Content Provider for Newsweek
Dan Chard

Dan Chard

CEO
Medifast
03 February 2025

Could you give us a brief introduction to Medifast, what the company does, and your role within it?

Medifast is a health and wellness company founded more than 40 years ago by a doctor with a simple mission: not only to help people overcome obesity but also to guide them toward healthier lives and lifestyles. For four decades, we’ve been helping individuals achieve better health.

As chairman and CEO of the company, I oversee our public operations from our base in Baltimore, Maryland. Our work focuses on addressing key health challenges, such as obesity, by promoting and supporting sustainable healthy habits.

Weight loss is a major focus for many companies today, particularly with the rise of GLP-1 medications. What’s your perspective on this market, and how is Medifast adapting?

Obesity and overweightness are among the biggest health crises in the U.S., with over two-thirds of Americans affected, including a growing number of children.†† This problem stems not only from our food supply but also from a lack of education about how to maintain healthy lifestyles.

At Medifast, our mission is to help people adopt healthy habits that become second nature. It starts with achieving a healthy weight but extends to other key areas, such as sleep, hydration, exercise, and creating environments that promote good decisions. Our focus is on making these lifestyle changes sustainable, which is essential for addressing the broader health epidemic.

Tell us about your product lines, such as the OPTAVIA ASCEND line, and how they fit into this landscape, particularly for those using GLP-1 medications.*

The OPTAVIA ASCEND line was specifically developed to complement modern weight-loss regimens, including GLP-1 medications. While these medications are a significant innovation, they’re most effective when paired with healthy lifestyle changes. ASCEND offers high-protein, highly convenient products that support weight loss and management, whether someone is on GLP-1 drugs or not.

These products include the right balance of protein, fiber, calcium, and other essential nutrients, along with a multivitamin. They’re designed to make healthy eating accessible helping users build better habits and supporting the broader lifestyle changes required for long-term success. Since its launch, ASCEND has been well-received by customers and coaches alike.

Given the rise of high-protein diets and increased awareness about healthy living, do you think we’re at a turning point in the fight against obesity?

While the increased awareness and availability of tools like GLP-1 drugs and high-protein diets are significant, solving obesity requires more than a single product or medication. Sustainable lifestyle changes are critical. Research shows that taking a GLP-1 drug without modifying one’s lifestyle can result in a decade’s worth of muscle loss within a year. That’s why it’s essential to focus on nutrition, exercise, and building healthy habits alongside any medical interventions.

Unfortunately, while 96% of people know that a healthy lifestyle is essential, only 17% feel confident they can achieve it on their own. This gap underscores the importance of our coaching model. By connecting individuals with a coach who has undergone their own journey, we empower them with the tools and support needed to make lasting changes.

Do you think the current food environment contributes to the challenges people face in adopting healthier lifestyles?

The food environment plays a significant role in the obesity epidemic. The industry has historically prioritized taste and convenience over health. Even when healthier options were introduced, they often didn’t resonate with consumers, leading companies to balance health with appeal.

However, awareness is growing, and people are becoming more educated about the impact of their choices. At Medifast, we address this by focusing on holistic habits, including healthy eating, hydration, exercise, sleep, and creating environments that support these behaviors. Our coaches guide individuals through this journey, helping them build a foundation of healthy habits that become part of their daily lives.

Can you explain your Fuel for the Future program and how it supports Medifast’s growth and sustainability?

Fuel for the Future began as an initiative to create more investment opportunities in our coaching-focused model. Over the past three years, we’ve generated over $100 million in cumulative savings, allowing us to compete more effectively in a rapidly changing environment.

This program helps us stay agile, enabling us to continuously evaluate and optimize our operations to better serve our mission. By staying strong financially, we ensure we can invest in our vision of making healthy lifestyles second nature for our customers, coaches, and employees.

Medifast was named one of the best companies to work for. What contributes to this recognition, and how does your culture align with your mission?

From the beginning, we’ve aligned our internal culture with our mission. For example, in our offices, we provide healthy snacks and offer our employees access to OPTAVIA coaches at no cost. These initiatives ensure our employees are not only living our mission but are also supported in maintaining their health.

Our corporate social responsibility efforts focus on “Healthy Habits for All,” targeting vulnerable populations with educational programs and resources. This holistic approach makes our employees feel connected to a purpose larger than themselves, creating a strong, supportive, and fulfilling workplace culture.

Have you received feedback or testimonials about how Medifast has impacted lives?

We regularly hear stories from both customers and employees about how Medifast has changed their lives. Many come to us seeking physical health improvements but can discover emotional and mental benefits as well.

For example, at a recent coach conference, I heard from individuals who, after improving their health, were able to give up unhealthy habits, become more engaged parents, or even rekindle personal relationships. These testimonials reflect how physical health influences mental and emotional well-being, reinforcing the importance of our mission.

You mentioned the "trilogy of health"—physical, mental, and financial health. Can you elaborate on how these elements intersect?

The trilogy of health—physical, mental, and financial—forms the foundation of our approach. Physical health improves how we feel and perform, mental health drives our ability to make good decisions, and financial health provides the stability to pursue these goals.**

For our coaches, this trilogy is especially relevant. As they guide others, they often experience personal growth, better health, and financial benefits, creating a cycle of empowerment and success. This interconnected approach fosters a community where everyone supports one another in achieving their best selves.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of leading Medifast?

The most rewarding aspect is witnessing the transformations people experience.

Whether it’s a customer who finally feels confident in their own skin or a coach who finds purpose and success through helping others, it’s incredibly fulfilling to see lives change.

This work underscores the complexities of human health—how changes in one area, like physical health, ripple out to improve mental well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. Knowing that Medifast plays a role in these stories is what drives me and our team every day.

 

*Medical advice, treatment, prescriptions, and the overall practice of medicine must be provided by a licensed healthcare professional. OPTAVIA and its coaches do not engage in any medical services.

**OPTAVIA makes no guarantee of financial success. Success with OPTAVIA results from successful sales efforts, which require hard work, diligence, skill, persistence, competence, and leadership. Please see the OPTAVIA Income Disclosure Statement for statistics on actual earnings of U.S. Coaches under the U.S. Compensation Plan which may differ from Compensation Plans in other jurisdictions.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db508.pdf

Source: Independent IPSOS research commissioned by OPTAVIA, June 2023