With a career in the military that’s taken him around the world, Bruce Kukowski is grateful for all the experiences he’s had serving.

Now stationed in Kentucky with his family, he’s excited about taking the next step in his career by earning a master’s degree in public policy and nuclear security. 

Bruce is a lifelong athlete who enjoys everything from neighborhood 5Ks to grueling ultradistance runs to functional fitness. He and his wife also spend their weekends cheering for their son at the hockey rink. Bruce has been a passionate Ambassador since 2021, sharing his love for quality brews and training with others locally and within the broader athletic ambassador community.

Bruce’s military career has shaped his resilience, broadened his worldview, and deepened his appreciation for the connections he builds through shared purpose. Despite the challenges and frequent relocation that come with military life, Bruce and his family have embraced every new community, finding joy and adventure wherever they land.

That same sense of discovery led Bruce to Athletic Brewing during the pandemic, when he set out to find a great-tasting NA beer to complement his lifestyle. After his first sip, he was hooked – and quickly became one of Athletic’s most enthusiastic ambassadors. 

Read on to learn more about Bruce’s military service, his love of staying active, and what’s next as he embarks on an exciting new professional chapter in this month’s Ambassador Spotlight.

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How did you discover Athletic Brewing Company? 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was taking language classes from home and was looking for something that I could enjoy without having to drink. I decided to do a sober January and randomly searched for quality NA beer that would ship to me. That’s when I found the Athletic Brewing Company website. I was surprised at how great it was when I first tried it, and have been a fan ever since.

What made you decide to join the Athletic Ambassador community?

After trying Athletic and being impressed with the flavor and quality, I shared it with other friends who were in a similar situation as I was, and they also had the same reaction. From there, I started to interact with the Instagram page more often and kept up to date on the seasonal and limited releases being brewed up at Athletic. When the opportunity presented itself in 2021 to apply to be an Athletic Ambassador, I jumped immediately. I’ve been a part of the community ever since.  

Why did you join the military, and what impact has it had on your life?

Originally I enlisted in 2011 to help pay off my student loans, but really fell in love with the career field and the opportunities it continually presented me. I made the decision to make it my career, and I have never regretted it. I have been able to see amazing parts of the world and interact with people that I never would have been able to otherwise. I have had so many opportunities to do unique things and earn a plethora of special skills that can be useful in the military and when I finally leave it.

I am getting the opportunity next year to go back to school and earn my master degree, and they continually support my personal and professional goals while helping take care of my family. Together with my wife and son, we have lived in five different states and always make the most of everywhere we go. It keeps our lives interesting and gives us a chance to see so much. 

What’s your favorite thing about the place you live?

Louisville is a surprisingly active city. There are numerous road and trail running races each week. The downtown area and the local park system make it really convenient to spend time outdoors. The city feels a lot smaller than it actually is and there is always something happening on the weekends. We are originally from Wisconsin, and living here also provides the opportunity to drive less than six hours to visit family for the holidays.  

How do you live a #FitForAllTimes lifestyle? 

I am constantly signing up for and participating in road or trail races in the area, from neighborhood races to ultras, and some of the views from the memorial forests and riverfront are really stunning. My wife and I are both very active in the gym community here and have really enjoyed participating in local competitions as a pair. My son is an ice hockey goalie for his house team in his age group, so the whole family is constantly very active. Athletic Brewing is a really convenient way to enjoy the great taste of seasonal brews while being a busy dad.

For more information on the Athletic Brewing Ambassador community, visit https://athleticbrewing.com/blogs/ambassadors