Behind the Sports Medicine

“An Insurance Policy as Much as Anything”: The Hidden Cause of Athletic Trainer BurnoutHow can athletic trainers earn what they’re worth and avoid burnout when schools treat them like an insurance policy, workloads keep growing, and fewer new athletic trainers are entering the profession?In this episode, recorded live at the 2026 NATA Convention, Mitch Hauschildt, Prevention and Rehab Coordinator at Missouri State, returns to join hosts Andrew Rizza and Dr. Cameron Roth for a candid conversation about the state of athletic training. Drawing on nearly 25 years in the profession, he discusses burnout, the importance of work-life balance, and surviving a career where athletic trainers are often treated as cheap liability coverage rather than a source of clinical value.The conversation also explores the expanding role of mental health in athlete care, concussion prevention, building trust between healthcare professionals, and the importance of education and mentorship. Hauschildt sheds light on some nontraditional career paths that athletic trainers may not have considered.MEET THE GUESTMitch Hauschildt – MA, ATC, CSCS– Prevention and Rehab Coordinator, Missouri State UniversityTOPICS DISCUSSED- Burnout, compensation, and work-life balance- Navigating constant change and increasing demands in college athletics- Mental health preparedness and concussion prevention in sports- Building trust through communication, mentorship, and teamworkHIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction01:19 – What's Changed in College Athletics Over the Past Year?02:47 – Sponsor: Beck Bode03:20 – Why Hauschildt Expanded Beyond Traditional Athletic Training Roles05:13 – Essential Advice for Young Athletic Trainers: Education & Networking06:55 – The Reality of Long Hours and Managing Burnout08:44 – Why Schools See Athletic Trainers as an Insurance Policy12:33 – Financial Realities and the Challenge of Staff Compensation15:51 – Staff-to-Athlete Ratios and the Impact on Quality of Care18:47 – Expanding Mental Health Support in Collegiate Athletics23:46 – Concussions, CTE & Red Light Therapy Research29:32 – How Athletic Trainers Can Provide More Value32:17 – Building Trust Through Communication and Relationships34:18 – Lightning Round: Skills, Career Lessons & the Future of Athletic TrainingQUOTES:09:15 - “Many of the school systems or people that we're providing services to really almost see us as an insurance policy as much as anything …Well, I don't know about you guys, but when I buy car insurance, I'm not really that concerned about what the services are. I'm concerned with, does it check all the boxes and what's the cheapest rate?” - Mitch Hauschildt18:17 - “Even if you look at the NCAA just in the last five years, the way we've expanded mental healthcare and coverage — and I'm all for it. I think it's vital, especially in today's world — but the coverage we have to have on the mental health side in the NCAA is requiring more of us as athletic trainers, if nothing else, to be able to recognize and triage those people. Well, that takes more hands, more eyes, and more well-trained individuals, but we have less coming out of school to backfill some of those roles.” - Mitch HauschildtLINKS- Mitch Hauschildt - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchhauschildt/- Missouri State University - https://www.missouristate.edu/- NATA - https://www.nata.org/RELATED EPISODES- From Pain to Performance: Mitch Hauschildt Reveals the Future of Sports Medicine - https://youtu.be/tQQG1A4lDIY- Why the Turf You're Playing On Could Be Increasing Trauma Risk by 500% - https://youtu.be/heJMI2tKHwI- The Future of the Athletic Training Profession - Matthew Smitley - https://youtu.be/_s5hG8YXYeI- Inside the NFL Concussion Crisis with Former New England Patriot Ted Johnson - https://youtu.be/01Opfvv5rY8- “Let No One Outwork You”: Isaiah Kacyvenski’s Journey From Poverty to the NFL & Venture Capital - https://youtu.be/QkFHaeGbsn0SPONSORSBeck 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.comFirefly 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.ROCKTAPE | EXCLUSIVE LISTENER OFFER Get 50% OFF all FMT Plus courses.Use code BTSM50 at checkout. Explore courses at fmtplus.comDISCLAIMERThe 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 #CollegeSports #NATA2026 #Burnout #MentalHealth

