StarTalk Sports Edition Series Premiere – Changing the Game, with Arian Foster

About This Episode

Welcome to StarTalk Sports Edition – The new series hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosted by Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice that explores sports, science, and technology with your favorite athletes, coaches, and more. On this inaugural episode of StarTalk Sports Edition we have a great guest – former Houston Texans running back Arian Foster. 

You’ll hear all about his journey from undrafted free agent to NFL Pro Bowler. Arian takes us inside the recovery process of an NFL running back. What happens the day after game day? Arian tells us why it’s all about pain management and not preventing pain. We discuss the culture shift in football from promoting toxic “toughness” to embracing science and data-driven performance. Arian shares how he was basically dehydrated for most of his career and why it’s bittersweet to see the rise of science in the sport. 

Discover more about Arian’s switch to a plant-based diet during his playing career and why he eventually had to switch back. We explore the benefits of using a plant-based diet, especially in the recovery process. However, we also explore the socioeconomic hurdles that prevent more people from taking this path. 

You’ll find out about the NFL’s flawed scouting system and why Arian thinks it’s the cause for a lot of players being overlooked for the NFL Draft. We investigate the evolution of the “three-down” running back. Lastly, Arian tells us what he’s currently up to these days including his music career and his venture into jujutsu. All that, plus, Neil gives us the science behind jujutsu and we break down the nuances of trash talking.  

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons and All-Access subscribers can listen to this entire episode commercial-free.