Guys slammed on Shark Tank now selling more than ever

Two gym junkies whose ‘healthy’ chocolate was brutally shot down on Shark Tank in 2017 have revealed how they made a comeback.

Just when they were about to give up, these best mates and gym junkies had the most epic of comebacks.

Following a brutal take-down on Shark Tank in 2017 — Raph Freedman and Rory Boyden — have managed to turn their heavily criticised ‘healthy’ chocolate bar product into a winning product.

In fact, the on-screen roasting saw them see a surprising influx of sales in the days after the show aired.

The former Sydney Grammar school friends appeared on the show seeking a $50,000 investment in return for a 10 per cent stake in their company, Peak Chocolate — a pre-workout bar.

In addition to caffeine, Peak Chocolate, is made from 80 per cent cacao dark chocolate, mixed with popular workout supplements including creatine and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).

Raph and Rory, appeared on Shark Tank in 2017, looking for an investment in their ‘healthy’ chocolate bar, Peak.

After saying their product was engineered to accelerate muscle growth and increase energy levels, Boost Juice founder Janine Allis accused them of making misleading health claims on the pack, asking the boys if they had clinical proof.

Mr Freedman told news.com.au that the products are the most well researched supplements in the world.

“It’s not as if it’s some crazy product,” he said. “Anyone who knows nutrition would be familiar with those supplements.”

Despite the brutal take-down, the product went on to bring in $70,000 in sales in the past 12 months.

“We were obviously really upset the day after the show but the product went crazy in online sales — we sold more in one week after show then the three months leading up to the show,” he added.

“People described the chocolate as giving them a ‘serious buzz’ and said it also tasted really good.

The boys didn’t get a good reaction from the Sharks when they appeared on Shark Tank looking for an investment in Peak chocolate in 2017.

Boost Juice founder Janine Allis accused them of making misleading claims.

“It gave us an awesome buzz and a lot of support to keep on going.”

Mr Freedman, who at the time was “two subjects away from finishing” his law degree said he was depressed after the show [was filmed].

“It just seemed so badly misrepresented and it meant so much to me.”

Despite their knock-back, the boys took the judges’ comments on board and completely changed the wording on all their packaging.

“We removed the parts where it said scientifically proven … and highlighted other aspects such as the ingredients,” Mr Boyden said.

During the show, Mr Boyden hit back at the judges saying that while they did not have proof for the “synergistic” benefits, caffeine, creatine and BCAAs were “three of the most heavily researched supplements” on the market.

Fast-forward to 2019, Mr Freedman has finished his law degree and Peak Chocolate is now smashing their predicted sales, earning them $35,000 a month — which is $420,000 a year.

They even released a new product in the range in November, which they say has surpassed sales of their original product.

“Peak Focus is targeted to the 2pm slump and has a wider audience,” Mr Freedman said. “It’s got Nootropics which help with cognitive enhancement.”

The boys — who run three gyms in Sydney called Creature Fitness along with their friend Lachlan Rowston — said their appearance on Shark Tank was what helped elevate their success.

“It was the best thing to have happened to us, because it also showed us how many people loved and wanted the product,” Mr Freedman said.