When Mark Young talks about Detroit, you hear the grit in his voice, not just from the streets he grew up on, but from decades of watching systems rise, fall, and attempt reinvention. From teaching in under-resourced classrooms to building call centers, and now running a medical device company, Mark’s story is anything but predictable. Yet his mission has never been clearer: empower people to take control of their health, one smart choice—and one story—at a time.
In a recent episode of “A Healthy Point of View” podcast, Mark Young, longevity marketer, medical device CEO, and thought leader behind Zona Health, sat down with Sam Tejada, CEO and Founder of Liquivida®, for a wide-ranging, raw, and deeply insightful conversation. From unfiltered lessons in marketing and compliance to the science of naturally reversing hypertension, the episode was part masterclass, part wake-up call.
He Fights the FDA with Science—And Wins! | Mark Young Exposes the Wellness Industry | Ep. 67
Biohacking Before It Was Cool
Mark didn’t plan to end up in health and wellness. He was a professor. A problem-solver. A guy trying to make a difference in people’s lives through education. But bureaucracy wore him down, and he eventually pivoted into business consulting. That’s when a red light therapy company came knocking, and Mark took the plunge into a world that, at the time, few people understood.
That red light job led to others, and eventually to Zona Health, a company that uses isometric handgrip therapy to lower blood pressure. Mark invested in it. Later, he was asked to lead it. He resisted. “It started as a six-month gig. That was seven years ago,” he laughed.
The Science Behind Zona
Zona’s device looks simple, but its mechanics are backed by real science. Users squeeze it in a specific pattern, not like a stress ball, but with a measured, sustained force that triggers the body’s sympathetic nervous system, releases nitric oxide, and improves vasodilation.
The real magic happens deeper. Holding the grip stimulates a potassium release that rehydrates the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels. A flexible endothelium can regulate pressure more effectively. It’s like dripping water on a dry sponge over time; it becomes pliable again.
“This is turning back the biological clock,” Mark said. “You don’t know a healthy 7-year-old with high blood pressure.”
The Real Problem? Most People Don’t Know What They Don’t Know
Mark made a compelling point: the biggest barrier to better health isn’t resistance — it’s ignorance. “Most people aren’t lazy. They just don’t even know there’s another option besides medication.”
Sam echoed this, noting how COVID changed the game. People saw firsthand that poor metabolic health made them vulnerable. That scare made them curious. And curiosity, Mark says, is the beginning of transformation.
Marketing Wellness in a World of Red Tape
With Zona Health operating as a medical device company and Mark running a marketing agency, he lives in a world where every claim, word, and comma is scrutinized by the FDA and FTC. But instead of battling regulators, Mark takes a collaborative approach, a move that’s earned him both trust and unusual support.
“They helped us write part of our study protocol,” Mark said of one FDA call. “People couldn’t believe it. But I approached them like people, not enemies.”
This approach — cooperative, honest, strategic — mirrors what Mark preaches to clients: educate, don’t exaggerate. And above all, tell stories that center the consumer, not the product.
“No one cares about potassium rehydrating the endothelium. But they care about not dying young. They care about being around for their kids.”
A Bigger Mission: Make America Healthy Again
Mark and Sam reflected on the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, agreeing that real change starts with unlearning. “We’ve been taught a lot of the wrong things,” Mark said. “This isn’t just about education, it’s about deprogramming.”
Mark’s goal is clear: disrupt the cycle of dependency, misinformation, and reactive healthcare by arming people with tools and truth. His latest book, Radical Generosity, is a testament to that mission. For Mark, generosity isn’t just about giving money; it’s about presence, wisdom, time, and impact.
“We’re not just in the business of health,” he said. “We’re in the business of helping people live longer, better, and with purpose.”