Staying hydrated is important year-round, but as summer temperatures climb and athlete workloads peak, proper hydration becomes an increasing priority. Losing just 2% of body weight through sweat impairs performance and increases injury risk. Sometimes just drinking more water is not enough—leading many to turn to enhanced hydration solutions such as the NASA-developed hydration solution, The Right Stuff.
From high school strength coaches to elite endurance athletes and on-duty firefighters, The Right Stuff is earning its place as a cornerstone in hydration and recovery routines. Whether it’s student-athletes training at dawn, elite endurance athletes sweating under the sun, or firefighters running into burning buildings, real hydration requires real solutions. Below, three professionals share their hydration protocols and how The Right Stuff plays a vital role.
Creating Healthy Habits: Coach Allison Maurer
Allison Maurer, Associate AD of Student Health and Wellness at Knoxville Catholic (TN), builds a comprehensive hydration and nutrition program for her athletes. As a registered dietitian, she tailors hydration plans depending on each athlete’s needs. Salty, heavy sweaters are prioritized with higher sodium mixes, while others get lower concentrations.
“Football players are my heavy Right Stuff users,” says Coach Maurer. “We’ve had two days in July that were below ninety. The humidity is ridiculous. We had a few kids that were offense, defense, and special teams. It’s August, and they haven’t sat at all except for at halftime. And they’re completely spaced out. So we’re gonna give them The Right Stuff. And do the whole cooling procedure. And then you have some kids that cramp. And you know they’re just not very good at drinking water.”
In Tennessee’s sweltering summer heat, Maurer takes a proactive approach to hydration. Hydration options are available throughout the day. With daily post-lift breakfasts, chocolate milk, and hydration available to all teams, Maurer integrates hydration and nutrition awareness into everyday program culture. Maurer helps students see that hydration is about more than sports performance, it’s about overall health and safety.
“Adding sports nutrition as a course is where it starts,” Coach Maurer says. “That’s where it grows. Then the students want it more. Then the parents want it more. It really becomes ingrained in your students and student athletes. Then it’s there every day. I work with the cafeteria now, too, and it’s been awesome. So it just it keeps growing.”
Hydration For Peak Performance: Coach Carlo Alvarez
For Carlo Alvarez, Head Strength Coach at University School (OH) and former Head of Sports Performance for the Pittsburgh Pirates, hydration is about reducing injuries and gaining a competitive edge. Coach Alvarez uses hydration as his secret weapon, promoting health and performance in his athletes. His teams apply hydration strategically throughout the year, even in indoor sports where dehydration risks are easily underestimated.
“We understand that even though there’s not a lot of heat and we might not understand how dehydrated they are at the moment, we know it has value,” Coach Alvarez says. “The right stuff is a huge recovery product for us. We use it often, whether it’s 30 minutes before the game as a chug and chase or the next day as a recovery tool right before our workouts.”
Carlo’s attention to hydration keeps his athletes in peak condition, allowing for success on and off the field. His meticulous attention to every aspect of performance is what leads his programs to success.
“This year we had zero lost training days to injury and lacrosse,” Coach Alvarez says. “That says it all. In hockey, one game. So, we know we’re doing well in the weight room, that’s expected from me. But that’s not the only thing that helps. Because you can’t manage or control the hockey team going back to back to back to back in tournaments all over the country, competing and winning. That takes tools. That takes talent. That takes coaching. So anywhere we can get a marginal gain, I’m taking it. And the right stuff is one of those marginal gains that’s in my toolbox.”
The Tactical Setting: Endurance Athlete, Rob Verhelst
Rob Verhelst, a City of Madison (WI) firefighter and Ironman competitor, experiences dehydration in the most extreme conditions. To stay in peak condition while competing in endurance sports, Fireman Rob hydrates before, during, and after competition. As an active duty firefighter, staying hydrated also keeps him ready to spring into action at any time.
“The biggest thing for endurance athletes is that you’re going to train over and over and over, daily, daily, daily,” says Fireman Rob. “You’re going to try to push the envelope. How do you push the envelope if you’re depleting yourself and never taking that time to recover at the end of the day?”
Rob’s mission goes beyond pushing the limits of endurance. After experiencing the benefits of hydration firsthand, he saw the need for hydration in highly demanding roles like the military, federal agents, and the fire service.
“I saw the value not only in endurance sports but in my work and at home,” says Fireman Rob. “Being hydrated helps with
my mental and physical health. That made me think, ‘Who can I help be aware of this?’ Because it’s not something
that everybody talks about. I’m very passionate about people being able to live their optimal life and The Right Stuff hydration allows me to do that.”
Why It Matters
As summer training ramps up, so do the risks of heat illness, reduced recovery, and underperformance. Across all three perspectives, from high schools to high-stress careers, the message stays the same: hydration is essential. The Right Stuff is one solution to dehydration, proven in real-world settings. When hydration is done right, athletes don’t just survive the summer, they are fueled to live stronger, healthier lives.
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The NASA-developed, blend of electrolytes without sugar goes more rapidly into your bloodstream than any other tested sports drink. It protects you more quickly from dehydration symptoms AND it protects you longer!
