A neuroscientist’s journey from academic research to creating ketone-based products that improve lives.
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Show Notes:
In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres talks with Csilla Ari D’Agostino, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Audacious Nutrition. Dr. D’Agostino shares her inspiring journey from studying ketones in a research lab to building a company that brings cutting-edge nutrition science directly to consumers.
About Csilla Ari D`Agostino, Ph.D.
Csilla Ari D’Agostino, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist and founder of Audacious Nutrition. She serves as a Research Assistant Professor in Psychology at the University of South Florida, where her work centers on metabolic therapies and neuroprotection—especially by using ketone supplementation and hyperbaric oxygen—and human performance in extreme environments. In 2019 she was selected by NASA to be a crew member of the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operation (NEEMO). As an aquanaut at Aquarius Reef Base, she led research studies on cognitive and physiological adaptation during space simulation, saturation missions. At Audacious Nutrition, Dr. Ari D’Agostino leads science and product strategy, translating peer-reviewed research into clean, evidence-informed formulations that support brain and metabolic health.
About Audacious Nutrition
The Audacious products were developed by a Ph.D. neuroscientist, the formulations are backed by the latest science that is built on strong foundations to bring you the natural energy booster. With decades of experience in academic research and numerous patents behind her on how to improve human potential, she is dedicated to make the science based products available to those who need it. She also believes that these high quality products should be made accessible to everyone in an affordable way who are on the path of health optimization.
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Full Unedited Transcript
Hey, I’d like to welcome you to another episode of Mission Matters. My name is Adam Torres, and if you’d like to apply to be a guest in the show, just head on over to mission matters.com and click on Be Our Guest to Apply. All right, so today I am at healthspan Summit. Let me tell you something. This has been an amazing multi-day event.
Elias and his team did quite a job in, uh, putting this on, and it was huge. If you haven’t been to one of these, you better be here next year and my next guest is Chilla. Chila, welcome to the show. Thank you so much for having me. Alright, so, um, first off, I know we’re at the tail end of the event now, multi-day event.
Um, first off, h how did you get involved with either, like, how’d you meet Elias or the, the event health span? Like, where’d all that begin for you? I think it was about one and a half, two years ago when I was at another event, uh, where, uh, Elias was mm-hmm. Uh, a part of the conference and we just connected, we started talking.
Uh, I think, uh, I was just there, uh, yeah. To, to experience the conference. Not even with my company. Uh, and uh, we just started talking and he mentioned, so is, so is this your first health span summit then, like attending or, yes. The first health span. Well, what’d you think? What’d you think as a newbie? A new attendee?
What’d you think? It was great. Yeah, absolutely. A great presentations and a lot of different activities. Mm-hmm. A lot of different things that you can try and experience. What was one of your favorite parts? Ooh. Uh, I like the vitality zone at the rooftop. Open air things, uh, different mustache devices and, and different equipment.
Yeah. To, to try. That was, that was fun. So let, let’s spend some time here talking about your company. So first off, um, let, let’s get into your company and how you started it. Yeah. So actually I’m a, I’m a neuroscientist, I’m a research assistant professor at the University of South Florida. Mm-hmm. And, uh, I started researching ketones about 15 years ago.
Mm. Uh, when I joined a project on, uh, central nervous system oxygen toxicity mm-hmm. That navy divers get, uh, when they breed a hundred. Percent oxygen underwater under pressure. Mm-hmm. And, uh, so we started to, to, to do studies to find out what can we do to predict and, and prevent these seizures. Mm-hmm.
And that’s how we started, um, uh, testing different ketone molecules, uh, for this specific application. Mm. And after that I realized that there is so much more potential in these molecules that, yeah. I started studying other applications too. Uh. Uh, what we can do with these molecules. And so as a researcher, what, uh, was there a certain point when you thought about, like, this could be used for applications and products, or did you automatically know that you were gonna be kind of going down the entrepreneurial route with this?
