In this episode of the LFG Energy Podcast, I sit down with Yanni Hufnagel—former college basketball coach turned founder of Lemon Perfect—for a raw conversation on grit, growth, and the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship.

From the sidelines of the University of Nevada to the shelves of Whole Foods and beyond, Yanni’s story is one of relentless drive. He shares how a lightbulb moment with lemon water sparked a billion-dollar vision, why taste is the ultimate differentiator, and what it really takes to compete in the cutthroat beverage industry.

But it’s not all highlight reels. Yanni opens up about the near-death moments of the company—supply chain breakdowns, losing retail trust, running out of cash—and how he found the resilience to keep pushing forward. We talk about landing investors like Beyoncé, the unglamorous grind of life on the road, and why building a brand is about more than just product—it’s about belief, stamina, and refusing to quit.

If you’re an entrepreneur, athlete, or anyone chasing a vision that feels bigger than yourself, this episode is proof that competitive stamina and an unshakable mission can carry you through the darkest days into your brightest breakthroughs.

Timestamps:

(00:03 ) – Introduction to the Conversation

(05:42 ) – The Journey of Lemon Perfect: From Idea to Reality

(11:13 ) – The Challenges of Entrepreneurship

(21:01 ) – The Power of Resilience and Branding

(28:45 ) – Prioritizing Health in Entrepreneurship

Connect with Yanni Hufnagel:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yhufnagel

Instagram: https://yannihufnagel.com/

Website: https://www.instagram.com/yanni/?hl=en

Welcome to the LFG Energy podcast! Your host, Arjun Dhingra, is a two-time Taekwondo world champion and the former Team USA co-head coach. He is a 23-year mortgage veteran of the industry who loves influencing change in people.

This podcast is about the stories and lessons of those who have had their backs against the wall and have ultimately overcome. Former Olympians, coaches, entrepreneurs, and incredible human beings will share their experiences of resilience and beating the odds in spite of adversity so that you too can learn to start doing the same in your life.

Connect with Arjun:

▶️ LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

Follow the show:

▶️Spotify | Apple | YouTube