Amare Global launched in 2016 and operates in the nutritional supplement MLM niche.

The company is headed by founder and CEO Hiep Tran. Rich Higbee, Mike Brown, Mark Nguyen and Shawn Talbott are also credited as “founding executives”.

So the story goes, Tran (right) founded Amare Global

because of his journey with his own health & wellness.

Although he had achieved a high level of success in the business world, he did so at the expense of his own physical and mental health.

It was out of these hardships that the ideas for Amare began to take shape.

Tran is based out of California and, as far as I’ve been able to ascertain, doesn’t have an MLM corporate history.

As per Tran’s LinkedIn profile;

In 2008, I was co-founder and principal of Meritus Payment Solutions.

Meritus was acquired by Optimal Payments in 2014.

I then became CEO of payment processing for Paysafe (Formerly Optimal Payments) until resigning in 2016.

Later that year Tran launched Amare Global.

Read on for a full review of the Amare Global MLM opportunity.

Amare Global Products

Amare Global market a range of products that primarily target what they call the “gut-brain axis”.

Science now tells us that we all actually have two brains.

The brain we already know about in our head, and the equivalent of another, equally important brain, in our gut.

Recent studies have revealed that our gut microbiome includes more than 100 trillion bacterial cells – outnumbering human cells by 10-to-1 (more microbes in the human body than stars in the Milky Way).

Those gut microbes produce more neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine than in the brain itself!

These are the very compounds that shape how we feel – and mean that balance within the Gut-Brain Axis forms the very foundation of mental wellness.

If you feel sad, down in the dumps, antsy, stressed out, or just plain “off” – it may not be in your head, it’s probably in your gut!

Amare Global’s products are formulated by Chief Science Officer, Shawn Talbott.

The company claims their supplements are rooted in “traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda”.

  • MentaBiotics – a “comprehensive combination of unique strains of probiotics, prebiotics, and phytobiotics that have been scientifically shown to improve mental wellness”, retails at $74.95 (sugar-free also available
  • MentaFocus – “clinically shown to support focus, mental sharpness, clarity, creativity, and cognitive functioning”, retails at $44.95 for a bottle of 60 capsules
  • MentaSync – “optimize the communication sync of chemical messengers between your brain and your gut”, retails at $54.95 for a bottle of 60 capsules
  • Reboot+ – “reset your gut-brain axis with this 3-day system”, retails at $24.95 for a box of 12 capsules
  • Mood+ – “significant benefits for mood support such as relief from anxious feelings, sadness, restlessness, and overall stress relief”, retails at $59.95 for a bottle of 60 capsules
  • Energy+ – a “mental energy product that delivers rapid improvements in brain and physical performance”, retails at $44.95 for a box of 30 single-serve sticks
  • Relief+ – “supports the body’s natural pain response system”, retails at $54.95 for a bottle of 45 capsules
  • Sleep+ – “rejuvenating, refreshing, restful sleep”, retails at $59.95 for a bottle of 60 capsules
  • Probiotics – “broad spectrum, high-potency probiotics”, retails at $29.95 for a bottle of 60 capsules
  • Digestive – “complete GI Support”, retails at $29.95 for a bottle of 60 capsules
  • VitaGBX – a “premium multivitamin”, retails at $39.95 for a bottle of 120 capsules
  • OmMega – “supports cardiovascular and cognitive functions”, retails at $29.95 for a bottle of 60 capsules
  • GBX Protein – “microbiome-boosting plant protein”, retails at $39.95 a canister (available chocolate or vanilla)
  •  GBX SuperFood – “microbiome-boosting fruits and vegetables”, retails at $29.95 a tub
  • GBX SeedFiber – “microbiome-boosting seed powder”, retails at $36.95 a tub
  • Kinda FundaMentals – “all-in-one gut-brain axis nutrition for kids and teens”, retails at $66.95 a tub
  • Kids VitaGBX – “premium body and mind nutrition for kids and teens”, retails at $35.95 for a bottle of 120 capsules

Amare Global products are also available in bundle packs.

The Amare Global Compensation Plan

Amare Global affiliates are paid direct and residual commissions on sales to retail customers.

Residual commissions are based on a unilevel plan, with several performance-based bonuses also available.

MLM Commission Qualification

In order to qualify for commissions, an Amare Global affiliate must generate 100 PV or more a month.

Amare Global Affiliate Ranks

There are thirteen affiliate ranks within the Amare Global compensation plan.

