ENERGY THROUGH NATURE
Chris and Jake met in middle school and have been pushing each other ever since. Whether it was wrestling in the backyard, throwing punches in 2-for-flinching on the school bus, or seeing who could lift more in the gym, their friendship has always been fueled by competition and mutual respect.
But in 2020, everything changed.
After years away from the skatepark chasing a thriving YouTube career and a passion for cars, Chris decided to return to one of his first loves: BMX. He custom-built his dream bike and started riding daily, reigniting the fire he thought he’d left behind.
Then came the crash.
One trick gone wrong shattered more than just bones. In a split second, Chris broke his ankle, tore nearly every major ligament in his right knee, fractured his wrist, and ended up bedridden and broken, physically and mentally. What followed was months of hospitals, surgeries, rehab, and fighting off the weight of depression. The comeback wasn't easy. But it was vital.
Then Vital was born.
Chris made it his mission to fight his way back—to walk again, to ride again, to live healthy again. And Jake was there the whole time, coaching, pushing, and refusing to let him quit. Jake’s discipline met Chris’s chaos. Jake’s structure balanced Chris’s spontaneity. Together, they became more than workout partners—they became proof that anyone can climb back when they have the fuel and support to do it.
It’s not just tea and coffee. It’s clean energy that powers real comebacks. Zero junk. Zero filler. Just fuel—for the gym, the skatepark, the racetrack, or the recovery room.
We’re here to prove that motivation isn’t magic—it’s a mindset. And if you don’t have it? We’ll lend you ours.
The team
Chris Rudnik
Born and raised in Torrington, Connecticut, Jake Brignolo has always embodied an active, purpose-driven lifestyle. Now 27, Jake grew up surrounded by sports, competition, and the outdoors-playing baseball, football, and hockey, and spending as much time as possible hunting, fishing, or just being outside. That same drive and energy still fuels him today. With two older brothers and a tight-knit family, Jake learned early on the value of resilience, connection, and showing up every day with intention. Those values only deepened when he met his future business nartner, Chris, during grad school. The two hit .. off immediately-bonded by their mutual love for fitness, competition, and pushing boundaries. From weekend workouts to lifelong challenges, they turned every moment into a chance to grow stronger and better. That relentless pursuit of better health, better performance, and better living is what sparked the Vital movement. Jake co-founded Vital Tea not just as a product, but as a lifestyle-designed for people who live actively, think intentionally, and never settle for "just good enough.".
Jake briginolo
Born and raised in Torrington, Connecticut, Jake Brignolo has always embodied an active, purpose-driven lifestyle. Now 27, Jake grew up surrounded by sports, competition, and the outdoors-playing baseball, football, and hockey, and spending as much time as possible hunting, fishing, or just being outside. That same drive and energy still fuels him today. With two older brothers and a tight-knit family, Jake learned early on the value of resilience, connection, and showing up every day with intention. Those values only deepened when he met his future business nartner, Chris, during grad school. The two hit .. off immediately-bonded by their mutual love for fitness, competition, and pushing boundaries. From weekend workouts to lifelong challenges, they turned every moment into a chance to grow stronger and better. That relentless pursuit of better health, better performance, and better living is what sparked the Vital movement. Jake co-founded Vital Tea not just as a product, but as a lifestyle-designed for people who live actively, think intentionally, and never settle for "just good enough.".
REAL INGREDIENTS.
REAL PEOPLE.
REAL PURPOSE.
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No BS. No artificial additives.
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No fake influencers—just two friends pushing themselves and their community.
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To build a brand that makes health cool, motivation accessible, and energy clean.