Behind the Sports Medicine

ajrsportsscience
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Medicine
  • Daily

Interviewing experts in the healthcare, physical therapy, athletic training and sports science profession. Discussing the barriers we face today within the healthcare system to better understand the landscape and educate the consumer.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 85 - Dr. Michael Beasley - "You Can't Be Your Best Player at 12”: The Hidden Costs of Youth Baseball Specialization

    Are we sacrificing the long-term health and potential of young athletes by forcing them into early sports specialization? In this episode, recorded live from the 2026 NATA Convention, pediatric sports medicine specialist Dr. Michael Beasley from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) joins hosts Andrew Rizza and Dr. Cameron Roth to explore the rising risks of early specialization in youth sports, especially baseball. He breaks down why chasing velocity and showcases is causing a surge in preventable overuse injuries, and why parents should focus on long-term athletic development rather than short-term performance. The conversation also covers real clinical scenarios in pediatric sports medicine, including how to manage lower back stress fractures (spondylolysis), thrower’s elbow, and concussion care. Additionally, Dr. Beasley outlines clear protocols for return-to-throw timelines and safe pain rules, and explains his approach to keeping athletes on the field, rather than just getting them back on it. MEET THE GUEST Dr. Michael Beasley - Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialist, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) TOPICS DISCUSSED - The hidden costs of early sport specialization in youth athletics - Managing overuse injuries and velocity chasing in young throwers - Protecting long-term athletic development without sacrificing enjoyment - Evaluating throwing-related elbow pain and adolescent spinal stress fractures - Balancing injury recovery, concussion symptoms and return-to-sport decisions HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 01:13 – The Risks of Early Sports Specialization 03:11 – Sponsor: Beck Bode 03:37 – Why Chasing Velocity Leads to Injury in Youth Baseball 05:28 – Advice for Parents of Young Athletes 07:57 – Has Youth Baseball Lost the Fun? 11:37 – Clinical Case: 12-Year-Old Pitcher with Elbow Pain 15:26 – Structuring Physical Therapy Beyond the Injured Joint 16:45 – Return-to-Sport Decisions and the Role of Athletic Trainers 20:43 – Clinical Case: 12-Year-Old Gymnast with Lower Back Pain 24:40 – Common Injuries in Adolescent Throwers 26:32 – Why We Need to Protect Young Athletes Like Professional Athletes 30:13 – Safe Pain Rules and Navigating Return-to-Play Expectations 35:18 – Concussions: Managing Academics, Exercise, and Normalcy 42:23 – Lightning Round: Favorite Pathology to Treat 43:08 – Should You Tell Patients They're Going to Be Fine? 45:47 – Lightning Round Continued: Myths, Role Models & Career Advice QUOTES: 07:24 - “No player is their best version of a baseball player at 12 or 13 years old. They can't be. They physically can't be. They will be their best at 17, 18, 20, 25. And so if they're really that great, then all the more reason to invest in the time and protection and the long-term value.” 14:02 - “I always say my job is not to get you back, my job is to keep you there. If you really want to be good, if you really want to train, the worst possible thing for you is to have to come out, go back in, have to come out, go back in. Consistency in training is what makes somebody excellent.” LINKS Dr. Michael Beasley - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-beasley-md-faap-famssm-caqsm-944768a0/ / https://www.chop.edu/doctors/beasley-michael NATA - https://www.nata.org/ RELATED EPISODES - Curt Schilling on Why Pitching is Broken - https://youtu.be/Zj9GYxyT3iI - Eric Schoenberg on “Fixing” a Pitcher’s Mechanics - https://youtu.be/0FdYIW2PcOQ - The Surgeon Who Saved Sports - Meet Dr. Andrews - https://youtu.be/tkvI56ZiabA - Corey Tremble on What the Best Sports Medicine Departments Do Differently - https://youtu.be/t4pp4JfEOvU - Elly Hart on the Hidden Cost of Elite Youth Gymnastics - https://youtu.be/M7wueRixl0k SPONSORS Beck Bode is a fee-only fiduciary firm that builds personalized roadmaps to keep your money aligned with your life goals. See what real planning looks like at https://beckbode.com Firefly Recovery is offering Behind the Sports Medicine listeners an exclusive discount! Visit https://www.fireflyrecovery.com/discount/BTSM15 to claim your discount and learn more about Firefly Recovery’s approach to recovery and circulation. DISCLAIMER The opinions presented on Behind the Sports Medicine are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any affiliated institutions or partners. The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed medical professional before making any health or treatment decisions. Behind the Sports Medicine and its affiliates assume no liability for the accuracy or application of the information discussed. #YouthSports #PediatricHealthcare #BaseballInjuries #PediatricSportsMedicine #NATA2026

