The Medical Doctor Who Co-Founded Optavia
The story of who started Optavia is primarily linked to Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen, often referred to simply as 'Dr. A'. A former critical care physician, Dr. Andersen’s experience in traditional 'sick-care' medicine led him to a transformative realization. He observed that conventional medical practices often treated the symptoms of chronic disease rather than addressing their root causes, which were frequently linked to poor lifestyle habits. This insight spurred him to pivot his career and focus on preventative health and lifestyle management.
Dr. Andersen co-founded Optavia to implement a new, holistic approach to weight management and overall wellness. He developed the 'Habits of Health Transformational System,' a proprietary framework that integrates six key areas: weight, eating and hydration, motion, sleep and energy management, mind, and surroundings. This system moved beyond simply providing meal replacements and introduced a coaching and community model to foster sustainable, long-term change. His books, such as Dr. A’s Habits of Health, serve as the foundational texts for the program's methodology.
The Evolution from Medifast to Optavia
To fully understand Optavia's origins, it's essential to recognize its parent company, Medifast, Inc. Medifast was founded in 1980 and initially focused on distributing proprietary meal replacements through a network of physicians. Over time, the company expanded its distribution channels and business model.
In the mid-2000s, Medifast launched its personal coaching division, called Take Shape For Life. This program was a precursor to Optavia, with a similar emphasis on coaching and meal replacement products. The company ultimately rebranded Take Shape For Life as Optavia in 2017. This rebranding was more than a simple name change; it solidified the emphasis on the Habits of Health system and the independent coaching model that Dr. Andersen had championed. The Optavia brand represents the modern, coach-guided, community-supported evolution of Medifast’s long-standing product offerings.
The Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) Model
One of the defining characteristics of Optavia's business structure is its multi-level marketing (MLM) framework. This model relies on a network of independent coaches who both sell products and recruit new coaches. This has been a source of both growth and controversy for the company and its predecessor, Take Shape For Life.
- Recruitment-based compensation: Coaches are incentivized to recruit others to join the network, earning commissions on the sales of their recruits.
- Tiered structure: The system creates a hierarchy where a few individuals at the top can earn significant income, while the majority of coaches, particularly those at the bottom, earn very little after considering their startup costs.
- Potential for ethical questions: The heavy emphasis on recruitment and product sales by non-medical professionals has led to criticism and comparisons to pyramid schemes.
Comparing Optavia's Evolution: Medifast vs. Optavia
To highlight the key differences and connections, here is a comparison table outlining the evolution from Medifast to the modern Optavia brand.
| Feature | Medifast (Early Years) | Optavia (Post-2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution Model | Primarily through a network of physicians and medical professionals. | Multi-level marketing (MLM) model with independent coaches. |
| Foundational Focus | Clinical weight loss using proprietary meal replacements. | Holistic 'Habits of Health' approach, guided by Dr. Andersen. |
| Support System | Little to no personal coaching; relied on physician oversight. | Individual coaching provided by independent (often unaccredited) coaches. |
| Key Product | Medifast meal replacements. | 'Fuelings' (the updated name for Medifast meal replacements). |
| Parent Company | Standalone brand under Medifast, Inc.. | Primary brand and coaching arm of Medifast, Inc.. |
| Marketing Strategy | Focus on medically supervised weight loss. | Emphasis on 'lifelong transformation' and community support. |
The Role of Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen Today
Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen remains a key figure within the Optavia community. He continues to serve as an independent coach and a leading voice for the company's methodology. He is a New York Times bestselling author and regularly speaks at company events. His continued involvement ensures that the Habits of Health system remains at the core of the Optavia program, providing a theoretical framework for its coaches and customers.
Conclusion
Optavia's inception is a story of evolution, from the physician-focused Medifast brand of the 1980s to the modern, coaching-centric, and community-driven system of today. While Medifast provided the initial product foundation, it was Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen who provided the ideological framework and holistic vision for what would become Optavia. By developing the Habits of Health system, he shifted the focus from short-term dieting to long-term lifestyle transformation. Today, Optavia continues to operate with its unique MLM-based coaching model, carrying forward the principles laid out by Dr. Andersen decades ago. Discover Your Optimal Health is a good resource for exploring Dr. A's core philosophy.
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen is the co-founder: Dr. Andersen developed the core 'Habits of Health' philosophy that defines the Optavia system, moving beyond traditional weight loss to focus on holistic wellness.
- Medifast is the parent company: Optavia is a modern brand of Medifast, Inc., which was founded in 1980 and initially sold meal replacements through doctors.
- Coaching is a central element: The program is built around a network of independent coaches, many of whom are former clients, who guide new users through the system.
- MLM model has faced scrutiny: The multi-level marketing structure, where coaches earn money by recruiting others, has prompted comparisons to pyramid schemes.
- Evolution from Take Shape For Life: Before becoming Optavia in 2017, the coaching arm of Medifast was known as Take Shape For Life.
- Long-term lifestyle focus: The program emphasizes creating sustainable, long-term healthy habits related to weight, eating, motion, sleep, mind, and environment.
FAQs
Question: Is Optavia owned by Medifast? Answer: Yes, Optavia is the premier brand and coaching division of Medifast, Inc., a publicly traded health and wellness company. Medifast created Optavia in 2017 to solidify its shift towards a coach-guided, habit-based lifestyle solution.
Question: Who is Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen? Answer: Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen is a co-founder of Optavia and a former critical care physician. He is the developer of the 'Habits of Health Transformational System' and a best-selling author. His career transition was driven by a desire to focus on preventative health rather than treating existing diseases.
Question: What is the 'Habits of Health' system? Answer: The Habits of Health system is a transformational framework created by Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen. It is designed to help individuals create sustainable health by addressing six core areas: healthy weight, eating, motion, sleep, mind, and surroundings.
Question: How is Optavia different from the original Medifast? Answer: The original Medifast was primarily focused on providing meal replacement products through medical professionals. Optavia, while using similar 'fuelings' (the updated product name), emphasizes a comprehensive system of coaching, community support, and the Habits of Health philosophy.
Question: Is Optavia a pyramid scheme? Answer: Optavia operates as a multi-level marketing (MLM) company, which has led to accusations of being a pyramid scheme. While the company maintains that it is a legitimate direct-selling business, critics point to the fact that coaches can earn significant income from recruiting other coaches, rather than just from selling products.
Question: What happened to the Take Shape For Life program? Answer: Take Shape For Life was the personal coaching division of Medifast that preceded Optavia. The company rebranded Take Shape For Life as Optavia in 2017, evolving the brand to center more prominently on the Habits of Health system.
Question: What are 'fuelings' in the Optavia program? Answer: 'Fuelings' are the brand name for Optavia's line of pre-packaged, portion-controlled meal replacements. These products are designed to be used in conjunction with the Optavia weight loss plans and the Habits of Health system.