Or like, like how did all that happen? No, absolutely. I feel like there’s a story in that. Yeah. Yeah. So I, I was primarily a researcher. I, I did a lot of different. Uh, studies and different aspects and applications of these molecules. And over the years, of course, not just us, but so many other researchers are studying these molecules and just seeing all the, all the health benefit that, that these molecule molecules can do.
I just became frustrated. Mm-hmm. Uh, because I felt that I want to eat these molecules and I knew that so many people would need them. Yeah. And I just. Didn’t see anything on the market that we thought was, was optimally formulated. So at the time, um, after. Being frustrated for a couple years. Yeah. The university basically, uh, put me into this program that the government, uh, created the program.
They realized they put a lot of money into academic research. Mm-hmm. A lot of good science coming out, but nothing gets back to the public. Mm-hmm. So the government, uh, created this program that they started. Uh, teaching academic scientists how to start companies. Wow. And how to create products. So the benefits go back to, to the public.
So I don’t, I’m not always a fan of everything the government does. Sometimes we do some wasteful things, whatever, and I say we, ’cause I’m, I’m, I’m, I’m not, I don’t work for the government, but I’m part of this system. Of, of the United States. Um, but that just makes sense. Yeah. It’s, it’s a pretty good idea.
So as a scientist, I didn’t know anything about business, like some of the people, but, but you didn’t have to go out like alone and just figure it out. You had some assistance and understanding, right? Well, that was the beginning Yeah. Of my journey that I realized that Okay, I can, and I should go into, yeah.
Trying to figure out the business part of it. Uh, and so that was the start of. My, my company and my journey. So then what? So what do you do? So you’re going, and obviously it doesn’t mean everything’s easy at that point, it just means that now, but at least you had a fundamental, some understanding of business now, right?
Uh, very fundamental. Yeah. Of course, of course. Very basic. Yes. But it’s better than what you walked into with. Right? Yes, definitely. So that’s, that’s that. That’s neat. Without that, then, that, you know what I mean, it’s harder. Yeah, yeah, definitely. So then where do you go from there? So, ta take me through this journey.
So now you have a, a very basic level of understanding, like what it, what was it like to create the product? It was a lot of difficult steps to, to go through. Well, luckily I had a friend. It’s hard to make a physical product. Yeah, I, I had a friend who’s very experienced business owner and basically he helped me walk through how to create the business, how to create the product, and I was very picky, so I had a very strict.
Requirements. Yeah. How I wanted to create these products in terms of quality, the ingredients, the manufacturing, everything. So it took a long time until I found all the parts. How long was that? Like if you were to say like that? Um, about one and a half, almost two years. Yeah. So I could have cut corners, of course, did everything in a couple weeks.
Wow. But I had like standards that I didn’t want to compromise on to make sure that the product is going to be the quality that I’m. I’m, I’m happy to stand behind. Yeah. And so, so talk to me about where you’re at today with the product and with the company. Yeah. So I started the company, uh, four and a half years ago mm-hmm.
With two products. Yeah. And, and the products were very, very successful. Mm-hmm. And since then, I started, um, and launching new products. Mm-hmm. Uh. Primarily, uh, because I want to make sure that it’s easy for people to, to incorporate this product into the daily routine. Yeah. So it’s not just a one kind of solution.
Mm-hmm. But different versions and, and I know people like different things. Yeah. Yeah. So everybody should be able to find the version and formulation that. They like, it’s easy for them to take. So it can be a long term journey that, that they don’t give up on it. And it’s, it actually shows too that um, um, approximately 60 or 70% of my customers are return customers.
Wow. That says a lot’s a big, that’s a big subscription, like re repurchase rate. Yes. Um, so go into some of the specifics of the products and what they’re used for. Yeah. So, uh, the first two products are like a very basic, a very potent formulation of the keto molecule that mm-hmm. We studied And what are their names?
Yeah, so like, what’s available is what I’m trying to get at. Yeah. So, so the product name is Keto Start and Keto Start Plus. Mm-hmm. One without caffeine one. With added caffeine. Mm-hmm. Because some people like the added caffeine Yeah. For like, for example, athletes for extra boost of energy, but most people just don’t want caffeine and, and they have the option too.
