While in town recently playing in the Odlum Brown VanOpen, the Canadian professional tennis champ and co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), took the time to discuss his new business venture Hekate Sport with us. The brand focuses on all-natural mushroom-based products to support sports recovery, improve focus and reduce stress. “Functional mushrooms remain overlooked within the sports nutrition and hydration space, yet they’re one of the most versatile superfoods on the planet,” Vasek says. We chatted one-on-one with the tennis superstar to find out more. —Catherine Dunwoody
Vasek, congratulations on Hekate Sport! How did this come about?
Thanks! I became a passionate functional mushroom user when I had my back surgery a few years ago. I started working with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors micro-nutritionist, who is very adamant about their benefits. I tried them and since then I have not missed a day in over three years of taking mushroom products. I was passionate about learning more about mushrooms and saw that a lot of the companies out there offered inferior quality ingredients, and lots were made in China where the soil is contaminated. I co-founded Hekate Sport with a dear friend of mine.
Are the products made in Canada? Are the mushrooms grown here?
Yes! Right here in Vancouver. We started it in California but made the move here recently. People are very happy about that. We are a three-SKU company: hydration, cocoa and capsules. Mushrooms are a superfood, and all varieties are high in nutrients, are anti-inflammatory, and one of the biggest benefits I noticed when I was training and exercising was that I was recovering a lot better.
What is your favourite product from your brand?
My favourite is the Cocoa Blend; I love to dump it on my oatmeal, which I eat every morning. It’s the easiest way to integrate it into my diet, and I do have a sweet tooth but it’s all very healthy and sweetened with monk fruit.
Speaking of which, monkfruit is every Keto diet follower’s best friend, isn’t it?
Yes! And our products are all vegan, gluten free, certified non-GMO, plus the very first and only NSF-approved mushroom product. We have ticked all the boxes. There is so much garbage being sold out there, which is a huge problem, and their quality control isn’t even in the same ballpark as here and with our Hekate Sport products.
You being an actual owner of this company and not just a brand ambassador, means a lot to you doesn’t it?
Exactly!
Will you be adding more products and brand ambassadors?
We will be expanding for sure, and we have some great ideas in the mix. We just signed Olympic swimmer Penny Oleksiak as a partner, so that’s super cool.
We wish you all the best with this new venture!
Thanks so much, that means a lot to me!
share:
Be the first to comment