Our Story

On a Mission

We exist to help elite and everyday athletes thrive in their chosen sporting endeavors through the power of one smart berry, the New Zealand Blackcurrant. Clean, simple, plant-based pre-workout designed to help you get more out of the work you put in.

Scientist examining supplement ingredient

Born from Science

Over 10 years ago our co-founders were part of a team from the New Zealand Plant and Food Research Institute that first discovered blackcurrants had benefits for exercise.

This discovery then led to an additional 10 years of research and a growing body of evidence that proved blackcurrants could improve athletic performance and speed up recovery through a highly unique mode of action.

The team was so inspired by this little berry that they were compelled to take it to the world. And that's how 2before was born.

All our blackcurrant products undergo scientific testing

New Zealand Institute

The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited is a New Zealand government-owned Crown Research Institute, subject to the Crown Entities Act 2004, the Crown Research Institutes Act 1992 and the Companies Act 1993.

Meet the Team

Dr. Roger Hurst

THE RESEARCHER

Brendan Vercoe

THE COMMERCIAL GUY

Dane Baker

THE SPORTS DIETICIAN

Dr. Roger Hurst

Dr. Roger Hurst is the Chief Science Advisor for 2before Performance Nutrition and is a Principal Scientist at Plant & Food Research. After an esteemed biomedical career in the United Kingdom and Canada, Hurst joined Plant & Food Research to investigate bioactives from plants in New Zealand. In his research, New Zealand sourced blackcurrants continually showed their effectiveness and potential. Through over 10 years of diligent science, Hurst and his team have discovered the unique benefits of New Zealand blackcurrants for sports performance and recovery in in-vitro and intervention studies. This science, in turn, is the foundation upon which the 2before™ blackcurrant powder is built.

Brendan Vercoe

Brendan Vercoe is Chief Executive Officer for 2before Performance Nutrition. After spending his entire career in the food industry, Vercoe pivoted to merge his professional career with this passion for health and nutrition. He initially worked with Dr. Hurst and the rest of the Plant & Food Research team to turn New Zealand blackcurrants into a consumer product designed for elite athletes. Now the team is working to take the benefits of Adaptive™ New Zealand blackcurrants to all fitness enthusiasts.

Dane Baker

Dane Baker is Head Sports Dietitian for 2before Performance Nutrition and a New Zealand Registered Dietitian who has worked with elite Olympic athletes and professional rugby players for over 10 years. He understands first hand the physical toll that modern training can have on his athletes. As the scientific evidence on the sports recovery benefits of New Zealand blackcurrants grew, he started using and recommending anthocyanins to his athletes. His goal is to provide standardized, efficacious doses of the best polyphenols that increases compliance with his athletes. 2before Performance Pre-workout makes it possible.

A TEAM OF FITNESS ENTHUSIASTS

Tony Barylski - US National Sales Manager for 2before

National Sales Manager

Tony Barylski

Tony is the US National Sales Manager for 2before Performance Nutrition.  Years of workout beverage sales experience, and being a former collegiate athlete, lends valuable insight and knowledge to our customers.  When not spending time at ball fields with his family, he fuels up with 2before to get in a workout or a round of golf. 

“2before gives me the focus and energy I need whether at the gym or at the turn when playing 18.”