Along with their respective qualification criteria, they are as follows:

  • One Heart Partner – maintain commission qualification and generate at least 300 GV a month
  • Two Heart Partner – maintain commission qualification and generate at least 750 GV a month
  • Three Heart Partner – maintain commission qualification and generate at least 1500 GV a month
  • Bronze Heart Mentor – maintain commission qualification, recruit and maintain at least three One Heart Partners and generate at least 3000 GV a month
  • Silver Heart Mentor – maintain commission qualification, recruit and maintain at least three Two Heart Partners and generate at least 5000 GV a month
  • Gold Heart Mentor – maintain commission qualification, recruit and maintain at least three Three Heart Partners and generate at least 10,000 GV a month
  • Platinum Heart Mentor – maintain commission qualification, recruit and maintain at least three Bronze Heart Mentors and generate at least 15,000 GV a month
  • Leader – maintain commission qualification, recruit and maintain at least four Bronze Heart Mentors and generate at least 25,000 GV a month
  • Senior Leader – maintain commission qualification, recruit and maintain at least four Silver Heart Mentors and generate at least 50,000 GV a month
  • Executive Leader – maintain commission qualification, recruit and maintain at least five Silver Heart Mentors and generate at least 75,000 GV a month
  • Servant Leader – maintain commission qualification, recruit and maintain at least six Silver Heart Mentors and generate at least 125,000 GV a month
  • Four Heart Servant Leader – maintain commission qualification, recruit and maintain at least six Gold Heart Mentors and generate at least 250,000 GV a month
  • Five Heart Servant Leader – maintain commission qualification, recruit and maintain at least six Platinum Heart Mentors and generate at least 400,000 GV a month

PV stands for “Personal Volume” and is sales volume generated by retail sales and an affiliate’s own orders.

GV stands for “Group Volume” and is PV generated by an affiliate and their downline.

Retail Commissions

Amare Global affiliates are paid to sell products to retail customers.

Retail commissions are the difference between the wholesale cost of ordered products and the retail price paid.

Personal Customer Volume Bonus

The Personal Customer Volume Bonus is a direct and residual bonus, paid on monthly personal retail customer volume.

  • generate 500 to 999 PV in a month and receive a 5% personal customer bonus rate
  • generate 1000 to 1499 PV in a month and receive a 10% personal customer bonus rate
  • generate 1500 or more PV in a month and receive a 15% personal customer bonus rate

A 5% residual Personal Customer Volume Bonus is paid on retail volume generated by customers after 60 days.

Heart Start Bonus

The Heart Start Bonus is a 60 day bonus paid on new retail customer and recruited affiliate orders.

During a new retail customer’s or recruited affiliate’s first 60 days, the referring affiliate receives a 20% bonus on generated order volume.

Two residual commissions are paid upline:

  1. 10% to the second upline (the affiliate who recruited the referring affiliate); and
  2. 5% to the third upline (the affiliate who recruited the second upline)

Autoship Incentives

Through the “Me and Three Bonus”, Amare Global pitch free autoship on recruitment/enrollment of three autoship affiliates and/or retail customers.

Upon generating and maintaining three affiliates/retail customers on autoship and generating at least 600 GV a month, an Amare Global affiliate receives a $135 bonus each month.

An additional $250 is paid out if an affiliate has three personally recruited affiliate’s qualifying for the $135 Me and Three Bonus.

Note that the minimum monthly autoship amount to count towards the Me and Three Bonus is 100 PV.

Residual Commissions

Amare Global pays residual commissions via a unilevel compensation structure.

A unilevel compensation structure places an affiliate at the top of a unilevel team, with every personally recruited affiliate placed directly under them (level 1):

If any level 1 affiliates recruit new affiliates, they are placed on level 2 of the original affiliate’s unilevel team.

If any level 2 affiliates recruit new affiliates, they are placed on level 3 and so on and so forth down a theoretical infinite number of levels.

Amare Global caps payable unilevel levels at seven.

Residual commissions are paid out as a percentage of sales volume generated across these seven levels based on rank:

  • One Heart Partners receive 5% on level 1 (personally recruited affiliates)
  • Two Heart Partners receive 5% on level 1 and 4% on level 2
  • Three Heart Partners receive 5% on levels 1 and 2 and 4% on level 3
  • Bronze Heart Mentors receive 5% on levels 1 to 3 and 4% on level 4
  • Silver Heart Mentors receive 5% on levels 1 to 4 and 4% on level 5
  • Gold Heart Mentors receive 5% on levels 1 to 5 and 4% on level 6
  • Platinum Heart Mentors receive 5% On levels 1 to 6 and 4% on level 7
  • Leaders and higher receive 5% on levels 1 to 7

Infinity Bonus

Servant Leader and higher ranked Amare Global affiliates qualify for an Infinity Bonus.

