Daily Cuts - Nano Singapore – let AI help improve your physical and mental wellness

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Introduction: Now, Made in SG with Melanie Olivero. Today’s Made in SG looks at health and wellness in physical form, so to speak, and then also in the virtual world offered by the same Made-in-SG company. So join us. I’m Melanie 938. Nano Singapore is a wellness brand. It makes and sells health supplements like, for example, immune-boosting vitamins to collagen skincare products. That’s the physical world. In the virtual world, Nano Singapore has a website where you can pick and choose from its catalogue of wellness supplements that I talked about, combining both Western science and Eastern traditional medicine. And on that same website, click on the tab Nano Singapore Health Hub and that’s when it becomes an AI artificial intelligence powered wellness portal offering AI meal planning, over 800 physical and mental wellness videos including workouts and breathing exercises, and get this—a mental counseling section with Milo the cat as your well-being confidant, dispensing advice and self-care tips. There’s lots to unpack and discover here, so let’s welcome to Made in SG Eugene Sim, co-founder of Nano Singapore, the award-winning wellness brand with a regional presence as well. Hey Eugene, let’s, uh, welcome to CNA 938.

Eugene:  Hello, nice to meet you. 

Host: And likewise for me. Let's rewind back to our collective past because for me, I'm lucky in a sense that I didn't quite have skincare issues as a teenager or a 20-something, just the occasional whopper of a pimple and that's it. When it came to facial wash, I used Hazeline Snow to cleanse my skin, and I also took the typical vitamin supplements at the time, like vitamin C pills. I also drank flavored health shakes, which were quite the rage back then. What about you? What was your health and teenage skincare regime, and did you also take vitamins?

Eugene: Wow, that's a long time back. So back in primary and secondary school, I think skincare wasn't that top of mind. Okay, I used probably a bar of soap. Okay, yeah. But it was something that was dawning on me because during like Primary 4, I had this huge outbreak and it was becoming apparent that compared to my peers, right? Yeah, I looked different. And I recall during one of the recess times, after I came back from soccer, the Chinese teacher pulled me aside and said, "You know what? You're all sweaty. You have a lot of pimples. You should start washing your face"—in front of the whole class. And that got me very self-critical. Oh my goodness, am I different?

Host:  She said that to you in Mandarin, is it?

Eugene: Yes, but I think it was out of her kindness of the heart. 

Host:  Sure, yeah. Okay, and then you said you felt kind of different from everyone?

Eugene: Yeah, I felt judged because I think as young kids, right, um, we don't really hold back on our words. So they started using words like, "Oh, pimple plantation," you know, and called me. I guess it's a mixture of jest, but it also went, it also hit me inside. So from then on, I became a bit more aware, like, "Oh, you know what? Um, I better wash my face." But it doesn't just come from washing the face because it doesn't help. Uh, so, I recall that probably in Primary 5 or 6, I started to ask my mom, you know, like, "What can I do?" And she brought me to a facial salon on the HDB. That was painful.

Host: Why? Physically painful or painful because you're a boy walking into a salon?

Eugene: I think it's both. It's like everyone's looking at you. You know the salon at HDB—it's probably assumed you're a female who likes beauty, right? And then they had extraction. It was my first time doing extraction. It was an interesting yet painful experience. Honestly, it took a long time. I mean, the eczema stuck with me for almost a decade.

Host: Yeah, it was.

Eugene: I think it was a mixture of eczema and just bad skin in general. My mom would always say, "You see, never eat your vegetables, right? That's why you have all this coming out." That got me thinking more about health and how I could take better care of myself. It made me more aware of what I should and shouldn’t do, and I tried—it's always in the back of my mind. Over the years, it wasn’t just eczema; I also had acne. When I went into JC, my skin was covered in scars, so I had to figure out how to slowly improve it. Then, the next thing hit me—tiredness. I remember being in junior college, and during lectures, especially after lunch, I would feel extremely sleepy and sometimes fall asleep for the entire lecture—yikes. That made me wonder why I was so much sleepier than my peers, who were attentively listening. I started researching and thinking more about how I could keep myself healthy and awake so that I could function better in life.

Host: So you got scolded by the lecturer for sleeping? Let me guess—or did you sit at the back?

Eugene: I think I was the one at the back. However, that showed in the test results.

Host: But look where you are now—you’re the co-owner of a successful wellness brand! So, how did health and nutrition become something you wanted to venture into? You just mentioned that you were personally invested in it and interested in the science behind it. But then I looked at your LinkedIn—you studied finance and technopreneurship at NUS, and your job history points to fields like coaching and marketing. So where did the health aspect come in?

