CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- What do you get when you mix a sports drink with dairy ?
Michelle McBride wanted to find out.
"I have learned that milk is packed with electrolytes and has the right balance of carbohydrate for effective hydration," said McBride, Founder, CEO, GoodSport Nutrition.
"Several studies have shown that milk is more hydrating than traditional sports drinks and water. It blew me away."
It was while watching her son play baseball, that she realized it was a product that was missing from the market.
"I have three children who are all active in sports. My son was offered sports drinks at every game and practice he'd go to and I didn't want him drinking the sports drinks that are filled with artificial ingredients. I read about athletes that recover with chocolate milk so we'd bring that for him as a healthier alternative, but he didn't want to drink it, because it's heavy and sits in your gut."
She was soon on a quest to figure out how to make a sports drink from milk.
"I immediately went to the experts. My partner is Andy Friedman, the founder and former CEO of SkinnyPop Popcorn. He encouraged me. I also worked with a leading sports nutrition expert with a specialty on hydration. We also worked with dairy scientists at the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin," she said.
"They helped us ultra filter the milk to remove its protein so that we would have a clear drink that is packed with the electrolytes, carbohydrates, and vitamins that you want for an effective sports drink."
Four years later, the first of its kind natural sports drink, GoodSport, was born.
McBride worked with nutritionists, dairy scientists, and even her own family to come up with the perfect formula.
"I cannot believe how much science goes into these beverage formulations. There was a lot of science behind it, a lot of failed attempts. Lots of taste testing. My kids were guinea pigs. We were just laughing about 'remember mom when you used to make us drink those milky ones and we told you they were good but they were so bad?" she laughed.
"People believe in the goodness of milk. People are looking for a healthy, hydrating option and they love the taste," she added.
GoodSport officially launched a month ago. McBride said it's more than just a sports drink, it's a brand with a higher purpose.
"When I came up with the name GoodSport, I realized the brand could be a platform for something bigger. We talk about good being at the core behind everything we do. Good for you, good for the planet, good for sport. We're committed to using our platform to inspire a more positive sports culture and support programs aimed at getting more people in the game," she said.
McBride admits food and beverage was not a career path she ever could've dreamed she'd have taken.
"I never in a million years imagined I would own a sports drink company, no," she laughed.
The sports drinks come in four flavors and are available online now, but she hopes to eventually see them on shore shelves nationally.
"Right now we are talking to retailers in natural and conventional grocery, as well as convenience. I think that's will be the big moment for me is to actually see this product that I've been working on for so long on a shelf. That will give me a teary eyed moment for sure."
GoodSport is available at Amazon.com and goodsport.com in 12 packs of 16.9-ounce bottles. For more information, visit www.goodsport.com or @drinkgoodsport on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.