From the Founder, Brian Mazza 12/16
From Party Guy to Purpose-Driven: How Chasing a Different Feeling Transformed My Life
As the Co-Founder of the renowned mega sports bar brand The Ainsworth, I lived the ultimate party lifestyle for years. While I never struggled with drugs or alcohol, partying was woven into the fabric of my job. In my younger days, I could bounce back easily, moving from one late night to the next, thinking I was living my best life. But as time went on, something changed. Age began to creep in, the nights felt longer, and the recovery became harder.
From the outside, my life seemed ideal. I was constantly featured in the press, celebrities lined up to attend our legendary Sunday Funday Football Parties, and I was making great money. Yet, beneath the surface, I felt empty. My body wasn’t where I wanted it to be, my relationships felt shallow, my mind was clouded, and I wasn’t showing up for myself—or for the people I cared about—in the way they deserved.
When I made the commitment to stop drinking, everything changed. I experienced improvements on a level I didn’t believe would last, but they did—and they became even more profound. If you’ve ever taken this step, you know the clarity I’m talking about. It’s almost indescribable, a euphoria of freedom, smarter decisions, and a renewed sense of purpose. From the very first week, I was hooked on this feeling. It became my new addiction: the freedom to take control of my life and chase my full potential.
Cutting out alcohol removed all the excuses that had been holding me back. I became unstoppable—a force driven by clarity, discipline, and purpose. That one conscious decision changed my destiny, and for that, I will always chase that feeling.
If you’re thinking about trying this for yourself, I’ve created an Accountability Calendar to help. Start by looking at the month ahead and limit yourself to 3-4 planned drinking days. Write them down. By stacking up more alcohol-free days throughout the month, you’ll begin to feel the wins. Each month, reduce the days you allocate to drink. This simple practice can spark a profound mental shift, one win at a time.
Take it from me: the best version of your life is waiting on the other side of this decision.
