From MLB legend to clean hydration advocate, Johnny Damon is building a wellness brand with heart, hustle, and a championship mindset.
He may have retired from professional baseball more than a decade ago, but Johnny Damon has never stopped showing up. After an 18-year MLB career that earned him two World Series rings and a reputation as one of the game’s most dependable players, Damon has turned his focus to a new arena: wellness entrepreneurship. His latest venture, A-Game, is a hydration drink designed to fuel everyday performance—without the artificial additives that plague so many mainstream beverages.
In this exclusive conversation, Damon opens up about his inspiration for launching A-Game, the science behind the formula, his team’s fast-growing momentum, and what “bringing your A-Game” means off the field—in business, in family, and in life.
From Military Roots to Major League Greatness
Johnny, your baseball story is legendary. But take us back—what shaped you before the big leagues?’
Well, I was born in Fort Riley, Kansas, and we moved a lot early on because my dad was in the U.S. Army. I was a true Army brat—we lived in Okinawa, then Kentucky, and eventually landed in Orlando when I was about six. That’s where it really started to feel like home. My mom is from Thailand, and there was a strong Thai community in Orlando—lots of families who followed their husbands in the service. It gave me this big, multicultural sense of family and community.
I was always outside, always playing sports. Soccer was my first love. But then baseball hit, and it just clicked. I was always a big kid—by 13, I was already 6’2″, 185 pounds—and suddenly I was competing against kids three or four years older and outperforming them. That’s when people started saying, “You’re going to the majors.” For me, I just wanted a scholarship. My parents worked multiple jobs—two, sometimes three—to give us a good life. I wanted to help them. And when I got drafted, I did.
Living the Dream—and the Discipline Behind It
You played 18 seasons in the MLB, won two World Series championships—what was the mindset that carried you through it?
Consistency. Grit. Bringing my A-Game every single day, no matter what. Whether I was hurt, tired, or having a tough day, I showed up. I only went on the disabled list once in 18 years. And I never played another game in the minors after getting called up from Double-A at 21. I knew every game mattered—not just for me, but for my teammates, the fans, and my family. That mindset carried me through baseball, and it’s what I carry into everything I do today.
Why A-Game Was Born
What inspired you to step into the wellness world and create A-Game?
It started with tragedy, honestly. In 2012, during a scorching summer in the South, a couple of high school football players died during practice. That hit me hard. I thought, “How can this happen in this day and age?” These were kids—athletes—who just needed proper hydration, the right nutrients. That’s when we realized the drinks out there weren’t cutting it. Some even had ingredients that actively harmed recovery.
So we built something better. A-Game was never just a product—it was a mission. We said: let’s create a hydration drink that’s clean, that actually helps your body, that doesn’t taste like a science experiment. And we did. We built a formula that works with the body—not against it.
The Formula: What Makes A-Game Different
What makes A-Game so different from other hydration drinks on the market?
First of all, we don’t use artificial anything. No artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. No high-fructose corn syrup and no red dye 40. None of that junk. What we do use is real stuff your body actually wants. We hydrate with sea salt—nature’s original electrolyte. We sweeten with organic honey, which not only gives you clean energy but also helps your body absorb the nutrients.
Most importantly, we include eight essential vitamins your body needs daily, all in proper balance so they don’t counteract each other. That’s the thing—some drinks throw in a cocktail of nutrients that end up working against one another. We did our homework. And we made sure it tastes good, because let’s be real, if it doesn’t taste good, people won’t drink it.
Clean, Functional, and Already Ahead of the Curve
How does A-Game stack up against those big-name legacy brands?
Let’s just say we’re ahead of the curve. Other brands are scrambling right now because the FDA is cracking down on artificial ingredients. By 2027, a lot of them will be forced to reformulate. But not us. Our formula’s already clean. We don’t need to change anything. A-Game is already where those other drinks are trying to go. That’s the difference.
And I’ll be honest—a lot of those legacy drinks? They’re packed with synthetic sugars, preservatives, and even petroleum-based ingredients. They’re built for profit and shelf life, not performance or health. A-Game is built to help people feel better, recover faster, and stay hydrated the right way.
A Team That Reflects the Mission
Who else is part of the A-Game movement?
We’ve built an incredible team. Gary Brekka, who’s one of the top human performance scientists in the country, is a partner. He’s helped Dana White extend his life expectancy. He’s close with RFK Jr. and is part of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. When he talks, people listen. In fact, one time Gary posted about A-Game and our sales jumped 2,500%—in a single day.
Then there’s Bo Jackson—an icon and a guy who still trains hard. We’ve got rising stars like Caleb Downs, who just won a national championship, and Tyler Adams, a leader on Team USA soccer. These aren’t just endorsements. These are people who live the A-Game lifestyle every day.
Building Momentum and Market Reach
Where can people find A-Game now?
We’re in over 5,000 stores across the country. That includes 7-Eleven, Walmart Marketplace, Piggly Wiggly, Winn-Dixie, ShopRite, and more. And you can buy online through Amazon and Shopify too. Louisiana’s been a breakout market for us—people there love it. We’re locking in more distribution deals every day. But we’re not rushing. We want the right partners. Our focus is quality and long-term growth.
Grassroots Growth in Sports and Wellness
Has A-Game made it into sports teams and fitness communities yet?
Oh yeah. We’re already sponsoring USL soccer teams in Miami and DC. We’re involved in youth football camps & in talks with wrestling leagues like TNA. This thing’s expanding quickly, but we’re being smart with it. Our CFO is on top of every dollar—we’re running a real business. We’re not just throwing money around for hype. We’re building something sustainable.
The Entrepreneurial Mindset
How did you transition from athlete to CEO and entrepreneur?
Retirement is a long time. When I stepped away from baseball, I had to figure out: what’s next? I was 38 years old, and had 6 kids. I had the drive, and I had the discipline—I just needed the right mission. And when my childhood friend came to me with the concept for A-Game, I knew it was worth betting on. I didn’t just invest money, I stepped in as a leader. I built the team, I do the calls, the meetings, the interviews. I’m hands-on. It’s just like managing a clubhouse—you’ve got to know when to push, when to support, and how to build trust.
What’s Next for Johnny—and for A-Game
Looking ahead, what would you like to be remembered for beyond baseball?
Being a great dad. Being a good person. Someone who helped others feel better and live better. We’re expanding A-Game—working on products around gut health, NAD, Baja salt hydration, and more. And I’ll keep bringing my A-Game every single day. Whether I’m on a Zoom call or helping my kids with homework, that mindset never stops.
Written by Candice Beaumont. Connect on Instagram and LinkedIn
