Digital Social Hour with John Salley: “Stop Saying Vegan. Say Plant-Based.” | DSH #1764

Podcast: Digital Social Hour
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: John Salley
Date: January 17, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features NBA champion, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate John Salley returning to the show for a candid and wide-ranging conversation. From plant-based living and the changing meaning of "vegan," to NBA culture, longevity, and authenticity, Salley serves up blunt life lessons, industry stories, and spirited perspectives on health, legacy, and personal growth.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Wellness, Longevity & Lifestyle Choices

• Plant-Based Living vs. Veganism

  • Salley emphasizes a pivot from the word “vegan” to “plant-based,” focusing on whole fruits and vegetables, not processed alternatives.
  • "Stop saying vegan. Say plant-based. When I say plant-based, I literally mean that—like as many plants. Vegetables in the afternoon, fruit in the daytime. Still no animal product." (05:34)

• Diet & Health Habits

  • Describes daily routines such as drinking a liter of water with sea salt and baking soda, papaya seeds, and large amounts of fruit.
  • Notes he's lighter now, at age 61, than he was in his playing days, attributing it to consistent dietary habits.
  • "I'm gonna be 61 this year, and I'm five pounds lighter than I was in 1989." (11:29)

• On Fats and Oils

  • Debunks myths about animal fats being healthy for everyone, notes different populations have unique dietary needs.
  • “I had to realize certain people are built different… If you’re from the caves in Europe and you had to kill an animal and eat the animal, that's how they survive. It's a different way.” (01:10, 12:57)

• Scams in the Health Industry

  • Warns of both “vegan scams” and general processed food dangers:
    • “Processed food is not good for anybody.” (10:39)
    • Acknowledges commercial plant-based products like Beyond Meat have a place, but shouldn't be mainstream diet staples.

• Entrepreneurial Ventures

  • Talks about his company Better Life (wellness products and herbal cleanses) and his focus on “Wellness Wednesdays” (04:02, 04:19).
  • Recently opened a hydration spa—Alpha Hydration—in California (04:22).

2. Media, Culture, and Authenticity

• Podcasting & Media Projects

  • Reflects on being an early podcaster in 2012 and his plans to return (01:31).
  • Describes new TV projects, including "Sports Gone Wrong" (Vice) and a BET reality show “Ball of Cribs” about Black realtors and celebrity homes (02:30-03:43).

• Staying Genuine

  • On not seeking extra fame:
    • “I’m famous enough, baby. I do not want to be over famous.” (04:50)

• Survivorship & Motivation

  • Shares his desire to live past 100—to age like his uncle who was “still moving” and “still funny” at 92 (08:36–09:18).
  • On motivation from doubters and using anger as fuel:
    • “If you don’t have a hater… you’re not doing it well.” (31:57–32:23)
    • Name-drops childhood rival Kevin Wright as an example of positive antagonism (32:23).

• Books & Self-Awareness

  • Highlights importance of reading, sharing how coaches like Phil Jackson and Chuck Daly influenced him with book gifts and life advice (38:41–40:44).
  • Will Smith’s gifted book "Awareness" taught him to “live in your complete truth.” (40:19–41:15)
    • "If people don’t like you, they got the problem." (41:15)

3. Basketball – Then & Now

• NBA Culture and Player Welfare

  • Observes that player longevity is largely about self-care, not just “load management.”
  • “You feed it what it needs to and you get it. You're a thoroughbred in the NBA, so they should treat you like one.” (36:58)
  • Reflects on the “chip on the shoulder” culture and using anger wisely:
    • “I played with anger. And then at the end of the game, I was able to become a civilian again. The switch back is really hard to do.” (33:28–34:05)
  • Contrasts fighting culture and pride from earlier eras with today’s NBA focus on business and avoiding risk (35:01–35:42).

• European and Young Talent

  • On rising European presence:
    • “When you play like you have something to gain as opposed to, you've already gotten it, you're gonna play better.” (27:23)
  • Discusses the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) revolution in college sports and the contrast to his generation not being paid (24:49–26:10).

• Playoffs, Team Loyalty, and Referees

  • Shares NBA insights—rooting for players over teams, and working as a wellness coach to athletes.
  • Touches on complexities of managing superstars and salary caps in the league (18:20–19:40).
  • Critiques modern “technical fouls” and the influence of the NBA’s Chinese broadcast market in maintaining image (20:30–21:01).
  • On AI referees and arena technology:
    • “When there's a call, four different camera angles come up on the screen… And they're showing it and they have such great control…” (22:35)

• Legacy & Giving Back

  • Discusses staying grounded—refusing to flaunt wealth in his old neighborhood, instead living humbly (28:08–29:44).
  • Stresses supporting youth and giving “books and knowledge” as a mentor.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "Do you want an animal to die so you can like the taste of ketchup, or can I give you the same effect in chemicals?” (00:00, repeated at 12:57, John Salley)
• "Stop saying vegan. Say plant-based.” (05:34, John Salley)
• “Processed food is not good for anybody.” (10:39, John Salley)
• “I want to be 40 years younger than my age. I want to be in my 90s feeling like I’m in my 60s.” (09:18, John Salley)
• On criticism: “If you don’t have a hater, you’re not doing it well.” (31:57)
• On living authentically: “Live in your complete truth. And if people don’t like you, they got the problem.” (41:15)
• On coaching styles:
  • “My favorite coach is Chuck Daly… He would have a conversation with me, and he goes, you get it? If you don’t, I gotta get rid of you. I love that.” (39:20)
  • “Phil [Jackson] was the opposite… Philosophical. There was always a hidden message… He gave us books, and I’d always wonder what message he was sending.”
• On sustaining NBA careers:
  • “You don’t have to have load management. You just have to take care of your body… If you give up your minutes, you’re going to be giving up your minutes.” (36:58)
• On adversity and growth:
  • “You don’t have to flaunt, you shouldn’t stunt… Living well is the best revenge.” (29:44, 29:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – On diet, animal products, and plant-based choices
• 02:30 – New shows: “Sports Gone Wrong” & “Ball of Cribs”
• 04:02–04:19 – Better Life products and “Wellness Wednesdays”
• 05:30–05:34 – Plant-based vs. vegan philosophy
• 11:29 – Weight, aging, and maintaining fitness into his 60s
• 12:57 – Reflection on ethical food choices and dietary ancestry
• 18:12–20:22 – NBA playoffs, team-building, and player movement
• 20:30–21:01 – NBA technical fouls, referees, and Chinese markets
• 22:35 – In-arena technology and the move toward AI officiating
• 24:47–26:10 – NIL, college athlete pay, European youth in pro sports
• 27:23 – European takeover in the NBA
• 28:08–29:44 – Staying grounded, stories from Salley’s neighborhood
• 31:57–32:23 – Using doubters for motivation, naming Kevin Wright
• 33:24–35:42 – Playing with anger, NBA fights, changing culture
• 36:58–37:02 – Longevity, load management, and self-care in the NBA
• 38:41–40:44 – Coaching, books, and self-awareness lessons
• 41:18 – Where to find John Salley and his products

Closing Thoughts

John Salley delivers an episode bursting with unfiltered wisdom, humor, and conviction. From championing authentic wellness (“Plant-based, not vegan”), critiquing the modern NBA, and recounting stories both humbling and hilarious, Salley continues to use his platform to educate, inspire, and challenge us—always with an eye towards what’s real, what’s healthy, and what truly matters.