Mm-hmm. And both products, uh, contain, uh, the DL be high hydroxy rate, uh, ketone molecules, so. That’s one of the, the unique thing about my products that I use both versions of the BHB molecule because both have, uh, different benefits and additional benefits. So I’m using both. Um, and so after, uh, so they, they have, uh, different flavor, tropical flavor and, and lemonade flavor.
Mm-hmm. And after that, um, I. Was thinking how to, how to create other products that, yeah, that it’s easy to incorporate. And I personally used the lemonade flavor one because I like that a lot. Yeah. And, but over time I started to get bored of the taste and I started to put into my morning tea. Yeah. And I’m like, Hmm, why don’t I just make a tea version of this with the lemonade flavor?
So this is how I started creating the next. Product basically I, I made like an instant tea. Oh, interesting. Ketones. Yeah. And an electrolytes. So that’s also, um, an additional benefit of the product is that all of them has additional electrolytes. Mm-hmm. Uh, so you basically get a ketones supplement and electrolytes supplement together.
And so, uh, I created the instant tea version and my husband is a big, uh, coffee drinker, so I’m like, if I can make instant tea, I can make instant coffee. So yeah, I was, I thought I knew you were going with that. Yeah. Yeah. So I, that was the next, uh, instant coffee with the ketones and electrolytes. And, um, after that, uh, I was thinking.
I really like sweets and chocolate. So I basically created a, a product with cocoa. Cocoa powder, chocolate with the ketones and electrolytes. Ah, that turned out to be a big favorite. For many, many of my customers. Mm-hmm. I, I literally just sold out. I’m waiting for the new, new batch to come in, uh, because that’s, that’s very easy to, to eat and like I, I personally like to mix it with sour cream, for example, put it in the fridge and it’s like chocolate moss.
Oh, wow. So you can eat it, but you can drink it too. You can just mix it with either water or, or milk and just drink it. In the evening mm-hmm. Or something like that. So, um, yeah. And then the newest, uh, product that I had mm-hmm. That I just launched a couple of weeks ago. It’s, uh, actually for dogs. So the first ke keone That’s awesome.
Supplements for dogs. And the, again, the idea came from personal life, that we have two dogs that we love. Very, very much. Yeah. Yeah. And of course we want them to live long and healthy life the same way. Like we wanna live a long, healthy life. So, um. Basically, it was in my head throughout the years that they should be getting this molecule too, with so many health benefits.
So I, I created and, and launched a product for, for dogs too. Oh my gosh. That’s an amazing story. What’s your vision for the, for the company going forward? Like, tell me about some of the vision, um, going forward. So, uh, I have a couple more ideas for, for more products. Just to, again, the purpose is to make it easy.
Mm-hmm. To, to incorporate. And the other important thing when I am, I’m creating these products mm-hmm. Is to, to make sure that they taste good. Mm-hmm. So, um, I know that many, many people struggle that if they want to elevate their Keaton levels, the products on the market. Like, usually they don’t taste good.
Yeah. So they don’t like either get nauseous or, or diarrhea or, or all kinds of, uh, side effects. So I wanted to make sure that, that these products are all like enjoyable. Mm-hmm. And people like of course, like to consume it. So, because if they don’t like it, they’re not gonna continue. Right? Yeah. It’s just, yeah.
So, uh, even if they know that it’s good for their health mm-hmm. For various reasons, it’s, it’s, it’s hard to, to stick to it long term. So, so that was another very important factor. And, and along this line, I am, I’m trying to bring more products to the market that, again, taste good. Enjoyable. Yeah. And, and still you get the benefit of, of this, this molecule that, that can help your health.
Amazing. Well, Chila, this has been great having you on the show today and learning more about you, your business, the journey. Um, last thing I want you to do, look into the camera. Um, how can people follow up? How can they pick up some, some product? How can they learn more? Yes, uh, you can find a lot of information on our website.
It’s, uh, audacious nutrition.com. Mm-hmm. And, uh, I recommend to sign up for our newsletter because we always have deals and discounts, seasonal sales and, uh, product launches. So it’s, it’s, uh, a, a good information if you sign up for the newsletter. Uh, some of the products are available on Amazon, not all of them yet.
