The Alcohol Alternative with Hiyo Co-Founder George Youmans

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On this week's Wellness Wednesday episode, the co-founder of the alcohol alternative company Hiyo George Youmans, joins the show. George and his company Hiyo are at the forefront of the alcohol alternative movement, providing delicious beverages packed with functional plants and mushrooms to allow you to enjoy a night out without the alcohol.

On this episode Evan and George explain the more than interesting way in which they met each other, and how meeting without speaking led to a deep trust and friendship. George also explains where the idea for Hiyo came from, his personal sobriety regarding alcohol, and what it means to live a life that's not wasted. With alcohol consumption having increased in last few years, this episode hits home more than ever.

Be sure to check out Hiyo and use code ELEMENTAL15 to grab yourself some alcohol alternatives to make your night the best night possible. As always do everything with good intentions and connect to your elements.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational purposes only, it is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. Evan Roberts is not a medical professional and this podcast is provided on the understanding that it does not constitute medical or other professional advice or services. Statements and views expressed on this show are not medical advice, this podcast, including Evan Roberts and any guests on the show, disclaims responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained in this episode. If you think you have a medical problem please consult a medical professional.

Hey, what's going on, everybody.

Welcome back to the elemental Evan show.

Before we jump in to today's incredible episode, let's take a quick second to

talk a bit about our guests and the incredible movement that he's a part of.

So as many of you already know, alcohol plays a pretty major role

in our social life here in the us.

And while many people do have a healthy relationship with alcohol.

There's also a lot of people who do not have a healthy

relationship with alcohol and.

You know, it's important that we take a look at.

You know, our social norms, for example, like alcohol and evaluate

them for what they really are.

So for example, with alcohol, it is literally a poison that, you know,

not only takes a toll on the health of your liver, but also on the health

of your gut, on the health of your brain and can really affect the.

Quality of sleep that you are getting, which as you should already know,

sleep plays a major role in so many different, uh, portions of your health.

Now in some situations, alcohol has obviously also claimed the

lives of many people through, you know, driving under the influence

or even just literally through.

Consuming too much alcohol.

Now also for those of you who don't know this alcohol addiction

is a very, very serious problem.

Um, personally, I knew it was a problem growing up, but I didn't know the

severity of it until I had seen some of it firsthand with other people.

And, you know, through this, this, uh, podcast, just learning about alcohol

and the effects that it can have.

So alcohol can literally cause withdrawal symptoms such as cold

sweats, suppressed appetite.

Vomiting diarrhea, headaches, anxiety, and many other symptoms.

Now in serious cases, people who are, you know, very addicted

to alcohol and have been.

You know, like drinking for multiple days in a row, we'll actually need

to be weaned off of alcohol as going cold Turkey can truly be dangerous.

This was really mind blowing to me when I heard this news.

Uh, cause I did not know the alcohol could have that serious

of an impact on the body.

So while I am obviously not a medical professional and in no way, am I trying

to dictate how you live your life?

What I am trying to do is provide you with information on the reality of,

you know, where alcohol can lead to therefore I'm beyond excited to see

a movement of providing a beverage that can still alter the mind.

And body slightly, but in a healthier manner that doesn't require a full day of

recovery and lead to serious addictions.

Right?

So one of the leaders in this movement is the co-founder of the

beverage company, HIO that's H I Y O.

And he's also a very good friend of mine.

His name is George Yeomans and he is the person that I've had the

pleasure of having on the show today.

So in this episode, we're going to cover, uh, this interesting.

Trusting eye gazing manner in which we actually met each other.

And also how he came to found this alcoholic beverage alternative company.

That has amazing tasting beverages and helps you to still enjoy a

night out with your friends without sipping on that boring soda,

water with lines all night, right?

For those of you who are not big drinkers, you definitely

know what I'm talking about.

So the drinks at HIO are packed with functional plants and mushrooms

that can both open up your mind.

And make your body feel good at the same time while providing somewhat

of a social lubricant that allows you to still enjoy your night.

I personally, can't wait for the day when I see these drinks found in, you

know, every bar and nightclub so that this alternative can be a very accessible

no-brainer to people who still want to go out, but don't have to spend

the entire following day, you know, just recovering from that night out.

So, however until that day is actually here, you can still find,

uh, HIO drinks in select stores as well as on their website.

So the website is www dot drink, hio.com.

So that's drink D R I N K HIO, H I Y o.com.

Our guest George has been kind enough to provide a 15% discount code.

Just for being a listener to the elemental Evan show, which is

elemental 15, that's all caps.

That's E L E M E N T a L one five.

And so you can be sure to use that code at checkout and receive

15% off of your entire order.

So once again, that's code elemental, E L E M E N T a

l15@checkoutatthewebsitedrinkhio.com and the link will also be in.

In the show notes.

So all you have to do is simply go to the show notes, click on there.

And go ahead and get yourself some of these delicious HIO drinks.

My personal favorite is actually the peach Mingo.

So if you do get some, make sure to give that one a try and once again,

just use the code elemental 15, which is going to be in the show notes

and get 15% off your entire order.

Get out there everybody enjoy your social lives just as you normally

have and do it without having a full day of recovery the following day.

So enjoy your night.

Enjoy the drink.

Enjoy.

