Since 2006, Augie's Quest and ALS TDI have raised over $150 million for research under Augie's leadership.
In 2014, Augie's Quest officially transitioned from MDA to the ALS Therapy Development Institute, a non-profit biotech and in 2018, Augie's Quest to Cure ALS became a stand-alone non-profit. Funds he raised went completely to research, as administrative costs were covered by MDA. After diagnosis, he partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and created "Augie's Quest" with the sole purpose of finding a cure for ALS. In March 2005, Nieto was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. As a board member of Quest Software, he was part of a committee that helped to negotiate the sale of the company to Dell in 2012.
Additionally, he is a former board member of Octane Fitness, Quest Software and DynaVox. As part of his position, he serves on the boards of Curves International, Jenny Craig, and HydroMassage, all North Castle investments. In 2001, Nieto became an Operating Advisor for North Castle Partners, a private equity firm. He left as an executive of the company upon its acquisition by the Brunswick Corporation. In 1984, he sold the company to Bally Total Fitness, but was soon named president of the combined company, Life Fitness. In 1977, Nieto founded Lifecycle with an exercise bike of the same name. A documentary titled, "Augie" was released in 2017. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease in 2005, and established "Augie's Quest to Cure ALS", which has raised over $75 million in funds for research into the disease. He and his wife, Lynne, live in Corona Del Mar, California, and have four children and eight grandchildren.
"Augie" Nieto II (born 1958) is the founder and retired chief executive of Life Fitness, as well as the current chairman of Augie's Quest to Cure ALS, and the ALS Therapy Development Institute.