  2. Oct 20

    Episode 84: Dan Canina - Wearable Recovery 2.0: Inside Hyperice's Normatec, Venom, and Nike Hyperboot Innovations

    Wearable Recovery 2.0: Inside Hyperice's Normatech, Venom, and Nike Hyperboot Innovations How can athletic trainers and human performance professionals separate meaningful recovery technology from marketing hype, and how can they use these tools to improve athletic performance without overdoing it? In this episode, recorded live at the 2026 NATA Convention, Dan Canina, Vice President of Performance at Hyperice, joins hosts Andrew Rizza and Dr. Cameron Roth to discuss the evolution of recovery technology and its growing role in sports medicine. He explains why recovery has become a critical part of athletic performance, what clinicians should look for when evaluating new technologies, and how Hyperice is making recovery tools more accessible to athletes at every level. Canina also breaks down the technology behind the Hyperboot, Hyperice's collaboration with Nike that integrates compression and heat into footwear, and explores how wearable recovery technology could change the way athletes prepare and recover. The conversation tackles common recovery myths, the importance of following evidence-based protocols, and how recovery tools can help athletic trainers work more efficiently. Canina also shares what elite athletes do differently and highlights the need for broader research in understudied populations, including female and youth athletes. MEET THE GUEST Dan Canina – Vice President of Performance, Hyperice TOPICS DISCUSSED - The growing role of recovery in athletic performance - Evaluating recovery technology through science and athlete feedback - Hyperice's Hyperboot and the future of wearable recovery - Understanding compression, heat, and recovery protocols - Using recovery technology to improve athletic training room efficiency - Research gaps in recovery science and emerging technologies HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 01:05 – What Is Driving the Shift Toward Prioritizing Recovery? 03:20 – Questions to Ask Before Adopting Recovery Technology 05:23 – Sponsor: Beck Bode 05:50 – What's Next for Recovery Technology? 07:34 – Inside the Nike Collaboration and the Hyperboot Innovation 08:49 – How the Hyperboot Combines Compression and Heat 12:01 – Common Misconceptions About Recovery Technology 13:43 – The Future of the Athletic Training Room 15:51 – What Elite Athletes Do Differently 17:07 – Making Recovery Technology Work for Athletic Trainers 18:48 – Where Recovery Science Still Needs to Grow 19:47 – Lightning Round: Recovery Tools, Recovery Myths & Hype vs. Innovation QUOTES: 03:43 - “Foremost, the most important is to see the science behind a new technology or any given technology modality that you might use with your athletes. What is the efficacy? What is this doing physiologically to the body? What are the outcomes? Show me the research, right? Because there's a lot of things out there that lack peer-reviewed independent studies that make different claims.” 19:23 - “I think to fully understand the scope of the benefits of these different products that we're using and new technologies that are continuing to come out and come into the market, having a wider scope of different individuals and athletes at different levels and of different genders, et cetera, would really help complete the picture of the different applications and what these products can do for people.” LINKS Dan Canina - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-canina-75b8b12b/ Hyperice - https://hyperice.com/ NATA - https://www.nata.org/ SPONSORS Beck Bode is a fee-only fiduciary firm that builds personalized roadmaps to keep your money aligned with your life goals. See what real planning looks like at https://beckbode.com DISCLAIMER The opinions presented on Behind the Sports Medicine are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any affiliated institutions or partners. The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed medical professional before making any health or treatment decisions. Behind the Sports Medicine and its affiliates assume no liability for the accuracy or application of the information discussed. #AthleticTraining #SportsRecovery #RecoveryTechnology #NATA2026 #Hyperice

