Inspiring personal breakthroughs
Hartford man lost 50 pounds, then went into business promoting health
The vibe inside Breakthrough Nutrition in Hartford is a cozy one, with customers from “all walks of life” but business owners have really found a niche there, says owner Emanuel Morales.
“A lot of business owners treat it like a community hub,” says Morales, who lives and works in Hartford. “We talk politics, Hartford, how to improve the city. We general enjoy and support each other.”
But the shake and iced-tea joint at 408 New Britain Ave. also is a place of health and nutrition, Morales says, a component that is deeply personal to him.
Morales, 32, opened Breakthrough Nutrition a little more than two years ago right before the pandemic took hold. Morales went into the business, he says, to promote health after losing 50 pounds.
“My objective was for people to live healthy instead of getting that
fast food fix,” Morales says. He
chose the business name because he believes people need “breakthrough” in their life.
“That’s one thing I love is seeing people win at life,” Morales says. “We’re going to celebrate everyone’s wins,” from those who manage to get out of bed in the morning to work out to those starting a new business.
Breakthrough Nutrition, a homey, 600-square-foot space with six seats, two tables and two couches, sells shakes and teas in dozens of flavors.
“I call it a Starbucks for healthy people,” Morales says.
The soy-based shakes made of Herbalife Nutrition powders — Morales is a distributor — come in flavors that include Death by Chocolate, Coffee Cake, Vanilla Caramel Latte, Orange Creamsicle, Blueberry Muffin, Pina Colada and Coconut Cream Pie. Fan favorites, Morales says, are Banana Pudding and White Salted Caramel.
The shakes that are considered a meal replacement contain 24 grams of protein, six more when
peanut butter is added, and they’re mostly under 250 calories.
The teas, in flavors with titles such as Pineapple Sundress, Sex on the Beach, Wonder Woman and Captain America, can be boosted with collagen, probiotics, immunity enhancers and electrolytes.
“Emanuel always has a positive and uplifting vibe. This vibe can be felt through all of his clients when they come in. It’s like an extended family,” says customer Tina Virola, who owns an insurance agency in Hartford and lives in West Hartford. “The shakes are a wonderful meal replacement, and I don’t feel guilty after having one since they are healthy. The teas give a boost of energy and hydration. I have a lot of favorites but I can say the Salted Caramel Shake and the Red Sunset Tea are my go-to drinks.”
Customer Jacqueline Ward lives in New Britain but makes her way to Breakthrough Nutrition every day. The energy teas are her favorite.
“I walked through his doors two years ago and never stopped going,” says Ward, who says she’s lost more than 50 pounds since
going there. “It’s a positive impact on health and wellness for the community. Changing lives day by day. The products completely changed my life.”
Customer Karen Morales, no relation to the store owner, lives in the south end of Hartford where there are similar shops closer to home, but she drives to Breakthrough Nutrition early in the morning for the vibe.
“I like walking into a calm, peaceful environment,” she says. “At Breakthrough everyone always greets each other. I like the no judgment vibe. Breakthrough is not only a place to turn your lifestyle around, it’s also a place where you can make friends, learn about other resources, enjoy a good laugh and also a quiet space.”
Morales loves the idea of giving “community support” to people trying to lose weight and become healthier because that’s something he wished he had on his journey.
Even though its a small space, Breakthrough does as much as it can to promote exercise and workout opportunities offered by others, he says. The store is full of inspirational quotes, the most prominent being, “Change your mindset, change your life.”
Another message reads, “Have a mind that’s open to everything and attached to nothing.”
Five years ago, Morales and a business partner opened 80⁄20 Fit, a health supplement store, at 1793 Park St. Before opening that store, he says, he was a Subway sandwich stop manager and was so busy working 80 to 90 hours per week that he didn’t have time to sit down to a simple, healthful meal. Then a friend told him about Herbalife Nutrition shakes.
Emanuel says he tried them and lost more than 50 pounds in three months.
But the product isn’t necessarily about losing weight, he says. Some people use them to gain weight, maintain weight, boost energy or boost their immune system.
“Here I am five years later and still impacting the community on a daily basis,” he says. “Sometimes I feel like a therapist behind the bar. Everyday it’s something new.”