Fred Warner’s Secret to NFL Success: Avocados and Discipline

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Fred Warner, the San Francisco 49ers‘ star linebacker, has risen to the top of the NFL through a combination of relentless discipline, curiosity, and an unlikely dietary staple: avocados. Drafted in the third round in 2018, Warner has since become a three-time Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro, earning recognition as one of the league’s elite defensive players.

Warner credits his success to meticulous attention to detail, both on and off the field. “It’s an accumulation of doing the little things right every single day,” Warner told GQ. His approach includes a strict diet centered on whole, unprocessed foods, with avocados playing a starring role. “No preservatives added—that’s huge for me—and it’s made with real ingredients that you and I can pronounce,” he said.

Warner’s partnership with Wholly Guacamole underscores his commitment to clean eating. His daily routine includes meals like omelets with guacamole, oatmeal with berries, and chicken with mashed potatoes and vegetables. Even on non-game days, Warner maintains his disciplined approach, pairing indulgent snacks like pizza and wings with nutrient-rich options like vegetables and guacamole.

Beyond nutrition, Warner emphasizes the importance of physical and mental preparation. He incorporates heavy lifting, Pilates, and yoga into his training regimen to maintain strength, flexibility, and explosiveness throughout the grueling NFL season. “It’s everything,” Warner said. “Nutrition, hydration, sleep—they’re critical to staying healthy all season long.”

Warner’s curiosity and willingness to adapt have been key to his sustained success. After a disappointing 2021 season, he reevaluated his approach and doubled down on his commitment to excellence. “I never wanted to have that feeling ever again, of not being at the top of my game,” he said.

Off the field, Warner’s life has been transformed by fatherhood. His 10-month-old son, Beau, has introduced him to new challenges and joys, including the art of feeding a picky eater. “Guacamole was almost like a hack,” Warner said, laughing. “You just dip it in the WHOLLY Guacamole, and boom, you pop it in his mouth.”

As Warner prepares for his fourth Pro Bowl appearance, he remains focused on continuous improvement. “I’m going into year eight [in the NFL], and I still feel like I’m a rookie,” he said. “There’s so much more there for me.”