brianSeagraves.comall things brian seagraves...

No Fear is a SoBe product that is billed as an energy supplement. It contains numerous Vitamins and Minerals, (C, B, Taurine, Caffeine, etc.). The drink is very lightly carbonated.

Starting in late 2006, I got hooked. I was driving back and forth each weekend at night from Gainesville, Fl to New Smyrna Beach, Fl - my home town. I was often tired and needed something to keep me awake for the 2.5 hour drive. I had known for a while that small dosages of things did not affect me; 2-3 ibuprofen did nothing for a headache and soda kept me alert as much as water did. With that in mind, I started trying different 'Energy Drinks' to keep me awake. It was very difficult to find one that actually had a taste that I found tolerable, much less desirable. However, I did find the taste of No Fear to be pleasant. And there the problem began...

At first, I would only drink one or two a weekend to stay awake while driving. Slowly, this progressed into getting one or two additional drinks during the week so I would feel more energetic.

Over the subsequent 12 months, I got to a point to where I had to have two 16oz Energy Drinks a day to function, to not be drowse for even the 14 hours I was awake. This lasted for 2 more years, and, at times, I would go weeks having THREE a day.

I truly was addicted.

I tried to stop numerous times. But, after even a day without them, I would have no motivation to do anything. I would literally stare at the wall. My work productivity went way down.  The longest I went was 3.5 days. Simply pitiful.

Well, 3 weeks ago Publix stopped selling them in my city. 2 Weeks ago, Win dixie Sold out for good. And then 1.5 weeks ago, I couldn't find a gas station that sold them either. I don't know why or what happened.  I was frantic. I got to the 3 day mark and it was painful - headache, melancholy, fatigue - all pulling me down.

In spite of it all, I pulled through. Though really, I had no choice; no other option. It was not strength that saved me from the clutches of the addiction, for I couldn't will myself to pull away; I was acted upon by an outside force (some business decision it seems).

However, I now realize that I have more energy - I'm naturally more energetic now than before. Water is what I drink, and I do pushups and situps each day. And all of this bests the un-natural 'energy' I tried to give my body artificially.

I still do crave No Fear - I liked the cool refreshing taste that even seemed to feel like energy to my tongue - but I know I'm better off now.