An Interview with Arian Foster

Arian Foster’s rise to professional football stardom is remarkable. He was undrafted out of the University of Tennessee yet became one of the National Football League’s top running backs for the Houston Texans. In 2010, he burst upon the scene with 231 rushing yards and three touchdowns on opening day. He went on to lead the NFL in rushing with 1,616 yards and set an NFL record for an undrafted player with 2,220 yards from scrimmage. From 2010-12, his 5,702 yards from scrimmage and 47 touchdowns led all NFL players. Off the field, Mr. Foster is a loving father, devoted husband, philosopher, artist, poet, philanthropist and fashion enthusiast. He is a three-time Pro Bowl running back for the Houston Texans and will star in the upcoming Ivan Reitman film Draft Day. He currently lives in Houston with his wife Romina, 4-year-old daughter Zeniah and 4-month-old son Khyro. The Sporting News called him, “The most interesting man in the NFL.”

Health E-Insights: Why did you decide to invest in the company and become a Health Warrior?

Mr. Foster: I ate my first Health Warrior Chi Bar about six months ago. I tried out the product and I loved it. I’m an advocate for health. I wanted to promote a company that not only cares about making profits, but rather spreading a healthy message to children. I wanted to use my endorsements to target things that are hurting us as a society and promote healthy alternatives. I don’t want to change anyone’s mind I just want to provide a healthy alternative solution for big problems such as obesity and heart problems. I have been passionately fighting childhood obesity my entire professional career and this has led me on a deep conquest to try and reinvent the modern diet. I have always longed to find a way to provide healthier food options for everyone—especially children and now Health Warrior gives me an opportunity to do that. I am honored to be a part of this company, and I am looking forward to our journey ahead. We have big plans.
 
Health E-Insights: What is Health Warrior’s competitive advantage?

Mr. Foster: Our Health Warrior Chia Bars are a healthy, delicious, plant-based, low calorie source of vegan protein, fiber and omega-3s—a great way to have a healthy, powerful snack.
 
Health E-Insights: Do you think chia will help you run even faster, gain more yardage?

Mr. Foster: I’m a firm believer in changing your diet and eating healthy and you will feel healthier and everything around you will be better, it changes your mindset. Food is fuel and what you eat should empower you. Eating healthy has improved my performance for the better.
 
Health E-Insights: What is your daily health regimen?

Mr. Foster: I try to wake up at around the same time every day, I try to eat every 2 to 3 hours, and control my portion size, and I obviously get plenty of exercise which is part of my daily life as an athlete. I keep the Health Warrior Bars in my locker and I obviously go to my locker every single day. I usually eat 2 or 3 Bars a day as a part of my every day diet. As far as supplements I don’t really take any.
 
Health E-Insights: Do you have an approach to healthy eating? 

Mr. Foster: You have to find a balance in your own life and what works for you. I just don’t believe in extremism, it’s hard to maintain and once you break it—hard to get back, it’s all about that balance. There is a lack of knowledge surrounding nutrition and even I didn’t realize until after college how important it was. Nutrition changed my body, my health, my play, and the way I look at life. Eating healthy is not corny, it’s not what hippies do … it’s what people who enjoy life and want to live for a long time do.
 
Health E-Insights: You were undrafted coming out of Tennessee. Did you envision being such an overnight NFL success?

Mr. Foster: There was nothing overnight about it. I have been working towards this since I was about 7 years old, really working towards it. Preparation met opportunity and a little bit of luck was involved and I was ready for the opportunity.
 
Health E-Insights: Describe the Draft Day filming experience.

Mr. Foster: It was a great experience. You have people from a whole new walk of life, who didn’t know a lot of things about sports. I took it very seriously and appreciated it a lot and met a lot of good people and that’s all you can ask for.
 
Health E-Insights: What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Mr. Foster: Being a father is your ultimate gift to the world and instilling the morals and values as you see fit of this world to them, and hope they can be better than you were.
 
Health E-Insights: What is your greatest extravagance?

Mr. Foster: I am pretty conservative with finances. I haven’t really bought anything; I even have a regular car from the dealership.
 
Health E-Insights: What makes you laugh?

Mr. Foster: Funny things. I think everyone enjoys wit and witty comedy.