by Jason Kelce: A Champion’s Commitment to Self-Care
For over a decade, Jason Kelce was a dominant force anchoring the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line. The six-time Pro Bowler played in 134 games for the Eagles from 2011 to 2021, helping lead the team to a Super Bowl victory after the 2017 season. But Kelce’s success wasn’t just due to his physical talent and skill – it was also the result of an intense focus on self-care and recovery that allowed him to maintain peak performance year after year.
From saunas and massages to specialized recovery techniques, Kelce incorporated a holistic approach to well-being into his routine. By prioritizing his mental and physical health, he was able to endure the grueling demands of the NFL season after season. Kelce’s commitment to self-care serves as an example for athletes of all levels on how to optimize performance through lifestyle practices.
Heat Therapy in the Sauna
One of the cornerstones of Kelce’s recovery regimen was regular sessions in the sauna. Both traditional wood-burning saunas as well as infrared saunas were part of his routine. Sauna therapy has numerous benefits that aid muscle recovery and relaxation for athletes.
In a wood-burning sauna, the hot dry air can reach temperatures up to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. At these high heat levels, the body increases blood circulation and sweating to cool itself down. This rise in blood flow helps flush out toxins, reduce muscle tension, and speed healing. Kelce would utilize wood-burning saunas but at a lower, more comfortable temperature to avoid risk of burns.
Infrared saunas provide heat therapy through infrared light waves rather than hot air. The penetration of infrared light into tissues helps increase local blood flow and circulation. They can reach high temperatures too but feel less intense than traditional saunas due to the lack of sweltering humidity. Kelce enjoyed infrared saunas for their muscle-relaxing properties without the intense heat of a wood-burning model.
Regular sauna sessions are thought to boost cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve sleep – all of which are beneficial for recovery and performance in elite athletes. By incorporating sauna therapy into his routine, Kelce gained these physiological benefits to maintain his physical conditioning over many seasons.
The Role of Massage
Another pillar of Kelce’s self-care practices was regular massage therapy. As a lineman, he endured immense physical demands and contact during games which could lead to muscle tightness, soreness, and injury over time without proper recovery methods. Massage helps to reduce tension, relieve pain, and improve range of motion in the soft tissues.
Different types of massage have various benefits. Deep tissue massage is particularly useful for athletes as it targets deep layers of muscles and connective tissue to break up adhesions and knots. Swedish massage can also help with relaxation and stress relief. Myofascial release techniques may aid in the restoration of mobility in tight areas. Trigger point therapy aims to release painful knots in muscles.
For Kelce, massage served as a way to speed recovery, relieve tension, increase circulation, and keep his muscles in optimal condition to perform at a high level. Getting massaged regularly after games and during the week undoubtedly helped him maintain strength, endurance, and mobility over an entire NFL season filled with physical demands. The therapeutic benefits of massage supported his commitment to recovery and wellness as a professional athlete.
Focus on Recovery Techniques
In addition to sauna therapy and massage, Kelce emphasized innovative recovery techniques in his routine to optimize muscle repair and conditioning. One such method he discussed was blood flow restriction (BFR) training. This strategy involves lifting lighter weights while having a cuff wrapped around the arms or legs to partially restrict blood flow leaving the muscles.
BFR stimulates the body to increase growth hormone production to aid repair. It also promotes the retention of muscle even with lifting lighter weights. This makes it a valuable strategy for recovery days when trying to aid the rebuilding of muscle without heavy exercise stress. BFR training allows athletes to gain benefits like increased strength and muscle growth with lower physical strain – important for maintaining performance throughout a long season.
Another recovery method Kelce focused on was active recovery, like light cardio, on days between weightlifting sessions. Low impact exercise keeps blood flowing to aid the removal of waste and delivery of nutrients without further fatiguing the muscles. Proper recovery days are just as essential as intense training for success over many seasons of high-level competition.
In addition to these targeted recovery practices, Kelce prioritized proper nutrition, hydration, sleep, and stress management as part of his holistic approach. All of these lifestyle factors combined supported his physical preparation and ability to consistently perform at an elite level.
Leading by Example
By openly discussing his commitment to self-care, Kelce set an example for the importance of recovery, wellness practices, and lifestyle management for athletes. For over a decade, he started and finished each NFL season while maintaining his status as one of the top centers in the league.
His success on the field served as a testament that recovery must be as much a priority as training. By prioritizing his mental and physical health through customized practices, Kelce optimized his ability to endure season after season of wear and tear. He proved that longevity and peak performance result from more than just physical talent alone.
Kelce’s holistic approach to well-being should inspire athletes at all levels of the importance of lifestyle choices. From proper nutrition to stress management to targeted recovery techniques, total-body care is necessary to sustain top conditioning. His championship career demonstrated how commitment to self-care can elevate on-field performance over the long haul. Kelce’s example reminds us that champions are made both in the training facility and through daily lifestyle decisions off the field as well.