Enjoy the presence of everyone else and still go out, have that social

life and just don't get wasted.

Alrighty.

All let's go ahead and jump into today's episode.

Much love to everybody.

I hope you guys really enjoy this episode.

back to the elemental Evan show today.

I have a very special guest here with me.

We have a very beautiful story in how we met, which I'm very excited to

share with all of you and, uh, yeah.

Without further ado, we have the co-founder of HIO.

Um, this is George Yeomans.

Welcome to the show.

George, how you doing man?

So much thanks for having me.

And I'm doing great.

I'm excited to, uh, set up for this conversation.

Yeah.

I think this is like one of the earliest podcasts I filmed,

you know, in terms of like in

Uh, but we're making it work.

Yeah, Brighton early wakey, wakey eggs, and Bakey, let's do this.

No Um, so to get a better idea of who you are, I like to do

just some rapid fire questions.

So let's start off with where are you from?

Uh, so I'm from Westlake village, California.

So about 40 minutes north of Los Angeles.

I'm like a sleepy little snapper.

Very cool.

Wait, you said it's wet, wet north of LA.

Los Angeles.

If you just go up.

One-on-one.

Um, about 40 minutes.

You'll find this.

Cool, cool.

Um, and then obviously I know where you're based out of, but

where are you based out of now?

So amount of Venice.

Um, Yeah.

Venice has been home for the last eight years or so.

And you have a pretty sweet spot here, like literally in the heart events.

Yeah.

We're filming in my office.

Um, yeah.

For, for HIO or literally, uh, directly under the bed at sign.

So we're in the thick of it.

Yeah.

For better for worse, you get all the sounds of Venice.

Uh, but it's also cool being right in the thick of it.

So we did a hundred percent.

Um, let's see.

What's your, uh, favorite book?

Favorite book, um, Favorite book that I, I read probably once a year and a gifted

all the time is the obstacle is the way.

Um, yeah, I don't know.

And that that book is like, I don't know a Bible for me.

In some ways, um, Favorite fiction book would be, uh, for whom the bell tolls.

Um, I've heard of that book.

Ernest Hemingway.

That's awesome.

Gotcha.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I haven't, I haven't read Metro, uh, Ernest Hemingway, but he's a gruff.

Be honest, but his writing is awesome.

Um, And yeah, I love that book.

So, yeah, to be fair.

I think I read a lot of, uh, like quote unquote, like self-helpy books, you know?

But like obstacles the way.

Um, like the daily stoic is, it is a daily book for me.

Um, Ashley and I will do like tea and like meditation.

And then usually we read the daily stuff.

Into a discipline is destiny.

Uh, no, I haven't gotten into that.

The only I have.

The daily stoic, and then I have the, um, uh, courage is calling.

Yeah.

So he just, he just released his, uh, or published, whatever you want to say.

His latest book and I'm listening to it on audio book.

Right now.

Uh, yeah, I'm just a big fan of Brian holiday.

Yeah, just in general and stoic philosophy.

So yeah.

Yeah.

That's really helpful in my life.

So heck.

Yeah, that's excellent.

All right.

Your favorite?

Favorite quote.

Favorite quote.

So it's the last stanza of a poem by Rudyard Kipling, uh, called

F um, and it's, if you can fill the unforgiving minute with 60

seconds worth of distance run.

Yours is the earth and everything.

That's in it.

And which is more, you'll be a man, my son.

So.

Um, It's got a long ties to me, uh, just from like family stuff.

Um, I've got a tattooed on me.

I was going to say, you knew that really well.

Uh, it's my favorite poem.

My grandma like framed it in my room when I was a kid.

Um, it's just really stuck with me.

I think it's, it's a beautiful poem about, you know, not wasting time and.

Uh, kind of even ties to the hat that I'm wearing, like

living in life, never wasted.

Um, in my own.

Yeah.

No.

On ways that I connect it there.

So yeah.

Yeah.

That's amazing, man.

Yeah, and I mean, we're gonna definitely get into the whole, the wasted logo

and HIO and all of that for sure.

But I think, uh, to start this off, we have to talk about like how we met.

It's one of the most interesting ways to meet a person.

Yeah, intimate.

I can say I've never met a person in that way before.

Um, but essentially like all I'll kind of let you take the reins on

this, but, um, yeah, like I'll, I'll just kind of set the scene like.

Uh, we went to a place called still life here in Venice.

And there was a eye gazing, uh, You know, I, I gazing meditation kind of right.

And, uh, Yeah.

So definitely a very uncomfortable situation by like what was explained

the experience and kind of.

What you felt.

So we were, we go in it's it's um, described as a 90 minute

introduction to stillness.

You know, I'm in comfy clothes thinking, do I need to bring a yoga mat?

I'm going to sit.

I'm going to chill.

Um, this is going to be comfy, cozy.

Nice.

Uh, and then instead.

Uh, this wonderful man starts leading us through this, this

kind of stillness practice.

And he says, pick someone that you don't know.

On Evan at this time, I did not know you.

Um, And that's going to be your partner and you guys are going to go through

this together and we're like, okay, cool.

Um, And then he's basically like now stare into one of their eyes.

And then he just keeps talking through it and you're like, okay, what's going on?

And then it just keeps going.

Um, so, you know, the, this.