Eugene: Wow, that's a great question. Yeah, I think health was always at the back of my mind. I’m a typical model Singaporean student—get good grades, go into a bank management program. But after a year, I realized, hey, you know what? This isn't for me. In the early to mid-2000s, there was a lot of government funding, and we managed to get a grant from the then MDA. That’s when I launched my first startup. It was actually an ad tech startup—we developed software to serve advertisements to websites. Unfortunately, that venture failed.

Host: Oh, did you inject a lot of cash into that?

Eugene: Uh, no. It was more of time and opportunity cost. You know, I was in the banking sector, and I had peers from the same batch as me. After a year or two in the startup, I would meet up with them for gatherings, and they’d say things like, "Oh, I got promoted," or "Now I'm leading a team," or even "I've been promoted to branch head." That hit me really hard.

Host: Serious FOMO lah, yeah, FOMO.

Eugene: Because there's a lot of opportunity cost, and you don’t really realize it until reality hits you. Then you start thinking, "Oh, I could have been that." But having said that, health and wellness had always been at the back of my mind. I talked about eczema, I talked about tiredness, and I think it all solidified when I was running startups—several of them, in fact. Between 2007 and 2009, my grandma and dad passed away, and that gave me a kind of quarter-life crisis. I started questioning—why am I doing what I’m doing? The human body is so fragile, and how do I make sure this doesn’t happen to me or my loved ones? That really got me thinking. But it wasn’t until around 2017 that I finally had the opportunity to take a serious look at building this company.

Host: So then, how did you meet your co-founders and set up Nano Singapore? Were they in university or JC with you?

Eugene: Oh, okay. My co-founder, Joel, and I met in university. We worked on a case competition together, and it went pretty well. During our university days, we also pursued several entrepreneurial ventures. At that time, we came across a website—it was like an Alibaba equivalent—probably around 2004 or 2005. We found these simple robot vacuums, shipped them to Singapore for about five to ten bucks per piece, and sold them for $30 to $40 on our own website. It was an interesting venture, but we soon got a reality check. Within a month, we received our first letter—a cease and desist from a company in Denmark that owned the patent. We were like, "What? What is this about?" But through that experience, we learned a lot. Joel and I have been through the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial journey together, so starting Nano Singapore was just a natural progression of how we worked as a team.

Host: A learning curve, yeah. But then, how did it go from that to wellness products—things that people actually consume? That’s quite a jump, you know.

Eugene: That's a huge jump, yeah. So primarily, I had been in digital consultancy for almost two decades, working in a lot of service-based businesses. My partner, Joel, and I eventually thought, "You know what? Managing people is tough. Why not try a product-based business instead?" At that time, both of us were actively shopping on iHerb, testing and trying different supplements because we were both health-conscious. We started searching online, looking at manufacturers, and realized that if the market didn’t have exactly what we needed, why not create it ourselves? When we reached out, we found that manufacturers were happy to work with us. That’s how the ball started rolling. It was part entrepreneurial curiosity, part solving our own needs, and also a question of, "What’s next for us?" All of that came together, leading to the start of Nano Singapore.

Host: So many things, so many moving parts. The interesting thing is that your health supplements incorporate both Eastern and Western influences. You mentioned speaking with manufacturers, but you also had to consult with proper health professionals and authorities here to ensure you were putting out a safe, healthy range, right?

Eugene: Yeah. So in the beginning, we consulted friends who were doctors and TCM specialists. As we progressed, we actually brought these professionals on board—not just on our side, but also through our work with manufacturers. These manufacturers have their own food scientists and panels of experts, so there are multiple layers of rigorous testing and evaluation happening. Even though I’m not a nutritionist or a medical expert myself, we have a team of professionals handling that aspect. It’s really about leveraging the expertise of the right people to ensure our products are safe and effective.

Host: And then, of course, putting it through HSA to get the necessary approvals.

Eugene: Correct. There are regulations we have to follow, and that required us to learn quite a bit along the way. Singapore’s regulations are different from Malaysia’s, and every country has its own requirements. One of the things we learned is that some countries take a long time to approve products—that’s a whole other challenge. But we told ourselves that the more regulations there are, the better, because it creates barriers to entry. If we get everything done properly and compliantly, that becomes an asset we can build on for the long term.

Host: It’s not a hindrance—it’s an asset, yeah.

Eugene: It’s an opportunity—an opportunity.

Host: I visited your website—you’ve got quite a lot of products, very impressive! From collagen care to weight loss. Which products are your best sellers?

