Since quitting drinking and recommitting to his fitness, Brett Young has discovered a new level of energy and presence onstage—one that’s transformed not just when he’s performing hits from his new album 2.0, but his entire outlook on life. For the country star, the decision to give up alcohol in January 2024 was more than a health choice; it became the career-enhancing catalyst for a complete personal and professional transformation.
“I think the thing that kicked it all off was stepping away from alcohol,” Brett shares with Country Muscle Podcast host Jeff Tomko. “That just made me hungry for what other things I could be doing to extend my life. And that ended up being diet and taking weightlifting from kind of this recreational hobby to something that I took very seriously.”
Where he once relied on pre-show drinks to loosen up, Brett now finds his energy and focus—from protein shakes and a consistent diet—are at an all-time high. “I’m a better singer because I’m paying more attention,” he says. “I’m a better performer because it’s very intentional… I feel like I’m the best performer. I feel like I’m the 2.0 in the performance world as well, and I attribute that to the lifestyle that I’m living at this point,” he says.
His workouts, now lasting up to two hours a day, have become a cornerstone of his routine, fueling both his physical stamina and mental clarity. “I went from getting really kind of worthless workouts where I would spend 30 or 45 minutes in the gym, to the workouts are about two hours a day,” Brett explains.
With sobriety and training as his foundation, Brett Young is hitting the stage with more energy, confidence, and passion than ever before—proving that sometimes, the best encore is a brand-new beginning.
You can check out all of Brett Young’s interview—as well as every other episode of the Country Muscle Podcast—on the Country Muscle YouTube Channel.
5 Takeaways from the Brett Young Country Muscle Podcast Appearance
- Baseball Shaped His Mindset and Career: Brett Young’s years as a standout pitcher created a competitive drive and discipline that continue to shape his music career and personal life. “If you asked me when I was 20 years old, I would have bet you money if I got to do any of those things, it would have been because of baseball,” he says. “Not in a million years would I have thought that becoming a singer would open the doors that it has. It’s been wild.”
- Brett Young Still Channels His Inner Kobe: The singer brings a “mamba mentality” to everything he does, always wanting the hypothetical ball in his hand—and taking responsibility for the wins and losses. “I got a little Kobe Bryant in me. If I can have the ball, I want the ball in my hand. If it can be me, I want it to be. I’d rather blame myself than blame myself for trusting somebody else to get it done.”
- Sobriety Sparked a Life-Changing Transformation: Quitting alcohol in January 2024 became a turning point for the “In Case You Didn’t Know” singer, leading Brett to focus on health, longevity, and being present for his family. “I just decided that alcohol was not serving me at all. In fact, it’s doing nothing but make life more difficult.”
- Fitness Routine Inspired by Baseball: Young’s current workout routine is rooted in his college baseball days, now adapted for higher weights and lower reps, with a disciplined split. “I basically took my college baseball routine and revamped it to fit what I’m trying to accomplish now.”
- Music Reflects His Real Life: Brett’s songs and videos, like “Catch,” are deeply autobiographical, blending his love for baseball, family, and personal milestones. “Even though ‘Catch’ is just a nod to baseball, i’s about meeting a girl in a bar… we cast a little boy to walk away with us at the end of the video… we knew we were pregnant with our daughter at that point, our first child.”