Lizanne Falsetto, Visionary Entrepreneur, Wellness Advocate, and Food Industry Pioneer Empowers Women Entrepreneurs Through the Vitality Framework
Lizanne Falsetto’s career has been shaped by a relentless commitment to health, innovation, and longevity. As the founder of thinkThin®, she revolutionized on-the-go nutrition, introducing one of the first high-protein, low-sugar, gluten-free bars to the market. What started as a simple solution to a personal need–creating a convenient, nutritious snack–grew into a multimillion-dollar brand that reshaped the health-food industry.
Her entrepreneurial instincts were ahead of their time. Long before the mainstream adoption of ketogenic and high-protein diets, Lizanne recognized the power of protein as fuel. She was also the first in the industry to stamp “gluten-free” on product packaging, paving the way for a new category of functional foods. Under her leadership, thinkThin® became one of the fastest-growing health-food brands in history, ultimately acquired by Glanbia in 2015.
But Lizanne’s passion for wellness extends far beyond business. For her, health has always been the foundation of success–both personally and professionally. Lizanne’s commitment to wellness didn’t begin with her career – it began at home. Raised in a close-knit Italian-American family in the Pacific Northwest, the Falsetto lifestyle naturally reflected the principles of the Blue Zones – those rare regions of the world where people live the longest, healthiest lives. They grew their own food, cooked every meal with care, and gathered around the table to share it. Watching her grandfather tend the garden and her grandmother prepare fresh meals taught Lizanne an enduring truth: food is both love and medicine.
That solid foundation served her well when, at just 18, Lizanne entered the fast-paced world of fashion and modeling. Living in cities like Tokyo, Milan, Paris, Sydney, and New York, she was exposed to diverse cultural approaches to movement, nutrition, and self-care. Constantly adjusting to new environments and time zones, she became her own wellness expert – hydrating, prioritizing rest, and learning to listen closely to her body’s needs.
Among her peers, Lizanne became known as the “Mother Earth” of the modeling world, cooking nourishing meals for herself and her roommates. Her passion for health deepened as she explored Eastern medicine, herbal remedies, and holistic healing practices. She didn’t realize it at the time, but what she was doing would later be validated by science: food is life. And the right nutrition has the power to transform not only how we look, but how we think, perform, and feel.
Your entrepreneurial instincts have been ahead of their time. Tell us about your success with thinkThin®.
When I launched thinkThin®, wellness wasn’t the industry it is today. Protein bars weren’t on the shelves of every grocery store. But I wasn’t chasing a trend; I was listening to my body and solving a real problem: how do you fuel yourself with purpose when you’re constantly on the go?
As a former model traveling the world, I needed nourishment that was convenient, high in protein, low in sugar, and actually tasted good. That simple idea turned into a brand that helped shift the entire conversation around women’s nutrition.
It wasn’t easy, but success rarely is. It took grit, vision, and a relentless commitment to innovation. Today, I carry those same instincts into my next chapter: empowering other women entrepreneurs to prioritize health as their ultimate edge.
Can you share your health journey?
My health journey has been layered, like most women’s. It included intense work travel, two kids, hormonal changes, and moments where I burned the candle at both ends. I used to think “resilience” meant pushing through. Now I know true resilience is proactive: it’s about listening deeply to your body, tracking how you feel, and designing your lifestyle around longevity, not just performance.
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is that movement isn’t punishment, it’s presence. That nourishment isn’t just about food, it’s also what you consume emotionally, mentally, spiritually. And that feminine energy – often devalued in leadership – is actually a superpower when honored.
These realizations became the foundation of my Vitality Framework, especially the 5 Pillars that now guide my life and work.
What has been your guiding philosophy in life?
Create from truth. I’ve always believed that when we live in alignment – with our values, our bodies, our intuition – we tap into a deeper kind of power. Whether building a brand, mentoring others, or simply making dinner for my family, I try to lead from a place of grounded presence, staying conscious of the energy I bring into every space. I also believe in showing up fully and authentically, not because it’s easy, but because that’s where real transformation begins.