  3. Oct 8

    Episode 83: Dr. Marsha Grant-Ford - Good Clinician, Bad Preceptor? Dr. Grant-Ford on What Athletic Training Education Still Gets Wrong

    How do we prepare the next generation of athletic trainers to think critically and care for patients when so few educators and preceptors have ever been taught how to teach, and academia doesn't value clinical experience? In this episode, recorded live from the 2026 NATA Convention, Dr. Marsha Grant-Ford, one of the pioneers of athletic training and the first African American woman certified as an athletic trainer in the United States, joins hosts Andrew Rizza and Dr. Cameron Roth to reflect on her remarkable career and the evolution of the profession. Dr. Grant-Ford traces the shift from internship routes to accredited programs, the split of the BOC from NATA, and the progress still needed for women and minorities in leadership. The conversation explores the evolution of athletic training education, the importance of clinical experience and effective preceptors, and why being a good clinician does not automatically make someone a good teacher. Dr. Grant-Ford also discusses the barriers she encountered as a Black woman, the responsibility athletic trainers have when caring for young athletes, and the importance of honesty, integrity, and giving more than you plan to give. MEET THE GUEST Dr. Marsha Grant-Ford – Athletic Training Pioneer, Educator and Clinician TOPICS DISCUSSED - The evolution of athletic training education and clinical supervision - Breaking barriers as a Black woman in athletic training - Why clinical experience matters for educators and preceptors - Mentorship and creating opportunities for the next generation - The qualities that define an exceptional athletic trainer - Legacy, awards, and giving back to the profession HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 01:04 – Evolutions in Athletic Training That Make Dr. Grant-Ford Proud 02:42 – Sponsor: Beck Bode 03:09 – The Injury That Led to Dr. Grant-Ford's Athletic Training Career 08:05 – The Evolution of Athletic Training Education 11:16 – Why Good Clinicians Aren't Always Good Preceptors 12:46 – Teaching Students How to Teach 15:10 – Breaking Barriers as a Black Woman in Athletic Training 20:00 – Turning Barriers into Motivation and Mentorship 23:09 – The Responsibility of Caring for Someone Else's Child 26:55 – What NATA and Dr. Grant-Ford's Namesake Award Mean to Her 32:13 – Lightning Round: Integrity, Best Advice & Life Lessons QUOTES: 14:19 - “So when you're evaluated as an academician, it's all on your service to the community, your publications, and your teaching, not anything clinical that's a part of your background or that you actively do. And I felt that in order to stay relevant, I needed to practice. So despite the hardships that it caused, I have been a practicing athletic trainer the entire time.” 23:18 - “But when I had minority students, … I often told them that your patients need you, they need to see you, and they're going to need you to be sharp. The scrutiny will be much more strict for you. That adage that you have to work twice as hard to be half as good, it’s true, and this is just not going to fly. Most of them took it pretty well. And since then, there have been some emails that came back later that said, ‘I appreciate what you did. I see now what you were talking about.’" LINKS - Dr. Marsha Grant-Ford - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marsha-grant-ford-34248927/ - NATA - https://www.nata.org/ SPONSORS - Beck Bode is a fee-only fiduciary firm that builds personalized roadmaps to keep your money aligned with your life goals. See what real planning looks like at https://beckbode.com DISCLAIMER The opinions presented on Behind the Sports Medicine are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any affiliated institutions or partners. The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed medical professional before making any health or treatment decisions. Behind the Sports Medicine and its affiliates assume no liability for the accuracy or application of the information discussed. #NATA2026 #AthleticTrainer #Mentorship #DiversityInSportsMedicine #Mentorship

