Aaron Rodgers: Redefining Wellness with Psychedelics or Heading Toward a Self-Inflicted Downfall?

Given his career and stats, Aaron Rodgers, the former Green Bay Packers quarterback turned New York Jets player, is a bona fide All-American athlete. However, as the title of his new Netflix series “Aaron Rodgers: Enigma” suggests, Rodgers is a deeply complex figure whose persona off the field has sparked both intrigue and controversy. Through three hour-long episodes, the series delves into the many facets of Rodgers’ life, including his rise to NFL stardom, media controversy, family estrangement, spiritual journey, and most notably, his psychedelic use. Rodgers’ unconventional approach to self-discovery, mainly through psychedelics, has shaped his personal and professional journey, leaving viewers to wonder whether he is redefining an athlete’s path to wellness or heading toward a self-inflicted downfall. 

The first episode, “Becoming,” introduces Rodgers by noting his numerous achievements. Throughout his 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers and two seasons with the Jets, Rodgers has been voted into the Pro Bowl 10 times, been named an All-Pro four times, and won the 2011 Super Bowl. He holds the record for best career passer rating (RTG), boasting a 102.7 rating and a 90.8 RTG this year. He also ​​maintained a career interception rate of 1.4% from 2005–2024. Notably, in the 2018 season, Rodgers threw only two interceptions out of over 500 passing attempts.

However, the recognition and idolization Rodgers has received from fans and media were key motivators of his soul-searching; Rodgers’ prestige left him wondering who he was off the field, as shown in the second episode, titled “Awakening.” In this episode, Rodgers connects his upbringing in a highly conservative and traditionally religious environment, one that he didn’t align with, to his need to discover an identity away from fame. To “find himself,” he turned to a plant medicine called Ayahuasca. Ayahuasca, a South American psychoactive beverage, is traditionally used by Indigenous cultures for spiritual ceremonies, healing, and divination. Rodgers was initially referred to Ayahuasca by his lifelong friend Jordan Russel, who claimed that Ayahuasca would help him break free from his ego that was “trapping [him] inside this shell.” Viewers follow Rodgers on an Ayahuasca trip, a three-day supervised high in Costa Rica; they watch him, glassy-eyed and giddy, sit in bongo circles and reflect on how good it feels to bring out his “divine femininity” and be able to openly speak deeply, especially with other men.

The series takes an introspective turn in exploring the benefits Rodgers claims to have gained from these experiences. He describes feeling a newfound sense of purpose and emotional clarity. Through his Ayahuasca trips, Rodgers asserts that he has been able to reconnect with parts of himself that were suppressed during his upbringing and years of rigorous athletic training and relentless media scrutiny. He claimed to have a new sense of forgiveness for his family and friends, with whom he had a notorious habit of excommunicating due to disagreements, even having reconnected with his father and brother in 2022 and 2023 after multiple years of estrangement.

According to Rodgers, this spiritual journey has enhanced his mental well-being, which translates to all aspects of his life: his journey has boosted his on-field performance, allowing Rodgers to maintain composure during high-pressure moments—one of his biggest strengths. While this may seem unlikely, Rodgers was able to secure league MVP awards in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons, prior to which he took Ayahuasca trips during the offseasons. 

The final episode, “Confronting the Media,” scrutinizes the complex and often contentious relationship Rodgers has cultivated with the press. Once the golden boy of the NFL, his public image took a hit following controversial statements on topics like vaccination and health protocols. For example, Rodgers claimed to be “immunized” from COVID-19, but later revealed he never received the vaccine. The series juxtaposes his on-field brilliance with his off-field persona, highlighting the stark divide between his two characters: traditional athlete and spiritual explorer. Interviews with teammates, coaches, and journalists paint a picture of an athlete unafraid to challenge the status quo, though not always with forethought or care for the effect on his public image. 

Throughout the series, corroborations from mental health experts, spiritual practitioners, and fellow athletes provide a nuanced view of Rodgers’ journey. Some, such as renowned podcaster Andrew Huberman and former NHL player Daniel Carcillo, lauded Rodgers’ bravery in pursuing unorthodox methods to achieve emotional and spiritual balance, claiming that similar methods have worked for them. In contrast, others who value a more traditional approach question whether Rodgers’ path risks other side effects—specifically, Rodgers alienating those closest to him and jeopardizing his legacy.

The stark contrast between Rodgers’ impeccable stats and his complexities leaves viewers with a deeper understanding of one of the greatest athletes of our generation. While his achievements on the field are undeniable, “Aaron Rodgers: Enigma” presents a portrait of an athlete striving for something profound: a sense of identity that transcends the game. However, by the end of the series, the question remains open-ended: is Aaron Rodgers a trailblazer redefining wellness for future athletes or a cautionary tale of a man lost in the pursuit of identity?