Health, Family, and Purpose: How Nigel Chuah Built a Business That Changes Lives

Many would find 21-year-old Nigel Chuah's decision to abandon a promising career in sustainability questionable. Why leave behind a stable career path to pursue the uncertain venture of entrepreneurship in the health industry?

To Nigel, this decision didn't sprout from impulse, but rather, from a dedication to his values and his vision: a desire to help others live healthier lives. A core principle that guides his life is that success isn’t just about following the ‘right’ path, but about finding one that aligns with you.

Today, Nigel runs a business dedicated to improving people’s health through science-backed solutions — a venture inspired not only by his own ambitions but by a powerful desire to give back to his family.

His story is one of purpose, bold decisions, and a relentless drive to build something meaningful.

Early Influences: Family Roots and Values

Many years before Nigel started his business, his parents unknowingly planted the seeds for his eventual journey into entrepreneurship. For over 14 years, his family had been involved in a health and wellness business, dedicated to helping people achieve healthier lives. As a child, Nigel often accompanied his parents to observe how they worked, soaking in their values and the impact they made.

“I knew from a young age that what they were doing was meaningful,” Nigel recalled. “I saw firsthand how their work improved people’s lives — whether it was helping someone manage their weight or reduce their dependence on medication.”

Though Nigel’s parents never pressured him to follow in their footsteps, their dedication to health and well-being left a lasting impression on him. While he pursued his own path in environmental science, the values of empathy, service and purpose continued to shape his outlook on life.

Breaking Away from the Corporate Path 

Before setting his sights on helping people achieve their health goals, Nigel had a deep passion for environmentalism and sustainability. This led him to pursue a degree in Environmental science at the University of Nottingham. Drawn towards the vision of making a positive impact on the environment, Nigel immersed himself in his studies. But as enriching as the content of the syllabus was for him, it was Nottingham’s environment that truly left a lasting impression.

It was these social experiences that shaped Nigel’s personal growth. Learning to network, manage his time, and connect with people proved invaluable.

“I was an introvert before. I didn’t like to talk much, but I pushed myself to talk to people and mix around. Those connections have helped me a lot today. Some of these friends have even contributed to what I’m currently doing,” he recalled.

After graduating, Nigel began an internship in the sustainability industry. The role seemed like the perfect fit at the time, but as the months went by, he found himself questioning what he really wanted.

“I looked at my seniors and realised the life they had wasn’t quite the life I wanted for myself. I have a lot of dreams I want to accomplish in this life.”

For Nigel, those ambitions were deeply tied to family. Growing up, he watched his parents sacrifice to provide him and his brother with better opportunities. Their hard work shaped his belief that success was not just about personal achievement. To him, success meant giving back to the people who had made that success possible.

“Your success must be faster than your ageing parents,” he said. “If you want to give back to them, you need to take action now while they can still enjoy it.”

That belief ultimately led Nigel to leave his internship and step into unfamiliar territory. This decision would take him to the world of health technology.

Building a Business in Health and Technology

When Nigel decided to step away from his corporate path, he knew he wanted to build something of his own. Rather than starting from scratch, he found his opportunity in the health and wellness industry, where his parents had been involved for over a decade. Drawing from what he had seen growing up, Nigel set out to create a business that blended proven health solutions with a personalised, hands-on approach.

A key part of his work involves PharmaNex, a company known for its science-backed health solutions. While PharmaNex provides the tools, Nigel built his own platform within that space. His role involves managing his own clients, expanding his reach, and developing strategies to help people improve their well-being.

One of the solutions he frequently uses is PharmaNex’s antioxidant scanner. The device measures antioxidant levels without requiring a blood test, giving clients a clear picture of their body’s internal defences, and helping people understand how their lifestyle choices are impacting their health.

“Most people don’t realise that antioxidants are vital to our immune system,” Nigel explained. “They’re our body’s first defence against free radicals, which are linked to ageing, cell damage, and even cancer. With this scanner, people can actually see their progress, and that motivates them to stay on track.”

For Nigel, the business is more than just offering health solutions. He spends time educating his clients, helping them build better habits, and guiding them toward sustainable change.

“People don’t just need products, they need proper guidance and a clear path to better health. That’s what I focus on.”

Stories of Impact

Nigel’s work has given him the opportunity to make a real difference. One of his most memorable experiences involved a woman from Kelantan who struggled with obesity and diabetes. She weighed over 100 kilograms, relied on daily insulin jabs, and had trouble conceiving. After working with Nigel’s team and following their programme, she lost 30 kilograms, reversed her condition, and eventually gave birth to two healthy children.

“That was one of my happiest moments,” Nigel said. “She was so thankful, and it felt amazing knowing I could help someone achieve something so meaningful.”

Stories like this remind Nigel why he chose this path: helping people regain their health and improve their quality of life continues to fuel his drive.

Living with Purpose

Much of Nigel’s determination comes from his family. His grandmother’s strength and sacrifices played a huge role in shaping his outlook on life. She worked tirelessly to support her children, often doubting her own worth because she lacked education. Despite her struggles, her resilience laid the foundation for the family’s success.

“My grandma always thought she wasn’t smart,” Nigel said. “But if she was so silly, how did she raise two generations of millionaires?”

That belief continues to fuel Nigel’s determination to succeed, not just for himself, but for his parents. His biggest goal is to ensure his parents can enjoy the freedom they worked so hard to provide for him.

“I want them to be able to enjoy life without worrying about us. That’s what I’m working toward.”

Words to Live By

For those looking to improve their health, Nigel’s advice was simple.

“Get yourself measured,” he said. “If you don’t know where you stand, it’s hard to know what to improve. Knowing your baseline helps you set realistic goals and track your progress.”

For those afraid to take big leaps in life, Nigel encourages finding a reason that makes the risk worthwhile.

“You need to know what you’re fighting for,” he said. “If your dreams are big enough, you’ll find the courage to chase them.”

Nigel’s journey is a reminder that success isn’t always about following a traditional path. By trusting his instincts, embracing risk, and building something of his own, he has created a career that blends purpose with impact. For Nigel, success isn’t just about what he achieves. It’s about the people he helps along the way.