  4. Sep 29

    Episode 82: Katie Scott - "It's a New Day at NATA": Inside the Plan to Raise Pay and Reduce Burnout

    How can the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) better support athletic trainers as the profession expands into new workplaces, while also helping clinicians address burnout, salary concerns, and the changing demands of their careers? In this episode, recorded live from the 2026 NATA Convention, Katie Scott, Director of Membership for NATA, joins hosts Andrew Rizza and Dr. Cameron Roth to discuss how the organization is adapting to meet the needs of athletic trainers across both established and emerging practice settings. She explains their focus on employer education, salary resources, workplace support, advocacy, and creating more sustainable working environments. Scott breaks down the latest insights from the updated workplace salary survey and outlines practical steps NATA is taking to help clinicians advocate for higher compensation and healthier workplace environments. The conversation also explores key issues impacting the profession today, including strategies for addressing burnout, the crucial role of peer-to-peer connection, and the support offered through the ATs Care program. Scott highlights how legislative and employer advocacy protects and advances the right to practice, while also outlining long-term goals for growing market share and expanding member engagement. MEET THE GUEST Katie Scott, MS, ATC, CAE – Director of Membership, National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) TOPICS DISCUSSED Supporting athletic trainers across expanding workplace settingsImproving salaries, workplace resources, and professional advocacyAddressing burnout through professional networks and supportGrowing NATA membership and demonstrating its valueKatie Scott's journey from clinical practice to association leadership HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 00:53 – How NATA Is Adapting to Changing Practice Settings 03:51 – Sponsor: Beck Bode 04:17 – Key Needs Identified at the NATA Convention: Salary, Resources & Advocacy 05:42 – Who Is Responsible for Improving Athletic Trainer Salaries? 08:47 – Supporting Members Through Burnout and Demonstrating NATA Value 14:08 – How Advocacy and Legislation Protect the Profession 16:22 – The Future of NATA and Growing the Membership 19:21 – Helping Young Professionals See the Value of NATA Membership 21:22 – Reaching Athletic Trainers Beyond Traditional Communication 23:40 – Katie's Personal Journey into Association Leadership 27:27 – Lightning Round: Networking, Misconceptions & CrossFit QUOTES: 09:49 - “At one point in my career, I was burnt out. If it wasn't for the people and the mentors that I met because of the NATA membership and the opportunities of the networking it provided, I would not have had that support system I needed to get through that really low and that difficult time.” 15:09 - “At one point, there were 300, 400 jobs on the line that athletic trainers were going to get cut because somebody somewhere that pushes a button didn't understand what athletic trainers' roles were and were trying to clean up their system. Because of the 15,000+ athletic trainers who heard the call for action, we overwhelmed the snot out of those decision makers, and not only did they overturn it, but they doubled down.” LINKS Katie Scott - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-scott-ms-atc-cae-58642924/ NATA - https://www.nata.org/ Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer - https://bocatc.org/ SPONSORS Beck Bode is a fee-only fiduciary firm that builds personalized roadmaps to keep your money aligned with your life goals. See what real planning looks like at https://beckbode.com DISCLAIMER The opinions presented on Behind the Sports Medicine are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any affiliated institutions or partners. The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed medical professional before making any health or treatment decisions. Behind the Sports Medicine and its affiliates assume no liability for the accuracy or application of the information discussed. #AthleticTraining #SportsMedicine #NATA2026 #AthleticTrainer #Advocacy

  5. Sep 17

    Episode 81: Does Tape and Cupping Really Help? The Fascia and Nervous System Science Behind It