Eugene: Okay, so the first would be our Male Max Extreme—yeah, that’s for guys. It’s a supplement designed to support men with additional energy. The second best-seller is our probiotics.

Host: I see, yeah.

Eugene: So probiotics are something that’s very common for both sexes. The third best-seller is something pretty new—we call it the Collagen 5+ Drink. It comes in a sachet, and you just consume it. It’s mostly for ladies who want to look youthful and radiant. Along the way, we’ve noticed that trends are changing, but there you have it—the three top sellers of Nano Singapore.

Host: What's the flavor of your Collagen Drink?

Eugene: Ah, oh! I think it has quite a nice, sweet raspberry taste—yeah, a berry flavor. Really nice!

Host: A nice raspberry, slightly citric taste—okay. But you know, Eugene, there’s a lot of competition out there. You’ve got LAC, Nature’s Way, Blackmores, and so many other health supplement brands. So how does Nano Singapore stand out? Is it solely the combination of Eastern and Western science? Because that’s not exactly rare either, right?

Eugene: That's a very good question. Apart from the Eastern and Western combination, I think it's really about how we approach wellness. For me, wellness isn't just about supplementation—it's a holistic approach. We look at the body—meaning fitness. We look at the mind—meaning clarity, mindfulness. That’s why if you visit our website, you’ll see that our messaging and the way we articulate things are centered on integrating nutrition, supplementation, the mind, and the body. For example, I strongly believe in the mind-body connection. If you're stressed, it shows on your body—you get headaches, feel faint, or even experience breakouts. How do we clear that? It’s not just about supplements; it’s about breathing exercises, maybe yoga, or just small changes to help manage stress. Similarly, if you just take supplements without changing your lifestyle, it’s not going to be effective. If you have an unhealthy diet and don’t exercise, no amount of supplements can make up for that. That’s why we also focus on educating people, raising awareness about the importance of fitness and a balanced lifestyle. We do this through videos, our messaging, and even AI tools to help people make better health choices. In Singapore, it’s easy to buy supplements, but how many of us have a cupboard full of expired ones? That’s because wellness isn’t just about taking a pill—it’s a way of life. Our goal is to help people stay committed to their health journey. It’s difficult, I know—we’re all busy. But through our approach, we are slowly but surely growing awareness and helping people build a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.

Host: Take us very quickly through the AI Meal Planner. You mentioned it—so how does it work? What do we do?

Eugene: Ah, oh! So you go to the website, to our health portal, and key in your personal data—things like your height, weight, activity level, dietary preferences, and restrictions. The AI tool then calculates your basal metabolic rate (BMR) based on the information provided. From there, it generates a simple meal plan tailored for you. It presents everything in a table format, outlining what you should have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as meal frequency recommendations. But of course, this is just the first step. You get the output, but it ultimately comes down to having the motivation to follow through. That’s where we’re trying to make an impact—helping people shift their mindsets, develop better habits, and create sustainable health rituals.

Host: And then, of course, taking personal responsibility is key. You can’t just rely on AI to do all the work for you. Let’s talk more about your health supplements, Eugene. You mentioned your men’s multivitamin product earlier. What have your studies shown—specifically, what supplements do men need more compared to women? Because you also have a similar multivitamin product for women, right?

Eugene: Yes, exactly. The reason we have different types of multivitamins for men and women is that they target the specific nutritional needs of each gender. For men, the ingredients are typically aimed at supporting male health, with key nutrients like zinc and copper. Meanwhile, for women, the focus is more on iron and folate, which are essential for female health. These form the baseline of the nutrients needed, but of course, every individual is different. Ultimately, it comes down to identifying what you personally need to function well and stay healthy

Host: Because if a guy wants more iron in his diet, he could technically take the women’s multivitamin, right?

Eugene: Correct! Or you could take specific iron supplements if that’s what you need.

Host: Which you have.

Eugene: Yes, correct!

Host: I’m just wondering—what do you think about celebrities launching their own multivitamin and premium supplement brands? For example, there’s Lather, co-founded by NBA superstar LeBron James and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. And of course, we all know Goop Wellness by Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow. What are your thoughts on that?

Eugene: Wow, you’re well-informed! Okay, so for celebrities, the great thing is that they have a huge following, which means they can create a lot of awareness around supplements and their brands. I think that’s great news for the industry as a whole. However, beyond the celebrity status and the awareness they generate, I believe consumers should take a deeper look at what these brands actually stand for. What are the ingredients inside? What’s the science behind their formulations? If you're a more savvy consumer, you should also consider the actual impact of these supplements on your health. Unlike medications, most supplements don’t give you an immediate effect—you’re not going to feel drastically different after just five days. It’s something you take consistently over weeks or months to see real benefits.

