What does it take to build a $150 million wellness empire without selling your soul - or your company - to the highest bidder? This week on The Higher Standard, Chris sits down with longtime friend Shahab Elmi, co-founder and CEO of Cymbiotika, for a conversation that goes well beyond vitamins and supplements. From betting on himself and building a bootstrapped business into a nine-figure brand to navigating the temptations of private equity, protecting product quality and learning that success means very little if your family gets the leftovers. Shahab pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build something that lasts. Along the way, they tackle entrepreneurship, longevity, AI, fatherhood and why the most expensive ingredient in any successful business might just be integrity. Turns out, building different isn't a marketing slogan… it's a very expensive way of refusing to compromise. No games. No drama. No nonsense.

💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review?

This episode is proudly brought to you by Fridays.

Because real wealth starts with your health. If you want to feel sharper, stronger, and more in control, visit joinfridays.com and use code HIGHER for an exclusive discount.

📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv

👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com

🔗 Resources:

Official Website — Premium Supplements, Innovation & Wellness (Cymbiotika)

Co-Founder & CEO of Cymbiotika — Personal Instagram (Shahab Elmi @shahabelmi)

Cymbiotika — Independent Supplement Ratings, Brand TrustScore & Product Testing (SuppCo)

Cymbiotika Wellness Bar — Official Location & Information (Fontainebleau Las Vegas)

Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know — Quality, Safety & Independent Verification (National Institutes of Health — Office of Dietary Supplements)

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

Over the weekend more than 500,000 people marched across France, with cars set on fire and over 2,000 arrests. This morning French 10-year yields jumped more than 10 basis points, the CAC 40 is down about 1.7%, and France now pays more to borrow than Italy or Greece. It lands on a US market that was already jumpy: since Friday’s show the 10-year is up about 6 basis points to 5.15%, Brent is near $110, and the VIX has climbed from 16 to 18. So is France a one-day scare, or the first crack in a global bond market that’s running out of buyers? We’re going live to work through it.

💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review?

This episode is proudly brought to you by Fridays.

Because real wealth starts with your health. If you want to feel sharper, stronger, and more in control, visit joinfridays.com and use code HIGHER for an exclusive discount.

📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv

👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com

🔗 Resources:

French unrest compounds debt crisis fears. Paris-listed stocks, bonds and the euro fall (CNBC)

Euro drops amid high energy prices and street riots in France (Reuters)

US rate rises are being amplified in global markets (FT Markets)

Pimco Sees A 6% 10-Year... Here's Why "Bad Inflation" Caps Yields (ZeroHedge)

Brent Flirts With $110 Before Reversing As Wright Declares Pump Prices Have "Peaked" (ZeroHedge)

Will Oil Prices Decline as Middle East Supply Recovers? (Goldman Sachs)

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.

Every great company wants loyal customers. The really great ones want believers. This week, we look at what happens when a business stops selling you a product and starts selling you an identity. From Amazon’s “Day 1” disciples to Tesla shareholders defending Elon Musk like family and OpenAI employees threatening to walk out with Sam Altman, the biggest companies in America have figured out something Wall Street can’t put on a balance sheet: tribal loyalty is incredibly valuable. But now the tribes are wearing political jerseys, CEOs are becoming symbols, tickers are becoming flags, and buying a car, drinking a beer, or choosing an AI company can somehow announce what team you’re on. Totally normal stuff. Welcome to the cult economy. Pick yours carefully.

💥 Have you left your "honest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" review?

This episode is proudly brought to you by Fridays.

Because real wealth starts with your health. If you want to feel sharper, stronger, and more in control, visit joinfridays.com and use code HIGHER for an exclusive discount.

📩 NEWSLETTER: https://tr.ee/O6FWkv

👕 THS MERCH: http://www.thspod.com

🔗 Resources:

Amazon Leadership Principles (Amazon)

2025 Annual Meeting — Elon Musk Compensation & Shareholder Vote (Tesla)

OpenAI Announces Leadership Transition — Sam Altman (OpenAI)

⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note that the content shared on this show is solely for entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal or investment advice or attributed to any company. The views and opinions expressed are personal and not reflective of any entity. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and listeners are urged to seek professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. By listening to The Higher Standard podcast you agree to these terms, and the show, its hosts and employees are not liable for any consequences arising from your use of the content.