    Does Tape and Cupping Really Help? The Fascia and Nervous System Science Behind Them What's actually happening beneath a strip of colorful tape or a cupping mark? And what does science actually tell us about their effects on fascial dynamics, neurosensory feedback, and chronic pain mechanisms? In this episode, recorded live from the 2026 NATA Convention, chiropractor and RockTape co-founder Steven Capobianco joins hosts Andrew Rizza and Dr. Cameron Roth to unpack what we actually know about elastic therapeutic tape, cupping, and other manual therapies. He explains how tape creates space between layers of tissue, how cupping acts as a magnified form of decompression, and why the neurosensory effects of these interventions may be just as important as their mechanical effects. The conversation also gets personal as Capobianco shares his experience with persistent pain following major shoulder surgery, including why aggressive treatment made his symptoms worse and how light touch, education, and an understanding of pain neuroscience helped him move forward. He discusses the gap between traditional rehabilitation and the needs of patients with chronic pain, the role manual therapists can play alongside physicians, and the research into chronic pain that has him most excited about the future. MEET THE GUEST Steven Capobianco – DC, DACRB, CCSP, CSCS – Chiropractor and Co-Founder, RockTape TOPICS DISCUSSED How elastic therapeutic tape influences tissue and the nervous systemMechanical "tenting" and improving fascial layer sliding and glidingHow cupping affects tissue, sensory input, and painPersonal lessons from navigating chronic pain and post-operative fear avoidanceWhere manual therapy and recovery modalities are heading HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 00:58 – The Evolution of Kinesiology and Elastic Therapeutic Tape 03:12 – How RockTape Affects the Tissue and Neurosensory Input 05:46 – Sponsor: Beck Bode 06:12 – Understanding Fascial Layers Through the Sandpaper Analogy 08:25 – Using Tape to Influence Fluid Dynamics & Tissue Dynamics 09:52 – How Cupping Changes Movement and Restricted Tissue 14:15 – Steve's Experience with Post-Surgical Pain and Chronic Pain Care 18:37 – The Psychosocial Side of Capobianco's Recovery 20:19 – Lightning Round: Overrated Tools, Favorite Modalities & Future Research QUOTES: 04:35 - “I almost liken it to, I'm Italian, so it would be the lasagna of the body; multiple layers of tissue. … What we're learning about tissue and dynamics of tissue through movement is that they need to be able to slide and glide. And so using something as simple as a strip of elastic tape to create some space so then we can improve the dynamics of those tissues to slide and glide, it's a starting point of creating that change mechanically.” 17:39 - “As well as the education: …even though that I knew, I needed to be told that this was no longer a threat. The surgeon did his job, and I still felt fearful in moving my shoulder because of all of the trauma that I experienced from the procedure as well as my experience. So I had to navigate through those waters, and light touch as well as understanding really got me through that period of time.” LINKS Steven Capobianco - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevencapobianco/ RockTape - https://rocktape.ca/ Neuro Orthopaedic Institute - https://www.noigroup.com/ NATA - https://www.nata.org/ SPONSORS Beck Bode is a fee-only fiduciary firm that builds personalized roadmaps to keep your money aligned with your life goals. See what real planning looks like at https://beckbode.com DISCLAIMER The opinions presented on Behind the Sports Medicine are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any affiliated institutions or partners. The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed medical professional before making any health or treatment decisions. Behind the Sports Medicine and its affiliates assume no liability for the accuracy or application of the information discussed. #ChronicPain #KinesiologyTape #Cupping #PainNeuroscience #NATA2026

  6. Sep 8

    Episode 80: Anthony Kjenstad - 72 Hours to 28: The Nerve Hack Cutting Athlete Recovery Time