Uh, and some of the products are also available in Lazy Acres stores here in uh, California. And hopefully we are going to expand more. Amazing. And for everybody at home, just so you know, we’ll definitely put some links in the show notes. So you can just click on the links and head right on over and, uh, grab some product.
And speaking of the audience, if this is your first time with Mission Matters and you haven’t done it yet, hit that subscribe or follow button. This is a daily show. Each and every day we’re bringing you new content, new ideas, and hopefully. New inspiration to help you along the way on your journey as well.
So again, hit that subscribe or follow button. And Sheila, thank you so much for coming on the show. It’s been a pleasure. Thank you for having me. Hey, I’d like to welcome you to another episode of Mission Matters. My name is Adam Torres, and if you’d like to apply to be a guest in the show, just head on over to mission matters.com and click on Be Our Guest to Apply. All right, so today I am at healthspan Summit. Let me tell you something. This has been an amazing multi-day event.
Elias and his team did quite a job in, uh, putting this on, and it was huge. If you haven’t been to one of these, you better be here next year and my next guest is Chilla. Chila, welcome to the show. Thank you so much for having me. Alright, so, um, first off, I know we’re at the tail end of the event now, multi-day event.
Um, first off, h how did you get involved with either, like, how’d you meet Elias or the, the event health span? Like, where’d all that begin for you? I think it was about one and a half, two years ago when I was at another event, uh, where, uh, Elias was mm-hmm. Uh, a part of the conference and we just connected, we started talking.
Uh, I think, uh, I was just there, uh, yeah. To, to experience the conference. Not even with my company. Uh, and uh, we just started talking and he mentioned, so is, so is this your first health span summit then, like attending or, yes. The first health span. Well, what’d you think? What’d you think as a newbie? A new attendee?
What’d you think? It was great. Yeah, absolutely. A great presentations and a lot of different activities. Mm-hmm. A lot of different things that you can try and experience. What was one of your favorite parts? Ooh. Uh, I like the vitality zone at the rooftop. Open air things, uh, different mustache devices and, and different equipment.
Yeah. To, to try. That was, that was fun. So let, let’s spend some time here talking about your company. So first off, um, let, let’s get into your company and how you started it. Yeah. So actually I’m a, I’m a neuroscientist, I’m a research assistant professor at the University of South Florida. Mm-hmm. And, uh, I started researching ketones about 15 years ago.
Mm. Uh, when I joined a project on, uh, central nervous system oxygen toxicity mm-hmm. That navy divers get, uh, when they breed a hundred. Percent oxygen underwater under pressure. Mm-hmm. And, uh, so we started to, to, to do studies to find out what can we do to predict and, and prevent these seizures. Mm-hmm.
And that’s how we started, um, uh, testing different ketone molecules, uh, for this specific application. Mm. And after that I realized that there is so much more potential in these molecules that, yeah. I started studying other applications too. Uh. Uh, what we can do with these molecules. And so as a researcher, what, uh, was there a certain point when you thought about, like, this could be used for applications and products, or did you automatically know that you were gonna be kind of going down the entrepreneurial route with this?
Or like, like how did all that happen? No, absolutely. I feel like there’s a story in that. Yeah. Yeah. So I, I was primarily a researcher. I, I did a lot of different. Uh, studies and different aspects and applications of these molecules. And over the years, of course, not just us, but so many other researchers are studying these molecules and just seeing all the, all the health benefit that, that these molecule molecules can do.
I just became frustrated. Mm-hmm. Uh, because I felt that I want to eat these molecules and I knew that so many people would need them. Yeah. And I just. Didn’t see anything on the market that we thought was, was optimally formulated. So at the time, um, after. Being frustrated for a couple years. Yeah. The university basically, uh, put me into this program that the government, uh, created the program.
They realized they put a lot of money into academic research. Mm-hmm. A lot of good science coming out, but nothing gets back to the public. Mm-hmm. So the government, uh, created this program that they started. Uh, teaching academic scientists how to start companies. Wow. And how to create products. So the benefits go back to, to the public.
