You might have seen it circulating recently: legendary bodybuilder and trainer, 6-time Mr Olympia Dorian Yates, noting that 80% of surveyed athletes are now utilizing THC for performance and recovery.
While that number might sound like a shock to the "Just Say No" generation, for those in the trenches of professional sports, is it simply the new baseline?
Validating the Numbers: Is 80% Hyperbole?
It seems high but it’s not crazy. Not only are more adults consuming THC than alcohol now, but data from a landmark study at the University of Colorado Boulder found that approximately 82% of cannabis users in legal states consume the plant within one hour before or four hours after exercise.
The motivations? It’s rarely about "getting high" in the stereotypical sense.
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Recovery (78%): Managing inflammation and DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) without the liver-taxing effects of NSAIDs or the addiction risks of opioids.
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Enjoyment (70%): Tapping into the "flow state" or "runner's high" more effectively.
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Sleep: Utilizing cannabinoids to down-regulate the nervous system after high-intensity training.
Read the Study: University of Colorado: The New Runner's High? 80% of Cannabis Users Mix Weed and Workouts
The New Face of Performance
The emerging advocacy of elite performers provides strong anecdotal support for the plant as a tool, not a crutch when used with intention and purpose. Here are just a few personalities who represent the gold standard of professionalism and athletic discipline.
The Trailblazer: Ricky Williams
The Vibe: NFL rushing legend, wellness pioneer, and one of the earliest athletes to openly challenge cannabis stigma in professional sports.
The Story: Long before cannabis became part of the recovery conversation, Williams was punished under the NFL’s old marijuana policy—facing suspensions and public scrutiny for using it as a tool for recovery, stress relief, and mental well-being. Years later, his perspective looks ahead of its time. In a recent interview, Williams estimated that 70–75% of NFL players use cannabis, largely as an alternative to pharmaceuticals for pain, sleep, and recovery. What once got him sidelined is now widely viewed as part of the athlete wellness conversation.
The Quote: When asked "What share of N.F.L. players do you think are using cannabis now?" Williams responded: “I’d say 70 to 75 percent.”
Source: Is Weed a Performance-Enhancing Drug? Freakenomics radio.
2. The Team Athlete: Calvin Johnson (Megatron)
The Vibe: NFL Hall of Famer, arguably the greatest wide receiver of his era, and a total professional.
The Story: Known for his "clean" image and legendary work ethic, Johnson shocked many when he admitted he used cannabis regularly to manage the "bone-crushing" physical toll of the NFL. He’s now a co-founder of Primitiv, focusing on the plant's potential to support well-being.
The Quote: "The ability to wind down, especially after games—it's hard to go to sleep after a game, you're just so wound up... recovery, being able to get up the next day, that's everything."
Source: NFL on CBS / YouTube Interview
3. The Fitness Icon: Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Vibe: 7-time Mr Olympia, former Governor, and the literal face of physical fitness.
The Story: While "The Austrian Oak" has a long history of openness, his current status as a business mogul and fitness elder statesman makes his advocacy powerful. He views the plant as a legitimate recovery tool that belongs in the conversation alongside nutrition and weight training.
The Quote: "That is not a drug. It’s a leaf. My drug was pumping iron, trust me." (Addressing the normalization of the plant as part of a rigorous training lifestyle).
Source: GQ Interview
4. The Elite Runner: Avery Collins
The Vibe: One of the world's top professional mountain trail runners and ultrarunners.
The Story: Collins runs 100+ mile races through gnarly mountain terrain. He’s an outspoken advocate for "training with cannabis," using it to manage the extreme inflammation that comes with running for 20+ hours straight. He represents the "high-performance endurance" sector of your market.
The Quote: "THC allows me to break away and really enjoy running for what I got into it for, which is just to be outside... I almost forgot about the mileage and forgot where I was."
Source: Cannabis & Tech Today
5. The Professional Golfer: Billy Horschel
The Vibe: 7-time PGA Tour winner and one of the most consistent, "clean-cut" names in golf.
The Story: Horschel doesn't just use cannabinoids; he’s an investor in the space. He’s been vocal about how CBD and minor cannabinoids saved his career trajectory by addressing chronic inflammation and sleep issues that traditional "clean" living couldn't touch. He’s the perfect example of how a "traditional" sport like golf is evolving.
The Quote: “I learned that my sleep was not allowing me to recover enough to perform the next day. I tried [CBD] and it allowed me to sleep a lot better... It put me in a more refreshed state every day."
Source: Golf.com / Sports Cannabis
The New Standard of Wellness
These profiles do more than just debunk longstanding stereotypes; they exemplify a shift toward using cannabinoids with intention and purpose, and this is only the tip of the iceberg with athletes talking about league-wide cannabis use. They represent the consumer we strove to support. Whether it’s managing the physical toll of a Hall of Fame career or finding the mental clarity needed for corporate leadership, these individuals prove that plant-based tools are no longer on the fringes of performance—they are at the center of it.
At ATHLETHC, we build for the individual who refuses to settle. We support the high-performer who demands the most from their body and mind and rejects outdated stigmas in favor of plant-based wellness.
If you believe that your recovery should be as disciplined as your training, you’re in the right place.
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Hacking the Runner's High