    72 Hours to 28: The Nerve Hack Cutting Athlete Recovery Time How can athletic trainers and human performance professionals cut through the noise of trendy gimmicks to build truly effective, scientifically validated recovery protocols for their athletes so they can perform at their best when it truly counts? In this episode, recorded live at the 2026 NATA Convention, Anthony Kjenstad, President of Firefly Recovery, joins hosts Andrew Rizza and Dr. Cameron Roth to explain how Firefly evolved from a medical device designed to prevent post-surgical blood clots into a portable recovery tool used by athletes and athletic trainers. He breaks down how the technology differs from traditional electrical stimulation and pneumatic compression, why the lower-extremity "foot pump" is central to its effect, and what research has revealed about circulation and recovery. The conversation explores where wearable recovery technology fits into an athlete's broader recovery plan, including how it could help a young athlete travelling between games, why portability and implementation matter, and why sleep and nutrition still come before any recovery gadget. Kjenstad also discusses Firefly's emerging upper-extremity applications, new research into heart rate variability, how athletic trainers can distinguish evidence-based technology from trends, and what he believes the future of recovery science and wellness will look like. Firefly Recovery is offering Behind the Sports Medicine listeners an exclusive discount! Visit https://www.fireflyrecovery.com/discount/BTSM15 to claim your discount and learn more about Firefly Recovery’s approach to recovery and circulation. MEET THE GUEST Anthony Kjenstad – President, Firefly Recovery TOPICS DISCUSSED How Firefly uses the nervous system to increase circulationFirefly vs. traditional pneumatic compression and electrical STIMMaking recovery technology practical for travelling athletesThe role of circulation alongside sleep and nutritionEvaluating recovery technology through research and evidenceThe future of wearable recovery and wellness technology HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 00:52 – How Firefly's Recovery Technology Works 01:56 – Using Firefly for Athletic Recovery 03:27 – How Firefly Compares to Other Recovery Modalities 04:20 – Expanding Firefly to the Upper Extremity 05:28 – Sponsor: Beck Bode 05:56 – Where Is Recovery Science Heading? 07:14 – Practical On-the-Go Recovery for Traveling Athletes 11:03 – Balancing Recovery Tools with Sleep, Movement, and Nutrition 14:34 – How Firefly Is Applied, Worn, and Replaced 16:22 – Can Athletes Move Around While Using Firefly? 17:04 – From Blood Clot Prevention to Athlete Recovery Tool 18:05 – Trend or Treatment? Evaluating Recovery Technology 19:41 – The Future of Recovery Science and Longevity 21:25 – Lightning Round: Travel Hacks, Career Advice & Peloton QUOTES: 02:15 - “What we identified is that by palpating the perineal nerve with our modified muscle stim technology, you can cause a slight dorsiflexion of the foot. I call it a ‘foot pump’ or a ‘Firefly flutter’. If you think about it, 70% of our blood's in our lower extremity, we're basically just using your nervous system to pump it back up.” 08:29 - “What we do know about our research is two to four hours is optimal wear time to maximize recovery. You can take that athlete from 72 hours to 28 hours. Early on I wanted to say the quote, ‘We take the day out of recovery’ because by increasing circulation at this dramatic effect, we can actually reduce recovery rates to that effect.” LINKS Anthony Kjenstad - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-kjenstad-74951219/ Firefly Recovery - https://www.fireflyrecovery.com/ NATA - https://www.nata.org/ SPONSORS Beck Bode is a fee-only fiduciary firm that builds personalized roadmaps to keep your money aligned with your life goals. See what real planning looks like at https://beckbode.com DISCLAIMER The opinions presented on Behind the Sports Medicine are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any affiliated institutions or partners. The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed medical professional before making any health or treatment decisions. Behind the Sports Medicine and its affiliates assume no liability for the accuracy or application of the information discussed. #SportsRecovery #NATA2026 #RecoveryTechnology #WearableTechnology #AthleticTraining