So I don’t, I’m not always a fan of everything the government does. Sometimes we do some wasteful things, whatever, and I say we, ’cause I’m, I’m, I’m, I’m not, I don’t work for the government, but I’m part of this system. Of, of the United States. Um, but that just makes sense. Yeah. It’s, it’s a pretty good idea.
So as a scientist, I didn’t know anything about business, like some of the people, but, but you didn’t have to go out like alone and just figure it out. You had some assistance and understanding, right? Well, that was the beginning Yeah. Of my journey that I realized that Okay, I can, and I should go into, yeah.
Trying to figure out the business part of it. Uh, and so that was the start of. My, my company and my journey. So then what? So what do you do? So you’re going, and obviously it doesn’t mean everything’s easy at that point, it just means that now, but at least you had a fundamental, some understanding of business now, right?
Uh, very fundamental. Yeah. Of course, of course. Very basic. Yes. But it’s better than what you walked into with. Right? Yes, definitely. So that’s, that’s that. That’s neat. Without that, then, that, you know what I mean, it’s harder. Yeah, yeah, definitely. So then where do you go from there? So, ta take me through this journey.
So now you have a, a very basic level of understanding, like what it, what was it like to create the product? It was a lot of difficult steps to, to go through. Well, luckily I had a friend. It’s hard to make a physical product. Yeah, I, I had a friend who’s very experienced business owner and basically he helped me walk through how to create the business, how to create the product, and I was very picky, so I had a very strict.
Requirements. Yeah. How I wanted to create these products in terms of quality, the ingredients, the manufacturing, everything. So it took a long time until I found all the parts. How long was that? Like if you were to say like that? Um, about one and a half, almost two years. Yeah. So I could have cut corners, of course, did everything in a couple weeks.
Wow. But I had like standards that I didn’t want to compromise on to make sure that the product is going to be the quality that I’m. I’m, I’m happy to stand behind. Yeah. And so, so talk to me about where you’re at today with the product and with the company. Yeah. So I started the company, uh, four and a half years ago mm-hmm.
With two products. Yeah. And, and the products were very, very successful. Mm-hmm. And since then, I started, um, and launching new products. Mm-hmm. Uh. Primarily, uh, because I want to make sure that it’s easy for people to, to incorporate this product into the daily routine. Yeah. So it’s not just a one kind of solution.
Mm-hmm. But different versions and, and I know people like different things. Yeah. Yeah. So everybody should be able to find the version and formulation that. They like, it’s easy for them to take. So it can be a long term journey that, that they don’t give up on it. And it’s, it actually shows too that um, um, approximately 60 or 70% of my customers are return customers.
Wow. That says a lot’s a big, that’s a big subscription, like re repurchase rate. Yes. Um, so go into some of the specifics of the products and what they’re used for. Yeah. So, uh, the first two products are like a very basic, a very potent formulation of the keto molecule that mm-hmm. We studied And what are their names?
Yeah, so like, what’s available is what I’m trying to get at. Yeah. So, so the product name is Keto Start and Keto Start Plus. Mm-hmm. One without caffeine one. With added caffeine. Mm-hmm. Because some people like the added caffeine Yeah. For like, for example, athletes for extra boost of energy, but most people just don’t want caffeine and, and they have the option too.
Mm-hmm. And both products, uh, contain, uh, the DL be high hydroxy rate, uh, ketone molecules, so. That’s one of the, the unique thing about my products that I use both versions of the BHB molecule because both have, uh, different benefits and additional benefits. So I’m using both. Um, and so after, uh, so they, they have, uh, different flavor, tropical flavor and, and lemonade flavor.
Mm-hmm. And after that, um, I. Was thinking how to, how to create other products that, yeah, that it’s easy to incorporate. And I personally used the lemonade flavor one because I like that a lot. Yeah. And, but over time I started to get bored of the taste and I started to put into my morning tea. Yeah. And I’m like, Hmm, why don’t I just make a tea version of this with the lemonade flavor?