This concept of, uh, eye gazing or, um, just looking into, especially

someone's eye that you don't know.

Um, It's really uncomfortable.

Uh, to start.

Um, it's also very intimate in a weird way.

And, um, you know, I don't know how long it was.

It felt like forever.

Um, Uh, it was one that I think.

Originally, I was really.

I don't know.

I even felt like my body fighting it.

Not wanting to focus, wanting to almost laugh out of it.

With you and, um, you know, the uncomfortable kind of like, I wasn't

able to go to my usual, I guess, tricks of being in an uncomfortable

situation where it's like,

Make a joke or try to make you feel comfortable or,

uh, Kind of like look away.

Um, And it was a really interesting thing that kind of like mirror back

onto me, the thought process that the thoughts that I was going through of,

of the typical things that I would use, and it was just like, no, sit in it.

And after a while it felt like this.

Final breakthrough of.

Really feeling pretty calm in it.

And enjoying it and, um, And yeah, I don't know.

I mean, it, it honestly, It felt almost like chiropractic in a way of like,

It was like, ah, fighting it fighting and fighting it and then like cracked.

And then, um, yeah, it was, it was honestly a really beautiful experience.

I think it was a, probably one of my favorite ways to meet a person.

Uh, That I ever got through.

A hundred percent.

I think it's also.

I feel like you connect with a person almost.

Better without speaking.

Right.

Like I felt like I understood more about you.

Then someone who I would actually like speak to and try

to like, get an understanding.

Like I felt like not just the facade that we put on right.

When we first meet someone.

But like, literally, like I felt like I could tell like,

This guy is, you know, uh, very, just like nice.

And like, I can tell you're like wanting to like, make the situation feel better.

Like I was too.

Yeah.

And, um, yeah, afterwards.

I just like had a connection that it was like, no, like I, like, I know who you

are, even though I don't know who you are.

You.

And that was pretty neat.

Yeah.

No.

I mean, I think that probably us describing this on a

podcast, people will think.

What are you talking about?

I was standing at each other.

But, um, Yeah.

That was a profound feeling as well.

Um, like I felt like I knew you.

Pretty well, after a short period of time.

Not with a long time.

But

yeah, it's, it's a really cool experience that, uh, you know, was, was difficult.

Was anxiety inducing.

And then, um, was even like mildly hallucinogenic and I.

That sounds bizarre.

Um, just listening to this, but it was.

I don't know, your, your vision almost starts playing some weird tricks on you.

Yeah, when you're just.

Breathing and staring in one spot and you're a little bit uncomfortable.

It was.

It was, it was a very unique experience that I haven't been,

I haven't had anything like that.

So, um, yeah.

I definitely, uh, I know the first portion of us staring that was like

the most uncomfortable and I was super happy to close my eyes because I felt

like at that point, all the like social norms of like, not staring someone in

eyes is like right there in your face.

And you're wanting to like, look away, smile, like whatever, you know?

And then it was afterwards that we meditated.

I envisioned like our younger selves, like even our younger self.

Like playing as kids.

Right.

And then once we opened our eyes, after that, I felt so much more

comfortable and just like Addie's.

And like, I, at that, it was at that point that I was able to just drop the guard

and then just look at you and observe.

And, and, and then at that point, that's when I started like,

Like you were saying, seeing like, almost like a, a little bit of a glow around

your body, like the outline of your body.

I could see like a little bit about the wo.

Um, there were times where your face was completely like pitch

black, but I could see your eyes.

There was times where I saw the hair, like it's all curly

hair, which I thought was wild.

'cause you can cut your hair that day.

And that was such a trip.

So, yeah, there was just crazy things that were happening, but, uh, I really,

I enjoyed that and coming out of a, like, it was interesting to hear your

perspective as well, and like, yeah.

If nothing, if nothing else, it was this really interesting experience of.

Okay.

If look at what your mind can do when you're just thinking in a

little bit of a different way.

And, um, you know, whether you want to get into like the untapped.

Uh, power of your brain and the way that we kind of work.

Um, and even like, Almost just going, like forcing your mind into different, um,

Kind of ways of thinking.

It was just, it was fascinating.

Um, I couldn't recommend it enough, I guess.

I wouldn't say like, just go pick someone random off the street and stare at them.

Like.

We did have a, you know, a awesome guy.

For sure.

That was really framing the experience.

And I think as you said, like that invitation to play in the almost like.

Curious and playful after, um, you know, after that period of closing

our eyes to was, was helpful as well.

Um,

Great way.

Uh, great way to meet ya.

Um, and a special way to start a relationship.

Yeah.

Per se.

I agree on that, man.

And then I was like pretty interested in hearing though, afterwards, then

you were the founder of HIO, which like, for me personally, um, I

mean, like I'm not a huge drinker.

I do occasionally enjoy a beer wine, which has been like less

and less and less over the years.

But, um, it was pretty wild because like I had had multiple, um,

I don't know what you would really call them, but like

alternative drinks to alcohol.

Right.

And one of them was HIO.

Like I tried it before and, um, yeah, it was just really cool to

hear that like, You had this company.

And I was like, oh, that's so wild.

Um, but like, I want to definitely dig into that and kind of maybe

just start with like, where.

Where you came up with this idea, like what led to it, what led you

down this path of, of wanting to create this incredible product?

Which I think is, is really, really necessary in this time of day and age.

Right.

Sweet.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, I think like, uh, the, the experience or the inspiration for

most entrepreneurs is usually trying to solve some level of a problem.

And usually it's.

I think it's oftentimes in your own life.

Um, and for me, Uh, I come from a family with kind of bad alcohol

issues and my best friend, a college roommate and business partner.

Um, we both do.

And back in April, 2019, we both had family members hospitalized

with some alcohol related issues and it was this weird kind of like.

Coincidental and frankly, kind of like traumatic experience.

That caused us to.

Cut back our drinking out of solidarity with those family members.

And as we did, we started seeing just the profound need for

something like HIO in the world.

Um, you know, there.

It was a lot harder to not drink and still maintain the social life that we did.

Yeah.

Um, for two main reasons, one was the societal pressure and the expectation and.

You know, the, maybe the circles that we ran in.

And continue to, um, just having an expectation that the activity

that we were doing for the weekend was going to be drinking.

And, and that.

If you're not drinking and going to bars, it's pretty damn difficult.

And then.

It's the options that were out there.

Um, all felt like lesser than almost like punishments in their own way

to their alcoholic counterparts.

No, you have like, okay, I can get a boring sort of water in line.

Yeah, it's just like, okay.

Um, you can't get excited about that.

You can have a soda and feel like you need to sit at the kid's table.

Um, and you know, you could have like a sugary mock tail and then you're

like, well, I'm not even being healthy.

Yeah.

Or like an energy drink and then your sleep's jacked up and you still wake

up, hung over and in your own way.

And it's like, why did I even not drink?

Yeah.

And then even like nano beer it as someone that doesn't drink anymore,

I'm excited that that exists.

Um, because it does make it a little bit easier and, um, but

that's a beer without the feeling.

To me.

And then it's like, okay, well that's a sacrifice.

That's a lesser than, and what we wanted to do with HIO was create a better than

alcohol alternative, like something that had a better value proposition than

the status quo alcoholic drink, right.

Where you can.

Get kind of like a stress relieving mood boosting feeling that people usually

seek from alcohol and those kind of unwinding moments, but have it come from

the healthy, functional ingredients that, you know, don't lend themselves to abuse.

Um, that tastes great, that, you know, works within like, That if you are trying

to live a healthier, happier life, if you were trying to drink less, HIO can

answer that call and not be one that is feeling like a sacrifice, but feeling like

something that you're proud to hold in your hand, that you're excited to drink.

That type of thing.

So that was really.

The impetus for it.

And, um, Yeah, that was, that was where the, the inspiration kind of

came from kind of shitty moment.

Um, uh, I don't know if I'm allowed to say.

But yeah.

Kind of a shitty moment.

Um, and yeah, we're trying to enact some, some positive change in, in shift.

A societal norm that I think is, is, um, You know, very, very important in Barre.

Um, timeline.

Yeah.

No absolutely.

I, so that leads me to a few questions for one.

Uh, are you represented that obviously I just buy you guys in stores.

I don't actually go out to too many bars, but like, are you

actually represented in some of the bars at least locally by chance?

Yeah, so some local, um, so like Winston house waterfront, um, those are

gonna be some of the best places like in Dennis', but, um, not to get too

into the weeds of distribution, but.

Uh, distributing product into bars and restaurants is a lot more high

touch and a lot more time intensive.

Then getting into, uh, retailers which are called, like off-premise.

And so like you purchased the product and then you enjoy it off premise.

Okay.

Got you.

On premise is like you enjoy the product on the establishment.

So are like in the establishment.

Um, so that would be like restaurants and bars, right?

Um, so we're in a couple, um, we're not in as many as we'd like to be, but, um, we're

a small team and it's kind of like, uh, trying to stay focused on doing one thing.

Well, um, and then once we kind of get that under our belt,

then moving into the next phase.

Right now that's primarily direct to consumer.

So just on drink higher now com.

You know, like that's what we really wanted to focus on to start,

because you can know so much more about who your customers are,

why they're buying, why they're.

Not buying again.

They don't like, right.

Um, you know, and as a young company, like having that feedback loop is so important.

Um, and having the opportunity to educate, right?

Like we're.

You know, this new beverage and a new category with like adaptogenic, a new

Tropic, and it's like, You know, that might get lost on the shelf, um, a little

bit, or that might get lost in the bar.

Um, but if we can control that narrative at least to start where people can.

Initially meet us.

Um, you know, that's helpful.

Yeah.

Um, so there was a long-winded answer.

Are you in bars?

Yeah.

I like it's awful.

And also what would be, cause like you said, like instead of just a

boring soda, water, or a super sugary dream, um, What is it that you're

putting in your beverages specifically that are creating the feel good

effect kind of, or uplifting, or maybe even like a down-regulating

kind of Drake where, uh, you know,

Getting you into a calm state.

Like what are, what are the main kind of deals you use there?

Cause I know, um, for example, like I've had purely just like cava in

the past, you know, which I enjoy, I like Cabo, but like, and I know that

will get you into a very calm state.

Um, and then also you don't use any sugar, right?

Like you don't you're do you guys use cane sugar or.

A little bit of organic cane sugar.

So I'll get into like all, I'll be able to answer both of them.

So, um, we have six functional ingredients that kind of lend to

a, what we like to call a float.

Is that feeling.

So I like.

Kind of like branded it almost.

Um, but it's, uh, ashwagandha, uh, cordyceps.

Apps lion's mane L feening, ginger and turmeric.

Um, the.

The reason, I mean, there's a specific reason for each of those ingredients.

We kind of wanted to back into like the ideal social mood, which

is probably stress-free present.

Um, and maybe like a little kick of energy.

Uh, we didn't want it to be from caffeine because like I said earlier, uh, you know,

if you have a bunch of caffeine before you sleep, your sleep's going to be messed up.

You wake up, not feeling refreshed the next morning.

That's like a new version of that hangover.

Right?

Um, and the, the reason why we wanted to choose all the ingredients

that we did, um, was, you know, they're all brass certified.

So that's generally regarded as safe.

They are not seen as, we didn't want to be a dietary supplement.

We want it to be a conventional beverage.

Um, The other thing was that we wanted.

Um, each of them to be like plant-based each of them to be, um, Organic we

wanted, uh, Them to be accessible as well.

Um, And I think that one of the, the tough things in palette, the

ingredients that we put in there.

All of them.

Well, good for you.

None of them tastes good.

That's why we had to put a little bit of.

Organic cane sugar in, uh, because if you're just having like an ashwagandha

drink, It tastes like the earth.

And cordyceps and lion's mane like, well, great for you.

Um, again, not the most delicious things.

And we wanted to create.

You know, a delicious beverage that, you know, when you turn around the label,

Like, oh my gosh.

There's so many things in there that are working together to

kind of create that experience.

And then just kind of imagining on Kala.

Um, part of why we didn't want to use Kaba is, um, just that it can be

kind of tough on your liver, right?

Um, and, and the regulate, like the regulating that it causes are.

Or requires.

Um, so we didn't want to substitute out alcohol with another thing

that's like, right, right.

Maybe a little bit negative.

We wanted something to be for sure.

Everything that's in.

It is healthy for you.

Other than the sugar.

I know that that's like, you know, it's demonized right now.

And we, we only have three grams of added sugar.

Which is much lower than which is pretty low.

We try to work it hard to not put too much in.

Um, while still making a damn tasty beverage.

Yes.

Yeah, well, I mean, uh, I'm trying to remember what like a

can of Coke is at, but it's like 28 grams of sugar or something.

Yeah.

Three grams compared to 28, like it's much, much better.

Yeah.

A hundred percent, especially like, like you said, going out

for a night and drinking, like getting one of those sugary.

You know, mocktails or whatever, like.

It's a bunch of so much sugar.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Um, that's a, that's amazing though.

And so.

In terms of your sobriety though, and leading up to this company, like, did

you yourself have issues with alcohol or was it mainly just a trend that you saw

with your family that kind of, you were like, man, I need to put a stop to this.

I mean, so I think.

If you ask a lot of people that love me, they would say, oh

no, she didn't have a problem.

Like if I'm saying it publicly, Um, and almost as like when

I will mention, oh yeah.

Sober.

Um, some of my family members will be like, but he didn't have a problem.

Like he just decided to, in a way to somehow protect

my reputation or something.

Um, I identified as, as it was a problem to me, because I

think that I just ultimately.

I was launching HIO and I don't feel like I drank too often, but

I think I, when I would drink it, I'd get after it a little bit.

And the hangovers just would ultimately, I think I'm just someone who's naturally

pretty hard on himself and, and tries to hold themselves to a high standard.

And the negative self-talk that I would have in hangover, it would be brutal.

And I just felt like, look, this is holding me back from

the best version of day.

Not to say that now that I've stopped drinking, that I'm anywhere close to.

Perfect.

But at least it is to me, I feel as though I am trying to chase the best version of

myself and that is good enough for me.

Um, you know, when I'm looking in the mirror, Yeah.

So, um, I think it's just something that ultimately, I

feel like I'm better without it.

And that's why, um, once I got over the.

You know, the.

Like this, the standard habitual nature of drinking and the like, The reward

center that it can, it can be for you.

Um, once I got over that and started changing.

Uh, my expectations or habits around it.

It really hasn't been too, too challenging.

Sure.

There's times that every once in a while it's like, yeah,

a drink sounds pretty good.

Um, I don't know, for me, the benefits have just been so much greater than that.

It really hasn't felt like a sacrifice it's it's more about,

you know, what it's made space for.

Yeah.

And most of that's a lot better than.

Yeah.

Well, uh, I've got like kind of two parts of the answer

here that I want to give you.

It's like first off.

With alcohol, because like you said, the benefits are so much better.

And I think it takes time to notice that right.

But one of the main things that a friend of mine said that I really

really liked was with alcohol.

It's like, you're always just like one moment away from having

like the worst night possible.

Right?

Like it throughout you can have a really great time, you know?

I mean, there's been times where I've been out drinking and just had like

incredible time, you know, such awesome.

Uh, you know, going out.

With friends, whatever.

And there's also been nights where it's been like one of the worst freaking

nights, because just something happened, you know, someone got triggered.

You know what, and it's like, it's so true.

Like you are one moment away at all times from just having like a terrible night.

So, um, that alone, I'm like, it's a really good reason for

me to not really care to drink.

And then also I think, um,

And I don't know if, uh, I don't know how true this is, but I definitely

feel that here in America, we have kind of like a bad relationship

with alcohol in my opinion.

And the reason I say that is because.

You know, uh, growing up, it was like, when you would go out and drink, it was

like you were going out to get messed up.

You weren't going out to enjoy a glass of wine at dinner.

Right.

And so when, uh, my fiance, Ashley and I, we went to Spain to visit

some of her family out there.

And we were going to go to this festival.

And so.

Uh, yeah, all her cousins were like, let's go grab like a little bit of liquor

at the, at the liquor store and you know, we'll drink before we head out.

Right.

We were young, like still in college and so right.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So we go to the liquor store, we get like a bottle, and then we were ready to

just go check out with just the bottle.

Right.

And like, we're thinking we're just gonna take shots also pretty cheap at this time.

Right.

And so then her cousins are like, what the heck are you guys doing?

Like, we need ice.

We need mixing, you know, we need cuts.

Like, we're going to enjoy this.

Like what do you guys try to do?

Like it's super messed up, you know?

So anyways, uh, yeah, like just seeing that I was like, oh, that's so weird.

Like they, they want to.

Enjoy the dream, you know, like what.

This is odd, you know?

Um, and so just seeing that, and then now in like my health journey

seemed like, uh, the blue zones.

Uh, where these communities who are living super long, they still

consume alcohol from time to time.

But the way they do it is so almost like ritualistic, right.

Where it's like, they only drink in the presence of others.

They only drink at this time, you know, like after a certain hour.

Right.

And with friends and it's only like one or two glasses or this kind of outcome.

You know, so it's like, there's a lot of boundaries set up around.

It's not just.

Drinking any time, whatever you want.

Like there.

It's a very, almost like, like a ritual where you're enjoying the

presence of someone else, which.

Yeah.

You don't like, if you aren't going to drink, like it should be to enjoy the

presence of other people, you know?

I mean, I think like the, I definitely am not one to like yuck.

Anybody's yum.

If you like drinking, like all good, but I think it's just.

Like taking a hard look and saying, is this, is this a

dampening, your shine at all?

And if so, then like reframe your relationship and.

Compartmentalize the parts of your life that like involve

alcohol and maybe make sure that.

It's not going to be hindering me.

You, right?

Like by virtue of whoever is listening to this podcast, like, it is so much

about optimizing and prioritizing your health and those things like.

I imagine that a lot of people who are listening are people that want to

chase the best versions of themselves.

And.

I think that.

There's no way that you can have that with a unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

And there's no way that he can have that with like honestly often consumption.

Yeah.

I just, I don't believe that.

Um, so, you know, I think that it's, but life isn't about like, just restricting

and making like, oh yeah, I was so healthy, but I'm not enjoying myself.

That's not it at all, but it is to me, I think it's just like, don't do

stuff that the dampens your shine.

Um, and for me, that, that was alcohol.

Um, and you know, you.

Ultimately it's about like finding balance for yourself and

what, what a balanced lifestyle.

Looks like for me, my look different for you.

And for me, it's just like, yeah.

I'm trying to.

Yeah.

Yeah.

But, you know, I have Mike.

My co-founder still drinks a little bit.

Um, my other co-founder Sydney, like show.

Not to like put her on.

She said she's drinking, but she'll, she'll drink more often.

It's like, you know, my fiance has the healthiest relationship with alcohol.

Like anyone that I've ever seen she'll drink.

You know, Relatively often, but it's.

You know, it doesn't, it doesn't throw off at all.

So it's just like find what works for you.

Yeah.

Um, well, it's also, I think like the most important thing there is also the

relationship with it, you know, because, um, up until recently I had never really

seen someone really go through a like, you know, through rehab or, you know, like

literally having a detox from drinking.

For a week straight.

You know what I mean?

Like once I saw that I never knew how intense alcohol could be.

Right.

Like, um, I always just thought it was like a hangover the next day.

And then I saw someone who literally, you know, Was having a hard time, like

eating food was like, you know, having like cold sweats and shakes from alcohol.

Right.

Like completely blew my mind.

And really, I think that's what really kind of like opened my mind to like,

whoa, this is like really powerful.

I mean, it's a poison, right?

It's absolutely a poison.

And the dose is the poison, I guess.

But, um, it is, it's definitely, I think it comes down to the relationship

with alcohol, but I think it's cool to have HIO, you know, and like have

this alternative where now it's like, Maybe you go out and you enjoy a drink,

but then like, you don't want to be all f-ed up the rest of the night.

So you go ahead and you switch over and have that, or you start your

night out with that and just, you don't get the flow on and enjoy

your evening that way, you know?

Um, and then don't have to deal with any of the repercussions.

I mean, we're like, like peeling back the curtain.

It's like, we're trying to like sneak health and wellness into the social.

Yeah.

It's like, I love it.

So.

Move that and just set that there.

Like everybody good.

Yeah.

So I don't know.

I think that it's.

Uh, especially in a world where I think stress is kind of at an

all time high mental health is.

It's probably like an all-time low.

Um, You know, it.

It kind of aligns in that like alcohol is a depressant.

And I don't mean to just be harping.

So negative.

Right.

Um, but that's part of what we're trying to do, right.

Is, is.

Support that, that journey of like a healthier, happier you.

Um, I just, you know, we all make decisions that are informed from our

experiences and I've seen so profoundly the negative effects of alcohol and

in my lives, in my own life, but in the lives of those that care about.

Um, that it just was like, yeah.

This has sound.

This has to exist.

And I think that what we're seeing is there's.

You know, there's more information coming out on the negative effects of alcohol.

And there's also more just excitement around.

Prioritizing your health.

Um, in all aspects and all.

Areas of your life.

And we're just trying to answer that call and, and kind of that

unwinding post 5:00 PM, like social.

Yeah.

Well also, uh, what I think is so important about this is, um, have

you heard of the Harvard study that was expanded over like 75 years?

Like almost 80 years long where they tracked like.

I don't know, 700 men from 1930, something to like 2008.

Did you hear about that study?

So the thing that they found that was the number one.

Like key to longevity and like mental and physical health overall was

like the quality of relationships.

And like, uh, you know, social life essentially, right?

Like your community.

And that was the number one things, regardless of your economic.

Like status, like, uh, where you started off as a kid, your, um, you know,

your race, like any of that stuff.

Right?

Cause they also took Victor like Harvard graduates, but then they

also took people who were just.

Like, you know, from my city, you know what I mean?

So, uh, it was really interesting to see, and we also see with like

blue zones where they have amazing.

Like sense of community, right?

And so, uh, I think that's one of the main things is like, With alcohol.

It's always like, I would love to go out and hang out with you, but I know

you're going to be going out to this bar.

It's like, I just don't want to get messed up, you know?

And, and yeah, and I don't want to chill on a soda, water with alignment, you know?

And, uh, so I always like.

Pre like HIO, you know, it was always like, well, if you're

going to go out, okay, it's okay to have like a drinker too.

Yeah, because, you know, it's worth the benefit of being with

the people that you love and, and like fostering that relationship.

But I think it's cool to be able to have the best of both worlds.

Dude.

I mean, look, I think it's totally backwards in our society that we

have to like sacrifice our mental and physical health to feel social,

to feel like stress free, to feel included, like all of that stuff.

I mean, that's as backwards.

And frankly, I think with HIO and with some of the other like

kind of options that exist like that doesn't have to be the case.

Right.

And that's something that I'm insanely proud of and excited

to hopefully continue to.

Permeate throughout our society.

In a more.

Um, widespread way.

You know, abstaining from alcohol in the social occasion is not just accepted, but

even like celebrated to a certain degree.

Um, so, you know, we've got our work cut out for us, but, um, yeah.

Yeah.

Also, um, with the whole wasted logo.

So I heard you mentioned earlier that like, obviously not getting wasted,

but a life wasted, like how so?

What, what, what does that mean to you?

Like.

Yeah.

So I think that.

I mean one it's kind of just like a playful, like living a life never wasted.

Wasted is, um,

You know, When you're wasted.

It's.

You're messed up on alcohol, but then also living the life, never waste.

Like if.

I think something that has always resonated really strongly with me is if

you're not trying to be the best version of yourself, then what are we doing here?

Right.

Is there?

No, I think there's really not too many more.

Altruistic and worthy goals to focus on.

Um, in this life, because it's one that obviously you benefit from, but everyone

in your sphere of influence does as well.

And if you are chasing that best version of yourself,

I think that's, that's what it means to kind of live a life.

Never wasted.

If you're wasting your, your talents or your empathy or your bike.

Your ability to connect with people.

If you're wasting your health, like.

Those things I think will ultimately kind of eat at you.

And I think ultimately at least for me, the disparity between.

You're kind of where you're at and where, you know, you can

be, um, we'll eat you as well.

And, and I think that this idea when, when we were creating HIO of, of living a life,

never wasted, really resonated with me.

And I think it's caught on in some, some capacity.

Um, That, that, you know,

We should try to be chasing the best version.

Because.

Um, You know, it.

It's a, it's a profound thing.

This, this life is a gift.

And if you get to chase that, I think you'll feel.

Um, A lot better when, when you're looking in the mirror, right.

And it's not about like, Necessarily like getting there, but it's the pursuit audit.

Yeah, right.

Um, that's, that's made all the difference in, and I think that, uh, Yeah.

I, I think also if I'm just being pretty open, Um, If I have regret

in my life, it's that I drank too much in my like early twenties.

I think I wasted.

Some of that time.

I think I wasted my opportunity in college and.

Um, and even like right out of college.

Um, It was just too much of a, um, You know, Easy.

Opportunity like.

I think if there's one thing that I regret, it's a little bit of that.

So maybe there's a portion of.

That kind of inspiring.

The wasted.

Yeah.

No for sure.

I mean, At least you're at a place where you've understood that.

Right.

And you're able to move forward.

And, um, I think like going back to almost like the obstacle is the way, right?

It's like if you're wasted, right.

If you're constantly getting wasted and, uh, you know,

You're not living to your full potential.

It's obviously you're going to have recovery days and you're just

not going to be at your top level.

It's like, how are you going to respond to that obstacle?

Are you going to shy away from it?

Are you going to face the head on and grow from it?

You know?

And, and so, uh, yeah, that can play out in so many ways.

You know what I mean?

And I mean, I think, but positive momentum is a really powerful thing.

And if you have these like full stop breakage days where you are hung

over, You have negative self-talk.

Yeah, you are not proud of like maybe the night before your, or you just feel

like shit and you just don't feel like you can be the best mother or the best

partner or the best like friend, whatever.

Um, That kind of eats you.

And for me, it, it was like, In some weird way.

It was like, you don't deserve to have your dreams fulfilled.

Deserve to be fully happy.

And, uh, again, that's, that's just my experience, but I think that the.

If you commit to something and you commit to like trying to be the

healthiest best version of yourself.

And you stick with that, that positive momentum starts rolling down the hill and

in a really awesome way that I don't know.

For me, it just felt like things started coming together.

Um, in a lot of ways, not to say that it was a panacea and everything.

Just all good.

Um, but it's, it's awesome to see those kind of.

The feeling of what if I.

What if I didn't have any off days, how.

How much could I achieve in whatever goal that you're setting.

Whether it's like your, a young Hostler is trying to make a name for himself with

your business or whether you're like.

Like old grandpa.

And you just want to like spend more time with your kids.

Or your grandkids or whatever.

I think having no off days yeah.

Lends itself to a better person.

Exactly.

I mean, imagine the productivity level of, of a person who has to

take off days to recover, right.

As opposed to the person who does it.

I mean, that's, even if it was just one day a week, like that's 24 hours.

Okay.

Like, let's just make a daytime, like 12 to 16 hours of the day that you

have that the other person wouldn't or the other version of you wouldn't

if you were having to recover.

And even like I thought about.

Like when I'm working out, like now there's this whole thing of like working

out up to the point of like, just before you get exhausted just before

you have to like, mess up your muscles and recover for three days later.

Cause you're so sore, but getting to the point where like you build just

enough and then the next day you can go back and repeat because you didn't

like over exhausted muscles and it's the same deal, you know, it's, if you're

really trying to get that 1% better every day or whatever, like not having

an off day, it's going to be massive.

And I think that was a naturally, one of the really big things for me

is like, I get really bad hangovers.

When I do drink.

And so then it was like the entire day with just wasted.

Like laying around, you know?

And, and it really got to me.

I did not like that at all.

And also like, if you do make those types of decisions, like, and let's say your

waist the next day, like maybe you're one of those psychopaths who's able to like.

Wake up workout and just.

Wash through that.

Yeah.

I wasn't.

And it just would be like, okay, that decision to drink.

Led to over-consumption.

Then led to me feeling like crap the next day, sleeping in.

Ordering like a breakfast burrito and like sitting on the couch.

Watching Netflix.

Not getting into my community, not getting outside, not getting active.

Um, then feeling bad for myself and then feeling like the next day, maybe

I was still even a little bit over into my Monday, not feeling like.

On fire.

Turning to focus on the work that I needed to do.

Um, then feeling guilty about it's just like, there's this.

There's this negative.

Slippery slope kind of thing that when you can connect positive, Um, decisions.

It just has the complete opposite effect where.

It's like this possible.

Momentum, I guess.

Or positive, slippery slope.

I don't know what to exactly call it.

Um, That's been one of the profound things that I've seen.

Uh, and I encourage people.

You know, even if it's alcohol still going to be a component of

your life, like maybe taking breaks off and just seeing how you feel.

Yeah.

Um, so, yeah, sorry to get like preachy.

I really don't mean to, but I also, it's just been such a positive thing

in my life that I want to share that.

Um, so yeah, no, I mean, we're not here to tell anyone how to live their life,

but just providing the option, you know?

Definitely not just trying to kind of, uh, give my experience.

In case it might inspire someone to check it out.

I love it, man.

Um, well, let's go ahead and let everyone know where they can

find you where they can find HIO.

Um, yeah.

Any last pointers you want to share?

Maybe, uh, also just talk about maybe a couple of the drinks if you want, which

obviously are just super delicious.

I actually like to drink them, not even in terms of like substituting alcoholic.

I liked the flavor and it's a little bit of a new Tropic I think, in some ways.

So, um, yeah, feel, feel free to share whatever you'd like to hear.

Yeah, I mean, You can check us out at drink.

io.com.

On Insta Facebook.

Uh, Tik TOK, all drink HIO.

Um, We got three flavors, peach mango, watermelon, lime, Blackberry lemon.

They're all kind of like fruit forward.

Delicious.

The seltzers, um, refreshing and, uh, yeah, they don't taste too healthy, so no.

That one's good.

Yeah.

But yeah.

Uh, that's, that's kind of it.

And thank you so much for having me on the pod.

Um, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Yeah, absolutely.

George, thank you very much for coming on.

Also, everybody for being a listener of the show, George has been kind enough

to provide a 15% discount code, right.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Elemental 15.

Uh, so yeah, so definitely check them out.

You guys will not be, sorry.

It's a delicious drink.

Like I said, to just have that any time.

Um, I've even had it, like when I'm working, this is a

great nootropic, honestly.

Um, and thanks for coming onto the show.

George Sweet.

Really appreciate it.

Alrighty, everybody, you know, the motto of the show with you, everything with good

intentions and connect to your elements.