  7. Aug 27

    Episode 79 - Dr. Erin Hassler - The Master's Upgrade Hurt Us

    "The Master's Upgrade Hurt Us": A Candid Conversation with Athletic Trainer Dr. Erin Hassler When athletic training shifted to a master's-degree entry requirement, it was supposed to elevate the field. Instead, says 26-year veteran Dr. Erin Hassler, it may have priced athletic trainers out of the market, saddling clinicians with student debt while their pay stayed flat. In this episode, recorded live from the 2026 NATA Convention, Dr. Hassler joins hosts Andrew Rizza and Dr. Cameron Roth to unpack why she believes the industry pulled the wrong lever, and what it would take to fix the coach-heavy sports model that still puts athletic trainers at the bottom of the hierarchy. An athletic trainer, entrepreneur, educator, and executive coach with 26 years of experience across high school, collegiate, professional, and international settings, Hassler also shares how faith, family, and a refusal to take no for an answer shaped a career built on service to others. The conversation ranges from the Sistahood, the mentorship network she built for women of color in sports medicine, to the lessons she's carried home from working with athletes in Peru, Qatar, the UK, and Canada. Hassler also opens up about her book, GOLD MEDAL DOC: From Goals to GOAT, her newest venture, Sports Toolbox — a certification platform designed to close the gap between athletic trainers and the rest of the care team — and why she believes branding and NIL may be the biggest opportunity athletic trainers are leaving on the table. MEET THE GUEST Dr. Erin Hassler - DAT, MBA, MS, ATC, LAT, PES – Athletic Trainer, Entrepreneur, Educator, Executive Coach, and Nationally Recognized Speaker TOPICS DISCUSSED Building an entrepreneurial career in athletic trainingCreating opportunities through mentorship and networking Building the Sistahood, a mentorship network for women of colorBalancing family, career, and entrepreneurial freedomWhy the master's degree requirement is hurting the professionLessons from international clinical experiencesExpanding athletic trainers' value through branding and NIL HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – How Different Levels of Sports Medicine Shaped Dr. Hassler's Career 03:18 – Bringing a Global Perspective on Athletic Training to a Local Campus 04:30 – Sponsor: Beck Bode 05:07 – Relationships and Opportunities Originating from NATA 08:30 – Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship 10:46 – Overcoming Barriers and Building "The Sistahood" 14:05 – The Role of Family in Career Success 15:52 – Insights from Goals to GOAT 19:31 – Lessons from International Sports Medicine 23:33 – Staying Relaxed on the Road & Packing Secrets 27:42 – The Problem with the Master's Requirement & the Sports Hierarchy 32:02 – Collaborative Care vs. Territorial Mindsets 34:58 – What Is the Sports Toolbox? 38:04 – The Opportunity Athletic Trainers Are Missing: Branding & NIL 41:13 – Lightning Round: Mentors, Leadership & Success QUOTES: 27:52 - “Honestly, I think the master's upgrade hurt us. It significantly impacted the workforce because now you're required to go back into school, obtain all these loans. So now your debt goes up, but your pay doesn't go up … But I truly believe that we didn't change the right entity, right? You’ve got to change the whole sport model.” 30:47 - “It comes down to who's a revenue generator and who's not? If you're not making money, I'm not listening to you. How do we know? The NIL of all the kids, right? Now you have student-athletes that make more money than the coach. Right? So we listen to them. We’re not maximizing our NIL opportunities as athletic trainers. And I think with the master's minimum approach, we outpriced ourselves.” LINKS Dr. Erin Hassler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drerinhassler/ Gold Medal Doc - https://goldmedaldoc.com/ GOLD MEDAL DOC: From Goals to GOAT (Gold Medal Doc TM) - https://www.amazon.com/GOLD-MEDAL-DOC-Goals-GOAT-ebook/dp/B09GB64DV9/ The Sistahood - https://goldmedaldoc.com/the-sistahood/ Sports Toolbox - https://www.sportstoolbox.org/ SPONSORS Beck Bode is a fee-only fiduciary firm that builds personalized roadmaps to keep your money aligned with your life goals. See what real planning looks like at https://beckbode.com DISCLAIMER The opinions presented on Behind the Sports Medicine are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any affiliated institutions or partners. The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed medical professional before making any health or treatment decisions. Behind the Sports Medicine and its affiliates assume no liability for the accuracy or application of the information discussed. #AthleticTraining #SportsMedicine #HealthcareEntrepreneurship #NATA2026 #WomenInSportsMedicine

