Aldon Smith: How Embracing Inner Accountability and Sobriety Transformed His Life After the NFL

Aldon Smith’s journey is one of remarkable transformation. Once slated for the Hall of Fame, his NFL career was sidelined by personal struggles, but today, he’s turned his story into a powerful message. After working hard on himself and finding sobriety, Aldon has returned to the league not as a player, but as a leader and mentor. Aldon’s ability to open up and be transparent makes him easy to talk to. He shares hard-learned lessons to help young players navigate the pressures of both life and football.

Thanks for joining me. Could you start with a little background about your career for our readers?

Sure, I was the 7th pick in the 2011 NFL draft. I played for the 49ers, Raiders, and then the Cowboys. I had a lot of success right away and even broke some records, but I also struggled off the field — mostly with substances and drinking. It got me in a lot of trouble. And while it might sound strange, those struggles got me to where I am today.

I looked up your records knowing our audience would be curious. They are pretty impressive:

• You set the NFL record for the fastest player to reach 30 sacks, in just 27 games.
• You held the record for the most sacks in a player’s first two seasons with 33.5, surpassing Reggie White.
• You set a 49ers franchise record with 19.5 sacks in a single season.
• You recorded 5.5 sacks in a Monday Night Football game, which was the most sacks in Monday Night Football game.

How did that success early on impact your career differently from other guys coming into the league ?

I learned a lot from all the situations I got myself into. Now, I’m alive, I’m sober, and in a good space. After my career ended, I wasn’t sure what to do next, but I knew I wanted to use my experiences to help others. I didn’t want to coach or go into broadcasting like a lot of other athletes do, so I started focusing on how I could help and guide others in the right direction using my experience and everything I’ve learned.

What was the hardest part about being in the NFL, and how did that shape your personal struggles?

The whole adjustment was tough. I started playing football in high school, and within four years, I found myself in the NFL. I didn’t have time to prepare for the spotlight and everything that came with it. There were people along the way trying to guide me, but I was just in survival mode. It’s really hard to accept help when you don’t think their advice applies to you.

The hardest part was going from feeling unwanted to suddenly being wanted by everyone, including strangers — all the time. That was overwhelming. I had to put on this persona every day, even though I didn’t feel like that person deep down inside. That pressure contributed to my struggles off the field.

Tell me more about how you want to use your experience to help support others who are struggling or facing challenges they might not even be prepared for?

One thing I’ve learned is that seeking help doesn’t always work the way people think or expect. If you go to someone with an expectation and they don’t meet it, it can actually do more harm than good. That’s why I believe in developing a strong inner relationship with yourself first— whether that’s found through things like spirituality or building a strong sense of self-awareness. It’s critical because mentors and coaches, they’re human too. They also struggle and their advice is most likely going to be based on their own experiences, and sometimes, that may not apply to you.

I try to help people connect with themselves first. I’m not here to teach or talk at them. I’d rather have real conversations and guide them towards discovering their own path.

Whether in the locker room or wherever I am, people always felt comfortable talking to me. They share things they won’t share with others, probably because I have no problems leading first and being open and vulnerable. That usually makes others feel more comfortable to open up because they recognize I can relate. I’ve taken that natural dynamic approach and combined it with everything I’ve learned. I want to use it all to guide people through difficult times or transitions. And, it’s not just for just for athletes. It’s for anyone — whether they’re struggling with substance abuse, adjusting to a new phase of life, or dealing with the loss of identity after something unknown or major changes their situation in life.

Can you share one of your most bolted down principles?

Honesty and consistency are key. The best leaders I’ve known were open and honest about how they felt, even if it wasn’t always positive. And they were consistent — they didn’t just show up once or twice; they were there week after week. That kind of support matters, especially when you’re in a tough spot.

Also, I’ve noticed that guys leaving the game need this message more than those just starting their career. Everyone’s there for you when you’re starting out, but when you leave, the adjustment is a culture shock — much tougher. You lose an identity that you spent your life creating for yourself, and all the support you’ve always had starts to fade away.

What’s your message about making the investment to work on yourself?

It’s never too late to start, but it’s definitely easier if you begin before you hit a rock bottom. You’ve got to break things down and ask yourself, “Am I where I want to be?” or “What habits or beliefs are holding me back” I like to start small — let go of just one thing, then do another — and gradually, when you look back, you’ll see how far you’ve come.

For me, I had to go through that process alone. After my career ended, I was living in an extended stay hotel in Texas with nothing. Every relationship in my life ended. I stopped blaming anyone else and decided to focus inward. I changed what I was listening to, what I was watching, who I was interacting with — and over time, my mindset started to shift.

What advice do you have for people who want to be more transparent but struggle with it?

You have to get to a place where you’re comfortable with yourself. That’s where genuine transparency comes from. It’s not about preparing for questions or trying to say the right thing. It’s about being at peace with who you are, so you can be open and authentic no matter where you are or who you’re with. That’s the hardest battle, but once you win it, everything else gets easier.

How can people find out more about you and your work?

They can visit IntelligentMovement.co or find me on Instagram at Aldon Smith.

Thanks so much, Aldon. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us. Best of luck as you continue to inspire and guide others on their journeys — both on and off the field.

About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein is a seasoned entrepreneur with 25+ years of experience as a Founder and CEO. While attending Ohio State University, he launched his first company, Choice Recovery, Inc., a nationally recognized healthcare collection agency — twice ranked the #1 workplace in Ohio. In 2013, he founded [re]start, helping thousands of people find meaningful career opportunities. After selling both companies, Chad shifted his focus to his true passion — leadership. Today, he coaches founders and CEOs at Built to Lead, advises Authority Magazine’s Thought Leader Incubator, and launched and leads an online leadership development community which can be downloaded for free for iOS and Android.