The Supplements This Former NFL Player Swears By for Fitness Success
Key takeaways:
Jordan Morgan, a former NFL player, started using supplements during his football career.
He says supplements like fish oil, magnesium, and probiotics help his energy, recovery, and overall health.
Now a personal trainer and mixed martial arts fighter, he shares his supplement routine with clients to help them reach their fitness goals.
Jordan Morgan first started using supplements in 2017 after the Chicago Bears drafted him as an offensive guard in the NFL.
At the time, his knowledge of nutrition was basic. He had no idea that football would introduce him to supplements — or that they would become such a key part of his life.
He says extensive blood work revealed he had vitamin D and other deficiencies. So he worked with nutritionists and other healthcare professionals to create a personalized plan to boost his energy, focus, and recovery.
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Over time, he experimented with different supplements and found a routine he sticks to and recommends as a personal trainer.
Fish oil — the first supplement that made a difference
For Jordan, one supplement stood out early on: fish oil.
He noticed it improved his joint and heart health. And taking it regularly helped him feel less tired and more energized. It especially helped with the drowsiness he felt during NFL meetings.
These benefits motivated him to dig deeper. “If these little pills can do that, imagine what else I could be doing for my body,” he says.
Researching the best supplements for athletes
Jordan became invested in understanding the supplements he was using. He emphasizes the importance of informed decisions.
“If I’m going to put something in my body, I want to know what it’s doing for me,” he says. “And I want to make sure it’s not going to mess me up down the road.”
Through research and experience, he narrowed down key supplements that continue to support his fitness goals.
Jordan’s go-to supplements
Here’s what Jordan currently takes to help with nutrition and athletic performance.
Multivitamins for daily nutrition
Jordan takes a multivitamin to cover any gaps in his diet. He admits he doesn’t always eat balanced meals and his diet doesn’t always contain diverse nutrients.
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Probiotics for gut health
Jordan uses probiotics to support digestion, boost immunity, and reduce inflammation.
“One of the things I started to learn more about was gut health and how your gut essentially functions as a second brain,” he says. A healthy gut can improve how the body absorbs nutrients and fights off illness.
Magnesium glycinate for sleep and recovery
Jordan has also added magnesium glycinate to his routine. It helps him relax, ease muscle tension, and sleep better. He notices a difference when he skips it.
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“We get so used to running on less sleep to get more things done, but you’re doing yourself a disservice” to your body when you’re sleep-deprived, he says.
Life after football
Jordan retired from football after playing in the NFL and later in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders from 2020 to 2022. He became a personal trainer and mixed martial arts fighter He uses his supplement experience to coach clients.
“As I learn more to improve myself, I use that knowledge to provide value to others,” says Jordan, 30, who lives in Jersey City, New Jersey.
He remains committed to his routine. He packs a container with his supplements to take after lunch and stays on track even with a demanding training schedule.
Consistency is key
Jordan says fitness success comes from small, consistent changes.
“You don’t want anything to change you so suddenly, because that’s dangerous,” he says. Instead, he encourages his clients to focus on creating routines they can stick with for the long term.
For Jordan, supplements, good nutrition, and hard work form a steady path to achieving fitness goals.
“It’s going to take years before you’re where you want to be,” he says. “And then it’s going to take the rest of your life to keep you there or make you better.”
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