  8. Aug 18

    Episode 78: AJ Duffy III - How NATA Is Fighting for Athletic Trainers

    How do you unite, advance, and advocate for an athletic training workforce facing burnout, salary discrepancies, and evolving institutional demands? For National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) President AJ Duffy III, the answer lies in proactive leadership, active listening, and building strategic partnerships across sports, military, and clinical settings. In this episode, recorded live from the 2026 NATA convention, Duffy joins hosts Andrew Rizza and Dr. Cameron Roth to reflect on a transformative year of leadership under new Executive Director Mollie Pillman and discuss NATA's newly unveiled strategic plan. He details major advocacy wins, including the massive expansion of athletic trainers in the U.S. Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program and the rapid legislative progress toward interstate licensure compacts. Duffy addresses pressing workforce issues like collegiate schedule shifts and gender pay equity. He also shares actionable advice for young professionals on mentorship, risk-taking, and why sometimes the best career move is simply talking to someone who has been there before. MEET THE GUEST AJ Duffy III President, National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) TOPICS DISCUSSED Executing NATA's strategic plan under new leadership Closing pay gaps through the salary survey and gender equity task force Expanding athletic training roles in the Army's H2F program Advancing interstate licensure compacts for workforce mobility Why athletic trainers need to strengthen their visibility Mentorship, risk-taking, and advice for the next generation HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Introduction to AJ Duffy III 00:53 – Looking Back on the Last 12 Months of NATA 02:42 – Listening to Athletic Trainers and Addressing Workforce Issues 04:20 – Sponsor: Beck Bode 04:47 – Fast-Tracking Change on Workforce and Salary Issues 07:43 – The Impact of Athletic Trainers in the Army's H2F Initiative 09:45 – Opportunities for Athletic Trainers in the Coming Years 11:18 – A Major Advocacy Win: Interstate Licensure Compacts 14:50 – NATA's Focus for the Next 12 - 36 Months 17:37 – Career Advice for Students: Mentorship, Networking & Taking Risks 26:26 – Lightning Round: Active Listening, Future Outlook & Favorite Cities QUOTES: 09:18 - “I was at the H2F meeting in Hampton, Virginia in May and I met the two generals that are overseeing H2F, and they said, ‘Keep those Athletic trainers coming.’ So we went from potentially losing 180 positions; they want 700 more. That’s just one example of what we can do with a unified voice.” 19:26 - “I consistently tell students, I say, ‘Please reach out to us.’ I may have used this phrase last year, but I love using it. I say, ‘We outlawed the horseshoe tackle in football, but it's okay to horseshoe tackle the president of the NATA at meetings like this to have time.” LINKS AJ Duffy III - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj-duffy-iii-8aa01b6/ NATA - https://www.nata.org/ RELATED EPISODES Leadership, Legacy, and What’s Next For Athletic Training - https://youtu.be/GqvFm25aYGw SPONSORS Beck Bode is a fee-only fiduciary firm that builds personalized roadmaps to keep your money aligned with your life goals. See what real planning looks like at https://beckbode.com DISCLAIMER The opinions presented on Behind the Sports Medicine are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any affiliated institutions or partners. The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed medical professional before making any health or treatment decisions. Behind the Sports Medicine and its affiliates assume no liability for the accuracy or application of the information discussed. #AthleticTraining #NATA2026 #AthleticTrainers #H2FProgram #LicensurePortability

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About

Interviewing experts in the healthcare, physical therapy, athletic training and sports science profession. Discussing the barriers we face today within the healthcare system to better understand the landscape and educate the consumer.

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  • Creator
    ajrsportsscience
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Behind the Sports Medicine

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