The Infinity Bonus pays an additional bonus percentage on sales volume in new unilevel legs, generated after an affiliate has qualified from Servant Leader.

  • Servant Leaders receive a 1% Infinity Bonus
  • 4 Heart Servant Leaders receive a 2% Infinity Bonus
  • 5 Heart Servant Leaders receive a 3% Infinity Bonus

Note that whereas residual commissions are capped at seven unilevel team levels, the Infinity Bonus extends an infinity depth on qualifying legs.

Again, qualifying unilevel legs for the Infinity Bonus are those created after an affiliate has ranked at Servant Leader and higher.

Revenue Bonus Pools

Amare Global take 7% of company-wide sales volume and place them into five separate Revenue Bonus Pools.

Bronze to Platinum Heart Mentors receive shares in a 2% Mentor Pool.

  • Silver Heart Mentors receive one share
  • Gold Heart Mentors receive three shares
  • Platinum Heart Mentors receive five shares

Mentor ranked affiliates receive an additional temporary share each time a personally recruited affiliate qualifies at Three Heart Partner.

Leader to Five Heart Servant Leaders receive shares in a 2% Leader Pool.

  • Leaders receive one share
  • Senior Leaders receive three shares
  • Executive Leaders receive five shares
  • Servant Leaders receive seven shares
  • 4 Heart Servant Leaders receive nine shares
  • 5 Heart Servant Leaders receive eleven shares

Leader and Servant Leader ranked affiliates receive an additional temporary share each time a personally recruited affiliate qualifies at Silver Heart Mentor.

Servant Leaders receive shares in three 1% Leader pools.

  • Servant Leaders receive three shares in a Servant Leader Bonus Pool
  • 4 Heart Servant Leaders receive three shares in a 4 Heart Servant Leader Bonus Pool
  • 5 Heart Servant Leaders receive three shares in a 5 Heart Servant Leader Bonus Pool

Servant Leader ranked affiliates receive an additional temporary share each time a personally recruited affiliate qualifies at Gold Heart Mentor.

Note that all additional temporary shares count only for the month of downline promotion.

Joining Amare Global

Amare Global affiliate membership is $69.95.

There is also a $749.95 “Launch Pack” in the Amare Global online store.

The pack is designated an “exclusive offer for Wellness Partners” but is entirely optional.

The Launch Pack contains $1349 worth of Amare Global Products (retail value).

Conclusion

Gut-brain axis nutrition huh?

We combine ancient natural wisdom with modern scientific innovation to develop natural health products and programs based on our emerging science of MentaBiotics.

As far as I can tell, “MentaBiotics” is a marketing term that doesn’t exist outside of Amare Global.

Also as far as I can tell, outside of some experiments on mice, there’s no clinical studies pertaining to humans.

That is specifically pertaining to humans suffering from mental illness – which is important, seeing as Amare Global market themselves as “the mental wellness company”.

I have no medical background and can’t definitively rule out a relationship between mental state and the stomach.

About as medical as I can get is I feel satisfied after a delicious meal.

I’m going to lean a bit on Alex Theberge, a licensed psychotherapist who claims he’s ‘dedicated to helping people integrate plant medicine and psychedelic experiences.‘

Less focus on the psychedelic experiences and more on plant medicine, as that’s essentially what Amare Global are pitching their products as (FDA disclaimer: not medicine in a strict “take this to cure that” sense).

Theberge’s approach relies on “psychobiotics”.

While we are still in the early stages in our understanding of psychobiotics, there are a few strains of bacteria that have demonstrated beneficial effects on mood and anxiety in both animal studies and preliminary human studies.

And the good news is many of these are found in yogurt and other fermented foods.

In terms of delivery, this in particular stood out;

Psychobiotics need to be ingested alive and in enough quantity to survive the tortuous voyage to your lower intestines and colon.

We’re talking 10–100 billion Colony Forming Units (CFUs) required.

Same’ish idea, but instead of dried powder in capsules you’re going for the actual bacteria.

I liken this to taking a pill full of nutrients as opposed to aiming for a balanced diet.

I don’t think there’s any debate over which is more beneficial in the long-term.

This of course comes back to a correlation between gut bacteria and mental health, which I’m not convinced of (based on what we currently know).

Rather than wait for developments in this field (and ideally confirmation), Amare Global seem to have just taken the concept and run with it.

To be clear I’m not saying Amare Global’s products are a waste of time. It’s just that the medical science behind “gut-brain nutrition” doesn’t seem to be there yet.

