Hurting a health and wellness advocate often comes with repercussions, and Danica Patrick is no exception. The former NASCAR Cup Series driver, known for breaking gender barriers in racing, is also a fitness enthusiast who promotes lifestyle changes on her show Pretty Intense. Focused on intense workouts and healthy eating—encouraging cooking at home or exploring cookbooks—Patrick exemplifies wellness.
However, her recent encounter with Starbucks left her far from pleased. During a visit to the coffee giant, the 2008 Indy Japan 300 winner spilled a hot cup of coffee on her leg, leading to a severe burn. The incident, which Patrick shared on Instagram, included a photo of her injured leg and a pointed critique of the $116.17 billion brand. With an emoji flipping the bird, she captioned, “Day 1 coffee burn…Starbucks, I mean – 1…Me – 0.” A day later, her leg still bore the painful aftermath, as she posted another update showcasing her bruised thigh.
This public criticism comes at a challenging time for Starbucks. A BBC report highlighted a 7% decline in global sales from July to September, with a dramatic 14% drop in China. The company’s former CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, had aimed to revitalize the menu with new offerings like boba drinks and pesto egg sandwiches but was ousted earlier this year. Now under the leadership of Brian Niccol, Starbucks is working to “fundamentally change.” However, Patrick’s high-profile post may further dent its reputation.
Patrick’s frustration with Starbucks stands in stark contrast to her passion for wellness, which she explores through her 90-day mind, body, and food plan on Pretty Intense. Advocating for proper nutrition and short, intense workouts, she emphasizes, “Eat good food because food is medicine. You’re either adding to or reducing your well-being. Same with fitness—just hurry up, work hard, and make it intense.” Ironically, her commitment to health intersected with coffee, the same beverage now at the center of her grievance.
As one of the few NASCAR drivers deeply invested in fitness, Patrick shares this passion with others like Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup champion who ran the Boston Marathon in just over three hours in 2019. Patrick’s own journey into health and wellness began in a coffee shop attached to a bookstore in England, where she discovered books on fitness and nutrition. This moment sparked her enduring love for wellness, contrasting her current frustrations with coffee.
In 2020, Patrick invested in beam, a CBD wellness company, contributing to a $5 million seed fund. Speaking to Forbes, she reflected on aligning her brand with her passion for health, a shift from her racing days when sponsors like GoDaddy didn’t always match her personal values. “I’m not rebranding myself; I’m branding myself for the first time. This is who I’ve always been,” she explained. Patrick’s commitment to health continues to shape her post-racing career, even as her recent Starbucks experience serves as an ironic twist in her journey.
