Q2 2026 was Lecka's best quarter ever — 128% growth year-on-year, 68% quarter-on-quarter. In this episode, I'm walking through exactly what drove it: scaling from 2 to 9 Supersports locations in Vietnam, a huge order tied to our Iron Man Vietnam partnership, and a breakout moment for the Ultra Gel in the US.

I also get into something that's been clicking for me lately — realizing the US, Asia, and Europe aren't playing the same role in this business anymore. The US is where we go to learn. Asia is where we're actually growing fastest. Europe is the long game.

Plus a quick update on the carb hydration powder that's still in the works, and where my head's at heading into Q3.

If you've been following Lecka for a while, this one's a good snapshot of where things stand. Grab your coffee (or your croissant) and give it a listen.

Follow for weekly episodes.

I just got back from two days at TrailCon in Tahoe, right before Western States — our first year having an actual booth there. I thought I'd sit down the next morning and tell you everything while it's still fresh.

The biggest surprise? Our energy bars sold out, and not to the crowd I expected. The Ultra Gel sold out too, which felt like real validation. I also picked up on something bigger happening in the industry — younger runners asking harder questions about what's actually in their fuel, and a real shift toward real food options.

I'll also get into where we're falling short on telling our farm-to-fuel story, what people asked us for that we don't currently make, and why I think word of mouth is doing more for this brand than any ad campaign could.

If you've ever wondered what it's actually like running a small nutrition brand's first conference booth, this one's for you.

Follow Lecka Bites for more from the ground, every week.

Lecka just turned six. May 21st, 2020 was when it all officially started — a company registered in Ho Chi Minh City, some energy bars made in a kitchen, and a small trail running community in Vietnam. Markus almost forgot the anniversary. His team reminded him.

In this episode, he skips the big reflective speech and gets into what he's actually been building: Lecka Coach, a free race nutrition planner at plan.getlecka.com. You enter your race details — distance, finish time, expected weather, body weight, caffeine preferences, fueling style — and get a personalized plan telling you exactly which gels and bars to take and when. There's a quick version that takes 30 seconds, and a pro version that pulls live race day weather and goes deep on fueling strategy.

There's also a gut training section — a week-by-week program to get your gut ready to absorb race-day carb loads — and a science tab that shows exactly how the recommendations are calculated. No black box.

Markus also talks about what's happening at Lecka right now: new Ultra Gel packaging in production and the first official order heading to China.

If you've ever wondered how much to eat during a race, this one's for you. Follow Lecka Bites for a new episode every week.

It's been a while. Markus is back with a proper catch-up on everything that's happened in the Lecka world over the last few months.

The Ultra Gel launched in Vietnam and sold out in two weeks — the fastest response to any product we've released. It's now rolling out across the US, Germany, Denmark, Australia, and more. A second Ultra Gel flavor is coming in June: fruit and nut, less sweet, more creamy, built for longer efforts.

Speaking of Australia — that happened fast. One Instagram message from Brody at Wild Earth, one Monday call, and the order was in on Tuesday. Now live on wildearth.com.au.

On the expansion side: China and South Korea import documentation is grinding forward. India is in progress, fingers crossed.

And Markus has been building something new: a free AI nutrition planner for endurance athletes, live at plan.getlecka.com. You put in your race and training details, it spits out a carbs, sodium, and fluid plan based on 27 research inputs. No paywall, no gimmick.

Oh, and Lecka turns six on May 22nd.

If you've been following along, this one's a good catch-up. If you're new — welcome to the scrappy side of endurance nutrition.

Follow Lecka Bites wherever you listen so you don't miss the six-year retrospective coming next week.

After a month-long deep dive into the heart of Vietnam’s sports nutrition scene, Markus returns to the US with major updates on Lecka’s product evolution.

This episode breaks down the technical overhaul of the Gel 2.0 line, featuring a transition to tapioca syrup for a cleaner taste, an increased carbohydrate count, and a perfected 1:0.8 glucose-fructose ratio designed for elite endurance performance.

Markus also celebrates the official launch of the Lecka Ultra Gel in Vietnam—a 65g carbohydrate powerhouse in a multi-use spout pouch that is already disrupting the market.

Beyond product specs, we explore Lecka’s aggressive expansion across Asia and the US.

Learn how the brand is becoming the first "real food" nutrition option for the 10,000+ ultra-athletes in China and expanding its footprint into South Korea.

Markus also shares updates on US retail growth, including new partnerships with the prestigious San Francisco Running Company and Fleet Feet Menlo Park. Whether you are an ultra-runner looking for better gut health or an entrepreneur interested in "Farm to Fuel" logistics, this episode is packed with insights.

Learn more:

www.getlecka.com, www.getlecka.vn

Follow us:

www.instagram.com/leckanutrition

In this episode of Lecka Bites, Markus takes us to the heart of Lecka’s operations in Central Vietnam. From the ancient streets of Hoi An to the bustling beachfront of Da Nang, he shares an inside look at the brand’s latest product breakthroughs.

