Mathieu Flamini introduces UNITY’s new supplement range

Mathieu Flamini

has been keeping himself busy since he played his last game for Getafe in La Liga two years ago and it seems to describe him as retired is hardly an adequate summation of his life these days.

"I am busier than ever,"

he tells

.

"But good busy

.”

It is in his nature.

"I am someone with a lot of energy. I train every day. It is part of my lifestyle. If I sit down on a chair I become anxious so I have to train every single day.”

In his hour-long interview, he talked about a lot of issues facing the world today in his interview, especially the subject of sustainability in which he has been investing.

"I am doing a lot in that field," he says. "I am trying to find solutions."

He is starting with himself.

"I have not been eating any animal protein for the past seven or eight years. I don't eat dairy. It works for me and if it works for me then it should be able to work for others. Soon there won't be space to produce meat so we all have to evolve our lifestyle.

"I am shocked that in football there are young kids of 10 years old and even top athletes drinking these unhealthy energy drinks full of sugar and colorant."

He believes misinformation is the enemy in today’s society.

"Today, what has been proven is that people get their information on the internet and on social media. What is frustrating is that people call themselves experts when they are not. I would really like to see a world where people know the facts from experts and scientists.”

His desire to make a difference has led to his latest venture with his former

colleague

Mesut Ozil

. The co-founders of

UNITY

were able to launch their new supplement range which was developed in collaboration with leading scientists at the University of Westminster.

"We are good friends who share the same beliefs about giving back," says Flamini.

"We have a social responsibility because we have some exposure. We have a platform. We have a following. Mesut does it through social impacts. He helps people who cannot afford meals. I am doing it a bit more through sustainability and focused on climate change."

It seems Flamini and Ozil wanted to do more than using an existing formulation and branding it.

"We had two options. One was to work on an existing formulation like everybody does, and then work on the branding and get it out into the marketing. But we did not want to go to a supplier and they show us the best 200 products and just pick one.

"We decided to do it the hardest and best possible way. We went to the scientists and basically developed from scratch some better formulas using the best ingredients and the best delivery systems, avoiding all the harmful ingredients and chemicals."

Flamini has worked with the famed Milan Lab that "tests everything from your eyes to your mobility” and knows about the physical preparation. But still believes there was always something missing.

"The scientists have come up with four supplement formulations," he explains.

"We did not want any colorant. We wanted to do capsules without that so the only option was to have green capsules because that was natural chlorophyll from the leaf.

"The idea is to create supplements that target specific health goals which will ultimately allow people to take control of their health. The products in the market elsewhere were never natural enough or were focused on things that were less important.

"We have come up with a product validated by the athlete but also by science."

Typically, there is a sustainability angle here.

"We have created a partnership with the Felix Project charity which collects food from restaurants and from farmers who sadly have to throw away food. Every year, 30 percent of the food produced is being thrown away. It is being wasted while some people cannot afford to eat.

"Because consumers request the perfect product, what happens is that the big supermarkets put massive pressure on the farmers. They only select the perfect carrot or the perfect apple when one that does not look perfect has the same nutritional value.

"The Felix Project takes this healthy food and converts it into healthy meals for kids. We decided to support them in that journey and that fight. For every supplement product that we sell, we will deliver two healthy meals to schoolchildren which uses this wasted food.

"I am trying to use my platform to create awareness. Sport must do its part to make the planet more sustainable. How can we use sport to help people have a healthier lifestyle? How can we help the fans, help all the kids have a healthier lifestyle? That starts as kids."

Although Flamini does not play professional football anymore, his old teammate Ozil is playing on with Fenerbahce in Turkey, and it is his top priority. However, it seems Ozil has not also been a silent partner.

"He has a lot of ideas and a lot of input. Sometimes he challenges us on decisions. It is like a brainstorming process, WhatsApp calls and messages, pictures back and forth. It is a lot of fun because it gives us an opportunity to stay in touch and speak on a regular basis.

"It continues a friendship that we have had for many years."

What is success for UNITY?

"We want to educate people and help them to make more informed decisions on their health and wellness including exercising, eating better, and having a positive impact on people's health.

"If UNITY can help people to make even small changes to their lifestyle that would be a great success.

"I am just thankful because I have been living the dream that I had as a kid. Now I am trying to give back and have a positive impact."

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