Optavia MLM Review: Scam Or Legit Business Opportunity?

By: Brittney

Welcome to my Optavia MLM Review. My goal is to help you understand what the program is all about, how much it costs, if it's a good use of your time, your money, and much more! It should be less than 10 minutes start to finish, so let's dive in!

Disclaimer:

This Optavia MLM review has been thoroughly researched with information and testimonials that are available to anyone in the public. Any conclusions drawn by myself are opinions.

Firstly, Why Am I Writing The Review?

Nice to meet you, my name is Brittney!

My story starts like many do… “slaving away” at a 9-5 job that I didn’t really enjoy, but hey – it paid the bills.

I worked for a large Fortune 500 company that performed background checks for other companies when they wanted to hire a new employee… so you know, not exactly exciting stuff.

For a lot of people, a nice stable job and predictable check coming in every month is the picture of success, but for me, it felt like I was missing out on life.

Clocking in every single day, doing the same tasks over and over again, getting home with barely enough time to make dinner and enjoy some time to myself… only to wake up again the next morning and do it all over again.

I just wanted to enjoy life without being shackled to an unfilling job.

I wanted to be able to take vacations whenever I wanted, for however long I wanted.

I didn’t want to have to beg my boss for a salary increase that barely matched inflation.

I just wanted to be free and happy.

Then about 4 years ago (as a stroke of luck), I stumbled across a program that taught me how to make money online by actually helping real people (local US businesses).

Who Cares About That?

99% of reviewers out there don’t have experience running an actual business. They’re writing about stuff that they have no real experience with.

Why would they do that?

They just want you to click through and buy the program that the review is about!

I have absolutely no relationship with J Rich, so you can rest easy knowing that I’m going to give you my honest opinion.

This review is written based on my own experiences with this business model.

All that being said, let’s jump into things.

Contents

It’s another those money-making online opportunities focused on offering an abused membership program that supposedly earns you money by promoting different people’s crap.

It’s encouraged by almost every significant high-ticket course member who just gets paid via their affiliate links on the course. Yep, you got it right…

Sellouts, it is advertised by sellouts.

It’s supposed to show you how to become a 6Figure Network Marketer though most members don’t make sufficient money selling them.

That’s just the reality…you won’t get rich off a crappy $6 commission.

If you want to really get rich online, (at an average of $1,500 per sale PER MONTH), check out our #1 recommendation here.

Since we’ve to be honest for this review…

Optavia has some beneficial information to generate money over the internet and land several massive commission checks…

However, it is old AF!

At the end, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Optavia and cheap Multi Level Marketing in general.

And most importantly, I’ll show you the exact system I used to build my own internet marketing business to over $40,000 a month in mostly passive income.

This system made me swear off Multi Level Marketing marketing for good, because it uses some of the same skills but in a much more powerful and profitable way!

But more on that later.

For now, let’s hop into all things Optavia!

The Owners Of Optavia MLM

Owners Of Optavia MLM

Let us begin by stating that Optavia does have several different owners… And it is, in fact, a subsidiary of Medifast.

Medifast was established in 1980 by William Vitale, who is a physician himself. He chose to create this weight-loss business. The “Take Shape For Life” program changed its name to Optavia in 2016/2017.

Throughout 2016 this renewed Optavia program was created by Bradley Macdonald and Dr. Wayne Anderson.

Does Optavia Have A Parent Company?

optavia reviews

Optavia is a subsidiary of Medifast who William Vitale runs.

Optavia Business Opportunity Review

In this comprehensive review of Optavia, we’ll answer the questions such as:

  • How can you earn money with Optavia?
  • Is Optavia a pyramid scheme?
  • How to enroll in Optavia 
  • Why is Optavia Bad for Health?
  • Is it a Free Membership?
  • What sort of weight reduction products do they have?
  • Could you make long-term money promoting the products?

Is Optavia A MLM?

Optavia is an MLM, but it is different from a pyramid scheme…you won’t generate an income based on the referrals you are making into the company by recruitment. You earn money by selling the product they offer.

It’s easy to see my MLMs are confused all the time with a Pyramid Scheme… a lot of MLM’s depends on new recruits and requiring membership fees to remain afloat. But, Optavia relies exclusively on selling their products, so you won’t earn commissions from the people you recruit who joins the program.