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 GUESTDr. 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 decisionsHIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction01:13 – The Risks of Early Sports Specialization03:11 – Sponsor: Beck Bode03:37 – Why Chasing Velocity Leads to Injury in Youth Baseball05:28 – Advice for Parents of Young Athletes07:57 – Has Youth Baseball Lost the Fun?11:37 – Clinical Case: 12-Year-Old Pitcher with Elbow Pain15:26 – Structuring Physical Therapy Beyond the Injured Joint16:45 – Return-to-Sport Decisions and the Role of Athletic Trainers20:43 – Clinical Case: 12-Year-Old Gymnast with Lower Back Pain24:40 – Common Injuries in Adolescent Throwers26:32 – Why We Need to Protect Young Athletes Like Professional Athletes30:13 – Safe Pain Rules and Navigating Return-to-Play Expectations35:18 – Concussions: Managing Academics, Exercise, and Normalcy42:23 – Lightning Round: Favorite Pathology to Treat43:08 – Should You Tell Patients They're Going to Be Fine?45:47 – Lightning Round Continued: Myths, Role Models & Career AdviceQUOTES: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.”LINKSDr. Michael Beasley - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-beasley-md-faap-famssm-caqsm-944768a0/ / https://www.chop.edu/doctors/beasley-michaelNATA - 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 SPONSORSBeck 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

Wearable Recovery 2.0: Inside Hyperice's Normatech, Venom, and Nike Hyperboot InnovationsHow 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 GUESTDan Canina– Vice President of Performance, HypericeTOPICS 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 technologiesHIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction01:05 – What Is Driving the Shift Toward Prioritizing Recovery?03:20 – Questions to Ask Before Adopting Recovery Technology05:23 – Sponsor: Beck Bode05:50 – What's Next for Recovery Technology?07:34 – Inside the Nike Collaboration and the Hyperboot Innovation08:49 – How the Hyperboot Combines Compression and Heat12:01 – Common Misconceptions About Recovery Technology13:43 – The Future of the Athletic Training Room15:51 – What Elite Athletes Do Differently17:07 – Making Recovery Technology Work for Athletic Trainers18:48 – Where Recovery Science Still Needs to Grow19:47 – Lightning Round: Recovery Tools, Recovery Myths & Hype vs. InnovationQUOTES: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.”LINKSDan Canina - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-canina-75b8b12b/Hyperice - https://hyperice.com/NATA - https://www.nata.org/SPONSORSBeck 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.comDISCLAIMERThe 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

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 GUESTDr. Marsha Grant-Ford– Athletic Training Pioneer, Educator and ClinicianTOPICS 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 professionHIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction01:04 – Evolutions in Athletic Training That Make Dr. Grant-Ford Proud02:42 – Sponsor: Beck Bode03:09 – The Injury That Led to Dr. Grant-Ford's Athletic Training Career08:05 – The Evolution of Athletic Training Education11:16 – Why Good Clinicians Aren't Always Good Preceptors12:46 – Teaching Students How to Teach15:10 – Breaking Barriers as a Black Woman in Athletic Training20:00 – Turning Barriers into Motivation and Mentorship23:09 – The Responsibility of Caring for Someone Else's Child26:55 – What NATA and Dr. Grant-Ford's Namesake Award Mean to Her32:13 – Lightning Round: Integrity, Best Advice & Life LessonsQUOTES: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.comDISCLAIMER 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

