Show notes
The future of consumer health is being built right now.Consumers are becoming the CEOs of their own healthcare. From GLP-1s and peptides to protein, wearables, functional foods, and preventative wellness, entire industries are being reshaped by changing consumer behavior.In this episode, Mike sits down with Nicolas McCoy, Managing Director of Whipstitch Capital, to unpack the biggest trends driving consumer health, food & beverage, supplements, wellness, and M&A. Nick spends his time analyzing what separates niche brands from the companies that break into the mainstream and get acquired. They discuss why better-for-you products continue to outperform, how GLP-1 adoption is changing consumer spending habits, the rise of peptides and hormone optimization, why protein isn't slowing down anytime soon, and what strategic buyers are looking for in today's market.Nick also shares his framework for evaluating brand headroom, explains why profitability matters more than ever in consumer M&A, and breaks down how founders should think about timing an exit. You'll learn:✅ Why consumers are becoming the CEOs of their own healthcare✅ How GLP-1s are changing food, supplements, and wellness✅ Why better-for-you products continue to outperform the market✅ The future of peptides, hormones, and preventative health✅ How investors evaluate brand headroom and acquisition potential✅ Why some brands successfully cross from natural to mass retail✅ The growing role of wearables in consumer health✅ Why protein is still growing and where it goes next✅ How strategic buyers think about acquisitions today✅ What founders should know before trying to sell their companyIf you're a founder, investor, operator, or simply curious about where consumer health is headed over the next decade, this episode is packed with data, trends, and practical insights. Timestamps00:00 Intro01:11 Consumers becoming the CEOs of their healthcare06:07 The state of consumer M&A today09:48 Why profitability matters more than ever12:09 How to know when to sell your company13:51 Understanding brand headroom17:11 Which retail channels create the most value20:00 Crossing from natural to mass retail24:30 The K-shaped consumer economy explained27:45 Why lower-income consumers are adopting health trends faster29:13 The surprising growth of injectable health products32:40 RFK Jr., MAHA, and peptide awareness34:42 The future impact of GLP-1 adoption37:26 Protein's next phase of growth39:24 The future of peptides and personalized health42:17 Why injections are becoming more mainstream44:31 The rise of gummies as a supplement format48:19 Women's hormone health opportunities51:31 Mental health, wellness, and consumer behavior53:23 Are founders selling because they want to or have to?54:36 Is the consumer market back?57:06 The growing role of private equity in CPG59:23 The evolution of billion-dollar consumer exits01:01:17 Why more capital is flowing into consumer brands01:02:13 Categories Nick is watching closely01:07:51 Personal experiences that shaped Nick's career01:11:15 Closing thoughts📬 Subscribe to Consumer VC for more conversations with the founders, investors, and operators shaping the future of consumer 👉 https://www.theconsumervc.com/Follow Mike Gelb:Twitter/X: @mikegelbInstagram: @consumervcTikTok: @consumervc