Likewise, it would be best if you remembered that there are no highly sought-after discounts. It does not matter whether you are a regular member or a distributor…all the fees will be the same.

Here are the kinds of products Optavia offers.

What Does The Optavia MLM Offer?

what is optavia

Optavia offers numerous different weight reduction products and meal alternatives. These are “fuelings” products, as they call them.

Ideally, you are supposed to replace everything you usually consume. With these products, you would lose weight since your body will get all of the nutrients it requires out of these substitute meals.

They have more than 60 various fuelings and supplements to sell, Green and Lean foods, and more to benefit you on your health and wellness journey.

You will find enough product choices for everybody to find something they like!

Health Coach Business Kit

As we pointed out earlier, there’s a support system of health coaches in Optavia. You can purchase things, or you can turn into a health or business trainer yourself. This support method separates Optavia MLM from other MLM companies.

Optavia depends on the program of health coaches to market and promote its products.

You can purchase Optavia’s products through one of their distributors (Health Coach). You won’t get any of their products in retail shops. When you need further info about them, you’ll need to communicate with one of their distributors. To be one of their distributors and be eligible to earn commissions, you have to get the “Health Coach Business Kit” first for a $199 price tag.

Sadly, you can’t find these Optavia items on the market anywhere in retail…they could just be offered through health coach distributors. Information is not that simple to find either. Again, you need to go through one of their distributors.

You have to purchase their “Health Coach Business Kit” which is roughly $200 to do that.

But let’s find out what comes inside their business kit.

The kit contains advertising material and guides to help you get things off the ground. Additionally, you gain access to your website for 12 months. Here is the list of what is inside this kit:

The business opportunity kit includes materials like how you can start and advertising. Here, you’ll be granted access to your own website for 12 months. Here is a brief list of what else is inside:

  • Business tools like Coaching Guide for the Habits of Health, Transformation System, and Optavia Success System
  • Plan information: Products, Brochure, Guides Cards
  • Business Leader Accessories: Pen Set, Notepad, Journal, and Optavia Business Box
  • Training video clips, Support, subscription to Healthy Habits, and Access to your Optavia website for 12 months.

Now that you are a wellness coach and understand everything about the products in the kit, there are 2 additional expenses you need to make a note of.

  • Annual Business Renewal at $99. You’re forced to pay a yearly fee if you would like to continue selling Optavia products.
  • Monthly Order – You’ve to purchase one item pack monthly to qualify for the commissions and to keep you on your level…another usual MLM strategy.

Optavia Weight Loss Products

Here’s a brief list of the most popular weight reduction products:

  • Essential Cranberry Honey Nut Granola Bar
  • Essential Creamy Double Peanut Crisp Bar
  • Essential Drizzled Chocolate Fudge Crisp Bar
  • Essential Chocolate Mint Cookie Crisp Bar
  • Essential Drizzled Berry Crisp Bar
  • Essential Campfire S’mores Crisp Bar
  • Essential Caramel Delight Crisp Bar
optavia weight loss

As you noticed, most are in the bar form. This is due to the latest trend of meal replacement bars since many people are much too occupied with planning their meal.

We have tested several of these bars and truthfully, they are not well worth the price of $21.45.

We say this in all honesty…

You can buy a much better-tasting bar that is equally healthy at a gasoline station for just $3.

Does Optavia Cause Ketosis?

NO. That the short answer.

The long answer…

The Optavia weight loss course is achieved without consuming extra fat and cutting away carbs altogether. The keto diet plan forces you to eat a lot of fat and cut out carbs, therefore, burning fat in turn.

It is complex, so we suggest considering intermittent fasting instead.

Why Is Optavia Unhealthy?

The Optimal Weight loss products they offer are highly processed products, with quite a bit of carbs and sugar

The meal and diet replacements they provide depend on prepackaged food products, so for thirty days, they would suggest you eat 5 highly processed food products every day in an attempt to lose weight.

Not the best idea!

Come on, Medifast!

