Planet Nutrition’s mission is good health

Since he was a young man, Bayou Blue born and raised Mike Thomas has worked out, taking care of his body and overall health. His ambition has always been to open a gym or health oriented business.

That aspiration became reality March 9 when Thomas opened Planet Nutrition in Houma.

He chose the franchise after meeting owner and creator Chad Simon. Simon is a Licensed Dietician/Nutritionist as well as a Registered Dietician who has designed his own line of supplements. Simon opened the first Planet Nutrition in Lafayette in 2001.

“I work in New Iberia and was out of supplements. I stopped in (Planet Nutrition) to see if he had what I was looking for. Chad’s been designing through the years and has come up with some good products. He offered me a free smoothie, I liked it, got back in touch with him, got the franchise and here I am,” Thomas said.

The store features several private tanning rooms, a massage room, a large retail area and a lounge area.

“No other place in Houma can you come in and get tanning, massage, health and nutritional supplements, and low carb, fat free, high protein smoothies,” Thomas said.

Tanning is offered by the session or by the month with no contracts or startup fees. For those who have never tried it, Thomas explained it’s just like going out and tanning in the sun but more convenient.

Licensed Massage Therapist Mandy Shriner practices sports medicine and deep tissue massage in a private, serene atmosphere. Shriner takes clients by appointment but can also handle walk in clients. Sessions run from 15 minutes to an hour.

“She’s absolutely wonderful. Sessions can last an hour, 15 minutes or 30 minutes. But if you do 15 minutes, you’re going to want 30. If you do 30 minutes, you’re going to want the hour. It (massage) relaxes you and takes all the tension out. She can make you melt like butter. If you’ve never had a massage, it’s awesome,” Thomas said.

The Houma location is the only Planet Nutrition to offer massage.

“They’re working on getting it in the other stores because they like the concept. I’m also the only store that offers free internet and a lounge area. One thing about Planet Nutrition, all the store owners help each other out. We’re all a team. It’s not, ‘My store is going to outdo your store.’ Like my slogan, I came up with the slogan and now it’s Planet Nutrition’s slogan,” Thomas said.

Planet Nutrition has four main supplement dealers as well as products designed by Simon and manufactured especially for the store.

Products include multi-vitamins, protein bars, omegas, vitamin packs, and thyroid, milk thistle, prostate, joint and liver support. Name brands include Muscle Tech, MyoFusion, Low Carb Ultramet and Myoplex.

“My products speak for themselves. I don’t bad mouth any of my competitors, I just let my products to the talking,” Thomas said.

The Planet Nutrition trademark smoothie base contains liquid pasteurized egg whites, non fat dried milk, water and turbinado. The ingredients are mixed and poured into a Taylor machine which is usually used for freezing soft serve ice cream or deserts. The process produces a rich, soft and creamy textured base to which customers add fresh fruit or other flavors. Add-in supplements make each smoothie unique.

Apple cobbler, banana cream pie, blueberry cheesecake, chocolate peanut butter, cookies & cream, peaches-n-cream, strawberry and dozens more make up the flavor menu. Extras for muscle building, energy/weight loss, immune support, stress relief and joint and tissue repair add nutritional value.

“We set up our stores very simply. This gets you big; this helps you lose weight; this is a vitamin; this is a pre-workout; this is a post-workout. All my products work because over the years that Planet Nutrition has been in existence, we know what works and what doesn’t work,” Thomas said.

The business owner explained his store is designed to encourage customers to communicate with his staff.

“Basically I have no labels in my store so if you don’t know what you’re looking for; you have to interact with my employees. That’s what I want. I want to be known on a friendly basis, to know people by name. I’m here for the everyday person looking to get healthy as well as the body builders, runners, athletes, sports people, young and old,” Thomas said.

Making sure his customer’s are happy is a big part of Thomas’ business approach.

“I listen and am here for my customers. If there’s a product that I don’t have, I’ll stock that product. I ask what you’re taking; what are your needs; and take care of those needs. You’re not going to come in my store and not be helped. Even my hours are set as they are because I care about the working man and meeting his needs,” Thomas said.

The businessman has plans to open another Planet Nutrition in Thibodaux but is content with the Houma location for the moment.

“We have a good product line and good customer service. With that, meeting customer’s needs and the hours that I’m open, we’re going to rock Houma,” Thomas said.

Mike Thomas has made an impact on the Planet Nutrition franchise since his opening. The chain has already adopted his slogan and is also incorporating his idea to include massage. JENNIE CHILDS