At least to the extent some of Amare Global’s marketing claims can be evaluated with medical and scientific accuracy;

Mood+ is an advanced, all-natural mood support product that addresses feelings of anxiousness, sadness, and restlessness.

Some people get similar feelings from choking on a cigarette. Personally I can’t stand the smell and they evoke opposite feelings in me.

And so while Amare Global make claims like this:

Mood+ contains multiple patented ingredients with over 20 scientific studies.

Amongst these studies, each key ingredient has been shown to enhance or improve mood and cognitive functions.*

You also have to bear in mind;

*THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.

THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.

I have no problem with nutritional supplements that are demonstrably effective, but when you get into mental health there’s a lot we don’t know.

Not as definitive as I’d like but by all means delve further into the research yourself.

As an Amare Global affiliate these are surely questions you’re going to be asked so being thoroughly educated on the subject matter (beyond marketing material) is a must.

Moving onto Amare Global’s compensation plan, it’s actually pretty balanced between retail and recruitment.

There are few areas that could be improved though.

First up is the Personal Customer Volume Bonus. Not sure why this counts an affiliate’s own purchase volume.

The idea is to generate retail customers sales and reward those that do, right? So restricting counted volume as only retail makes sense.

That said the bonus does require a minimum 500 PV, and the likelihood of that being solely affiliate purchase volume is low.

The bonus itself only pays on retail volume so even if an affiliate was self-qualifying, they’re kind of shooting themselves in the foot.

Similarly, the “Me and Three” bonus could be improved by cutting out recruited affiliate autoship volume.

Three preferred customers are not the same as three recruited affiliates on autoship.

The bonus could otherwise remain intact, with just the small retail orientated adjustment made.

Finally I couldn’t work out what was up with the $24.95 preferred customer enrollment fee.

For those unfamiliar with the term, a preferred customer is just a retail customer who is on autoship (they get wholesale pricing in exchange for committing to a monthly order).

Why slug these retail customers with a fee? The signup process is automated so there’s little to no cost there.

Nothing is bundled with a preferred customer account… so?

It just seems like an entirely unnecessary fee, which ultimately might discourage retail customers from signing up for autoship.

Those pending changes aside, as I stated Amare Global’s compensation plan is otherwise pretty balanced.

And what I’ve highlighted are more niggles than deal-breakers.

The products though? Yeah, I’m still not convinced.

You could go the “try it yourself” route but then you’re basing that on “feels”. Mental health (not clinical) needs to be based on more. Something you can point at with authority and not be challenged on.

I mean that’s how the rest of the supplement industry works (kooky unproven fads aside).

Amare Global founder Hiep Tran doesn’t have a medical background, so I take it he’s relying heavily on his Scientific Advisory Board.

Namely Shawn Talbott, who features prominently in Amare Global marketing.

Back in the early 2000s Talbott was going heavy on marketing the hormore cortisol as “a major culprit in a variety of health problems”.

That’s a quote from the blurb of Talbott’s 2002 book, “The Cortisol Connection: Why Stress Makes You Fat and Ruins Your Health And What You Can Do About It”.

The Cortisol Connection explores the documented relationship between elevated levels of this hormone, chronic stress, and such health conditions as obesity, depression, suppressed immune system, osteoporosis, and hypertension.

To that end Talbott was pitching the CortiSlim and CortiStress.

Essentially these were marketed as cortisol blocking supplements, targeting weight loss and the above stated medical conditions from Talbott’s book respectively.

In 2004 the FTC sued Talbott and Window Rock Enterprises, the owner CortiSlim and CortiStress, for making ‘false or unsubstantiated product claims and used deceptively formatted infomercials in pitching the dietary supplements.‘

Talbott settled for $3.5 million, which was satisfied via $1.12 million in forfeited assets.

Window Rock Enterprises was fined $12 million by the FTC and as a result, filed for bankruptcy.

CortiSlim is still marketed today by CortiSlim International, albeit now as a supplement that “may help mitigate stress and belly fat”.

CortiSlim product promoters also claimed that the effectiveness of CortiSlim products had been demonstrated by over 15 years of scientific research, a claim that the FTC determined to be false.

The Amare Global website states that Shawn Talbott is ‘is responsible for Amare’s research, development, and product strategy.‘

So here we are again, some fourteen years later with an emerging health trend that surfaced a few years ago. Sounds awfully familiar…

I could look past Talbott’s previous stoush with the FTC, if Amare Global’s products were backed by scientific research.

As it stands though there’s a lot of “gut-brain axis” marketing on Amare Global’s website, but not much substantial scientific research to back it up.

 

Update 3rd February 2022 – Following its acquisition of Amare Global, BehindMLM has revisited Amare Global for an updated review.