Veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. knows resilience is the key to success.
This fall, he has partnered with Beyond Resilience — a protein-focused snack brand expanding into 517 Walmart stores nationwide — to spotlight the mental side of racing and the work athletes do long before they strap into a car.
Stenhouse Jr. and Beyond Resilience will promote the partnership during his visit to Walmart at 5010 N. 95th Ave., Glendale, from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. The racer will meet fans, sign autographs and take photos ahead of the Cup Series event at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale.
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“I love signing autographs and talking racing,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “But I also love talking about the stuff people don’t always see — the mental prep, the recovery, the moments where you’re figuring out how to show up better.”
The appearance comes ahead of the Oct. 18 NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway and is part of a broader partnership between Beyond Resilience and HYAK Motorsports designed to connect with NASCAR fans through in-person experiences, retail activations and product introductions.
Beyond Resilience recently unveiled its caramel chocolate crunch bar, featuring 15 grams of protein per two-bar serving.
Stenhouse Jr.’s involvement with Beyond Resilience started earlier this year. He was looking for a way to navigate the pressure that comes with race weekends, media cycles and the expectation to perform.
“I’ve learned that staying mentally sharp isn’t about being tough all the time,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “It’s about knowing when to reset, when to breathe, and when to step back so you can step in stronger.”
Beyond Resilience’s coaches describe him as a natural fit for their athlete‑forward approach. They’ve worked with him on short pre‑race grounding routines, mid‑week mindset resets, and longer conversations about how to stay centered when the season gets loud.
“What impressed us right away was Ricky’s willingness to talk about the hard parts,” said Angela Pernsteiner, founder at SANY Nutrition Group.
“He doesn’t pretend the pressure isn’t there. He wants to understand it, manage it and use it.”
Stenhouse Jr. added, “People think resilience is about pushing through. But a lot of times, it’s about pausing. It’s about knowing yourself well enough to say, ‘I need a minute,’ and not feeling guilty about that.”