Host: Like B-complex, right? Yeah, exactly.

Eugene: Yeah, so for me, I’m a bit more kiasu. I actually use wearables—I used to have a Whoop band, which I wore 24/7. It tracks all my health data, and each morning, it gives me a score called HRV (Heart Rate Variability), which represents how recovered I am. I actually test out supplements this way—I take a particular supplement over a period of time and track whether my scores improve from the start to the end. That’s how I personally experiment to see what works and what doesn’t for my body. The human body is so complex, so it’s really about finding what works for you. You can’t just rely on people saying, "Oh, you need more iron," or "You need magnesium"—because that might not be what your body actually needs. Exactly! And of course, always check with your health professional first before taking anything.

Host: So let's talk a little more about the Nano Singapore Health Hub. We mentioned it earlier, but for listeners who just joined us—The Nano Singapore Health Hub is a dedicated section on your website. You can find the link in the top right corner of your website, which is nanosingaporeshop.com. This is an AI-powered wellness portal, as you mentioned earlier. We’ve already discussed the AI meal planning section, where users fill out a brief description of their personal health details. Could you give a quick recap for those just tuning in?

Eugene: Yup, exactly! So the AI meal planner is essentially a form where you fill in your key details—your height, weight, what you hope to achieve, your lifestyle, your food preferences, and dietary restrictions. And of course, you have to be honest about what you like and don’t like to eat!

Host: Must be honest, correct?

Eugene: So the more data you provide to the AI, the better the recommendations. It generates a table with meal suggestions tailored to your goals—whether that’s losing weight, gaining muscle, or simply maintaining a healthier diet. Of course, that’s just the output. The tough part is putting it into action. That’s where our AI-powered Health Hub comes in—we aim to create awareness and educate people that being healthy isn’t just about taking supplements or stocking up on medications. It’s about making small, consistent lifestyle tweaks that become habits, then rituals. People need to see evidence of change to stay motivated. Whether it’s through meal planning, fitness, or other wellness activities, once you start seeing visible results, it builds momentum. That’s what true health is all about—a positive feedback loop that keeps you going and growing.

Host: And then there’s the Workout Planner—this one is also AI-powered. How did you consult with medical professionals and programmers to develop this personalized workout plan using AI?

Eugene: So the Workout Planner is actually structured as an input form, and it has been vetted by a certified physical trainer. When you use it, you input details like your current fitness level, workout preferences, goals, height, weight, and even what equipment you have access to. Based on that, the AI generates a personalized workout plan. It provides details on what exercises to do each day, the best time to work out, and different types of workouts—whether it’s a 15-minute Tabata session, a one-hour swim, or strength training. Our goal is to help kickstart the process for people—to show them that they have the tools and data needed to take charge of their health. Once you start working out and see the changes, you naturally get more inspired to keep going.

Host: Do these forms ask people if they smoke or drink?

Eugene: Yes, you can actually input that information in the form’s free-text fields. Once again, the key is to be as honest as possible—fill in as many details as you can. The more accurate your input, the better the recommendations will be, and ultimately, it will help you more effectively.

Host: And also, as always—whether it’s the Workout Planner or the AI Meal Planner—you should check with your doctor, GP, or health professional before making any major changes to your lifestyle. It’s important to work hand in hand with them, especially when adopting new habits, right, Eugene? Yeah, for sure, for sure! And then there’s the AI Mental Health Counseling Chat Channel with Milo—the counseling kitty! I actually talked to Milo—I asked, "How can I get more sleep?" And let me tell you, Milo had so much advice for me! But how did the idea for this come about? And why use a cat? I mean, who doesn’t like cats, right?

Eugene: I love cats, to be honest—they’re so cute! But of course, the cat is just a mascot. What we’re really trying to emphasize here is that mental wellness is extremely important. In Singapore, this area is still quite neglected. If someone says they’re seeing a therapist or counselor, the first reaction is often, "What’s wrong with you? Why do you need that?

Host: Or they silently judge you.

Eugene: Oh, that’s even worse, yeah.

Host: Cause you can’t tell, right? Yeah.

