At the beginning of the new year, we have specially invited several popular instructors to send their New Year messages, share their experiences in the past year, and look ahead to future development directions.
In this issue, let’s listen to Drew Campbell, an entrepreneur with nearly 30 years of experience in sports nutrition brands. He will review the highlights of 2024 with us and talk about his vision and expectations for 2025.
Drew Campbell, CISSN
Drew is the CEO and co-founder of the GPNi Performance Nutrition Institute and the co-founder & CEO of NiHTKE. He is a serial entrepreneur whose vision is to continuously innovate new products and businesses and have a positive impact on the world and humanity. Drew has over 25 years of experience in product development, brand building, and international sales in the sports nutrition industry, as well as a profound global network.
2024 has been a transformative year for both GPNi and my career in sports nutrition globally. One of the key milestones was the successful launch of advanced-level certifications in partnership with the ISSN, The PNE Level-2 Masters + ISSN-CISSN, providing students with globally recognized qualifications in sports nutrition. These courses empowered professionals to enhance athletic performance and optimize recovery through evidence-based practices. For GPNi, it has been a challenge to stay at the forefront of the times and maintain a high degree of relevance and effectiveness. With the continuous emergence of new research and trends, we have put in countless efforts and remained vigilant.
On a personal level, I’ve been deeply engaged in the development of innovative sports nutrition branded ingredients through NiHTEK, including the continued success of Hydrolyzed NiHPRO® Protein Isolate. Collaborating with leading brands to integrate these innovations has been both challenging and rewarding, showcasing the synergy between education and product development.
One key achievement was presenting NiHPRO at international conferences, where it was recognized for its superior digestibility, amino acid profile, and sustainability. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of bridging the gap between cutting-edge science and practical application.
Looking back on 2024, several key changes have emerged in the sports nutrition industry, and the industry will continue to be influenced by these new trends in 2025:
Personalization at Scale: The integration of data analytics and wearable technology has enabled highly individualized nutrition strategies for athletes.
Alternative Proteins Revolution: Growing environmental concerns have propelled the adoption of alternative protein sources, such as hydrolyzed non-dairy isolates, which offer improved sustainability and digestibility.
Bioavailability Breakthroughs: Advances in nutrient delivery systems will improve absorption rates, particularly for alternative proteins and micronutrients.
Focus on Recovery Science: Advances in recovery-focused nutrition, including hydration strategies and anti-inflammatory compounds, have become central to athlete performance.
Hydration Science Evolution: New research into hydration optimization will influence protocols for endurance athletes and those in high-intensity sports.
Therefore, in 2025, we industry practitioners must remember that innovation is the driving force, but the evidence-based principle is the unshakable foundation. Only by finding a perfect balance between the two can we stand firm in future competitions.
Looking ahead to 2025, new trends and opportunities are emerging. After 18 months of development, GPNi’s advanced website and portal, including App capabilities, will launch in January 2025. This significant technological upgrade will transform the brand globally, enhancing sports nutrition education accessibility in multiple languages. My primary goal for 2025 is to deepen the integration of practical, hands-on learning in GPNi courses. Partnering with ISSN, we plan to develop more conferences globally with experts. On the professional front, I aim to expand NiHTEK’s reach by collaborating with leading brands and manufacturers to incorporate innovative ingredients like NiHPRO® and KARBFIX® into sports nutrition products. This dual focus on education and product development reflects my commitment to driving innovation in the industry.
To the students, I would like to say: Always stay curious and committed to learning. The most successful professionals are those who embrace lifelong education and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of sports nutrition. In addition, collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential. The collective wisdom of our community is what drives the industry forward. As Aristotle said, “Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.” This is also the principle I uphold: In sports nutrition, science leads the way, but creativity ensures we stay ahead.
As we welcome 2025, I sincerely wish for resilience, growth, and success for all students and professionals in our field. May this year bring new opportunities and breakthroughs as we work together to elevate the standard of sports nutrition worldwide.
Thanks to Drew for sharing, we’ll be Posting New Year Insights from other lecturers, taking you inside their stories and visions. Also, welcome to leave your New Year’s goals and messages in the comments section together towards 2025!
