Live from the US Open: Vital Proteins Serves Up Podcast Gold for the First Time in History

Vital Proteins shook up the tennis world by bringing podcasters to the U.S. Open Mixed Doubles Championship, trading studio setups for courtside views and serving up hot takes on everything from tennis etiquette to marriage logistics at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

On August 19, Vital Proteins reimagined the typical U.S. Open activation, instead transforming the tournament grounds into a live podcast studio and creating multiple touchpoints for tennis fans to experience these shows in a completely new setting. What else would we expect from the first-ever “official collagen partner” of the biggest U.S. tennis tournament in Flushing Meadows?

Three shows took over the day during Fan Week: Taste of Taylor kicked things off in the morning from the exclusive Vital Proteins VIP suite, before Good Guys made history as the first podcast ever recorded live on the Fountain Plaza Stage at noon, with Sunday Sports Club closing out the afternoon from the same stage.

Good Guys: $100 caviar chicken nuggets and a side of chaos

Ben Soffer and Josh Peck treated their historic Fountain Plaza Stage appearance exactly how they treat their studio recordings: with comedy, chaos, audience participation (usually it’s just their in-studio producer, Olivia), and increasingly unhinged tangents. Their energy, of course, was infectious—if not slightly manic—as they held court in front of what Peck generously described as “10,000 people.”

It’s obviously difficult not making Challengers references, as the duo’s tennis expertise ranges from “I dabble in racket sports” (Ben) to childhood memories of Randy Manny Tennis Camp, as a 12-year-old Peck would routinely end up “in a trauma position” on the court after seven minutes of play.

Between takes, Peck and the team did embark on a manhunt for the U.S. Open’s legendary $100 chicken nuggets served with caviar—a quest that perfectly captures us fully leaning into the luxury of the tournament.

Taste of Taylor: Serving up relationship reality

Taylor Strecker brought her wife Taylor Donohue to the Vital Proteins VIP suite for what became perhaps the most entertaining discussion of marriage logistics ever recorded at a tennis tournament. Their “marriage match” featured three sets of real relationship arguments, complete with a safe word (they settled on “Tiafoe”) for when things got too heated.

Set one tackled the eternal question of youth sports parenting, with Taylor Strecker arguing that her sports-obsessed wife should handle all athletic activities. “If our kid likes sports, you should be in charge of taking her to her sporting events,” she declared. “I would rather sleep, watch Bravo, go to brunch.”

The second set involved a Vegas work trip and the ethics of first-class travel while seven months pregnant. “I feel like I’m being set up,” Taylor Strecker protested, insisting she couldn’t sit in first class while her pregnant wife flew coach. “I appreciate the gesture,” said Taylor Donohue, adding that she personally doesn’t care whether she’s flying first class or not. The resolution? Taylor Donohue is flying first class.

The final set centered on their Poshmark empire, where Taylor’s designer purges fund new purchases. After a heated debate about labor versus ownership, they settled on a 50/50 split of profits.

Sunday Sports Club: Is tennis harder than football?

Allison Kuch and her husband Isaac Rochell brought the day to a close with their signature sports commentary, and they were in their element from the jump. Rochell, who was relishing his role as a “glorified plus one,” spent most of the recording reminding everyone about his NFL credentials (it’s a joke!) while Kuch delivered the hard-hitting sports takes, like who would be a better ball boy: Rochell or Kuch?

Their biggest (serious) revelation? Tennis players might actually be some of the world’s best athletes. “When you watch these matches on TV, you can’t really feel how athletic they are,” Rochell observed, emphasizing how the energy and atmosphere of the tournament felt different in-person then through a screen. Which is similar to football, he says. The couple spent considerable time debating whether they’d make a good mixed doubles team (spoiler: they would not, due to what Rochell diplomatically called their “alpha personalities”).

The most relatable moment came when they discussed the travel demands of professional tennis—11 months a year on the road. “I get scared going on a flight just to New York City with our daughter,” Kuch admitted, before Rochell reminded everyone that their daughter was, in fact, “great on the flight” and that he was actually “the problem.”

The real MVP: The Vital Proteins experience

All three shows made it clear that the real star was Vital Proteins’ elevated setup. From the ready-to-drink shakes (30 grams of protein, heavy on the collagen) to the prime courtside positioning, the hosts were living their best lives.

“Money doesn’t exist here,” Ben Soffer said. “It’s like Disney World for tennis.” And of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the Honey Deuce—the U.S. Open’s signature $13 million-generating cocktail—that truly captures the spirit of the tournament. “The drink—the Honey Deuce with the melon balls on top—looks way cuter than a beer can at a football game,” Kuch said.

Vital Proteins at the U.S. Open…my dream date, cute.

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