So this is how I started creating the next. Product basically I, I made like an instant tea. Oh, interesting. Ketones. Yeah. And an electrolytes. So that’s also, um, an additional benefit of the product is that all of them has additional electrolytes. Mm-hmm. Uh, so you basically get a ketones supplement and electrolytes supplement together.
And so, uh, I created the instant tea version and my husband is a big, uh, coffee drinker, so I’m like, if I can make instant tea, I can make instant coffee. So yeah, I was, I thought I knew you were going with that. Yeah. Yeah. So I, that was the next, uh, instant coffee with the ketones and electrolytes. And, um, after that, uh, I was thinking.
I really like sweets and chocolate. So I basically created a, a product with cocoa. Cocoa powder, chocolate with the ketones and electrolytes. Ah, that turned out to be a big favorite. For many, many of my customers. Mm-hmm. I, I literally just sold out. I’m waiting for the new, new batch to come in, uh, because that’s, that’s very easy to, to eat and like I, I personally like to mix it with sour cream, for example, put it in the fridge and it’s like chocolate moss.
Oh, wow. So you can eat it, but you can drink it too. You can just mix it with either water or, or milk and just drink it. In the evening mm-hmm. Or something like that. So, um, yeah. And then the newest, uh, product that I had mm-hmm. That I just launched a couple of weeks ago. It’s, uh, actually for dogs. So the first ke keone That’s awesome.
Supplements for dogs. And the, again, the idea came from personal life, that we have two dogs that we love. Very, very much. Yeah. Yeah. And of course we want them to live long and healthy life the same way. Like we wanna live a long, healthy life. So, um. Basically, it was in my head throughout the years that they should be getting this molecule too, with so many health benefits.
So I, I created and, and launched a product for, for dogs too. Oh my gosh. That’s an amazing story. What’s your vision for the, for the company going forward? Like, tell me about some of the vision, um, going forward. So, uh, I have a couple more ideas for, for more products. Just to, again, the purpose is to make it easy.
Mm-hmm. To, to incorporate. And the other important thing when I am, I’m creating these products mm-hmm. Is to, to make sure that they taste good. Mm-hmm. So, um, I know that many, many people struggle that if they want to elevate their Keaton levels, the products on the market. Like, usually they don’t taste good.
Yeah. So they don’t like either get nauseous or, or diarrhea or, or all kinds of, uh, side effects. So I wanted to make sure that, that these products are all like enjoyable. Mm-hmm. And people like of course, like to consume it. So, because if they don’t like it, they’re not gonna continue. Right? Yeah. It’s just, yeah.
So, uh, even if they know that it’s good for their health mm-hmm. For various reasons, it’s, it’s, it’s hard to, to stick to it long term. So, so that was another very important factor. And, and along this line, I am, I’m trying to bring more products to the market that, again, taste good. Enjoyable. Yeah. And, and still you get the benefit of, of this, this molecule that, that can help your health.
Amazing. Well, Chila, this has been great having you on the show today and learning more about you, your business, the journey. Um, last thing I want you to do, look into the camera. Um, how can people follow up? How can they pick up some, some product? How can they learn more? Yes, uh, you can find a lot of information on our website.
It’s, uh, audacious nutrition.com. Mm-hmm. And, uh, I recommend to sign up for our newsletter because we always have deals and discounts, seasonal sales and, uh, product launches. So it’s, it’s, uh, a, a good information if you sign up for the newsletter. Uh, some of the products are available on Amazon, not all of them yet.
Uh, and some of the products are also available in Lazy Acres stores here in uh, California. And hopefully we are going to expand more. Amazing. And for everybody at home, just so you know, we’ll definitely put some links in the show notes. So you can just click on the links and head right on over and, uh, grab some product.
And speaking of the audience, if this is your first time with Mission Matters and you haven’t done it yet, hit that subscribe or follow button. This is a daily show. Each and every day we’re bringing you new content, new ideas, and hopefully. New inspiration to help you along the way on your journey as well.
So again, hit that subscribe or follow button. And Sheila, thank you so much for coming on the show. It’s been a pleasure. Thank you for having me.
