and a patented supplement. To access the complete plan, customers are required to purchase the proprietary Release supplement.
GOLO's Core Offerings:
- The 'GOLO for Life' Plan: A healthy eating program that emphasizes consuming whole, unprocessed foods. It focuses on balancing food groups and portion control rather than strict calorie counting. The plan aims to support healthy insulin levels and improve metabolic function.
- The Release Supplement: A patented, proprietary blend of seven plant-based ingredients and three essential minerals, including magnesium, zinc, and chromium. GOLO claims the supplement helps to optimize metabolism, reduce cravings, and reverse insulin resistance.
- Online Resources: Membership includes access to a variety of online tools such as meal plans, health assessments, coaching, and a supportive online community.
GOLO Diet vs. Traditional Calorie-Restricted Diets
| Feature | GOLO Diet | Traditional Calorie-Restricted Diets | Core Philosophy | Focuses on managing insulin levels and improving metabolic health through whole foods and supplements. | Primarily focuses on creating a caloric deficit by consuming fewer calories than expended. | Required Product | Requires the purchase of the proprietary Release supplement to access the full plan and resources. | No specific product purchase is required; the focus is on caloric intake from any food source. | Food Emphasis | Encourages consumption of whole, nutrient-dense foods while discouraging processed foods and refined sugars. | Caloric restriction can be achieved with any type of food, potentially allowing for less nutritious, processed options within calorie limits. | Cost | Can be expensive due to the required purchase of the Release supplement, which costs approximately $60 per month. | Can be low-cost, as it doesn't require purchasing any specific products beyond normal groceries. | Sustainability | Marketed as a sustainable, long-term lifestyle approach, but depends on continued use of supplements. | Many are difficult to sustain long-term due to extreme calorie restriction and potential for nutritional deficiencies. |
Conclusion: The Business of GOLO
The GOLO diet is not a single diet plan but a comprehensive, commercial weight management program sold by a company named GOLO, LLC. Its ownership traces back to its co-founders, Jennifer Brooks and Chris Lundin, who established the company in 2009 with a team of medical and pharmacological experts. The company's business model is built on selling its proprietary Release dietary supplement and offering access to a supportive food plan and online community. As a privately held company, GOLO, LLC, maintains control over its products and marketing, emphasizing its focus on metabolic health and insulin management as a differentiating factor from traditional weight loss methods. While proponents cite its effectiveness and success stories, critics point to the reliance on a non-FDA-regulated supplement and the potential for a restrictive low-calorie intake for certain individuals. Consumers interested in the GOLO plan should understand both the business behind the product and the scientific claims, consulting a healthcare professional before beginning. For more information on GOLO's approach, their website offers additional details: GOLO For Life® - About Us Page | Health And Wellness.
