Joe Johnson entered Michigan State University on a wrestling scholarship. By the time he graduated in 2016, he was already a budding entrepreneur.

Today, he owns a thriving protein powder company —VADE Nutrition — and was recently named a Forbes’ 30 Under 30 recipient.

“I was fortunate enough to come to Michigan State University on an athletic scholarship,” said Johnson, a native of South Lyon. “By the time I graduated, I was on a full academic scholarship instead of athletic.”

The four-time academic All-Big Ten award winner graduated from MSU Honors College with a 4.0 grade-point average, majoring in finance. It was during his senior year, however, when his life was destined to change.