On a mission to fix our broken food system, one snack at a time
Be BOLD, TENACIOUS & RESILIENT.
My idea for B.T.R. NATION came at an unlikely time in an unlikely place: standing in front of a hospital vending machine. My parents were both diagnosed with rare forms of cancer (my mom with a leiomyosarcoma, my dad with appendeceal cancer). I became their primary caretaker, and we were constantly on-the-go between their chemo appointments, radiation, and doctors.
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We ate out of hospital vending machines and cafeteria food for over 3 years.
My nutrition began to suffer. I was disgusted by the so-called "better-for-you" options, high in sugar with ingredients I could barely pronounce. I craved a snack with a clean, transparent ingredient profile that was also low in sugar.
I was done with sacrificing something. Low sugar but junk ingredients. Better ingredients, but absurdly high in sugar that caused me to crash. No, thank you. As my parents' healthcare proxy, I needed to be on my game, making the best decisions for them. I needed to be focused...sharp...not running to the bathroom because of artificial sweeteners.
I craved a snack that served a purpose. Not just better-for-you, ACTUALLY good-for-you, for your mind, body, and tastebuds.
With my background in foods studies and biochemistry, I took to the kitchen. I started making protein packed bites boosted with plant-based, superfood ingredients. No added sugar, high. in fiber, nutrient dense, gut-friendly. When I brought these snacks to the hospital, everyone loved them.
When my parents passed away, I made it my mission to share these nourishing snacks with the world, to pass on their legacy, and to help fix our broken food system. By reducing just 20% of added sugar in pre-packaged foods we can eliminate millions of cardiovascular events and hundreds of thousands of cases of diabetes per year.
Something needs to change, and we're going to make it happen...together.
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B.T.R. stands for "Be BOLD, TENACIOUS & RESILIENT," my parents' personal mantra. Now as a mom, my fire, my passion, and my why has 10xed. I've never believed MORE in this brand. Because not only are they delicious and convenient, but they're NEEDED in this world.
This company is a direct tribute to my parents, and their ethos is baked into every aspect of this company from the packaging to the recipes to our mission. Now B.T.R. NATION is reaching millions of you nationwide.
And this is just the beginning. Thank you for joining us on this journey to build a B.T.R. NATION.
🩷 Stay BOLD, TENACIOUS & RESILIENT,
Ashley
