Csaesare Wattley is the owner of TransPharm Ltd, a nutritional supplements and lifestyle company based in Anguilla. 2 weeks away from his highly anticipated fitness expo event – TransPharmation Weekend – the fitness entrepreneur and developer of the popular Pharmin’ movement sits down to reveal the challenges and successes of entrepreneurship and the physical and mental challenges faced when having to put a stop to his passion: Pharmin’- due to chronic back pain.
1) AS WITH ALL SUPERHEROES THERE SEEMED TO BE A POINT WHEN YOU BECAME INVINCIBLE…
CW: 2013 was a great year…for me and for the company. I was able to be involved in a lot of events and give back to good causes. I think ultimately in the struggle to the top you want to help others along the way also. Success is also a measure of how much you get involved and give back. 2014 has been on a definite go slow comparatively, but that’s all set to change again.
2) GO SLOW?…THAT MUST BE HARD HAVING BUILT UP SOMETHING SO BIG SO FAST?
CW: Well having really launched TransPharm Ltd, followed by the flagship event in April 2013 “TransPharmation Weekend” and then opening a retail store “PharmVille” at the TransPharm Ltd Headquarters, Tomac Plaza in July, I was unfortunately diagnosed with a herniated disk in my L5(lower vertebrae) and had to stop working out completely. Everything had to be put on hold. Being an EMT, TransPharm Ltd, Pharmin’…almost a complete stop….it was like life was almost over.
3) THAT’S A HARD HIT RIGHT AT THE PEAK OF SUCCESS…BUT YOU ARE STILL HERE…
CW: Well giving up has often crossed my mind. Being in excruciating pain no matter what I was doing was a real challenge. I was scheduled for surgery this past December but due to further complications was unable to. One set back after another. After a bone marrow biopsy it was determined that I have an extremely low platelet count…it’s just one of those things and so an operation on my spine is out of the question. I recently had facet injections and am scheduled to have a facet rhizotomy soon, where they burn the nerve endings in the area to get rid of the pain. We’ll see how it all works out.
4) YOU’VE RECENTLY STARTED POSTING “TRANSPHARMATION PART 2” IN YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA…WHAT DOES THIS RELATE TO?
CW: Well my first physical TransPharmation took just about 2 years and was well documented…I was almost at my peak physical shape. This issue with my back forced me out the gym for 6 months and it was back to square one. Due to inactivity I lost over 15lbs of hard earned muscle…not due to sickness or anything, just a simple lack of training. This is why discipline is key. Hard to gain easy to lose….that’s life anyway! After the pain management procedure and therapy I am training again but on a very stringent regimen. It takes a lot of motivation and discipline to start a comeback after so many setbacks but I am determined.
5) WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING?
CW: The most challenging has been to manage all aspects of the company while fighting the pain issues and basically having to walk away from it all. PharmVille had to go on pause for a while, as I had to travel a lot and simply could not function with the pain. But I am optimistic and everything is in place for TransPharmation Weekend 2014 and the official launch of PharmVille. Maintaining focus has been the key to this comeback phase…having my eye on the prize and believing that it could all come together eventually. The minute you do not dominate your space here, everyone starts trying to fill the spot. There have been some uncomfortable issues with competition and trying to duplicate what TransPharm Ltd has been doing, but I am confident in what I have built so far and my ability to continue forging head. There are the continuous challenges and consequences faced from me being blunt and outspoken. I say what I think, I like to challenge…wake people up from the mundane routine of daily existence. It’s important to create dialogue…it’s not just about people talking…it’s about creating the talk. I recently received a large endorsement from Digicel Anguilla who pioneered 4G in Anguilla and are excited to partner with the TransPharmation Weekend and the Pharmin’ movement. They like the creative and aggressive marketing and are very interested in promoting fitness and a healthy lifestyle over the long run. So I must be doing something right…(laughs)…
6) WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
CW: my automatic answer would be my kids. After that I would have to say developing something much more than a company…really creating a movement. Everyone knows about Pharmin’ from the gym goers to the kids at school, always looking for a wristband. Its more than just a gym thing, it’s become a Pharmily and we are all part of the TransPharmNATION. Everyone can own a store, that’s easy, but getting people to want to better themselves, to represent a movement, to be a part of something bigger than just oneself, then that is something to be proud of.
7) WHATS NEXT FOR THE OP?
Well right now focusing on TransPharmation Weekend. Following that I will be starting my personal training programs for an exclusive set of clients. The demand is high but I believe in quality output, so there’s a shortlist. After that, the idea is to follow up on distribution plans in the region and to put out a lifestyle magazine by this summer. This is to name a few of course….there’s always the next idea and the next. I recently read “don’t think outside the box…think like there is no box”….I think that sums me up.
