After a tough workout or long race, many athletes are turning to non-alcoholic beer—but does it work? And how does it compare to energy drinks or chocolate milk for recovery?Research suggests that NA beer may reduce inflammation, aid hydration, and even support immune function. But recovery isn’t just physical—it’s also mental. The taste of beer alone—without alcohol—triggers dopamine release, influencing cravings, habit formation, and athletic rituals.On this episode of The Mindful Drinking Podcast, host Derek Brown breaks down the science of NA beer and performance, exploring the latest research on hydration, recovery, and brain chemistry. Whether you're a runner, cyclist, lifter, or someone who loves a post-workout ritual, this episode will help you decide: Is NA beer a real recovery tool—or just a refreshing placebo?If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

Alcohol is one of the only widely consumed beverages in the U.S. that doesn’t require full nutritional labeling. But should it? On this episode of The Mindful Drinking Podcast, host Derek Brown is joined by featured guest, Dr. DeAnna Nara, Campaign Manager for the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s food labeling initiatives. A licensed dietitian-nutritionist and expert in food systems for health, Dr. Nara breaks down the push for greater transparency in alcohol labeling—including calories, ingredients, and added sugars.We’ll also explore the upcoming FDA/HHS Dietary Guidelines for Americans, how alcohol fits into national health recommendations, and how it stacks up against sugary drinks, which already face strict labeling requirements. While sodas and energy drinks disclose sugar and calorie counts, alcohol remains largely exempt—should that change?With her deep expertise in nutrition and public health policy, Dr. Nara unpacks why alcohol labeling matters—not just for mindful drinkers, but for anyone who wants to know what’s in their glass. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the future of alcohol regulation in the U.S.If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

With nonstop news of crises—wildfires, war, and uncertainty—it’s easy to reach for a drink to take the edge off. But does alcohol relieve stress, or could it be making things worse?On this episode of The Mindful Drinking Podcast, host Derek Brown  takes a closer look at the relationship between alcohol and stress. While drinking is often linked to relaxation, research suggests that in times of high stress, we tend to drink more—and that extra drink might not have the effect we’re hoping for. How does alcohol really impact our stress levels, and are there better ways to unwind?We may not be able to control the world around us, but we can choose how we respond. Join us for a conversation that just might change the way you think about stress drinking.If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

Non-alcoholic drinks used to be sweet, simple, and insipid. But times have changed and so have the beverages.In this episode of “The Mindful Drinking Podcast,” host Derek Brown talks with Marcos Salazar, Co-Founder and CEO of the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA), about the transformation of NA drinks from bland afterthoughts to complex, high-quality options.Marcos shares how brands are reimagining alcohol-free beverages with bold flavors, premium ingredients, and inclusive options that cater to today’s mindful drinkers. They also dive into the challenges of standing out in a booming market and how ANBA is working to elevate the industry.Whether you’re an NA enthusiast, a curious consumer, or someone looking to build a meaningful personal brand, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that might just change the way you think about what’s in your glass.If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

In this episode of “The Mindful Drinking Podcast,” host Derek Brown reflects on the impactful final address by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, titled “My Parting Prescription for America”. Derek explores how Dr. Murthy’s call to action intersects with the principles of mindful drinking and what it means for individuals, communities, and the hospitality industry.Delving into themes like connection, community, and the role of alcohol in shaping our social environments, Derek examines how mindful drinking fits into the larger framework of well-being and public health outlined by the Surgeon General. He discusses the importance of creating inclusive spaces where everyone—whether they drink or not—can feel welcome, supported, and empowered to make mindful choices.With practical insights and a hopeful outlook, this monologue presentation offers listeners a chance to consider how small, mindful changes can contribute to a healthier, happier society.Tune in to explore how the Surgeon General’s wisdom can guide us toward a future that prioritizes well-being, connection, and balance.If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

Hilary Sheinbaum, a journalist and founder of GoingDry.co, is a leading voice in the mindful drinking movement. She discusses the transformative power of temporary abstinence challenges like Dry January and Sober October. Hilary shares practical tips on navigating these dry months and emphasizes the health benefits of re-evaluating one’s relationship with alcohol. The conversation also highlights the rise of non-alcoholic beverages, the importance of inclusivity in drink menus, and strategies for integrating mindfulness into social drinking.

If you're trying to drink more mindfully, it's important to know what your limits are. But, aside from recommended guidelines that aren't always context or person-specific, how do you know how much is too much for you?In this “Mindful Drinking,” host Derek Brown shares what a "standard drink" is and outlines some of the factors that determine both the amount of alcohol in an alcoholic beverage and its absorption rate. Ultimately, navigating how much is too much is not much harder than other nutritional guidelines!Don’t miss advice from this top bartender and wellness coach on how much is too much and how you can put mindful drinking into action in this special encore presentation.If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

On this “Mindful Drinking Podcast,” host Derek Brown welcomes featured guest, Maria Bastasch, co-founder of the Mindful Drinking Fest and a NASM-certified wellness coach, to explore the emerging trend of "zebra striping." This practice involves alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages within the same social occasion, allowing individuals to moderate their alcohol intake without abstaining entirely.Derek and Maria delve into the motivations behind this approach, including health considerations, social dynamics, and the growing availability of high-quality alcohol-free alternatives. They discuss how "zebra striping" empowers individuals to enjoy social events mindfully, maintaining balance and reducing the risk of overconsumption.Blending expert perspectives with practical advice, this episode invites listeners to reflect on their drinking habits and consider how integrating "zebra striping" and embracing non-alcoholic options can lead to a more mindful, enjoyable, and inclusive social experience.If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

In this episode of “The Mindful Drinking Podcast,” host Derek Brown dives into the Four C’s of drinking occasions— Celebration, Conviviality, Consecration, and Connoisseurship —to explore why, when, and how we drink. Drawing from anthropology, history, and personal insights, Derek uncovers how these categories shape our relationship with alcohol and mindful drinking.Whether it’s a champagne toast at a wedding, a shared pint with friends, a sacred ritual involving wine, or the appreciation of a fine whiskey, drinking is often deeply tied to cultural meaning and social norms. He examines how these contexts influence our choices and invites listeners to reflect on their own reasons for drinking—or not drinking.This monologue presentation challenges us to rethink our relationship with drinking occasions, blending humor, thoughtfulness, and practical advice on how to approach them more mindfully.If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

Holidays and hangovers don’t have to go hand in hand.In this episode of “The Mindful Drinking Podcast,” host Derek Brown explores how to drink mindfully during the holiday season without sacrificing any of the festive fun. Using the RATE acronym—Replace, Avoid, Temper, and Elicit Help—Derek provides practical strategies for navigating the holidays with intention.He also shares his favorite non-alcoholic and low-alcohol holiday drinks, tips for navigating social pressures, and advice on how to maintain balance amidst all the celebrations.Tune in for practical tips and inspiration to make your holidays both merry and mindful.If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community!Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo, get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm