Former UFC fighter Joe “Daddy” Stevenson says these beverages have made a difference in his energy levels and recovery, which is why he’s introduced them to just about everybody at his gym.
Joe Stevenson has been fighting almost his entire life.
“I’ve fought professionally since I was 16, and that's how I supported my family,” says Stevenson.
By age 23, Stevenson landed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship after becoming the welterweight winner of “The Ultimate Fighter 2.” Although he’s now retired, he still spends plenty of time in the ring as the founder and head MMA coach of Cobra Kai Martial Arts.
His longevity in the mixed martial arts can be credited to many things, including maintaining proper nutrition, having a good sleep schedule, and, perhaps most importantly, prioritizing recovery before and after a match.
“Ultimately, recovery isn’t a luxury,” Stevenson says. “It’s part of being a professional athlete. You can’t continuously break your body down without giving it the opportunity to rebuild.”
One of the newest things Stevenson has introduced to his, and other fighters’ pre- and post-training routine is a caffeine-free beverage that may also help aid recovery.
Kenetik is a caffeine-free drink that claims to help with mental clarity and focus, while also providing other brain health benefits, through the use of ketones, acids produced by the body when it uses fat for energy.
The drinks come in cans and shots, and Stevenson says he uses both depending on what he’s looking for, though he adds both are great at making him feel more energized without having to take any caffeine.
“When I want something cold and refreshing that still gives me that energy-drink feel without the crash, I go for the cans,” he says. They taste great and hit the spot. The shots are what I lean on before competition or when I’m on the go. They’re quick, portable, and give me that clean focus and steady energy without caffeine.”
As Stevenson points out, studies have also found that exogenous ketones, or those consumed rather than made by the body, could potentially help with overall recovery. It’s a big reason why he’s introduced it to just about everybody at his gym.
“Not only have I taken it, my students have taken it, my kids,” Stevenson says. “Before a competition, after a competition…I can’t speak highly enough about the drink”
Although he says you could feel the recovery effects of the drink before or after training, he himself mostly uses it as a pre-training drink to help with energy.
