By The Arkansas Black Vitality Staff

LITTLE ROCK – June 16, 2026 – Two former NFL running backs, one with local ties and another with a burgeoning social media and podcast following, will headline an upcoming “Barbershop Talk” on mental health, the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS) announced today.

The UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Barbershop Talk research team will host, “Beyond the Field, Real Talk on Health, Success and Life After the Game,” on Friday, June 19, at the Robinson Center in downtown Little Rock.

The free event is presented in partnership with Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the City of Little Rock. Barbershop Talk will also host a men’s health lounge, where attendees can learn more about the study and participate in guided meditation and mobility exercises starting at 11 a.m.

Former Arkansas Razorback Darren McFadden and Fred Taylor, a University of Florida alum, are the feature guests. McFadden, a North Little Rock native, and Taylor are also former National Football League running backs. Tiffany Haynes, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Public Health, will serve as event moderator.

Men’s health, mental wellness, alcohol abuse, and dealing with immense stress are among the various topics slated for discussion, UAMS officials said. Camille Hart, Barbershop Talk research program director, said the forum is for people of all ages and serves as an outlet for candid dialogue about mental health.          

“Unfortunately, there’s a negative stigma attached to substance use and mental health,” she said. “Hosting this forum with two well-known former athletes can help people overcome that stigma as we have honest discussions about life and mental health. When it comes to mental health issues, at times, people think that it’s only them. They’re by themselves. Conversations like what we’re having will show that none of us are ever alone in needing mental health assistance.” 

Barbershop Talk is a research project aimed at improving men’s health. Launched in August 2023, the UAMS initiative has reached its recruitment goal of 60 Arkansas barbershops spanning 14 counties and enrolled 611 men.   

The panel is the latest in a series of community-based events hosted by Barbershop Talk that help people view health and wellness in a real-world, practical manner.

Taylor will provide insight throughout the event. In recent years, Taylor has built a substantial social media presence thanks to being a co-host of The Pivot podcast. The podcast addresses hot societal topics and presents in depth interviews with people from all walks of life.                   

“Fred has openly shared info about his mental health journey,” Hart said. “He’s shared how he’s dealt with anxiety and the steps he has taken to address the situation.”       

McFadden — who was twice a finalist for the Heisman Trophy while attending the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville — will speak about his path to overcoming alcohol abuse and extreme stress. McFadden first began drinking at 15 years old, he said, but is now nearing three years of sobriety.

“Beyond the Field is about becoming better overall,” Hart said. “This event represents an opportunity for growth. This is also an opportunity to network. At our events, you never know who is there.”