You are committed to empowering women entrepreneurs. Tell us about the Vitality Framework.
The Vitality Framework is the culmination of decades of experience as a founder, mother, athlete, and wellness seeker. It’s a system that helps high-performing women live with intention, stay energized, and build a life that supports their full expression.
The 5 Pillars are:
- Proactivity: In terms of vitality, proactivity is about taking ownership of your health through consistent monitoring, intentional choices, and preventive care.
- Mindfulness: In terms of vitality, mindfulness is about maintaining mental clarity, emotional balance, and intuitive awareness in a demanding world.
- Movement: In terms of vitality, movement is about consistently engaging your body and your mind to avoid stagnation, boost energy, and enhance performance.
- Nourishment: In terms of vitality, nourishment is about intentionally fueling your body with rest, hydration, and nutrient-dense foods to sustain energy and clarity.
- Feminine Energy: In terms of vitality, feminine energy is about connecting with your hormonal rhythms, intuition, sensuality, sexuality, and natural strengths to create balance and resilience.
I created this framework because too often, women are told to choose between ambition and wellness. I say: choose both… and let your vitality lead.
How have you learned to lead without burnout?
By learning to pause. I’ve been through adrenal fatigue. I’ve ignored the signs. And I’ve paid for it. Today, I no longer wear exhaustion as a badge of honor. Instead, I center Proactivity: monitoring my health markers, my stress levels, my recovery.
I make space for Mindfulness through breathwork, stillness, and strategic solitude. I treat Movement as non-negotiable, whether it’s hiking on my ranch or Pilates with my daughter.
Burnout happens when we disconnect from ourselves. So, I build rituals that reconnect me daily. That’s where real leadership begins.
You recently hosted a Women’s Wellness Retreat at your private ranch in Ojai, California which emphasized community and innovation. What was your mission?
The mission for this retreat, and every retreat I host, is to create a sanctuary, a place where high-performing women can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and have the conversations we’ve too often avoided: about hormones, sex, power, shifting from “anti-aging” to “pro-longevity”, and what wellness really means when you’re leading a life that doesn’t always leave room to breathe.
For this most recent retreat we hosted, we welcomed a large group of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) members and their spouse/partners. I spoke on “Vitality From the Inside Out” and focused on two key areas: the Women’s Wellness Circle we are building within YPO’s Health and Wellness Network to shine a much-needed spotlight on topics previous generations often stayed silent about like perimenopause, menopause, sex, and more. It was also an opportunity to emphasize proactive health approaches, from hormone balance and breathwork to cutting-edge biohacking tools.
Our keynote speaker, Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, a triple board-certified New York endocrinologist and a leading voice in GLP-1 research, delivered a powerful talk on GLP-1s, anti-aging, and muscle preservation for women. Meals were curated by a Los Angeles chef and were both nutrient-dense and gluten-free, dairy-free, and mostly nut-free.
But more than anything, the retreat was about creating a safe space for attendees to laugh, be vulnerable, and genuinely support one another. For me, connection is one of the ultimate forms of medicine. Now, we’re planning a series of retreats at my ranch, Il Paradiso, this fall. The level of interest has been incredible, and I’m truly excited for what’s to come.
As the Network Chair and board member of the YPO Health & Wellness Network. Please share your initiatives.
As the ‘24/’25 Chair of YPO Health & Wellness Network’s and the newly elected Chair of the Women’s Wellness Circle YPO’s first-ever women-focused wellness initiative my mission has been to create meaningful, science-backed programming that empowers our members to take a proactive approach to their health, longevity, and overall well-being.
The highlights of my tenure as Chair of the Health & Wellness Network have been:
- The Women’s Wellness Circle – We’ve had so much amazing feedback and reaction to our female programming that a sub-network to the Health and Wellness Network has been created to continue fostering and building what I call a ‘tribe’ of strong, healthy and empowered females within YPO.
