Tom Bilyeu is an American entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and media personality. He is best known as the co-founder of Quest Nutrition, a protein food company that was ranked as the second-fastest-growing private company in North America by Inc. magazine in 2014. He is also the co-founder and host of Impact Theory, a media company that produces motivational videos and podcasts.
Early Life and Education
Tom Bilyeu was born in 1976 in Tacoma, Washington. He grew up in a mildly obese family and witnessed the health challenges caused by poor nutrition. He developed a passion for filmmaking and storytelling and graduated from the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California.
Career
Bilyeu started his career as a copywriter at a software company called Awareness Technologies in 2003. He later became the chief marketing officer of the company and worked there for seven years. During this time, he met his future business partners Ron Penna and Mike Osborn, who were the co-founders of Awareness Technologies.
In 2010, Bilyeu left Awareness Technologies and co-founded Quest Nutrition with Penna, Osborn, his wife Lisa Bilyeu, and Shannan Pena. The company was born out of a desire to create healthy food that tasted good and could help people overcome obesity and metabolic disease. Quest Nutrition started by making protein bars in a small kitchen and selling them online. The company grew rapidly and reached $82 million in revenue by 2013. In 2014, Quest Nutrition was ranked as the second-fastest-growing private company in North America by Inc. magazine. By 2016, Quest Nutrition had over 1,300 employees and sold its products in over 70 countries.
In 2016, Bilyeu and his wife Lisa co-founded Impact Theory, a media company that aims to “leverage the self-sustaining power of commerce to radically influence global culture”. Impact Theory produces motivational videos and podcasts that feature interviews with successful entrepreneurs, celebrities, athletes, authors, and experts. Some of the guests that have appeared on Impact Theory include Tim Ferriss, Gary Vaynerchuk, Mel Robbins, Wyclef Jean, Laila Ali, and Peter Diamandis. Bilyeu is also the host of Health Theory, a show that focuses on health and wellness topics. He co-hosts Relationship Theory with his wife Lisa, a show that explores the dynamics of love and relationships.
In 2019, Quest Nutrition was acquired by Simply Good Foods, the maker of Atkins branded products, for $1 billion. Bilyeu remains involved in Quest Nutrition as a board member and advisor.
Personal Life
Bilyeu is married to Lisa Bilyeu, who is also his business partner and co-host. They live in Los Angeles, California. Bilyeu is a vegan and practices meditation and gratitude daily. He is also a member of the Innovation Board for Peter Diamandis’s X Prize Foundation, a non-profit organization that sponsors competitions to solve global challenges.