Bill is the Co-Founder and CEO of Athletic Brewing Company based in CT & CA. Founded in 2017, Athletic Brewing is widely credited with jumpstarting and de-stigmatizing the non-alcoholic beer segment to being the fastest growing and most exciting category in beer. Bill brought his financial background (from notable Hedge Fund Point 72) and a love of beer to a partnership with highly awarded brewer John Walker to bring Athletic to life. Bill’s love of the outdoors is evident in all elements of Athletic branding.
Since launching in 2018, Athletic Brewing has grown to become a Top 20 craft brewery and the second-largest non-alcoholic beer brand in the U.S. In 2022, Athletic was ranked as the 26th fastest-growing private company in America by Inc. Magazine and named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential Companies.
Walk us through your morning routine.
I love living my life on the early end of the clock – early to rise, even earlier to bed.
Typical alarm is at 5:30am. Big glass of water, walk dogs, feed dogs, espresso. Next I meditate – morning is very goal-oriented focusing on the most important items I have to get done that day to make it a win and then reiterating my long-term goal 15 times. Ensuring I make progress every day compounds over time. I finally turn my phone on usually 30-45 min after wakeup, but it’s never the first or last thing I see.
Do you have an exercise routine?
I sweat every day in some form or fashion. If I have 10 minutes, I’ll do 100 burpees in my living room. If I have 2 hours, ill go for a 12-15 mile run. All depends on time and I’m always up for any workout type – HIT, run, swim….but these days you’ll catch me almost every afternoon jogging with my stroller and ever-heavier toddler in it.
Do you follow a specific diet?
I’m generally plant based as often as possible – I like to eat a wide variety of greens during the work week (salads for lunch). Morning is usually oatmeal and a range of fruit. When eating out is when I would tend to have meat as a treat, but I generally have better energy when eating plant-based and morally have an aversion to meat as it causes death.
I tend to have at least 3 Athletic beers at different points during the day – afternoon Run Wild IPA, dinner beer, and a later work beer (or post-workout beer).
I take a range of supplements every day – multi-vitamin, Tru Niagen, and a green juice. Then magnesium at end of day to restore it’s levels (stress eats at magnesium I’ve heard).
How many hours do you sleep each night?
I’d love to say 8, and you’ll never find me sleep-shaming anyone. But it usually ends up around 7 despite my best efforts.
What are some hobbies you enjoy?
Reading, trail running, skiing, finance & macroeconomics.
Do you have any life mottos or principles you follow?
- I believe in taking action – small actions and consistent behaviors add up to massive progress compounding over time.
- I believe that nothing one does for themselves will ever be fulfilling – it has to be for the benefit of others.
- I love Gabby Reece’s motto “Going First” – it’s encouraged me to say hi to numerous people that I never ever would have before (total strangers) and opened up many opportunities.
How do you approach setting goals?
My goals are generally very long-term north stars – everything else is just mileposts along the way. But I have one main mission and I repeat it relentlessly to myself – during meditation, running, etc.
What is your favorite way to learn new things?
By doing or reading. I was never a good classroom learner.
If you could leave one piece of advice for someone younger, what would you share?
Nobody has it all figured out – as much as they may try to convince you that you do. Believe in yourself, try a lot of things, and never stop learning.
Athletic Brewing now has ~175 employees — how would you describe your leadership style?
It’s relatively hands off and collaborative – We tend to all align on the “why” and “where” we want to go, and then all work together to get there. Positive, collaborative, problem solvers tend to thrive at Athletic.
Is there anything that you haven’t done that you still want to do?
I feel like I’m just getting going in every element of life – there is more I want to get done than I have done in every realm. I’d like to do far more travel and experience many more cultures.