Why I Switched to Plant-Based Wellness (and What I’ve Learned)

If you would have told me a year ago that I’d be this passionate about plant-based wellness products—or sharing them with other women—I’m honestly not sure I would have believed you.

Wellness has been part of my life for years. I’ve tried different products, supplements and routines, and like so many women, I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out what actually helps me feel better.

But as I’ve gotten further into my 40s, that has taken on a whole new meaning.

Energy. Inflammation. Mood. Cravings. Digestion. Sleep. Hormones. Metabolism.

Suddenly, all of those things seemed to matter a whole lot more.

I wasn’t looking for perfection or some complicated wellness routine with 25 different products. I wanted something simpler. I wanted products I felt good about taking consistently, and most importantly, I wanted to actually notice a difference in how I felt.

That eventually led me to Bravenly.

And surprisingly, it also led me back into a wellness business when I had pretty much convinced myself I wasn’t going to do that again.

I Wasn’t Looking for Another Wellness Company

This is probably one of the most important parts of my story.

I didn’t wake up one morning and decide, I need another company to join.

Actually, quite the opposite.

I had been around the wellness and direct-sales space before, so I knew enough to know that I wasn’t going to jump into something just because someone else was excited about it.

I researched Bravenly for months.

I asked questions.

I watched.

I learned about the products.

I learned about the company and its leadership.

I paid attention to what people were saying about their experiences.

And eventually, I started trying the products myself.

That was what changed everything for me.

Why Plant-Based Wellness Became Important to Me

The older I get, the more conscious I’ve become about what I’m putting into and onto my body.

I’m definitely not perfect about it—and I don’t think wellness has to mean being perfect.

For me, it means making better choices where I can.

One of the things that immediately caught my attention with Bravenly was its focus on plant-based wellness and products formulated by naturopathic doctors.

I also loved that the product line wasn’t overwhelmingly huge.

Instead, there are products focused on many of the things women are already looking to support, including:

Energy and focus

Gut health and digestion

A healthy inflammatory response

Mood

Weight and metabolism

Cravings

Hormone health

Sleep

Everyday wellness

It all felt approachable.

And at this stage of my life, approachable is exactly what I need.

I don’t want a wellness routine that feels like a second job.

The Three Products That Changed My Routine

When I finally decided to consistently use the products, three became the foundation of my daily routine: Rush, Ignite and Gold.

They’re the products I NEVER miss.

Not because I feel like I have to take them.

Because I genuinely notice a difference in how I feel when I’m consistent.

• Rush: My New Kind of Energy

For years, grabbing an energy drink was just part of my routine.

I wanted energy, but I was getting tired of the cycle that often came along with it—the boost followed by the crash.

Rush was one of the first Bravenly products that made me think, Okay…this is different.

It’s a vitamin-packed energy drink with ingredients designed to support energy and focus, and I personally love how much steadier I feel when I drink it.

For me, Rush replaced the energy drinks I had been relying on.

I feel more focused and energized without feeling like I need to keep chasing another boost later in the day.

And with everything going on in my life—running a business, creating content, traveling and now moving across the country—I will gladly take all the steady energy I can get.

• Ignite: The One I Didn’t Expect to Love This Much

Ignite is another product I take every day, and this one surprised me.

It’s designed to support things like energy, focus, mood and metabolism.

One of the biggest changes I’ve personally noticed, though, has been with my snacking and what I call the “food noise.”

You know that feeling when you’re not necessarily hungry, but you’re already thinking about what you’re going to eat next?

For me, that quieted down.

I found myself thinking about snacks less and feeling more in control of my choices.

That’s been a huge win because I don’t want to spend my entire life feeling like I’m “on a diet.”

I want habits I can actually live with.

•Gold: The Product Both My Husband and I Noticed

Gold quickly became another staple in our house.

It’s a turmeric and apple cider vinegar beverage designed to support things like a healthy inflammatory response, digestion, metabolism and overall wellness.

One of the things I personally noticed after becoming consistent with my routine was feeling less puffy.

The funny thing is, sometimes you don’t realize how much something has changed until you actually see it.

I took progress pictures, and when I compared them after about three weeks, I was surprised by the difference I could see.

3 Weeks Using Rush, Ignite & GOLD

*** That experience taught me something important: take the pictures.

When you’re looking at yourself every single day, gradual changes can be hard to notice. Seeing two photos side by side can tell a completely different story.

My husband, Matt, also started taking Gold consistently and told me he noticed that he felt less stiff.

I love having wellness products that aren’t just “my thing” but can easily become part of our everyday routine together.

What I’ve Personally Noticed

I always think it’s important to distinguish between what a product is designed to support and someone’s personal experience.

I can only tell you what I’ve noticed since becoming consistent.

For me, that has included:

More consistent energy

Better focus and mental clarity

Less reliance on traditional energy drinks

Fewer snack cravings and less “food noise”

Feeling less puffy

Better digestion

Better overall mood and motivation

Simply feeling better day to day

And that last one might actually be the biggest.

I just feel better.

That sounds so simple, but when you’ve spent a period of time wondering, Why am I so tired? Why do I feel puffy? Why don’t I feel like myself?—feeling better is a pretty big deal.

The Biggest Lesson: Consistency Matters

This might be one of the most important things I’ve learned through this entire experience.

Before joining Bravenly, I had used wellness products off and on without always giving them a fair chance.

I’d remember one day.

Forget the next.

Take something for a week.

Stop for several days.