Eugene: Correct. With the shift to remote work and the impact of COVID, mental wellness has started getting more attention, but still not enough. So we thought—what better way to support Singaporeans and people in general than by providing a free AI-powered counselor? I have a coaching background, and I truly believe that a cat makes a great counselor. There’s something about its presence—empathetic, calming, and reassuring. Milo, our AI counseling kitty, is designed to hold space for users, check in on how they’re feeling, and encourage conversation rather than just giving immediate answers. People don’t always want direct solutions—they want to be heard, to talk things through. This tool gives people an outlet to vent and share their thoughts. And when you have a safe space to express yourself, you naturally become healthier. Mental wellness ties into everything—your physical health, your fitness, your nutrition. It’s all connected. I know that some people might feel weird about talking to an AI cat at first, but as more people try it, and as awareness around mental health continues to grow, I believe it will truly make a difference. Step by step, we’re working toward normalizing these conversations.

Host: And maybe, Eugene, if people start by speaking to Milo the cat—even if they find it a little unusual at first—they might just give it a try anyway. The important thing is that if it helps them vent, share their troubles, and feel a sense of relief, it could encourage them to take the next step. If they realize they need more support, they might feel more open to seeing a human counselor, a mental wellness professional. In that sense, Milo becomes a stepping stone toward better mental well-being.

Eugene: That’s a very good point, Melanie. In coaching and wellness—especially mental wellness—we often talk about a three-step process to change. Awareness: The first step is recognizing the problem or gap. Milo can help with that. Through conversation, you start to become more aware of what’s bothering you. Clarity: As you speak, you begin to understand yourself better. For example, you might tell Milo, "I’m feeling stressed," and as you continue the conversation, you realize, "Oh, I’m stressed because I’m coming to a studio for a radio show, and I’m afraid of being judged." That awareness brings clarity to what’s actually causing the stress. Action: With that new understanding, you can now make a choice—what’s the next step? Maybe it’s hiring a coach for confidence or public speaking. The goal is to bring people closer to taking action toward positive change. It’s all a step-by-step process, and ideally, Milo can help lead more people toward professional support when they need it.

Host: Who needs them, right? And the truth is, many of us do. You also mentioned that wearables are important to Nano Singapore, and you personally shared how significant they are in your own life, Eugene. Tell us more—are you looking to launch a range of wearables for Nano Singapore, or are they already available? And also, how does this tie into your vision for a greener society?

Eugene: Right, yeah. I mean, it’s something we’re definitely thinking about. Sadly, it’s not available yet, but I think there’s a huge interest in wearables in the market right now. Personally, I have two or three, and I’m actually wearing one right now—it’s a ring that tracks heart rate and all my personal health stats

Host: And then it feeds into your watch.

Eugene: It feeds into my handphone.

Host: Your handphone.

Eugene: The handphone actually has AI built in, which analyzes the data and gives me insights—like, "Hey, you seem stressed today, particularly at this hour. What happened?" All of this data is processed, and the AI provides a summary and recommendations. What we’re seeing now is AI's ability to create an immediate feedback loop—collecting data and giving real-time insights. One of the biggest questions in supplementation is: "How do I know if this multivitamin or supplement is actually working for me?" AI and wearables can help track this. For example, if you take a supplement for three months and see your stress levels decrease from a 10 to an 8, that’s tangible proof that it’s making a difference. Wearables are evolving beyond just tracking—they’re now actively impacting users. I recently backed a Kickstarter project for a haptic feedback wearable. It works by detecting stress and using specific vibrations scientifically proven to calm you down. If you need focus—like for studying—it sends a different set of vibrations to put you in the right state of mind. It’s launching in June or July, and this kind of innovation is inspiring us at Nano Singapore. The question is: how do we integrate all of this to support consumers? It’s about creating awareness, forming habits, and showing people how these tools impact their health. When they see results, they’re more likely to commit to change. Moving forward, data is going to be incredibly important—it ties together the whole cycle of mind, body, nutrition, and supplementation. There’s a lot of R&D involved, but it’s exciting because it has the potential to truly help people. With an aging and increasingly busy population, people are starting to focus more on their bodies. We’re working longer hours and staying in the workforce as we grow older. The body is the foundation—it’s what allows us to live a fulfilling life.

Host: Correct, we’re growing older—and there’s no sequel! As Ricky Gervais, the comedian, said. Alright, okay—so you know what that means, right? You’re coming back once your wearable range is out! And you’re bringing Joel with you. Both of you must come back. Thank you, Eugene!

Eugene: Thank you, Melanie!

Host: I am in the delightful company of Eugene Sim, co-founder of Nano Singapore—a Made-in-SG wellness brand that provides health supplements, from immune-boosting vitamins to collagen skincare products. Their website features an AI-powered wellness portal that’s free and available to everyone. Support local and check out NanoSingaporeShop.com, and they’ve got a healthy social media presence too! That’s a wrap for Made in SG. I’m Melanie Olivera for CNA 938.