How a “Janky” YouTuber Built a $100M Empire. Derek from More Plates More Dates

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Who’s on the Podcast?
This episode of My First Million (MFM) features Derek, the brains and brawn behind More Plates More Dates (MPMD). Derek is a self-made entrepreneur, fitness educator, and YouTube powerhouse with nearly 2 million subscribers. He’s the founder of multiple high-revenue companies—most notably Gorilla Mind (supplements) and Merrick Health (telehealth and hormone optimization)—and is known for his no-BS, ultra-researched takes on fitness, biohacking, and business. If you’ve ever wondered how a guy who started by breaking down celebrity steroid cycles ended up building a nine-figure empire, this is your episode1.

🎙️ EPISODE SNAPSHOT

Ready for a wild ride from gym bro to boardroom boss? In this MFM episode, Derek from More Plates More Dates spills the pre-workout on how he built a supplement juggernaut, mastered the art of staying anonymous while being everywhere, and why “pickup artist” skills might be the ultimate business cheat code. Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or a side-hustler looking for your next big play, this episode is packed with actionable insights and a few hilarious detours1.

💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Authenticity Sells (Even If Your Setup Is Janky): Derek’s “unpolished” video style isn’t a bug—it’s a feature. His audience trusts him because he’s transparent, research-driven, and doesn’t try to over-produce or fake expertise1.

• Niche Down, Then Branch Out: Starting with steroid analysis and fitness breakdowns, Derek expanded into broader health, life advice, and entrepreneurship, capturing a much larger audience without losing his core fans1.

• Pickup Artist to Power Entrepreneur: The social skills and resilience learned from the pickup community translated directly into business—think cold outreach, sales, and public speaking. Turns out, if you can approach a stranger at a bar, you can pitch a VC or negotiate a deal1.

• Stacking Revenue Streams: Derek runs multiple businesses—Gorilla Mind (supplements), Merrick Health (telehealth), and more—all built on the back of his personal brand and content flywheel1.

• Protect Your Privacy, Build Your Legacy: Derek’s intentional anonymity (no last name, consistent background) allows him to scale his influence while minimizing personal risk—a rare feat in the influencer economy1.

🛠️ TOOLS, WEBSITES, RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Gorilla Mind: Derek’s flagship supplement brand, known for high-quality pre-workout, creatine, and other performance products. He leverages e-commerce platforms and a direct-to-consumer model for massive monthly revenue1.

• Merrick Health: A telehealth company specializing in hormone optimization and personalized health plans, using digital health tech and remote diagnostics to scale1.

• Reddit (r/MorePlatesMoreDates): Not run by Derek, but a top 1% subreddit where fans (and trolls) discuss everything from fitness to business. It’s a pulse-check for community engagement and meme culture1.

• YouTube: Derek’s primary content channel, where he leverages algorithm-driven growth, SEO, and trust-based marketing to drive both audience and sales1.

💼 BUSINESS IDEAS & OPPORTUNITIES

• Niche Supplement Brands: There’s room to launch specialized supplement lines targeting underserved communities—think vegan athletes or menopausal women—using the DTC playbook1.

• Telehealth for Specific Demographics: Replicate the Merrick Health model for other health verticals (mental health, sleep optimization, gut health), leveraging influencer trust and remote diagnostics1.

• Content-Driven E-Commerce: Build a media-first brand (YouTube, podcast, newsletter) and funnel loyal fans into high-margin products. Authenticity and deep research are your unfair advantage1.

• Community-First Platforms: Create forums or subreddits around niche interests, then monetize with exclusive content, coaching, or digital products1.

🧠 LIFE HACKS

• “Three-Second Rule” for Action: Borrowed from pickup, this rule says act on an impulse (whether approaching a person or starting a task) within three seconds to crush procrastination and anxiety1.

• Leverage Anonymity: Keeping your real identity semi-private can help you scale a brand without sacrificing personal security or peace of mind1.

• Iterate in Public: Derek’s willingness to share his fitness and business “failures” as learning moments builds trust and keeps his audience invested in his journey1.

💸 BEST IDEAS TO MAKE MONEY FAST

• Launch a Supplement Brand: High margins, recurring revenue, and a passionate customer base. If you have niche expertise and a loyal audience, you can move serious units quickly1.

• Content-Driven Product Launches: Build an audience with high-value, research-backed content, then launch products that solve their biggest pain points—just like Derek did with Gorilla Mind1.

• Telehealth Side Hustle: Partner with clinicians and use digital marketing to offer specialized health services. The regulatory landscape is opening up, and demand is booming1.

📊 STATS & TRENDS WORTH NOTING

• Gorilla Mind Revenue: Estimated at $6–8 million per month, with over 1 million monthly visitors to the e-commerce store—proof that niche DTC brands can scale to massive heights1.

• Reddit Community: r/MorePlatesMoreDates boasts 163,000+ members and is a top 1% subreddit, highlighting the power of community-driven brand building1.

• YouTube Growth: Derek’s channel sits at nearly 1.9 million subscribers, showing that long-form, research-heavy content still wins in the TikTok era1.

🔑 ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES

• Step 1: Find Your Niche and Go Deep: Start by solving a specific problem for a passionate audience. Don’t be afraid to get hyper-specific—Derek started with celebrity steroid analysis1.

• Step 2: Build Trust Through Transparency: Share your wins, losses, and research process. The more “real” you are, the more loyal your audience becomes1.

• Step 3: Stack Revenue Streams: Once you have an audience, layer on high-margin products (supplements, courses, telehealth) that align with their needs1.

• Step 4: Protect Your Privacy: Consider keeping some personal details private to safeguard your peace and security as you scale1.

• Step 5: Use Community Feedback: Engage with your audience on platforms like Reddit to source product ideas, get feedback, and build superfans1.

📚 BOOKS MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED

• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson: Referenced as an example of someone who parlayed “pickup artist” roots into mainstream success and self-help stardom1.

• Neil Strauss’s “The Game” (implied): Discussed in the context of learning social dynamics and life skills from the pickup artist community1.

🚀 GROWTH HACKS & CHEAT CODES

• Leverage “Janky” Authenticity: Don’t over-polish your content. Audiences crave realness over Hollywood production values—think “garage band” vibes for business1.

• Meme Your Brand: Let your community create and share memes, rumors, and inside jokes. This drives engagement and builds a cult-like following (see: the infamous “wall” rumor)1.

• Cross-Pollinate Audiences: Collaborate with OGs in your space (like GoodLookingLoser.com) to tap into established communities and accelerate growth1.

📝 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This MFM episode with Derek from More Plates More Dates is a masterclass in turning niche expertise and raw authenticity into a multi-million dollar empire. Derek’s journey from fitness forums and pickup artist blogs to leading supplement and telehealth brands is proof that you don’t need a fancy setup or a public last name to win big. By doubling down on trust, transparency, and relentless iteration, he’s built not just businesses, but a movement. Whether you’re looking to launch your own supplement line, build a cult community, or just want a blueprint for scaling with integrity, this episode is your playbook for turning “more plates” into more dates—and a whole lot more dollars1.

🏆 COMMON THEME OF THE PODCAST

Relentless self-improvement, radical transparency, and the power of niche communities to drive massive business success. Whether it’s the gym, the boardroom, or the wild world of Reddit, those who master their craft and build genuine trust win the game—no matter what “game” they’re playing1.