Samantha Decombel | FitnessGenes 

Helping people achieve fitness goals

FitnessGenes™ helps people achieve their goals by developing personalised training and fitness plans based on genetic evaluation. Sam took part in Biotechnology YES in 2003 during her PhD at the University of Birmingham where she studied gene flow between wild and cultivated species of rice.

Taking part in YES encouraged Sam to apply to work as a Technology Transfer Manager at the University of Reading. “YES got me into the idea of technology transfer,” she says.

Sam’s YES path to entrepreneurship

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I graduated and then I did YES. It clicked with me because I love science and I really wanted to use my scientific knowledge to help people commercialise science and get it out to the public where it benefits people.

“I could go so far as to say that without YES, I might not have started my own business. I really do see it as kind of a turning point for me.” I would absolutely recommend YES. It opens your eyes to other opportunities outside academia or industry.”

After learning to identify and commercialise IP, Sam combined her genetics background with her new skills to co-found PlayDNA™ with her partner, Stuart, in 2010, producing bespoke artwork based on a customer’s DNA. It appeared on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den and was a crucial stepping stone to FitnessGenes Ltd.

Inspiration for FitnessGenes

Sam, Stuart and their friend Dr Dan Reardon sparked another idea in 2013. Dan was a medic working in A&E. His interest in fitness and body building led to him answering queries online related to training and diet. On hearing about PlayDNA™ and genetic profiling, Dan told Sam and Stuart that DNA profiling would be of great interest to his clients, helping them form the best way to eat and train.

All three decided to combine their expertise and create a business. Nutritionist Mark Gilbert came on board and using the platform developed for PlayDNA™, MuscleGenes™ (its original name) was born.

Demand for the service was initially so high that the team had to take it off sale after two weeks as they couldn’t keep up with processing orders. “That’s when we realised the real potential of it,” says Sam, who is Chief Scientific Officer.

Two years on, MuscleGenes™ is now a sub-brand focusing on the core audience of body builders with FitnessGenes™ appealing to a wider audience.