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Dr. Mindy Armstead Recalls Cross-Country Romance with Jaguars' Arik Armstead, From DM to 4 Kids Later (Exclusive)

In the latest episode of PEOPLE's "WAG World" series, Dr. Mindy Armstead revealed that she and her Jacksonville Jaguars husband are expecting their fourth baby

Arik Armstead and his wife Dr. Mindy with their three kids.
Credit: Mindy MS, MD/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

  • Dr. Mindy Armstead and Arik Armstead’s relationship began after he sent her a DM during her busy med school years
  • The couple overcame long-distance challenges early on, including her demanding schedule and his NFL commitments
  • Married in 2020, they share three children and are now expecting their fourth

Dr. Mindy Armstead has built her dream team.

The dual-boarded psychiatrist, 37, recalled her whirlwind romance with her now-husband, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead, during a candid interview on the latest episode of PEOPLE's WAG World series, released Thursday, June 25.

Their relationship began with both working towards their respective career goals on opposite coasts. While Dr. Mindy was based in Buffalo, N.Y., for medical school, Armstead was grinding on the field in California after being selected 17th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Dr. Mindy Armstead on
Dr. Mindy Armstead on "WAG World."
Credit: Alex Huang

"This is kind of an embarrassing story," Dr. Mindy told WAG World host Skyler Caruso with a laugh. "I'm five years older than him, so I was in med school while he was in his first year in the NFL. My really good friend moved to California and was dating his friend on the team."

Dr. Mindy recalled the friend playing matchmaker to an extent, letting her know that the NFL rookie sent her a DM and that she should answer it. "His friend ended up being in our wedding," she noted on the show.

View this post on Instagram

At the time, Dr. Mindy thought they were in "different places" in their lives — but she remained optimistic.

"He's helped me be a little more of a dreamer, but I'm definitely a realist," she shares of her husband, whom she wed in June 2020. "I never wanted to date an NFL player. I also didn't even know logistically how I could date someone across the country."

Dr. Mindy said she'd answer Armstead's DMs on occasion, but wasn't sure how a legitimate relationship was going to work if they decided to pursue it. Not to mention, the former med student had a jam-packed schedule of her own.

Arik Armstead and his wife, Dr. Mindy, attend the 15th Annual NFL Honors on Feb. 5, 2026.Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Arik Armstead and his wife, Dr. Mindy, attend the 15th Annual NFL Honors on Feb. 5, 2026.
Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

"I was in Buffalo… and I also had to work two weekends a month, one 24-hour shift a week," she explained. "There was no time for relationships, let alone with a football player. So eventually, after six months of this, I was going to visit my friend."

The anticipated meet-up was kismet: Dr. Mindy went to Los Angeles to celebrate her birthday with a friend, while Armstead was already planning on being in the city because the 49ers had a long weekend after their Thursday night game.

View this post on Instagram

"He ended up taking us to dinner two nights in a row!" she shared. "He was calm. That was the first time I really got to see his personality, and he ordered for the table."

Seemingly by fate, the NFL schedule was in their favor.

"The next weekend, the Niners played the Bills in Buffalo and that only happens once every 10 years — so it was kind of kismet," she said. "So then he came to Buffalo. I took him to Niagara Falls and Duffs, which is where the famous wings were invented in Buffalo."

Dr. Mindy Armstead with her daughters cheer on their dad, Arik Armstead of the Jacksonville Jaguars, at a game.Credit: Mindy MS, MD/Instagram
Dr. Mindy Armstead with her daughters cheer on their dad, Arik Armstead of the Jacksonville Jaguars, at a game.
Credit: Mindy MS, MD/Instagram

"Really ever since then we've been together," Dr. Mindy continued. "We always made it work and there were a lot of times where I didn't think it would happen or I was waiting for the other shoe to drop — but again, he's very just like a calm and steady presence."

She added, "I guess I had in my mind this stereotype of what I thought a football player was going to be like… and he's really nothing like that."

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After tying the knot in 2020, the couple welcomed daughters Amiri, 5, and Ayla, 3, and 15-month-old son Audemar Kristian. On WAG World, Dr. Mindy announced that she and Armstead, 32, are expecting their fourth baby together.

"We've got one on the way!" she revealed. "We're really excited. We love a big family. I'm one of five. He's one of four," she shares of her and her husband's siblings, adding, "So although we weren't originally planning it, it feels right."



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