It was absolutely wild scenes a few weeks ago when Hawthorn Footy player Jack Ginnivan went viral after being spotted chugging Capilano Honey in the AFL locker rooms mid-game.
In the viral video, Jack can be seen in the locker room at halftime, straight arm sculling honey from a squeezy bottle into his mouth before chasing it with a banana.
@hawthornfc Jack Ginnivan busted with the honey at half time 😆 #afl #hawthorn #prank #sport #hidden
♬ original sound – hawthornfc
It’s giving a scoop of dry cereal followed by a chug of milk, my guy.
The moment exploded across TikTok and Instagram, generating millions of views and sparking conversation around honey as a natural, cheaper alternative to energy gels and pre-workouts.
Jack explained on the Ball Magnets podcast that he didn’t realise his halftime habit had been caught on film and that he simply prefers honey to a gel.
“Didn’t really know that the cameras were rolling. But yeah, it’s something I like to do at halftime, [have a] banana and Capalino Honey… straight down the gob, and a fair bit of it… It’s better than a gel,” he said.
@ballmagnets Straight Arm Challenge at Half-Time 🍯🤣 Big Episode of The Titch & Ginni Show drops tonight! Links in bio 🔗 #AFL #Hawthornfc #jackginnivan #Collingwood
♬ original sound – Ball Magnets
The legends over at Capilano Honey were kicking their feet when they saw the footage, and naturally, a partnership ensued, and the #straightarmchallenge was born.
The challenge is about encouraging people to fuel their next workout, game day or gym session with a bitta Capilano Honey. They want people to film themselves chugging Capilano Honey and tag them for the chance to win a year’s worth of said honey. How good?!
While it looks chaotic compared to sleek sports gels, honey is essentially nature’s ultimate, pre-packaged fuel injection. If you’re looking for some ~science~, here is exactly why honey works as a brilliant mid-game or pre-workout treat.
It’s the perfect 1-2 carbohydrate punch
At a molecular level, honey is primarily a mix of two simple sugars: fructose (about 40 per cent) and glucose (about 30 per cent). This specific combination is elite because glucose is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream via SGLT1 transporters, resulting in an immediate spike in blood sugar. And fructose is absorbed more slowly via GLUT5 transporters and must be processed by the liver first, giving a more sustained release of energy.
Because they don’t fight for the same absorption ‘doors,’ the body can process the carbs incredibly fast without overloading the gastrointestinal tract. The result is a massive energy surge that hits almost instantly but doesn’t leave you crashing 20 minutes later.
High glycemic index (GI) = instant fuel
In the middle of a workout, glycogen stores (the energy stored in muscles) rapidly deplete, so because honey has a high glycemic index, it hits the bloodstream quicker. This triggers a rapid spike in blood glucose, providing the brain and muscles with an immediate, accessible energy source to sustain a high-intensity workout (or, in Jack’s case, a game) and sharp decision-making.
A natural alternative to sports gels
Commercial energy gels used by endurance athletes are highly engineered, but their core objective is identical to honey: deliver concentrated carbohydrates without a bunch of heavy solids that require digestion.
Honey has been heavily studied as a natural bio-alternative. Clinical trials have shown that honey performs just as effectively as commercial gels at maintaining blood sugar levels, reducing perceived exertion, and improving late-game endurance.
It’s easy on the stomach
A lot of pre-workouts and gels contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or massive doses of caffeine that can cause ‘runners’ guts’ (IYKYK). Honey is incredibly easy on the stomach because it contains natural enzymes that help break down the sugars, so it’s not going to give you those nasty cramps while you waddle to the loo.
How to win a year’s worth of Capilano Honey
Film yourself straight-arming Capilano Honey before training, during a session, or after a big workout, post it up on TikTok or Instagram, and tag @capilanohoney and #straightarmchallenge for your chance to win. Comp ends June 30.
Grab your squeezy bottle, and get chugging, folks.
Lead Image: hawthornfc / Capilano Honey / jarrarhaidar
The post AFL’s Jack Ginnivan Went Viral For ‘Raw-Dogging’ Honey & Now You Can Win A Year’s Worth appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
