... Our conversation came as part of Allen's partnership with the supplement brand Natrol, but it extends beyond sleep and recovery. The self-proclaimed "small-town farm kid" who grew up in California talks about first-time fatherhood, the friendships he's built with fellow NFL quarterbacks and the shows he and Steinfeld are binging after Harper falls asleep.
What first drew you to partnering with Natrol, and why has sleep become such an important part of your wellness routine?
I wanted to be better in my football career, but also off the field. I wasn't getting the sleep I needed. I took one of their products traveling home from Italy, and I basically passed out for the entire flight. It really helped me sleep, so I knew I wanted to be involved with the brand.
Going into this year, having a baby — well, I didn't have the baby, but becoming a new parent — has given me a new perspective on sleep and how unpredictable it can be. When I know I have a chance to get a full night's rest, I really value it. I know the benefits of good sleep, and I know how much it can limit you when you don't get enough.
What's something you do for your health now that a younger you probably would've rolled his eyes at?
I'm taking better care of my body. I grew up on a farm — I'm a country boy at heart — and I always had the mentality of, "Rub some dirt on it. Pain doesn't bother me."
Now that I'm in my 30s, I want to make sure I'm doing all the right things. You can work out, do the sauna, infrared, red light therapy, massage, physical therapy — you're doing all this stuff, which I'm doing — but if you're neglecting sleep, you're losing all the benefits of what you just did.
