Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High

When Jason Huh first walked the halls of Lakewood Ranch High School, it was brand new.

He was a guitar player and a weightlifter, and he said the "isolated" school was exactly what he needed in order to focus on his goals. 

After graduating in 2003, he never would have imagined that he would return as an entrepreneur.

But Huh, a former professional bodybuilding champion, did come back, promoting his healthy soda called Sodi Pop.

Huh is the founder and CEO of Steel Supplements, which produces energy drinks, and now Sodi Pop. The Steel Supplements energy drink, Omni Energy, is a sponsor of the local event Cars and Coffee, where Huh met Lakewood Ranch High math teacher Matt Velázquez.

Velázquez liked what he heard from Huh about Sodi Pop. 

Sodi Pop includes vitamin B12, vitamin C, and ginger extract. It has no sugar whatsoever, and so is free of high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavor or dyes, caffeine, and fiber additives. It has 5 calories in a 12-ounce can.

Velázquez said the product was a natural fit for the healthy vending machine at Lakewood Ranch High and he pulled some strings to make it happen.

Now, students can grab a Sodi Pop right where Huh once walked as a teenager.

Photo by Madison Bierl

“There's a higher power here at work and it's all coming full circle,” Huh said of bringing his product to his former high school. “I can't really explain it, but it's a special feeling. It just so happened to somehow line up.” 

Velázquez said his favorite Sodi Pop flavor is “a toss up” between Georgia, the peach flavored Sodi, and Pineapple MK2.

“No matter what your palate, you're usually going to find at least one of them that you're like. This is my jam,” Velázquez said. 

Sofia Gallipoli, a freshman at Lakewood Ranch High School, is one of the many students who have been introduced to Sodi Pop through her teacher Velázquez’s love for the product. Gallipoli described Sodi Pop as “refreshing and flavorful, and not too sugary.” 

“Sodi feels lighter and cleaner, without that heavy and artificial aftertaste,” Gallipoli said. “I’ve tried a few flavors, but my favorite is definitely the pineapple one (Pineapple MK2) because it’s tropical, bright and super refreshing. It reminds me of summer and has just the right amount of sweetness.” 

Photo by Madison Bierl

Before Sodi Pop launched this year, Omni Energy was created to appeal to the general public, and not just the bodybuilding and fitness industry.

Sodi Pop followed after being inspired by comments from Huh's children.

“My kids were the first to go, ‘What the heck ... you have all these really pretty drinks, and we can't have them,’” Huh said. 

All of the current flavors of Sodi Pop are also available as energy drinks from Omni Energy. Huh is going to debut three new flavors — cola, lemon-lime, sweet tea — that won't be shared by his energy drink line.

Huh said in this day, young people are inundated with junk food, so it is important for them to think about healthier options.

“Most times you see healthier alternatives, they are not as engaging or as fun,” Huh said. “How do we make something that changes the way families and kids look at a beverage?”

Corbin Kayan, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High, discovered Sodi Pop through Cars and Coffee. He said he enjoys that it is a healthier option than traditional soda.

“I’m inspired by the fact (Huh) created healthy sodas for my generation,” Kayan said. “His success influences me to build something that benefits the community.” 

A self-described “serial entrepreneur,” Huh said the key of being successful is to fall in love with what you're doing. He also said it is important to fail fast, so you can work out the issues or simply move on to the next thing. 

“Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of optimism,” Huh said. “That's my life every day.” 

Photo by Madison Bierl

Paul Huh, Jason’s younger brother, works as the head of content production for Sodi Pop. He is also a graduate of Lakewood Ranch High, seven years after his brother.

Paul described Jason as a "secondary father figure" due to the age difference, who inspired him to also pursue bodybuilding and follow his passion of content creation. Paul began working with Jason in 2006 with Steel Supplements. 

Paul said that like any siblings that work together, there have been some disagreements, but with respect for each other and working to collaborate they have been successful.

Paul said that when it comes to Sodi Pop, he believes it stands so far alone in terms of taste while also being healthy.