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 GUESTKatie Scott, MS, ATC, CAE – Director of Membership, National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)TOPICS DISCUSSEDSupporting 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 leadershipHIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction00:53 – How NATA Is Adapting to Changing Practice Settings 03:51 – Sponsor: Beck Bode04:17 – Key Needs Identified at the NATA Convention: Salary, Resources & Advocacy05:42 – Who Is Responsible for Improving Athletic Trainer Salaries?08:47 – Supporting Members Through Burnout and Demonstrating NATA Value14:08 – How Advocacy and Legislation Protect the Profession 16:22 – The Future of NATA and Growing the Membership19:21 – Helping Young Professionals See the Value of NATA Membership21:22 – Reaching Athletic Trainers Beyond Traditional Communication 23:40 – Katie's Personal Journey into Association Leadership27:27 – Lightning Round: Networking, Misconceptions & CrossFitQUOTES: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.”LINKSKatie 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/ SPONSORSBeck 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.comDISCLAIMER 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

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 GUESTSteven Capobianco – DC, DACRB, CCSP, CSCS– Chiropractor and Co-Founder, RockTapeTOPICS DISCUSSEDHow 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 headingHIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction00:58 – The Evolution of Kinesiology and Elastic Therapeutic Tape03:12 – How RockTape Affects the Tissue and Neurosensory Input05:46 – Sponsor: Beck Bode06:12 – Understanding Fascial Layers Through the Sandpaper Analogy08:25 – Using Tape to Influence Fluid Dynamics & Tissue Dynamics09:52 – How Cupping Changes Movement and Restricted Tissue14:15 – Steve's Experience with Post-Surgical Pain and Chronic Pain Care18:37 – The Psychosocial Side of Capobianco's Recovery20:19 – Lightning Round: Overrated Tools, Favorite Modalities & Future ResearchQUOTES: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.” LINKSSteven Capobianco - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevencapobianco/ RockTape - https://rocktape.ca/ Neuro Orthopaedic Institute - https://www.noigroup.com/ NATA - https://www.nata.org/SPONSORSBeck 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.comDISCLAIMER 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

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 GUESTAnthony Kjenstad– President, Firefly RecoveryTOPICS DISCUSSEDHow 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 technologyHIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction00:52 – How Firefly's Recovery Technology Works01:56 – Using Firefly for Athletic Recovery03:27 – How Firefly Compares to Other Recovery Modalities04:20 – Expanding Firefly to the Upper Extremity05:28 – Sponsor: Beck Bode05:56 – Where Is Recovery Science Heading?07:14 – Practical On-the-Go Recovery for Traveling Athletes11:03 – Balancing Recovery Tools with Sleep, Movement, and Nutrition14:34 – How Firefly Is Applied, Worn, and Replaced16:22 – Can Athletes Move Around While Using Firefly?17:04 – From Blood Clot Prevention to Athlete Recovery Tool18:05 – Trend or Treatment? Evaluating Recovery Technology19:41 – The Future of Recovery Science and Longevity21:25 – Lightning Round: Travel Hacks, Career Advice & PelotonQUOTES: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.”LINKSAnthony Kjenstad - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-kjenstad-74951219/Firefly Recovery - https://www.fireflyrecovery.com/NATA - https://www.nata.org/SPONSORSBeck 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.comDISCLAIMERThe 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

"The Master's Upgrade Hurt Us": A Candid Conversation with Athletic Trainer Dr. Erin HasslerWhen 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 GUESTDr. Erin Hassler - DAT, MBA, MS, ATC, LAT, PES– Athletic Trainer, Entrepreneur, Educator, Executive Coach, and Nationally Recognized SpeakerTOPICS DISCUSSEDBuilding 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 NILHIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction01:00 – How Different Levels of Sports Medicine Shaped Dr. Hassler's Career03:18 – Bringing a Global Perspective on Athletic Training to a Local Campus04:30 – Sponsor: Beck Bode05:07 – Relationships and Opportunities Originating from NATA08:30 – Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship10:46 – Overcoming Barriers and Building "The Sistahood"14:05 – The Role of Family in Career Success15:52 – Insights from Goals to GOAT19:31 – Lessons from International Sports Medicine23:33 – Staying Relaxed on the Road & Packing Secrets27:42 – The Problem with the Master's Requirement & the Sports Hierarchy32:02 – Collaborative Care vs. Territorial Mindsets34:58 – What Is the Sports Toolbox?38:04 – The Opportunity Athletic Trainers Are Missing: Branding & NIL41:13 – Lightning Round: Mentors, Leadership & SuccessQUOTES: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.”LINKSDr. 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/ SPONSORSBeck 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.comDISCLAIMER 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

