‘I Won the CrossFit Games While Drinking Every Night’ — The Wildly Honest Sobriety Story of a Fittest Man at 49

Jason Grubb is no stranger to grit. The five-time CrossFit Games champion has dominated the Masters division for years — but not everyone knew he was silently battling another opponent behind the scenes: alcohol.

In a deeply personal revelation, Grubb shared that he’s just days away from hitting 365 days sober for the first time in his adult life. Despite past victories on the competition floor, he was drinking wine every night — quietly, consistently, and without attracting much attention.

What happens when a champion finally puts down the glass? It’s not the dramatic transformation you might expect. In this brutally honest reflection, Grubb shares what changed, what didn’t, and the hard truths he learned on the road to sobriety.

“I’m Probably an Alcoholic”: A High-Functioning Habit

Grubb didn’t crash into sobriety after a rock bottom moment.

For years, he drank boxed wine — typically 2 to 5 glasses a night. It wasn’t high-end or excessive in one sitting, but it was consistent and daily, and it added up in more ways than he cared to admit at the time.

“I never thought I had a problem,” Grubb shared. “I wasn’t belligerent. I didn’t drink and drive. I wasn’t passed out. But I was poisoning myself, and I knew it.”

He describes the routine: dinners with a full bottle of wine (except for a single pour saved for his wife), late-night glasses after everyone went to bed, and boxed wine that was difficult to track. A Bota Box, with four bottles inside, would be emptied every few days — quietly.

“It was my last security blanket. I’d quit tobacco, I ate well, I won competitions. But I didn’t want to part with wine.”

The Breaking Point: January 1, 2024

New Year’s Eve 2023 painted a sobering picture — literally.

“I was sick. Really sick. But I still had four glasses of wine,” Grubb recalled. The next morning, his wife gently pointed out what he had done. The truth hit hard.

“I was angry at her, but really I was angry at myself. That was it. I was done. Almost out of resentment, I said, ‘Fine. I’m done.'”

And just like that, the streak — now 360 days and counting — began.

How He Did It: Replacing the Ritual

Grubb didn’t power through with sheer will. He replaced the habit with alternatives that mimicked the ritual of having something in hand.

• Root beer – Sugar-free Zevia and A&W to simulate that evening drink sensation.
• Topo Chico and PELÒ – Sparkling waters as a refreshing stand-in.
• SodaStream – A home carbonator that became a nightly ritual of its own.
• Tea – Yes, tea. “At 49, I have a cup of tea at night,” he joked. “Don’t tell anyone.”

While habits shifted, what remained was discipline. The same mindset that wins CrossFit competitions helped him rewrite his routine without alcohol.

What Changed Physically After a Year Without Alcohol?

This might surprise people: Grubb admits he didn’t feel dramatically better. Not immediately. Not even weeks in.

“I was disappointed. I thought a week in, I’d feel like Superman. But I didn’t. I felt exactly the same — maybe worse for a few days.”

But while the short-term benefits were subtle, longer-term biomarkers painted a different story. One number stood out: HRV, or heart rate variability.

“Back when I drank, a good HRV for me was around 70. Now, I hit 150 to 180 on recovery days. That is legit. For someone my age, that’s amazing.”

That data doesn’t lie. Internally, his body is functioning at a higher level — even if the improvement is more “behind-the-scenes.”

Sober at the CrossFit Games

In 2024, Grubb competed in what he described as his “toughest Games ever” — for the first time alcohol-free.

“If I had been drinking, maybe I wouldn’t have won,” he speculated. “The stress of training, competing, traveling — before, I would’ve drowned that in wine. But I didn’t. And I won.”

This victory wasn’t just about a medal. It was proof of a new way of living: high-performance without the nightly pour.

Surprising Reactions — and Similar Stories

When Grubb mentioned to friends and fellow athletes that he had recently quit drinking, most were shocked. “Wait, you haven’t been sober for years?” was the typical response.

He later discovered there are countless others quietly drinking just enough every day to keep it habit-forming — and some, inspired by his decision, have quit too.

• “They said the same thing as me: I don’t feel tons better. But I know it’s better.”

He’s found solidarity in that shared truth.

Life Without Alcohol: What It Looks Like Now

Grubb keeps alcohol out of the house deliberately — avoiding potential triggers.

He opts for non-alcoholic beers like Athletic Brewing Co. and even non-alcoholic Guinness. He finds joy in drinking a sparkly water or a fancy mocktail when dining out.

“It’s not about pretending I’m drinking. I just want something that fits the ritual,” he said.

From concerts to cookouts, he’s learning how to enjoy life without alcohol — and that includes waking up without headaches, for once.

Will He Ever Drink Again?

Probably not.

Grubb is candid about how his brain works. He’s a man who builds streaks — and once loopholes start, the floodgates open.

“One glass of wine leads to sharing a bottle, which means I drink most of it. Then it becomes wine on Friday, then Saturday… and I’m back. I just can’t do that.”

Lessons From One Year Sober

After 360 days — nearly one full year — Grubb’s takeaways are real, raw, and resonate with anyone examining their own relationship with alcohol:

• You don’t have to hit rock bottom to decide to stop.
• You may not feel drastically different, but your body will thank you anyway.
• Daily drinks, even small ones, add up over time.
• It’s okay to use “crutches” like soda or tea while you adjust.
• Routine matters — eliminate triggers, build new rituals.

“My Best Days Are Ahead of Me”

Looking ahead to 2025, Jason Grubb is doubling down on his sober streak. He’s not making a grand announcement or launching a sobriety campaign — he’s just living proof that quitting alcohol is possible, even when it’s ingrained in your identity.

“I miss it. I miss the sedation, the glass of wine on a hard day. But I finally feel like I’m not poisoning my system daily. That’s the win.”

His message isn’t a mandate — it’s an invitation to reflect. Whether you drink or not, it’s a reminder that growth often begins in quiet choices we make for ourselves.

“Fortune favors the bold,” Grubb said. “And for me, bold was putting down the wine glass.”