- The Women’s Wellness Series – A private network experience for YPO women and spouses, featuring expert-led conversations on hormones, menopause, longevity, sexual and mental health. Past guests include: Dr. Kelly Casperson, Dr. Stacy Sims, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, Louise Nicola, Dr. Jenn Gunsaullus, Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen
- The Women’s Wellness Summit – January 2026 – It’s the first YPO summit designed exclusively by women, for women. Whether you’re looking to boost vitality, optimize longevity or gain the tools to perform at your peak, this experience is designed to empower leaders, visionaries and changemakers with cutting-edge insights and actionable strategies. Our keynote speaker is Jane Fonda who will discuss how we can redefine aging, optimize wellness and embrace longevity with purpose.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: Wellness is not a luxury, it’s leadership. My goal is to ensure every YPO member has access to the tools, insights, and support to thrive mentally, physically, and emotionally.
You are a much-sought after speaker. What topics do you cover?
My entrepreneurial journey has given me a warchest of hard-won lessons…and I love sharing them. I’ve seen firsthand that success isn’t sustainable without health, and that wellness isn’t a detour from leadership; it’s the foundation of it. That’s why all of my talks are built around my 5 Pillars of Vitality:
Proactivity, Mindfulness, Movement, Nourishment, and Feminine Energy. These pillars guide everything from how I structure my days to how I build businesses, and they anchor the topics I speak about on stages around the world.
Here’s a few of the topics I most enjoy speaking about:
- Hormonal Health & Menopause (Proactivity + Feminine Energy)
Understanding the physiological shifts women face, and how to optimize vitality at every stage of life. - Biohacking 101: Understanding Lifespan Vs. Healthspan (Proactivity + Nourishment)
Exploring cutting-edge therapies and tools, from exosomes to sleep tech, that help us extend our healthspan. - Brain Health & Emotional Resilience (Mindfulness)
Practical strategies for protecting cognitive clarity, cultivating mental agility, and navigating high-stress environments. - Muscle as Medicine (Movement + Nourishment)
The case for strength training, protein intake, and daily physical movement, especially as we age. - Leadership Through Wellness (All 5 Pillars)
Reframing health not as a luxury or side note, but as a strategic advantage that fuels sustainable success.
As mentioned before, in January 2026, I’ll be speaking at the YPO Women’s Wellness Summit in Los Angeles: an immersive experience for YPO females focused on redefining aging with intention and power and featuring an incredible lineup of health pioneers.
What are your thoughts on America’s health crisis and what changes would you like to see?
Globally Americans rank 36th in life expectancy and have a high obesity rate. We need to be healthier, as such cleaning up our food system, and opening up the conversation about environmental health is long overdue.
At this particular junction, public health is nuanced. It’s essential that any large-scale wellness effort is grounded in science, data, and collaboration. Let’s bring wellness, prevention, and transparency to the forefront and shift from reactive care to proactive health; put a stronger focus on nutrition reform and access to real, whole foods; we need widespread education around metabolic, hormonal, and mental health; and finally, a more personalized approach to medicine that empowers individuals to take control of their health.
If we can build a national movement that blends science with accessibility and choice, we’ll begin to see real, lasting change.
What is next?
My goal is to help women extend their healthspan, lead with vitality, and live lives that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside.
I think of the time spent working with women and building the Women’s Wellness Circle as my personal form of philanthropy. While giving money is meaningful, giving time and energy is deeply rewarding to me in a way that nothing else is. At the moment, I’m pouring my energy into scaling impact from the inside out. After building thinkThin® (now think!) and pioneering the protein-forward, low-sugar movement, I’ve shifted into a new season of purpose: helping others optimize their healthspan, not just their lifespan. That means diving deeper into longevity science with immersive and transformational retreats at my ranch in Ojai, as well as leading and growing YPO’s Women’s Wellness Circle, and I’m currently in the process of writing a book synthesizing 20+ years of innovation, personal insight, and practical strategies for aging with purpose, power, and grace wrapped around my 5 Pillars of Vitality: Proactivity, Movement, Mindfulness, Nourishment and Feminine Energy.
For me, it’s about showing up fully, healthy, honest, and aligned, and creating spaces where others can do the same.
