In The Beginning
Jim Bedwell entered the Health Industry in 1996 launching Twinlab sports range, vitamin range and Herbal range into New Zealand with which he learnt his trade. In 1998 he launched a Glucosamine/Chondroiton product into health stores in New Zealand under the Mana Healthcare brand. In the same year the Red 8 brand was launched with creatine and protein products.
Food For Sport
In 1999 Jim wrote a nutrition and supplement book entitled Food for Sport which sold 2,500 copies in 3 months. It is used by many health stores as a supplement bible. He used his nutritional experience and industry knowledge coupled with his sporting background to research material for the book.
Achievements
Jim’s sporting achievements include six New Zealand Ironmen, three Hawaiian Ironmen and two Japanese Ironmen. In the 1980s Jim achieved a sub-9½ hour Hawaiian Ironman, a top 20 finish in Japan and a Top 10 finish in the Kiwi Lager NZ Ironman. He has a top 10 finish in both the NZ Ironmen and the Longest Day Speights Coast to Coast. Out of his experiences as an endurance athlete and body builder (3rd place National IFBB Championship Novice over 80kg) came an intense interest in protein and a belief in healthy nutrition.
The Sport Food Company
In 1999 he launched and produced a sports range for grocery stores in Progressive Enterprises sold in New Zealand Foodtown and Countdown supermarkets. The rights to that range were sold in 2002 to Red Seal NZ Ltd.
i-Food
In 2003 the iFood computer based nutrition program was comissioned to be written in conjunction with Rachel Brown (phD in sports) from Otago University.
2004 – 2009
2004-5: Launched Protein Plus into New Zealand market.
2005: Formed joint venture company with Thompson Nutrition (now Integria Health).
2009: Secured sponsorship with High Performance Sport NZ (committed to working with High Performance Sport NZ to provide supplements which their research shows has a measurable benefit to our athletes).