Meet Dr. Sam
A legacy rooted in wellness: Nutrilite is more than a supplement brand—it’s my lifelong passion.
I’ve been eating Nutrilite supplements longer than anyone else on this planet—more than 89 years and counting. But it’s the steady commitment to my daily Nutrilite routine, along with a healthy diet and lifestyle that has helped me live with balance and purpose. In many ways, I’ve become a product of the product—living proof of the vision my father set in motion nearly a century ago.
My passion for health and wellness began with my father’s pioneering vision and has been the foundation of my life’s work ever since. I’ve had the privilege of traveling the world as an ambassador for Nutrilite—sharing what I’ve learned about wellness, balance, and the responsibility we each carry for our own health.
It's all about balance.
People often ask me what my advice is for living a full life. Whether I’m speaking to family, friends, or colleagues, my answer is always the same: build a life that balances work, love, and play. You need all three. Skip one—or focus too much on another—and the balance slips. It’s like a stool with uneven legs. But when all three are present and in harmony, they form a steady foundation for a life well-lived.
This idea of balance has guided not just my personal philosophy, but also how I think about health and nutrition. It goes back to my father, Carl F. Rehnborg, who founded Nutrilite more than 90 years ago with the goal of helping people fill the nutritional gaps in their diets using plant-based supplements. He was a visionary pioneer who was ahead of his time, and that same vision continues to shape how we live and grow today.
And just as we must nourish our bodies and relationships, we must also care for our planet. My father often spoke to me about the importance of balance in nature—from the soil beneath our feet to the stars above us. He believed, as I do, that we are not just on the Earth—we are of it. His words still echo in my mind today: “We are intimately related and tied to it and parts of the whole universe.”
- Trout Lake, Wash., 2014.
- As a little one with my father. He always took great interest in my accomplishments. Balboa Island, Calif., 1937.
- Holding a container of Nutrilite™ food supplement. If you look closely you can see the “I Eat Nutrilite” button on my jacket lapel as a reminder to customers that Double X is something you “eat” to fill nutrient gaps rather than a pill that you “take.”
A positive spiral
By embracing healthy living, we can bring balance to the world. After all, embracing the concept of healthy living has benefits far beyond your personal well-being.
When you care about your health, you become more vigilant about your diet and environment, how your foods are grown and prepared, the purity of the water you drink, and the freshness of the air you breathe.
Our singular actions are the beginning of a positive spiral that propels us to do even more as we influence our families, community and ultimately the planet. Together, we can help children and adults of all ages thrive, we can help communities prosper and, most importantly, we can help the planet move toward sustainability for our generation and those that will follow.
The Journey of a Lifetime
1930s
Early beginnings
You could say I was part of Nutrilite before I was even born.
My father, Carl F. Rehnborg, officially started the Nutrilite supplement business just a few years before I was born. In many ways, we grew up together—Nutrilite and me. From the very beginning, I had the benefit of taking Nutrilite supplements, and in a sense, I became my father’s first test subject. Those early years were a special time—they were the foundation of a lifelong journey we would share together.
1950s
Building a foundation for the future
My father believed that a strong foundation in science would help me carry his vision forward.
In 1958, I graduated from Stanford with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering, and six years later, I earned my doctorate in biophysics from University of California, Berkeley. Those years were filled with discovery, challenge, and growth. But more importantly, I was preparing for a greater purpose.
With my degrees in hand, I officially joined Nutrilite Products, Inc., in 1964 and over the next decade became deeply involved in research and product development.
1970s
Across oceans and cultures
In 1972, Amway acquired a controlling interest in Nutrilite, opening the door to share our vision on a global scale. That moment stirred something in me.
In my 40s, I felt a growing desire to better understand the world, not just through books or reports, but through lived experience. If I was going to help share Nutrilite with people across the globe, I wanted to truly connect with their cultures, their food, and their way of life.
So, I set sail on the Firebird, an 84-foot ketch, embarking on a three-year journey that would take me to 36 countries. It was a voyage of discovery—about health, connection, and what it really means to live well.
1980s
Love, work, and play: a beautiful balance
Just after my return, I met Francesca, and we were married in 1980. Since then, we’ve built a life rooted in purpose, joy, and adventure—embracing every opportunity that comes our way. I’ve been able to say “yes” to each new chapter because I’ve made my health a priority throughout the years.
1986–2006
Global reach
In 1994, Nutrilite became an official division of Amway, a milestone that elevated our global reach to share a vision of wellness that transcends borders.
During this chapter of my life, from 1986 to 2006, I traveled to 47 international markets to help introduce Nutrilite to new communities. These journeys deepened my belief in the global importance of optimal health and strengthened the foundation for Nutrilite’s enduring legacy.