What Are The Side Effects Of Optavia?

optavia diet reviews

Like every other MLM company that claims they’re for fitness and health, Optavia has several of its own side effects like dizziness, leg cramps, bad breath, hair loss, headaches, and constipation.

You read it right…

We will pass on this one.

Thanks, but no thanks!

How Much Money Does An Optavia Health Coach Make?

Based on Glassdoor, you will see the general wage is between $47,526 to $52,291 for health coaches at Optavia.

Do not get too excited yet. Remember, you earn money with Optavia based on how effective and your number of sales.

That is why with regards to searching for a method to earn money online, we suggest you look elsewhere…check out our recommendation at the bottom.

For now, let’s check out Optavia’s compensation program.

Optavia Compensation Plan

The same as all MLM compensation programs, you can find the Optavia MLM strategy to be confusing. The difference is that you do not get paid for a new distributor enrollment.

That answers the “Is Optavia A Pyramid Scheme” question because a pyramid scheme earns you money for new people.

But you do get commissions from your downline sales.

Honestly, the rest of the compensation program is complicated, which makes you think if that is part of their tactics.

Optavia Compensation Plan

It’s 20 pages long and, if you want to join Optavia, we recommend looking over it with a fine-toothed comb. You will find 15 ranks total, though we will cover the 3 most frequent ones…

  • Health Coach: You make money with a 15% depending on how many items your recruits purchase. The more they are buying, the more you earn cash.
  • Business Coach: At this stage, you have other coaches under you and generate money from them and their teams. Thus, it enables you to earn money by mentoring the next generation of coaches. The better they perform, the better you perform!
  • Business Leader: After you helped one of your coaches, at least, in your downline become an Executive Director and become Regional Director, you could be a Business Leader.

As per typical MLM, the higher rank, the higher the potential you’re earning cash in a sizable degree, which can be achieved by recruiting people who could get out there and sell almost as you can!

You can certainly make money with MLM’s, but if you’re gonna put in the amount of grueling work to become a MLM IBO (which, trust me, isn’t easy), you might as well bring in some REAL money. 

The program that helped skyrocket my online business to $40,000+ per month teaches some of the same MLM skills, but shows you how to monetize them in a much, MUCH more profitable way.

Pros And Cons Of Optavia

While it is not our 1st recommended method to make money online, there are several items the staff at Scam Risk like about it and what they do not like. Check these items below.

Pros

  • It was a subsidiary of Medifast
  • Everyone is provided a thirty-day refund policy
  • Weight loss plans work

Cons

  • Health coaches are not real health coaches
  • Products are hard to sell and expensive 
  • The success rate is low

Is Optavia A Scam?

scam-or-legit-ggmoney

OPTAVIA is not a SCAM.

Even though they develop a hopeful image in your head, talk about all of the “limitless” earning possibilities you can get…it is not realistic.

To make big money, you will need to recruit people and there’s no other way around that.

Users seem to be losing weight. However, there are several complaints on the internet that say otherwise.

The bottom line, legally, multi-level marketing businesses are not a scam since they offer physical products. A huge difference when compared to a pyramid scheme.

Additionally, if Optavia was a scam…what MLM Company scam gives a 30-day money-back policy?

But there’s still a better way to make money online, though…

FAQ’s

Why Should I Be Wary Of Meal Replacement Products?

Meal replacements are highly processed food which is not healthy obviously. It looks a bit counterintuitive, but when you take a hard look at most meal replacements, they often use flavors to appeal to their consumer.

Unfortunately, that leads to artificial ingredients and flavors being used, which is not good for the body.

How To Choose A Good Health Program

Just as you would do with other things, check out the reviews from the old and current members. You can also check their social media. Many people and companies interact there now.

In addition to checking out new people and participants who just started with it, do a little research on the brand name… did they can make any questionable name or rebranding that you should be aware of?

And check how their business model is implemented…

Are they be often trying to recruit and earn money through it, or are their mentors helping out other members?

Don’t forget, if one thing seems off, probably it is…for more information on a business. You can also look into Better Business Bureau (BBB).

What Is The Best Weight Loss Program?

There is certainly no shortage of weight loss programs floating around. But the majority of them have turned into MLM businesses and have their very own complex compensation program and parent company to cope with.

So, we would suggest that you take a hard pass on the Optavia Company.

