The Sweatpals community has spoken, and the winner of Best Newcomer of 2025 goes to AltSocial. This recognition celebrates a community that came in and immediately set the standard for what a modern wellness community can look like. In just months since launching in June 2025, they've built something that feels both fresh and essential—a whole new kind of social wellness experience.
Alternative Socializing, Reimagined
Founded by Kevin Forde, Miranda Grey, and Emily Tracewell in Orlando, Florida, AltSocial was born from the idea of alternative socializing. The concept is simple but powerful: what if there was a way to connect with people that didn't revolve around bars and alcohol? AltSocial is a high-energy wellness experience that blends movement, recovery, music, and community into a sober daytime social event.
Every gathering feels intentional, elevated, and genuinely welcoming—the kind of energy that keeps people coming back and bringing their friends. This isn't just another fitness class or wellness event. AltSocial has created a space where wellness and social connection happen simultaneously, proving that the best gatherings don't need alcohol to feel alive.
Building Something Memorable
The most memorable experience for AltSocial in 2025 was hosting 8 events across 3 venues with over 5,000 attendees and creating countless memories. For a community that launched in June, these numbers tell a story of rapid growth fueled by genuine word-of-mouth excitement. When you create an experience that people actually want to be part of, the community builds itself.
What keeps people coming back isn't just the cold exposure or the movement—it's the way AltSocial makes wellness feel like a celebration. You leave feeling lighter, not just because you challenged your body, but because you connected with people who showed up for the same reason: to experience something different, something better.
How Sweatpals Supported the Vision
Sweatpals has been instrumental in AltSocial's rapid growth. The platform has supported them well beyond providing advanced event technology, communication, and ticketing. Sweatpals partnered with AltSocial on social content and community growth, offering deep wellness and community expertise that helped shape their trajectory. For a new community trying to scale quickly while maintaining quality, that kind of partnership makes all the difference.
What's Next for AltSocial
This win celebrates the vision, the vibe, and the way AltSocial has brought wellness and community together in such a fresh, meaningful way. They've proven that there's a massive appetite for social experiences rooted in health, connection, and intention rather than alcohol and late nights. The energy at their events—high-intensity, supportive, joyful—shows what happens when wellness stops feeling like work and starts feeling like the best way to spend your weekend.
Congratulations to AltSocial on this well-deserved recognition. You came in and immediately showed what's possible when you build community with intention and heart. Find their next event on Sweatpals and come ready for a wellness experience unlike anything else. 🏆✨