Mikuna Featured on Emerging Brands Podcast with Kelly Bennett

Mikuna on Emerging Brands Podcast with Kelly Bennett: Our Story Behind Chocho Protein

On March 23, 2025, Mikuna’s founder shared our journey on Emerging Brands Podcast — an open, honest conversation about starting from the Andes, building with purpose, and why Chocho is more than just a protein. MIKUNA

If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the scoop, what drives Mikuna, and why Chocho matters — this is the story.

🌄 From Andean Highlands to Global Nutrition: The Mikuna Story

Mikuna began with roots in the highlands of Ecuador, where Chocho — an ancestral lupin legume — has fed generations. Our founder, a fifth-generation farmer and former pro athlete, saw in Chocho a powerful, earth-honoring alternative: a protein source built on respect for soil, tradition, and nourishment.

When he returned to everyday life in the U.S., he realized most protein powders didn’t reflect those values. They were either heavily processed, lacked transparency, or disconnected from real food. So instead of compromising, he built Mikuna — a brand grounded in heritage, integrity, and a deep belief that what we eat should honor where it comes from. MIKUNA

On the podcast, he walked listeners through that journey: from childhood farms to active life, and finally to founding Mikuna with purpose and intention.

🌱 What Makes Chocho Different (and Why We Believe in It)

Here’s what Chocho — and thus Mikuna — brings to the table:

• Regenerative sourcing & ancestral agriculture. Chocho grows at altitude, on land cared for by generations, using farming methods that nurture soil and communities.

• Clean, whole-food integrity. Mikuna isn’t built on isolates or heavy refinement. Chocho is minimally processed to preserve fiber, nutrients, and natural balance.

• Nutrition that respects body and planet. For us, protein isn’t just about macros — it’s about sustainable nourishment, fair sourcing, and giving back.

• A story people can connect with. Every scoop carries a bit of heritage, soil, and human effort — weaving together farmer, ingredient, product, and consumer.

On the podcast, this deeper meaning mattered more than marketing. It was about truth, roots, and a commitment to something better. MIKUNA

💬 Why This Podcast Matters for Our Community (You Included)

Sharing your story — publicly — isn’t easy. But when you do it with honesty and purpose, it connects. This episode matters because:

• It offers transparency: You hear directly from the founder — motivations, values, and vision.

• It builds trust: Real stories foster real relationships, and authenticity resonates more than hype.

• It expands our reach: People who may never have heard of Chocho or Mikuna get introduced — through story, not just product.

• It reinforces our mission: To bring regenerative, ancestral nutrition into modern lives — with integrity, respect, and soil-first thinking.

🔗 Related Mikuna Content Worth Exploring

• → /blogs/journal/what-does-chocho-taste-like — for taste & texture context

• → /blogs/journal/mikuna-cleanest-protein — for our processing & purity story

• → /blogs/journal/regenerative-protein-how-chocho-regenerates-soil-supports-farmers-and-protects-the-andes-ecosystem — for the full regenerative & sourcing narrative

• → /blogs/recipes — for practical ways to use Chocho beyond shakes

Link to Podcast: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mikuna/id1623229639?i=1000700598345&l=ru