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Highlights of the Fall NOW Influencer Immersion

October 10, 2018

The NOW Influencer Immersion was an incredible experience! I learned so much about products I already use and love. NOW is a brand that I can trust.

The NOW Influencer Immersion was an incredible experience! I learned so much about products I already use and love. NOW is a brand that I can trust.

This post is sponsored by NOW Foods. All opinions and experiences are my own.

What a whirlwind of activity I had last week! If you read my Friday Five post, you know that I traveled to Chicagoland for the NOW Influencer Immersion with NOW Foods last week. After a snafu back in May and being unable to attend the spring immersion, I was thrilled to be included in the fall one. This trip, while quick and jam-packed with activity, did not disappoint! It was definitely worth the wait.

I arrived in Chicago on Thursday and rode to the resort with a woman named Megan. It was fun getting to know her — she’s a chef (and actress!) from Atlanta. When we arrived at the resort we were greeted by NOW Public Relations Manager, Alana, and the CEO, Jim. They were both such gracious hosts, and welcomed us with open arms — literally. Alana gave me the biggest hug! NOW is a family-owned business and I must say, they certainly treated us like family.

Highlights of the Fall NOW Influencer Immersion | Running on Happy

After signing the obligatory waivers and all that fun stuff, I made my way to my room. When I opened the door I was greeted not only by a beautiful view of the golf course, but by two huge bags overflowing with NOW products. With so much awesome in such a small space it was hard to contain my excitement! The bags were brimming with things like beauty products, essential oils, supplements, and my beloved protein powders and BCAAs. After rummaging through the bags in my excitement, I quickly put everything back so I didn’t lose track of anything.

Now, I realize if I give you the nitty-gritty details of this trip this post will become quite lengthy. So instead of detailing every little thing, let me share with you the highlight reel. Because once I left the hotel room on Thursday evening, the whirlwind of activity began!

Highlights of the Fall NOW Influencer Immersion | Running on Happy

Highlights of the Fall NOW Influencer Immersion

First of all, meeting so many other bloggers and like-minded individuals was definitely a highlight. The health and fitness community is full of wonderful people all striving to reach a common goal and share a common vision. It was fabulous to be with so many others who share similar views. It was also brilliant to see how they all have been utilizing social media platforms like TikTok. Some of the bloggers mentioned I should give it a go too, especially after visiting a website like Tokupgrade.com, but I’m still undecided about this.

Our dinner on Thursday evening was a highlight for me not because it was good (it was!) but because I got to sit with the NOW Sports Brand Manager, Bryan. I love all the NOW products I use but I was particularly interested in learning more about the sports line. Not only did Bryan let me pick is brain about NOW Sports, but we also talked shop about running because, as it turns out, he’s also a runner.

I should also mention that my team, the Spice Girls (!), won second place for our Iron Chef competition. Woohoo!

Highlights of the Fall NOW Influencer Immersion | Running on Happy

Team Spice Girls, from left: Brittany, Leenie, Michelle, Chandler, me.

Friday morning started bright and early with a kickboxing class followed up by a trip to a DIY smoothie bar. Early morning workouts are my jam and I had never taken a HIIT kickboxing class before. It was so much fun even though I felt comically uncoordinated! Afterward, at the smoothie bar, we got to indulge in a variety of NOW products. Sadly I played it safe and went with the old standbys: banana, berries, vanilla protein powder.

Highlights of the Fall NOW Influencer Immersion | Running on Happy

Highlights of the Fall NOW Influencer Immersion | Running on Happy

Testing, testing, and more testing!

The factory tour was fabulous. The rigorous testing, coupled with the sheer volume of testing, that each and every product goes through is astounding. I trusted NOW products before but after seeing the process (and all the high-tech laboratories!) with my own eyes, I can say they are one of the most trustworthy brands available in the U.S. There were so many labs! A few takeaways regarding testing:

  • NOW Foods is home to one of two machines used to test for harmful microorganisms like E. Coli. The other machine is housed at the CDC. (And no, I can’t for the life of me remember what it’s called. #blogfail)
  • The orange tubs used for protein powders are specially designed to protect the product inside from light. Don’t worry, your protein powder is unharmed! Also, all the plastic is BPA-free.
  • Items are taken off shelves at random once they hit retailers and are tested again just to be sure the finished product hasn’t changed.
  • NOW is a non-GMO company.
Highlights of the Fall NOW Influencer Immersion | Running on Happy

Meeting my girl, Toni, was a highlight!

Highlights of the Fall NOW Influencer Immersion | Running on Happy

The NOW Family

Hearing the story of NOW brands from the CEO, Jim, and the son of the founder, Dan, really gave me pause. To hear how highly they regarded not only the products and rigorous testing, but most importantly the employees, really spoke volumes to me. Everything was just incredible — from arrival to departure. When I arrived I was warmly welcomed and when I left I felt like I was part of the NOW family. The NOW Influencer Immersion was an amazing experience and I’m grateful for the opportunity to see what NOW is all about.

Highlights of the Fall NOW Influencer Immersion | Running on Happy

Other activities that were awesome: making our own sports soak (and mine promptly broke at the airport: #facepalm), enjoying the beauty products presentation, and listening to NOW influencer Toni pump us all up with her fitness regimen! I’m already looking forward to my next trip to Chicago so I can drop in and say hello to all the friendly faces at NOW Foods! What a wonderful experience.

