He Was the Guy Who Made Sports and Science Fun
You probably remember John Brenkus as the face of Sport Science — that ESPN show where they broke down amazing plays and athletic moments with slow-motion replays and smart science stuff. It wasn’t boring, though. John made it exciting. He had this energy that made you want to watch, even if you didn’t really care about physics or how fast someone’s punch was. That was his magic. He made complicated things feel easy to understand — and actually fun.
John wasn’t just a host; he helped create the show too. He loved telling stories through technology and creativity. That passion led him to launch his own production companies, and even build his own digital platform, Brinx.TV. He was always pushing the boundaries of how we see sports.
Behind the Scenes, Things Weren’t Always Bright
As much as the world saw this confident, smart, super-energetic guy on camera — behind closed doors, John was going through a lot. His family has now shared that he struggled with depression for years. That part of his life wasn’t public, and most people probably never suspected it. But it was there, quietly growing heavier with time.
It’s honestly heartbreaking to hear that someone who brought so much energy and light into other people’s lives was carrying so much pain in his own. It just shows how well people can hide what they’re really going through, especially when they feel like they have to keep it together for everyone else.
His Family Was His World
John married Lizzie back in 2004, and from everything we know, they were a real team — in life, in work, even in music. The two of them formed a band together called Brink of Midnight. They made songs, released a holiday track, and just genuinely seemed to enjoy creating together. They had two kids and lived in Park City, Utah — a quiet place away from the spotlight where they could just be a family.
His wife and children were his everything. And now, they’re left trying to process this huge loss — not just of the public figure people knew, but of the husband and dad who was theirs.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
What happened with John is a heavy reminder that mental health struggles can touch anyone — even someone who looks like they’ve “made it.” He spoke about his struggles in interviews here and there, but it’s only now that many are realizing how deep those struggles really were.
It’s hard not to feel a mix of emotions hearing this news. Sadness, for sure. But also a kind of wake-up call. A reminder that we never really know what someone else is dealing with, no matter how good things might look from the outside.