And then wonder why I wasn’t noticing much of a difference.

Sound familiar?

When I started taking Rush, Ignite and Gold consistently every day, that was when I began noticing changes in how I felt.

It reminded me that supplements aren’t magic.

They’re supplements to the things we’re already doing—moving our bodies, eating well, drinking water, prioritizing sleep and making healthier choices.

Consistency beats perfection every time.

I Also Wanted Something Simple

Another thing I’ve learned about myself is that I do better with simple.

Give me an insanely complicated routine and I can almost guarantee that eventually I’m going to stop doing it.

That’s one reason Bravenly appealed to me.

I can build my routine around a handful of products based on what I personally want support with instead of having a cabinet overflowing with things I don’t even remember why I bought.

Rush during my day.

Ignite daily.

Gold as part of my routine.

Hydrate when I want extra hydration support.

And I’ve added other products as I’ve learned more about what works for me.

It feels doable.

And that matters.

Why the Company Itself Mattered to Me

Products were only part of my decision.

Because I had business experience, I looked at Bravenly through two different lenses:

Would I personally buy and use these products?

And…

Would I feel good about attaching my name to this company?

Those are two very different questions.

I learned that Bravenly is a family-owned company with a founder who came from the field and had years of experience in the industry before starting the company.

That mattered to me.

I wanted leadership that understood what it was actually like to be the person sharing the products, talking to customers, building relationships and trying to create a business around real life.

I also loved the company’s emphasis on faith, family, integrity and helping people.

The more I learned, the more aligned it felt with what I was looking for.

The Community Was an Unexpected Bonus

One of the biggest surprises for me has been the community.

The support, training, resources and systems within our team have been incredible.

There are women building this business from completely different backgrounds and in completely different seasons of life.

Some want a little extra income.

Some simply love sharing products they use.

Others are building large businesses.

There isn’t just one definition of success.

And I love that.

I’ve been a business owner for years, so entrepreneurship isn’t new to me. But being surrounded by women who genuinely want to see each other succeed has been incredibly refreshing.

I’ve also been reminded just how powerful good systems can be.

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel every single day.

You can learn from people who are already doing it well.

I’m Not Interested in Pretending Wellness Is One-Size-Fits-All

One thing you’ll never hear me say is that everyone needs exactly what I take.

We’re all different.

Different bodies.

Different goals.

Different lifestyles.

Different budgets.

That’s why I prefer talking to someone about what they’re actually hoping to support before recommending anything.

Maybe you’re looking for more energy.

Maybe your biggest focus is gut health.

Maybe it’s cravings.

Maybe it’s sleep.

Maybe you’re simply trying to clean up your routine and feel a little better.

Your starting point doesn’t have to look like mine.

And it definitely doesn’t have to involve buying everything.

Wellness in My 40s Looks Different Than It Used To

I think this entire experience has also changed how I define wellness.

In my younger years, health could easily become about how I looked.

Now?

I care so much more about how I feel.

Do I have energy?

Can I focus?

Do I feel good when I wake up?

Can I keep up with everything I want to do?

Do I feel comfortable in my body?

Am I taking care of myself in a way that’s sustainable?

Those questions matter more to me now.

Especially as I’m entering a completely new chapter of life.

We’re trading Minnesota for Florida, I’m evolving my blog and content, I’m leaning further into wellness, and I’m building a business that I genuinely enjoy.

It feels like a fresh start in a lot of ways.

And I want wellness to be part of that new chapter—not because I’m chasing perfection, but because I want to feel good enough to enjoy my life.

Travel.

Explore

Work.

Spend time with the people I love.

Try new things.

And have the energy to actually do all of it.

What I’ve Learned So Far

If I had to sum up the biggest lessons this journey has taught me, they would be these:

You don’t need to change everything overnight.

Start somewhere.

Consistency matters more than perfection.

A simple routine you actually follow will always beat an elaborate routine you abandon after two weeks.

Pay attention to how you feel.

Energy, digestion, mood, focus, sleep and cravings can tell you a lot about how your routine is working for you.

Take the before photos.

Seriously. Even if you never show another person.

Do your research.

Whether it’s a supplement, wellness trend or company, don’t blindly follow what someone on social media tells you—including me. Ask questions, review the ingredients and decide what makes sense for you.

Wellness should add to your life, not consume it.

I want products and habits that help me live my life—not make my entire life revolve around wellness.

Why I’m Sharing More About Wellness Here

If you’ve followed Kari Me Away for travel, Minnesota adventures, small towns and all of our trips over the years, don’t worry.

I’m still me.

There will still be travel.

There will still be hidden gems.

And with our move, there are going to be a whole lot more Florida adventures coming your way.

But this blog has always ultimately been about life.

And wellness has become a much bigger part of mine.

As I head into this next chapter, I want to share more of the things I’m actually doing, using and learning along the way.

That includes the good, the things I’m still figuring out and the products that have earned a permanent spot in my routine.

Bravenly has been one of those unexpected additions.

I didn’t expect to find a new wellness routine.

I definitely didn’t expect to find another business.

But sometimes the things we aren’t looking for end up fitting exactly where we are headed.

And right now, I’m really excited to see where this next chapter takes me. 💚

📸 from when we visited Florida last January! 🩶

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Disclaimer: This post shares my personal experience and is for informational purposes only. Individual experiences can vary. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Always review ingredients and talk with a qualified healthcare professional if you have questions about whether a supplement is appropriate for you.