Marc-Antoine Harris CEO of Umoja Human Performance: Empowering Health and Wellness

By Staff

What inspired your journey from scientist to entrepreneur?

Long ago, one of my senior officers challenged me to use my mind to build something rather than use it for combat. That conversation in an intelligence compound (that we had just raided) planted the seed for me to utilize my skills for something other than the Marine Corps. This planted a seed of adventure to conquer something new. Becoming a scientist was always something I always had an interest in science, but I could not see myself in white lab coats. But after some thought, I dove headfirst into the unknown of becoming a scientist after realizing that helping others to become better versions of themselves is a talent I have and is extremely rewarding. I also envisioned running my human performance lab, creating specific protocols based on my scientific philosophies inspired by Dr Suzuki.

 How did your background shape your approach to creating supplements?

As a sports scientist, I am constantly seeking optimal ways to enhance the capabilities of active athletes. Being around athletes makes you aware of nutritional demands that still need to be met because they lack the education or food sources to fuel the body optimally. In turn, I leverage my creative research methods and understanding of physiology to create scientifically proven supplements that address athletes’ deficiencies.

What challenges did you face as an African American entrepreneur in the health industry?

The biggest thing I have noticed is the need for AA within the community. This causes a vacuum within our community since mentorship regarding inner-city issues is minimal. Networking within the health and wellness space that leverages clinical research to remedy ailments is challenging since I am utilizing a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that has yet to be fully defined in the modern landscape of interventive health and wellness.

Why did you focus on supplements specifically for women?

While assisting the Head SC coach at Florida Memorial University, I noticed that our athletes would have “down days” due to their monthly cycle. I knew the remedy for their issues was a simple biochemistry assessment to address the imbalanced physiological occurrences they were experiencing. This is the hallmark of my profession: utilizing science to create optimal solutions for everyday people.

What advice would you give people starting their health journey in the new year?

The most important thing is to find your niche within the health space since there are many disciplines within it. However, it would help if you become excellent at the basics. You will defer to the basics when you begin to gain experience and evolve. 

What role does science play in your product development?

Science is the fundamental catalyst for my product development. Chemistry, physiology, anatomy, and physics all play vital roles in this process. When assessing a problem, I will examine it through one, if not all, of those lenses to cultivate the ideal solution. 

How do you balance entrepreneurship with maintaining your health?

 Maintaining my health is integral to my business; I am the walking advertisement for my protocols. The majority of my research began with evidence-based self-intervention to optimize my health. This has provided me with the confidence and competence to establish a nuanced profession that will pioneer a new wave of health and wellness. 

What’s next for your business in 2025?

In 2025, Umoja Human Performance, led by Marc-Antoine Dion Harris, is set to make significant strides in advancing health and wellness globally. The year will focus on impactful speaking engagements, presenting groundbreaking insights on gut microbiota, longevity, and holistic health at national and international conferences, including partnerships with the Black Butterfly Initiative in Baltimore and global collaborators like Dr. SuzukiChristal Burnette, and Youji Odagawa. Supplement production and testing will expand, integrating anti-aging compounds and Okinawan nutrition principles to deliver cutting-edge products for active individuals and longevity enthusiasts. The launch of Marc-Antoine’s highly anticipated Longevity and Wellness book will provide actionable strategies for achieving optimal health, supported by a robust marketing campaign. Through these initiatives, Umoja Human Performance will strengthen its reputation as a leader in integrative health, bridging research, practice, and innovation to empower individuals and transform communities worldwide.

About

About Us: Umoja Human Performance, founded by Marc-Antoine Dion Harris, provides holistic and evidence-based health and wellness solutions to individuals and communities. Drawing on compassion to create personalized pathways to optimal health. Our mission is to empower individuals to achieve peak physical and mental performance while addressing community health needs.

Our Services:

  1. Exercise Physiology Programs:
  2. Custom fitness plans are designed for athletes, active individuals, and those managing chronic conditions.
  3. Comprehensive fitness assessments and targeted exercise prescriptions to enhance performance, recovery, and overall health.
  4. Injury prevention and rehabilitation services are grounded in the latest kinesiology research.
  5. Gut Microbiome and Functional Nutrition:
  6. We Utilize Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN) and Primal Health Gut Microbiome Certification to focus on optimizing digestive health.
  7. Personalized nutrition protocols that promote gut balance, energy optimization, and holistic wellness.
  8. Health and Wellness Coaching:
  9. Guided by Harvard Health and Wellness/Nutrition training, we provide expert lifestyle coaching to foster sustainable health changes.
  10. Stress management, sleep optimization, and behavioral strategies to support long-term health and well-being.
  11. Mental and Emotional Health Integration:
  12. Leveraging a foundation in General Psychology, we address the mental and emotional factors influencing physical health.
  13. Strategies to enhance motivation, resilience, and mental clarity to achieve health goals.
  14. Supplement Development:
  15. High-quality, research-driven supplements crafted to meet the needs of active individuals.
  16. Focused on natural, non-GMO ingredients to enhance performance, recovery, and vitality.

Our Mission: At Umoja Human Performance, we are committed to providing science-based, integrative health solutions that empower individuals and improve community well-being. By blending expertise in physical, nutritional, and psychological health, we create personalized programs tailored to diverse health needs.

Vision for the Future: As the founder of Umoja Human Performance, I, Marc-Antoine Dion Harris, am pursuing a PhD in Health Sciences to enhance further our ability to address individual and community health disparities. This advanced education will allow us to expand our reach, innovate health interventions, and implement impactful programs that promote equity and wellness for all. 

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