Episode 103: Chris Hetherington

Former NFL fullback Chris Hetherington spent 11 years playing professional football, but this conversation is ultimately about much more than sports.

In this episode of At the Podium, Chris reflects on discipline, masculinity, fatherhood, identity, and the difficult transition that comes after elite performance. From the physical toll of football and the realities of concussion culture to meditation, stoicism, and rebuilding life beyond the game, Chris shares what he learned about becoming a professional—not only as an athlete, but as a man.

Patrick and Chris discuss:
• The changing culture of football and the long-term realities of CTE
• NIL deals, money, and the pressures facing young athletes
• Why discipline matters more than motivation
• Meditation, yoga, and learning stillness after a life built on collision
• Fatherhood, accountability, and modeling healthy masculinity
• The challenge of building an identity beyond performance

Chris Hetherington is a Yale graduate, former NFL fullback, entrepreneur, investor, and father whose life today is centered around discipline, service, personal growth, and intentional living.