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Brooks Powell

Brooks Powell

Founder & CEO at Cheers, Pioneering Alcohol Wellness

Houston, Texas
Joined August 2025

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Summary

Brooks Powell founded Cheers (originally Thrive+), a pioneering company in the alcohol wellness industry that develops dietary supplements to mitigate the negative effects of alcohol consumption. He started this venture in 2014 from his dorm room at Princeton University, fueled by academic research into dihydromyricetin (DHM). Under his leadership, Cheers has grown significantly, achieving over $25M in total sales and securing patents for its unique formulations, positioning him as a leader in a niche but growing market. crnusa+6
A Princeton University graduate with an A.B. in Religion, Powell demonstrated an early aptitude for entrepreneurship and scientific inquiry. His academic journey, initially aimed at ministry, pivoted towards neuroscience research which directly led to the founding of Cheers. He was also a D1 swimmer, showcasing discipline and high achievement from a young age. crnusa+2
Powell's leadership philosophy emphasizes an 'idea-first' approach, where the business serves a compelling vision rather than purely profit. He advocates for building products that the team is passionate about and focusing on fundamentals to create more value than consumed. He also believes in strong team-building, even engaging family members in the company's early operations. adammendler+2
He is an active writer on Medium, sharing insights on topics related to liver health, alcohol consumption, dietary habits, and business strategy. His articles reflect a deep understanding of the science behind his products and a commitment to educating consumers on responsible alcohol wellness. medium

Work

Education

Writing

ROI in “Brand Awareness” Matters

December 1, 2021

Discusses why "Brand Awareness" should be evaluated with ROI like any other advertising, arguing against its typical exemption.

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Why Cheers won’t work for everyone

January 1, 2021

Explains how genetics cause varying efficacy levels for drugs and products across individuals, from highly effective to ineffective.

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Liver fat and the Mediterranean Diet

December 1, 2020

Suggests dietary habit changes to enjoy alcohol with less risk, focusing on how liver fat is affected.

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A primer on the Liver Habits Score™

December 1, 2020

Details the Liver Habits Score, including its creation and how drinkers can use it to understand their liver health.

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Added sugar is almost gram for gram as hard on your liver as alcohol.

December 1, 2020

Highlights that added sugar is a significant contributor to liver damage, comparable to alcohol, a fact often overlooked.

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Why we’re launching the Liver Habits Score™

December 1, 2020

Explains the motivation behind launching the Liver Habits Score, noting the prevalence of liver disease risk among both heavy and moderate drinkers.

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Exercise gives you the right to drink.

December 1, 2020

Discusses the opposing effects of exercise and alcohol on liver fat, suggesting exercise can mitigate some negative impacts.

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How many drinks per week does it take to destroy your liver?

December 1, 2020

Examines the common metrics used to quantify drinking levels and their implications for liver health.

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Why drinking every day is its own risk factor — and also, one of the easiest things to change to…

November 1, 2020

Explores why daily drinking is a distinct risk factor for health, even within recommended limits, and suggests it's an easy habit to modify.

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You can be a drinker, or you can be overweight, but you can’t be both.

November 1, 2020

Highlights the synergistic negative impact of alcohol and high BMI on liver health, suggesting these two factors combined are particularly detrimental.

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Hobbies

Avid golfer, dedicating significant time to improving his golf swing. kptimes

Formerly a D1 swimmer at Princeton and a three-time state champion in high school, breaking the 20-second mark in the 50-yard freestyle. kptimes+2