From the NFL to Fatherhood: Nick Foles on Sleep, Recovery & Performing at Your Best

Whether you're preparing for the biggest game of your career or simply trying to be your best for your family the next day, quality sleep matters.

For former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, recovery was always about more than what happened on the practice field. It started the night before. Years of travel, hotel rooms, changing time zones, and the physical demands of professional football reinforced just how important great sleep can be.

We caught up with Nick to talk about his approach to recovery, how his sleep habits have evolved since retiring from the NFL, and why Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 have earned a place in his nightly routine.

Throughout your NFL career, you played in some of the biggest moments in football. Looking back, how important was sleep and recovery in helping you perform at your best, both physically and mentally?

”Sleep and recovery have always been a huge part of my football career, and even post-football, getting the appropriate amount of restful sleep was a huge factor in my performance the following day. I could always tell a huge difference leading up to big games. Sleep was always a priority, and I could feel a difference on the playing field when I had the appropriate sleep and recovery.“

“Now, being post-football with three little kids at home, I need sleep more than ever, so the Sleepbuds have been instrumental in sleep recovery and especially when I get a chance to take one of my legendary power naps.“

The NFL schedule comes with constant travel, unfamiliar hotels, changing time zones, and plenty of distractions. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when it came to getting quality sleep on the road?

”I think the biggest thing with traveling was that if you're traveling east to west coast or west to east coast, you have the three-hour time change, so that was always a challenge. You're always in a different environment with the type of bed you're in, type of pillows, the food at the hotels, and all the little variables that are there with travel. That made it tough at times, but for the most part, I always had a great sleep regimen and great sleep hygiene that carried me on the road to where I could get my recovery and be ready for game day. I was a part of playing in London a couple of times, and that is the ultimate travel, sleep, and food factor there is in the NFL. I've always felt like we had a great protocol in place to get us ready for game day.“

You've transitioned from being a professional athlete to balancing family life, work, and new priorities. Has your relationship with sleep changed since retiring, or has it always been something you've prioritized?

”Yes, my relationship with sleep has changed a lot since leaving the NFL and transitioning to the next stage of life. The importance of sleep has not changed, just the variables. Each night is its own entity because you don't know if a kid's going to wake up or what time they're going to come into your room, so there are a lot of broken nights of sleep. When you can get one continuous night of sleep, it's amazing, but that's where my power nap comes in for like 25 minutes in the middle of the day when I can do it. It helps me get back on track and feel my best so I can be the best husband and father to my family I can be.“

Recovery means something different for everyone. Beyond sleep, are there any daily habits or routines you've found make the biggest difference in helping you feel your best?

“Yes, the first thing I do when waking up in the morning is read the Bible and spend time journaling and in prayer. That sets the stage for my day.“

“I try to get a lot of movement each day, and I love to get my workouts in. I just started playing pickup basketball again. I love playing pickleball and golf, so I wear myself out that way. Then, coaching my kids, spending time with my wife, having great family time, and taking Henry, our dog, on walks are all important factors in my day, along with working on the DAD SZN brand and The SZN podcast. They keep my brain active and going. All these are important factors in my day to get me ready for recovery at night. I also love to get in a cold plunge in the morning and, when I can, get into a sauna or steam room for a little bit. It's so meditative and great for my mind and body for recovery.“

What's one piece of advice you'd give young athletes, busy parents, or professionals who want to perform at a high level but often sacrifice sleep to get everything done?

”Understand that not every night you're going to be able to get a great night's sleep because of all the variables in your life. So give yourself some grace. I would definitely say it is a priority in my wife's and my life to get a great night of sleep so we can be at our best for our family the following day. Whenever I get a great night of sleep, I feel a huge difference the following day in my attitude and in my physical and mental state.“

What first interested you in trying Ozlo Sleepbuds 2, and what role have they played in your nighttime routine?

“I travel a decent amount throughout the year to Philadelphia on the East Coast, and there are always a lot of variables affecting my sleep when I travel or am on a plane. Optimizing my time on the plane for recovery and my time in different hotel rooms, Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 made a lot of sense. After using them in these situations, I always had a great night's sleep. Even as I am writing this, I'm on a family vacation where we're constantly on the go, but there are little breaks in the middle of the day where I put the Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 in and take a 25-minute power nap and feel so much better.  I can just sleep soundly so I can be at my best in the afternoon and ready to roll.“

Sleep isn't always perfect, whether it's a snoring partner, hotel noise, travel, or everyday life. How have Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 helped you create a better sleep environment, and is there a feature you've come to appreciate the most?

”For me, with traveling on a plane and being in different hotel rooms, it takes all the different variables out of it and gives me something that I'm familiar with. When I put them in my ears, they're super comfortable, and I don't even notice them when I turn over because I'm a side sleeper. I also love the sounds within the Ozlo app. They're very soothing and peaceful, and I get optimal sleep and recovery when using them.“

Whether you're preparing for game day, traveling for work, or simply trying to feel your best each morning, quality sleep matters. If nighttime noise is getting in the way, Ozlo Sleepbuds 2 are designed to help you create a quieter, more consistent sleep environment, at home or on the road.