Diet Culture & Pyramid Schemes: MLMs, Herbalife, and the Vitamin That Started It All

<p>Multi-level marketing was invented to sell vitamins. Not adjacent to vitamins, not eventually pivoted to vitamins: the first MLM in America was a 1945 alfalfa-pill company that got raided by the FDA within two years, and everything since (Amway, Herbalife, the friend from high school who wants you to try a shake) is running the same play. In this episode, Zoë and Kylee trace how diet culture and direct selling grew up as one machine: the Nutrilite origin story, why supplements are the perfect MLM product, Herbalife&#39;s unmarked nutrition clubs and the mystery of why the shake tastes better in the store than at home, the billionaire slap fight that ended in a $200 million FTC settlement, and what the independent numbers say about who actually makes money (almost no one). Plus: Betsy DeVos&#39;s grandfather, the Tupperware party as feminist history, and why &quot;boss babe&quot; is doing unpaid PR for a system built to move money out of women&#39;s pockets.</p><p>If you got pulled in, or watched someone you love get pulled in, the math was rigged before anyone signed up. That&#39;s the whole point.</p><p>Full transcript, references, and research at <a href="https://yourdietsuckspodcast.com">yourdietsuckspodcast.com</a>.</p><p>Support Your Diet Sucks on Patreon for monthly bonus episodes, weekly nutrition question threads with Kylee, members-only recipes and posts, and the archive: <a href="https://patreon.com/YourDietSucks">patreon.com/YourDietSucks</a></p><p><strong>This episode is supported by:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>rabbit</strong>: our title sponsor and the run apparel we actually wear. Use code <strong>SUMMERSNACKS10</strong> for 10% off at <a href="https://runinrabbit.com/collections/womens-new">runinrabbit.com</a></li><li><strong>Tailwind Nutrition</strong>: endurance fuel and hydration that won&#39;t wreck your gut. Use code <strong>YOURDIET20</strong> for 20% off at <a href="https://tailwindnutrition.com">tailwindnutrition.com</a></li><li><strong>Microcosm Coaching</strong>: evidence-based run coaching from humans, not algorithms. Book a free consultation at <a href="https://microcosm-coaching.com">microcosm-coaching.com</a></li></ul>