We recently had the privilege of interviewing Alejandro, Founder of Habit Monkey, an educational app for fitness and nutrition. An experienced mechanical engineer with strong business acumen, R&D background, and extensive international sales experience in the energy and digital space, Alejandro is on a mission to contribute towards a brighter and healthier future.
In this insightful interview, Alejandro shares his career journey, some common industry myths, challenges, and his plans for the company, alongside offering suggestions for beginners who are starting their fitness journey.
Spark Behind The Journey
We were intrigued to learn about the factors that influenced Alejandro to venture into his respective fields. So, we started the interview by asking, “What ignited your passion and led you to embark on your professional journey in this particular field?”
Alejandro Azmitia shared, “Since a young age, my heart has been fueled by an unyielding passion for innovation. Embracing my INTJ personality type, often referred to as ‘architect,’ I’ve always sought to break down barriers and optimize the world around me. One of my inspirations, the remarkable Elon Musk, shares this personality trait.
In both my professional endeavors and personal life, I’ve dedicated myself to enhancing and streamlining various aspects of my daily routine, paving the way for an early retirement along with sharing the valuable lessons I’ve learned with those around me.
As I reflect on the challenges our global community faces, I’ve identified two major issues: Money and Health. It pains me to witness how industries exploit this lack of knowledge, deceiving people in various ways. That’s why I birthed Habit Monkey, a project close to my heart, with the sincere hope of making a positive impact on the health of our world. Together, we can strive for a brighter and healthier future.”
Setting Habit Monkey Apart
In the competitive landscape, it is crucial to set the business apart by offering unique services. To learn more, we asked Alejandro: “Share more about your background and the unique story behind the inception of your business. What sets it apart in the market?”
Alejandro Azmitia responds, “In my journey through various diets and fitness programs, I’ve come to a heartwarming realization about the state of the fitness and nutrition industry. It’s abundantly clear that the current approach often leaves people feeling confused and overwhelmed, making it challenging to sustain positive changes. In an age of information overload, where everyone shares their opinions, information comes in a mix of well-informed or uninformed messages.
However, my passion for creating a healthier lifestyle led me to a more compassionate and professional perspective. I believe that to achieve lasting change, we need to cultivate habits that contribute to a genuinely healthy life. Ever wondered why some individuals effortlessly maintain a healthy weight? While genetics play a role, our daily habits play a more significant part in defining our physiques and overall well-being. By embracing positive habits, both for the body and mind, we can experience transformative and sustainable changes. Let’s embark on this journey together and uncover the joy of creating a healthier, happier life.”
Busting Common Misconceptions
Every industry has certain prevalent myths that need to be busted. So, we asked:
“Identify a prevalent misconception about your industry or role that you believe needs clarification. How would you address and rectify this perception?”
Alejandro Azmitia replied, “In a world where the essentials of self-nourishment seem to have taken a backseat, one can’t help but wonder why? The roots of this issue delve deep into the fabric of our society, upbringing, and the influence of the media. With the shifting tides, we were once warned against fats, only to be told today that carbohydrates are the new enemy.
It’s evident the industry has capitalized on our lack of knowledge, steering us toward their short-term agendas. The fitness industry, in particular, struggles with the challenge of helping people reclaim their health amidst this confusion.
But fear not, for we approach health and wellness differently. We believe that the key to a sustainable and healthy lifestyle lies in rediscovering and nurturing the habits and instincts ingrained in our brains and bodies over millennia – the very habits that have sustained us for over 100,000 years.”
Alejandro Azmitia added, “Habit Monkey is the first interactive & gamified educational app for nutrition and fitness in the world. Our mission is simple yet profound: to bring clarity to the overwhelming sea of information and to teach, in a clear, precise, and enjoyable manner, everything related to nutrition, fitness, and mindfulness.
Inspired by the success stories of apps like Duolingo and Brilliant, we’ve embarked on a journey to make learning about nutrition and fitness as engaging and delightful as possible. Imagine acquiring knowledge through a fun, interactive, and gamified experience – that’s the magic we bring to the table at Habit Monkey.”
Adaptability Amidst Adversities
Challenging phases are an inevitable part of any business. So, we inquired: “Reflecting on your journey, what significant challenges have you encountered in your business, and how did you successfully navigate and overcome them?”
“We’ve been overjoyed by the incredibly positive feedback we’ve received so far. Our lessons have garnered an impressive average review of 4.6/5.0, with over 1000 entries flooding in. It’s heartening to see that users are hungry for more knowledge! They’re yearning to delve into diverse topics, from mastering the art of sleep and stress management to crafting their personalized diets and workouts.