NOW
Generations powered by Nutrilite
As I look back over the decades, I feel immense gratitude for the life I’ve lived—with Nutrilite products fueling every step of the journey. What began as my father’s pioneering vision has grown into a global movement. I’m proud Nutrilite continues to lead the way in wellness solutions around the world.
the Future
Beyond 90 years
As I look to the future, I’m proud of how far we’ve come and inspired by the possibilities ahead. The partnership between Amway and Nutrilite continues to carry forward a shared vision: help people live better, healthier lives. My hope is that future generations will continue this legacy I’ve dedicated my life to with the same passion and purpose—grounded in balance, guided responsibility, and always rooted in care for one another.
a world-wide mission
A lifelong journey in pursuit of wellness and a better future
My journey toward wellness has taken me across oceans and cultures, but the goal has always been the same: to learn, to connect, and to share a vision of building a better future. Inspired by my father’s vision and driven by my own experiences, I set out to explore the world with a simple question: How can we live healthier lives? What I found was a shared longing for health, connection, and purpose—reminding me that building a better future begins with caring for ourselves and one another.
In the summer of 1975, I set sail on a three-year journey around the world aboard the Firebird—an 84-foot ketch well-suited for long ocean passages. As the voyage unfolded, I found myself growing stronger, more energized, and deeply curious about the cultures we encountered. It was during this time that my fascination with global nutrition and wellness truly took root.
Over the course of visiting 36 countries, I had the rare opportunity to observe how people ate, moved, and lived in different parts of the world. What I discovered was powerful: again and again, I saw that the healthiest people were also the happiest, most purposeful, and engaged in the world around them.
The lessons I gathered at sea became more than personal insight—they helped shape the next chapter of my life’s work and affirmed the Nutrilite philosophy: that optimal health depends on balance—between science and nature, self and community, wellbeing and impact.
- Dr. Sam, at the helm of The Firebird 1975
- My son, Rod, grinning with pride after catching a barracuda, Vanuata, August 1976.
- My shipmates and I followed Thor Heyerdahl’s trail on the island of Fatu Hiva. Marquesas Islands, December 1975.
- Dr. Sam aboard The Firebird in 1976
Once you realize that you can better help others by being healthy and being your best self, you see how interconnected we are.
Mission Possible
A new purpose hiding in plain sight
The lessons I gathered during the Firebird Journey affirmed a truth I’ve carried with me ever since: our ability to live fully, pursue our dreams, and act with purpose all begins with taking charge of our health.
The experience left a lasting impression. It deepened my commitment to share the message of optimal health—and for the next four decades, I carried that message across the world as the Global Brand Ambassador for Nutrilite.
The world has certainly changed since that journey. Some changes have been positive such as the incredible advances in technology and the connection it creates. Other changes, unfortunately, are testing the limits of our fragile planet and its ability to support a growing world population. But what hasn’t changed is our potential to shape the future—through the choices we make, the lives we touch, and the values we live by. That’s where it all begins—with the power each of us holds to make a meaningful difference.
Mission Possible
If ever there were a time to focus on optimal health, it’s now. I believe the world needs each of us—living in balance, rooted in responsibility, and guided by purpose—to care for the planet and one another.
Be the change
One of my favorite quotes is attributed to Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” I’ve always believed that the choices we make—each day, in each interaction—can have a profound effect. One person at a time, one community at a time, we have the power to shape a healthier, more hopeful world for everyone.
Making a difference, together
The time is right. I sincerely hope you will join me in the conversation to share and inspire changes at every level that can lead to a brighter future for this planet we call home.
- Dr. Sam and wife Francesca
From the seed of an idea to a dedicated team.
I wouldn’t be where I am without the dedication of an incredible team of individuals who help me share the message of optimal health. And I’m indebted to the incredible support of both Lorna Williams and Kathleen Dunn who helped me launch my original blog more than 10 years ago.
Current Team
Lani May Hacinas
Project Manager
Jody Negron
Administrator
Joel Van Kuiken
Writer
Find more stories on my blog
Product of the product
Personal wellbeing isn’t just about you or me. It’s about the people around us, our family, friends and the greater community. Taking care of yourself, nurturing your connection with nature, and making an effort to transform challenges into opportunities, will help lead us to a future where we can all happily coexist.
The pursuit of wellness
Wellness has always been central to my story. When my father, Carl F. Rehnborg, founded Nutrilite in 1934, his goal was to help people everywhere take responsibility for their health, their wealth, and the planet. Even then, he knew that all these things were interconnected. His vision shaped my own path—a journey grounded in curiosity, science, and a passion for helping others live well.
A shared vision
Nutrilite is so much more than a plant-based supplement brand – it is a way of life that has stood the test of time. With a passion centered on health + wellbeing, Amway is the world’s largest direct selling company*. It spans six continents with a presence in 100+ countries and territories.
* Source: Euromonitor International Ltd; Vitamins and Dietary Supplements, World GBN, Retail Value RSP, % breakdown, 2023 data based on custom research conducted April – August 2023.
Farming for the future
There’s a long history of farming innovation at Nutrilite. It started when my father, Carl F. Rehnborg, began growing alfalfa in the 1930s before we even knew to call it organic. He was looking for the purest, most nutritious botanicals, and he already knew that they needed to be grown sustainably and naturally, without any synthetic fertilizers or chemicals. That same belief continues to guide us today.