We suggest looking into Kinobody. This specific system is centered on not only losing weight but developing muscle mass too!

An essential component of Greg O’Gallagher’s mentoring program is about developing practices of wellness, working out 2 to 3 times a week, and applying intermittent fasting.

Intermittent fasting is one healthy practice alone that will help you achieve your optimum weight.

What Is Multi Level Marketing?

Multi-Level Marketing is where you sign up with one MLM company or several MLM companies in order to make money.

It’s a business model that lots of people are sold to with hopes and dreams of generating money online, and sadly, this business model involves recruiting new people over and over again to sell for you.

It is a race on the top.

Truth be told, several members of Optavia and their MLM business grapple to hit the “average” wage listed earlier.

What Are Some Signs Of Pyramid Schemes?

Here’s a brief summary of symptoms to watch away for in case you feel it gives off pyramid scheme vibes:

  • No real service or product
  • Promises of higher returns in a brief time period
  • Passive income or easy money
  • No displayed revenue from retail sales
  • Buy-in required
  • Complicated commission structure
  • Focus on recruiting

How To Spot A Multi Level Marketing Company

It is quite simple to identify MLM Companies as Optavia and Take Shape For Life these days…here’s a brief list:

  • Coaches that are not really coaches
  • Conflicting Better Business Bureau score
  • Complex compensation plan
  • States, “never before seen company opportunity.”
  • Demands an order of products

GG Money’s #1 Recommended Way To Make Money Online In 2024

Digital Leasing

Our review team has come across a program in the real estate industry that is next level!

Although it’s not real estate in the traditional sense, it’s all digital.

Yup, Digital Leasing!

Where Multi Level Marketing falls short is in scalability. 

There’s only so much time in a day and there’s only so many people you can reach to sell by yourself.

MLM companies know this! Which is why they push so hard for you to recruit for your downline…you can’t get rich with it as a one man/woman show.

But what if you could make even more money off of little local websites without having to spend hundreds of dollars on overpriced products and a bunch of time recruiting people to sell under you?

With this Digital Leasing program, you can make recurring monthly income without constant sales to your friends and constant recruitment!

Sound too good to be true?

Of course it does! But it isn’t…in fact, business owners wish they had this skill!

All you have to do is build and rank a LOCAL website and forward the jobs off to a business owner in town, you could even email it to them!

This works for literally any service based business, tree service, plumbing, towing, etc. 

How do you get paid and how much?

Simple, after you forward the jobs off to a business owner and he makes some money off of them, you simply ask to make the deal beneficial for each other.

A fair price to charge per lead, depending on the industry is 10-20%…let’s just use the tree service industry for example and go by worst case scenario.

Let’s say you build and rank the site and only 10 jobs a month come in. The average tree service job is anywhere from $500-$2000!

That means at bare minimum you have an asset worth $500 a month!

See why they call it Digital Leasing now? That’s a rent payment. 

The great thing is how easy it is to scale. You don’t have to worry about:

  • Your upline getting paid before you
  • Begging your friends and family to buy from you
  • Recruiting people all the time

But as it is with Optavia… You only get what’s left of the pie if you meet a monthly quota…

The course we recommend actually allows you to collect HUGE FLAT RATE DEALS. Truly passive income!

The training program takes making money online to a whole other level. The owner of the program walks you through how to build and rank a site hand in hand, with the occasional voice over when he is sharing his screen.

You will learn the importance of keywords, website name, how to send call notifications via email, backlinking, etc.

Once the training program is completed you will also have access to a Facebook group much better than the Optavia group in our opinion. This group is much more active.

Unlike Optavia, where you’re getting maybe $10 per sale, you could be getting 10-20X THAT. 

A business will always want more leads and another job. In fact it doesn’t even matter that the job isn’t coming from their website name…they see it as it is…expanding Digital Leasing.

Unlike Optavia, more people have been able to walk away from their 9-5 job as well. 

Digital Leasing allows you to have total passive income with most of your day being spent WITH your friends, NOT selling to them.

Now, I know you probably have tons of questions… 

So, check this out to learn more.

Brittney Here!

I get to travel the world and live life without financial worry thanks to the system below!