Clarke Central High School freshman Bo Brodrick stands at his house while holding an energy drink that he bought for his next review. Brodrick hopes that with his reviews people will be able to decide what energy drink is right for them. “A lot of (people) like getting energy drinks every once in a while, and (they want to) see what flavors are good or not,” Brodrick said. Photo by Katy Brodrick
Sports staffer Lukas Cornish talks with Clarke Central High School freshman Bo Brodrick about his experience with reviewing various energy drinks.
Sports staffer Lukas Cornish: What is an energy drink to you?
Clarke Central High School freshman Bo Brodrick: An energy drink to me (is) something I can rely on when I really need the energy, just like before a fishing tournament. You got to get up at 3 a.m and just get ready and it’s something that really wakes you up. They also taste pretty good so I really like energy drinks for that reason (and) or fishing and getting up, and I like reviewing them, of course.
LC: When did you start to drink energy drinks?
BB: I really started drinking them, probably last year. I (haven’t) been drinking them for very long. I just enjoy them, it’s like a little treat.
LC: What compelled you to start reviewing, or rating, energy drinks?
BB: I really like talking on the camera. I really like talking to people and everything like that. I just like being vocal, and honestly, reviewing them (is) something I can do. Whenever there’s a new flavor I like sharing it out, so other people can get it if they like it or if I like it, they can see, “Oh, I want to get that I want to try it. He likes it.”
LC: What is the process of choosing an energy drink, do you search up online or do you wait until a newly released one is out?
BB: (I do) both, for sure. I also really enjoy what the can looks like. If it’s appetizing looking, I’m gonna get it. I’ve had some cans that can look really appetizing (but the drink) is horrible. For me, it’s how it looks and how other reviewers think about it (that helps me decide) if I want to go try it.
LC: What do you rate an energy drink? What categories is it rated on?
BB: So I (rate by) smell, and smell does not always mean it’s going to be bad or good. I will do it by the profile of the can — so how good the can looks because sometimes you have really bad-looking cans, but once again, how the can looks has nothing to do with how it tastes. And then, of course, taste is another factor as well. And that’s how I rate it, all three of those.
LC: What are some new things you’ve learned while reviewing energy drinks?
BB: I’ve learned more about the nutrition facts as I’ll read them out loud. I’ll learn about how much caffeine is in them. I’ve learned also about different types of flavors because some companies will have the same name of flavor, and how they taste different, and it really teaches me different flavors and everything like that.
LC: Because you drink energy drinks for activities, do you believe that they can enhance your energy or productivity?
BB: I do think they can. Before a fishing tournament, it’s really good to have one because it doesn’t just give you energy, it gives you confidence and makes you feel good about yourself and not stress as much. That’s why I will drink them before school every once in a while.
“Before a fishing tournament, it’s really good to have (an energy drink) because it doesn’t just give you energy, it gives you confidence and makes you feel good about yourself and not stress as much. That’s why I will drink them before school every once in a while.”
— Bo Brodrick,
freshman
LC: Do you believe that you’d be able to fish or be able to function without an energy drink so early in the morning?
BB: Yeah, I think I definitely could, I’ve done it many times. I don’t need an energy drink, I could go the rest of my life (without them). (If) someone said, “either give up food or energy drinks,” or “give up fishing or energy drinks,” (then) dude, energy drinks are going. For anything like that, it’s just a want for me, I don’t need one.
LC: Are you concerned with the possible health risks of drinking energy drinks at your age and with such frequency?
BB: Yeah, a lot of people ask me this question, and especially my mom, but yeah, I just try (to avoid the health risks). I am totally aware of them. There are some brands I used to really stay away from because they got some really bad stuff in it, and I actually do a lot of research about the better ones for you and I just choose to drink them. I try not to drink one every single day because that will not help anything. I just try not to get too much caffeine in my body (because it) can really affect sleep, which I understand.
LC: Do you have any plans to move further with this or just keep it as a hobby?
BB: I’m keeping it as a hobby. If somebody wants to sponsor me or something like that ever, I am fine with doing that but I think this is just going to be a hobby for now.
LC: How would you compare yourself to other online reviewers?
BB: Way better! I’m just kidding. I don’t think I’m very good compared to them, but I think I’ve gotten a lot better over time, and been more in-depth in my reviews. I would compare myself (as) “okay” compared to them.