Get the first scoop on the newly finalized Ultra Gels—featuring a refreshing Passion Fruit Mango and a "real food" Banana Peanut Butter—and learn how the move to locally sourced tapioca syrup is revolutionizing the flavor profile of the Gel 2.0 lineup.

Beyond the lab, Markus dives into the vibrant local community, recounting 5:00 AM runs through misty ancient towns and the explosive growth of the Da Nang fitness scene.

He discusses Lecka's expanding footprint in luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Hyatt, and the brand’s unique position as the only Vietnamese "real food" option on retail shelves. Whether you're an endurance athlete or interested in the business of sports nutrition, this episode is a deep dive into the passion and logistics behind powering the next generation of runners.

Find out more here:

www.getlecka.com

www.instagram.com/leckanutrition

Join Lecka founder Markus Gnirck as he returns to the brand’s roots in Vietnam during the Lunar New Year (Tet) to outline the next phase of the "real food" revolution. From the trails of Northern California to the streets of Manila, Lecka is proving that clean-label, gut-friendly nutrition is the future of endurance sports.

In This Episode:

Expansion in the USA: We’re welcoming Reno Running Company (NV) and Gold Country Run & Sport (CA) to the Lecka family. Find us near the iconic Western States finish line!

The Subscription Launch: Learn how to save 15-20% on your favorite energy gels—like Passion Fruit, Banana, and Kumquat—via our new subscription models on Amazon and the Lecka website.

Community First: A look at our recent Valentine’s Day Run with Heyday in the Philippines and why building offline connections is the heart of our mission.

Mission China 2026: Markus shares insights on his upcoming trip to Guangzhou and Shenzhen, challenging the "maltodextrin-heavy" market with 100% natural, real-food alternatives.

Hoi An Prototypes: A sneak peek into the factory in Central Vietnam where new product innovation happens.

00:00 – Introduction: Returning to Vietnam for Tet

00:31 – The Energy of Vietnam’s Business Landscape

01:12 – US Expansion: New Partners in Nevada & California

02:24 – Launching Lecka Subscriptions (Amazon & Web)

03:30 – Community Events: Valentine’s Day Run in the Philippines

05:11 – Upcoming: Product Innovation in Hoi An

06:43 – Future Strategy: Reshaping for 2026

06:24 – Exploring Real Food Opportunities in China

About Lecka:

Lecka is a nutrition brand born in Vietnam, dedicated to providing athletes with natural, gut-friendly energy that doesn't compromise on performance or the planet.

Shop Lecka & Subscribe: www.getlecka.com

Follow our Journey: www.instagram.com/leckanutrition

#LeckaBites #RealFood #EnduranceNutrition #UltraRunning #CleanLabel #VietnamStartup #EnergyGels #RunningCommunity #SustainableSports

Exciting Developments at Lecka: New Products, Markets, and Growth Strategies

Are you curious about how innovative nutrition brands like Lecka are expanding globally and launching new products? In this post, we’ll explore the latest updates from Lecka, including their upcoming product launches, market expansions, and insights into the health trends shaping their strategy. Whether you're an industry insider or just interested in how brands grow, this overview offers clear takeaways on navigating product innovation and market penetration.

Drawing from recent interviews and updates from Markus, Lecka’s founder, we gain practical insights into how a brand scales successfully in competitive markets while staying true to its core mission of gut-friendly, real food ingredients. Let’s break down their recent achievements and future plans, making it easy to see how Lecka is shaping its path forward.

The Future of Performance Nutrition: Launching the Ultra Gel and Ultra Jelly

Lecka is pioneering new frontiers in sports nutrition with the upcoming launch of their Ultra Gel, a larger, more electrolyte-rich version of their already popular gel product. Expected to debut shortly after the lunar new year in Asia, the Ultra Gel signals a strong focus on serving the ultra-endurance community.

What makes the Ultra Gel different?

• Increased volume: Around 100 grams per serving, double the current gel size
• Enhanced formulation: Approximately 65 grams of carbs, 400 mg of sodium to support extended performance
• Flavor innovation: Tropical options like mango or passion fruit, possibly a mix
• Packaging improvements: Packaged in a spout pouch for convenience and improved fill efficiency

Why it matters: This product specifically targets ultra athletes who need more electrolytes and carbs per serving—answering a real demand with a tailored, functional product.

Expanding product portfolio: Ultra Jelly on the horizon

Lecka isn’t stopping at gels. They’re testing ultra jelly and other recipes, which could become valuable additions for athletes seeking easy-to-digest, real food ingredients during long activities.Pro tip: When launching products in niche segments like ultra-endurance, success hinges on deeply understanding your target’s needs and optimizing packaging and flavor innovation to boost usability.

-> www.getlecka.com