As a fledgling startup, our impact may be modest for now, but we envision boundless potential for our solution. We’re on the lookout for passionate investors who can join us on this exciting journey, helping us elevate our idea to the heights achieved by industry giants like Duolingo with its 500 million users, and Brilliant boasting 50 million users. Your support would mean the world to us as we strive to make a lasting impact.” Alejandro Azmitia shared.
Plans We Asked Alejandro Azmitia
We further asked: “Outline your professional aspirations and goals. What strategic initiatives are you implementing to achieve these objectives?”
Alejandro Azmitia replied, “Our app joyfully unveiled its 14th version in December 2022, brimming with enhancements inspired by the valuable feedback from our cherished users. This release introduces a suite of intuitive systems designed to delve into the intricacies of our users’ experiences, unraveling their desires for an even more delightful app journey.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to inclusivity. Our app is and will forever remain freely accessible to all, transcending economic circumstances, age, religion, and culture. Our vision is to contribute to a healthier and better world, steering the industry towards a brighter tomorrow.”
Alejandro Azmitia added, “While our commitment to free access remains unwavering, we recognize that understanding the value our users place on our offerings is vital. Hence, following the steps taken by Duolingo, we’ve adopted the ‘freemium’ model. Users now enjoy a brief interlude with an ad after each lesson, with the option to gracefully opt out by embracing the convenience of an ad-free experience through an affordable yearly membership. It’s our way of inviting users to join us in shaping a positive future for our app and, ultimately, the world.”
Envision The Future, we asked Alejandro Azmitia
To learn more about Alejandro‘s vision for the upcoming years of the industry, we asked: “How do you foresee the evolution of your industry or field over the next 5-10 years? Are there emerging trends or innovations that you anticipate playing a pivotal role?”
“Gen Z and millennials are prioritizing wellness, outpacing older generations in purchasing wellness products and services, as per McKinsey’s Future of Wellness research. The study, based on over 5,000 consumers in China, the UK, and the US, reveals Gen Z’s particular interest in appearance and overall health spending. They also invest more in mindfulness-related products like meditation classes, mindfulness apps, and therapy sessions, reflecting their concerns about mental health. Notably, 56% of Gen Z consumers in the US consider fitness a high priority, compared to 40% of the overall population. Additionally, younger generations are proactively seeking preventive solutions for health issues associated with aging.
At Habit Monkey, we envision fostering a culture centered around a genuine passion for a wholesome lifestyle. Together, we aim to guide the industry towards embracing healthier and cleaner food choices, alongside simpler and more effective workout routines. Picture a world where people joyfully stroll and opt for the stairs, savoring birthday cakes while maintaining their dream figures.
Our mission extends beyond physical appearance to redefine the concept of a “dream figure.” We advocate for a shift towards understanding that a sustainable and comfortable life holds greater value than fleeting six-pack abs. Through Habit Monkey, individuals will cultivate a newfound love and respect for food, navigating away from the distracting noise of social media. Stress management and overall well-being will become second nature, leading to genuinely happier lives.
We firmly believe that education is the launchpad of this transformative journey. What better way to learn than through enjoyable, engaging, and interactive experiences? Join us on this exciting adventure towards a healthier, happier you.” Alejandro Azmitia responds.
Advice To Beginners In the Fitness Journey
We ended the interview by asking: “Drawing from your experience, what valuable advice would you offer to individuals who are just embarking on their journey in this industry? What key lessons have shaped your professional perspective?”
Alejandro Azmitia replied, “Our heartfelt advice comes from a place of genuine care. First and foremost, we encourage you to take a deep breath and relax. In a world saturated with misinformation, it’s essential to sift through the noise. The fitness industry often thrives on creating unnecessary fears and promoting unrealistic ideals. Those influencers you admire may be using photo-editing tools, and their expertise might not extend beyond captivating snapshots.
Secondly, there are no magic shortcuts to achieving your goals in a flash. If such shortcuts existed, the industry would have collapsed by now, rendering influencers obsolete. Achieving meaningful results, whether in fitness, finance, relationships, or any other aspect of life, requires time and dedication. Remember, every positive step you take is a stride in the right direction. At Habit Monkey, our mission is to guide you on your unique journey, recognizing that everyone’s aspirations differ – from desiring inner peace to conquering a marathon or lifting weights.”
“Lastly, embrace the power of learning. Acquiring knowledge not only benefits you but also empowers you to support your loved ones. Those closest to you value your advice and trust your judgment. Be a beacon of wisdom, extending your guidance to family and friends. This is particularly crucial for your children, who depend on your expertise in nutrition, fitness, and mindfulness to thrive.
In essence, we’re here to be your compass, helping you navigate the path toward your goals, whatever they may be.” Alejandro concluded.
Follow Alejandro Azmitia on LinkedIn.
Find Habit Monkey on LinkedIn or visit here to learn more.
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