@NOWFoods is a brand I trust and love. Find out why! #nowwellness50 #runchat
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Interested in NOW products? These are a few of my faves: BCAA Big 6, Vitamin D-3, Q Cups Organic Quinoa, and Raw Trail Mix. Delish!!

xo

Let’s talk!

Bloggers: have you been to the NOW Influencer Immersion?

Do you use NOW products? Which ones are your faves?

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Linking up with Annmarie and Nicole for Wild Workout Wednesday.

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27 Comments


angela @ happy fit mama
October 10, 2018 at 6:00 am
Reply

How fun! NOW has some really great products and you can’t beat a family run business.



    Rachel
    October 10, 2018 at 1:59 pm
    Reply

    I totally agree. Family businesses are so much more meaningful to me than just another cog in the wheel.

Coco
October 10, 2018 at 6:39 am
Reply

It’s great when you get a behind-the-scenes look at a company and come away liking them even more. I want to hear more about your iron chef competition. ๐Ÿ˜‰



    Rachel
    October 10, 2018 at 1:59 pm
    Reply

    OMG so Iron Chef… super intimidating, right? Luckily I was on a team with someone who worked in catering and her brother is a chef. ๐Ÿ™‚ Win! I was in charge of the tomatoes and I must say they were delicious. It was a lot of fun!

Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy
October 10, 2018 at 7:30 am
Reply

I have not been but I’d definitely love to go. ๐Ÿ™‚ I buy NOW occasionally, but there’s nothing I use all the time.



    Rachel
    October 10, 2018 at 1:58 pm
    Reply

    Marcia turned me on to the BCAAs. I’m glad she did because they’re great! I’ve been using vitamins from them for years.

Deborah Brooks
October 10, 2018 at 8:01 am
Reply

I have never been to anything like this. How much fun to see things from a whole different perspective



    Rachel
    October 10, 2018 at 1:57 pm
    Reply

    It was my first experience! And a lot of fun!

Kim G
October 10, 2018 at 8:04 am
Reply

I have never been to one of their events but man does this look like a blast! I’m definitely going to apply if they have it next year.

I use a few NOW products and really love them. It’s awesome that you were able to learn more about the company and their products.



    Rachel
    October 10, 2018 at 1:57 pm
    Reply

    It was super fun. Let me know if you apply and I’ll apply too and maybe I’ll get picked again. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Kimberly Hatting
October 10, 2018 at 8:12 am
Reply

I love how you describe yourself as comically uncoordinated…because I’m exactly like that. We should be friends ๐Ÿ˜‰



    Rachel
    October 10, 2018 at 1:57 pm
    Reply

    Haha! We definitely should be friends… ๐Ÿ™‚

Annmarie
October 10, 2018 at 8:44 am
Reply

How FUN! I have heard a lot of amazing things about NOW products and the ones I’ve tried, I really love!



    Rachel
    October 10, 2018 at 1:56 pm
    Reply

    Same! I’ll be stocking my pantry with NOW everything!!

Debbie
October 10, 2018 at 9:24 am
Reply

I love NOW products! Someday I’d love to go on one of the immersion events. Everybody learns so much and has such a great time!



    Rachel
    October 10, 2018 at 1:56 pm
    Reply

    I highly recommend it. I hope you get a chance to go!

Marc Pelerin
October 10, 2018 at 10:07 am
Reply

That looks like a lot of fun – plus really informational! Glad you had fun.



    Rachel
    October 10, 2018 at 1:56 pm
    Reply

    Thanks! It was a ton of fun.

Sandra D Laflamme
October 10, 2018 at 10:26 am
Reply

I have never used NOW products. This looks like an amazing trip. Love all of the amazing goodies that you walked away with. I am sure that the tour was fascinating.



    Rachel
    October 10, 2018 at 1:56 pm
    Reply

    Oh you should try! There are so many amazing products. Everything from essential oils and toothpaste to protein powders and flour!

Kelly
October 10, 2018 at 3:53 pm
Reply

I love NOW products. They do really quality stuff. How cool to get some inside scoop at their company!



GiGi Eats
October 10, 2018 at 4:12 pm
Reply

You have me extremely interesting in that CHICKEN BONE BROTH now!! I had no clue that NOW had it!



Mikki
October 10, 2018 at 4:36 pm
Reply

How awesome is this! I love their products. You can definitely trust them for sure.



Abbey Sharp
October 10, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Reply

Thanks for sharing your review of this brand! Looks like a great experience.



Michelle @ Running with Attitude
October 10, 2018 at 6:57 pm
Reply

Sounds like a great experience! I’ve just started trying some of the NOW products – great brand!



Nicole @ Fitful Focus
October 11, 2018 at 11:42 am
Reply

NOW is one of my absolute favorite companies!! Their products are amazing and the people that work there are even more amazing. I’m so glad you got to go to the immersion! I just got some of those charcoal beauty products and can’t wait to try them!



The Year of Everything Cancelled - Running on Happy
May 20, 2020 at 6:51 am
Reply

[…] to learn more about my experience with NOW Foods and why I love this company so much? Check out this post and this […]



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