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🇫🇷 France /Culture & Society

Investigative journalist infiltrates 'Wake Up,' a company selling dubious supplements with anti-system rhetoric

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • A journalist infiltrated the multi-level marketing company Wake Up, which sells food supplements based on phycocyanin.
  • The company uses controversial 'cellular health' concepts and makes unproven claims about healing various ailments and achieving financial independence.
  • Despite a lack of scientific evidence, thousands have joined, hoping for health benefits and financial success, while the company's leaders promote an anti-system, anti-modern world ideology.

An undercover investigation by Le Figaro has exposed Wake Up, a multi-level marketing company that has built a business around selling food supplements derived from phycocyanin, an extract of spirulina algae. The company's co-founder, Alexis Santini, a charismatic figure who preaches an anti-system, anti-modern world message, rallies audiences with promises of health and financial freedom.

He is a genius.

— A Wake Up participantA participant expresses admiration for Alexis Santini, the co-founder of Wake Up, highlighting his perceived brilliance.

Wake Up operates on the controversial concept of 'cellular health,' promoted by Dr. Jean-Louis Vidalo. The company claims its supplements can heal a wide range of ailments and offers participants the chance to achieve 'financial independence' by becoming 'top leaders.' However, these claims are not supported by scientific studies, and the company's business model relies on participants recruiting others to sell the products, a structure common in pyramid schemes.

What would I do with it?

— Alexis SantiniSantini questions the pursuit of more money, indicating a shift in his focus towards the mission of Wake Up.

Despite the lack of scientific validation and the questionable business practices, thousands of people have been drawn into Wake Up. They are lured by the hope of curing illnesses and achieving financial success. The company's rhetoric, which positions itself as a shield against the 'fractures of the modern world,' 'individualism,' and 'competition,' resonates with those seeking an alternative path. Santini's impassioned speeches, comparing his mission to that of the 'archangel Michael' fighting 'shadow,' captivate the predominantly female audience, fostering a sense of catharsis and shared purpose.

Face to the fractures of the modern world, individualism and competition, the aggression we suffer on human biology with health going down the drain, our model proposes a firewall, another way.

— Alexis SantiniSantini describes Wake Up's mission as offering an alternative to the perceived negative aspects of modern life and health decline.

The investigation, prompted by concerns from victims of the company's alleged false promises, reveals a pattern of deception. Wake Up's existence had not been previously reported in the media, highlighting the hidden nature of its operations. The company's leaders, including Santini and his father Jacques, leverage a blend of pseudo-science and motivational speaking to maintain a devoted following, promising not just improved health but also 'liberty, dignity, and responsibility.'

You have this mission in your heart, body, and gut? For me, it is one of my biggest dreams.

— Alexis SantiniSantini passionately appeals to his audience, urging them to embrace the company's mission as a shared dream.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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