I grew up in Honduras and went to high school there. Like many families, mine believed deeply in the value of education. My parents sacrificed everything they had so I could pursue a better future in the United States.

I came here chasing what many call the American Dream — not money or status, but education, opportunity, and the chance to build something meaningful.

There was just one problem when I arrived:
I didn’t speak English well enough to start college.

So for six months, that became my full-time job. I studied, practiced, struggled, and pushed forward until I passed the TOEFL exam. That single test opened the door for me to apply to college — and with it, the next chapter of my life.

Finding My Path (After Taking a Wrong Turn)

When I first started college, I chose engineering. My dad was an engineer. My two older brothers were engineers. It felt like the logical path.

But very quickly, I realized something important:
I wasn’t happy.

I had no passion for it. No excitement. No curiosity.

What I did love — even back in high school — was biology and chemistry. So I went to career services at school and started asking questions. That’s when I discovered something I didn’t even know existed as a career: Food Science.

It was biology.
It was chemistry.
And it was food.

I was hooked.

Food Science, the Gym, and a New Way of Thinking

Around the same time, I started going to the gym. I was a very skinny kid and wanted to build strength and confidence. From the very first workout, I was hooked.

And something interesting happened.

I didn’t just train — I started asking questions:

• Why does protein matter?

• How does food affect performance and recovery?

• Why do some snacks make you feel better… and others worse?

Suddenly, food science wasn’t just a degree — it was a tool. A way to understand how food fuels the body, performance, and health.

That curiosity never left me.

From Rutgers to Big Food (and a Big Realization)

I went on to earn both my Bachelor’s degree and PhD in Food Science from Rutgers University.

After graduating, I worked as a product developer for some of the biggest food companies in the world — including Nabisco, Cadbury, and Kraft.

I loved the innovation.
I loved creating new products.

But there was something that didn’t sit right with me.

I was helping develop snacks like cookies and crackers — foods I wouldn’t even eat myself.

That disconnect grew louder over time.

I wanted my work to align with my values.

The Turning Point: Performance Nutrition

That’s when I landed a role at Nestlé, working in their performance nutrition division. This was different. We worked with athletes. We developed foods to support performance, recovery, and health. We focused on what the body needs — not just what sells.

I loved it.

So much so that I went back to school and earned a second degree as a Sports Nutritionist while working there.

For the first time, my education, passion, and purpose were fully aligned.

Why I Started Pnuff

After a few years, Nestlé sold the division to another company. That moment forced me to reflect.

I had dreamed of starting my own business for a long time. And I realized — this was the moment.

My goal was simple, but ambitious: To create a snack that is truly healthy, functional, and enjoyable — built with the nutrients your body actually needs to perform at its best.

I focused on:

• Complete protein

• Fiber

• Natural sources of energy

• Ingredients I could stand behind as a food scientist and as an athlete

After a year of testing, failing, experimenting, and refining, I created a peanut protein puff.

That product became Pnuff Crunch. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Lesson I Carry With Me

If there’s one lesson this journey has taught me, it’s this:

Life is not a straight line.
And it almost never ends where you think it will.

The best things happen when you stay curious, stay flexible, and are willing to try new paths — even when they feel uncertain.

For me, success isn’t just about building a brand.
It’s about waking up every day excited to do the work — knowing it aligns with who I am and what I believe in.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for supporting Pnuff. You’re not just buying a snack — you’re supporting a story, a mission, and a belief that food can do better.

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About the Author

Dr. Juan Salinas, PhD
Food Scientist & Sports Nutritionist
Competitive Natural Bodybuilder
Founder of Pnuff Crunch