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 GUESTAJ Duffy IIIPresident, National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) TOPICS DISCUSSEDExecuting NATA's strategic plan under new leadershipClosing pay gaps through the salary survey and gender equity task forceExpanding athletic training roles in the Army's H2F programAdvancing interstate licensure compacts for workforce mobilityWhy athletic trainers need to strengthen their visibilityMentorship, risk-taking, and advice for the next generationHIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction to AJ Duffy III00:53 – Looking Back on the Last 12 Months of NATA02:42 – Listening to Athletic Trainers and Addressing Workforce Issues 04:20 – Sponsor: Beck Bode04:47 – Fast-Tracking Change on Workforce and Salary Issues07:43 – The Impact of Athletic Trainers in the Army's H2F Initiative09:45 – Opportunities for Athletic Trainers in the Coming Years11:18 – A Major Advocacy Win: Interstate Licensure Compacts14:50 – NATA's Focus for the Next 12 - 36 Months17:37 – Career Advice for Students: Mentorship, Networking & Taking Risks26:26 – Lightning Round: Active Listening, Future Outlook & Favorite CitiesQUOTES: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 EPISODESLeadership, Legacy, and What’s Next For Athletic Training - https://youtu.be/GqvFm25aYGwSPONSORSBeck 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.comDISCLAIMER 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

Expensive Urine: Why Most Athletes Are Wasting Money on the Wrong Supplements Athletes are constantly bombarded with supplement recommendations, viral health trends, and conflicting nutrition advice. But how do you know what's actually backed by evidence, what's safe to take, and what could unintentionally harm your performance, or even violate anti-doping rules? According to sports pharmacist Dr. Kaleigh Steelman, most of what's on the shelf is just going to end up as "expensive urine”, and for competitive athletes, picking the wrong product can mean far more than wasted money.In this episode, recorded live at the 2026 NATA Convention, hosts Andrew Rizza and Dr. Cameron Roth are joined by Dr. Steelman and registered dietitian Sean Casey from the Sports Pharmacy Network. Together, they explain why sports pharmacy is one of the most overlooked disciplines in athlete care.The conversation explores why bloodwork should guide supplementation rather than social media trends, how wearable data can both help and hinder athletes, and why optimizing basic health foundations—like diet, sleep, and breathwork—often yields better results than chasing the latest viral supplement. They also dig into the nuances of vitamin D and magnesium dosing, the surprising link between certain antibiotics and Achilles tendon injuries, why GLP-1 use is becoming a growing concern for bone and muscle health, and what athletes should know before trying peptides.MEET THE GUESTSDr. Kaleigh Steelman, PharmD- Director of Research, Sports Pharmacy Network- Sports PharmacistSean Casey, RD - Board Member, Sports Pharmacy Network - Registered DietitianTOPICS DISCUSSED- What sports pharmacy is and how it supports athletes- Evaluating social media trends, supplement claims, and third-party testing- Vitamin D, magnesium, and the science of bioavailability- The impact of breathwork and holistic health practices on performance- Antibiotics, GLP-1s, peptides, and other emerging medication risks- Building relationships between athletic trainers and pharmacistsHIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Introduction01:09 – What Is Sports Pharmacy?02:31 – Sponsor: Beck Bode02:57 – A Day in the Life of a Sports Dietitian04:17 – Navigating Diet Fads and Social Media Nutrition Trends05:54 – Common Questions About Supplements07:22 – What to Do If an Athlete Thinks They're Deficient08:58 – Wearable Data and Subjective Athlete Feedback11:33 – When Athletes Become Too Dependent on Data13:07 – Rethinking Vitamin D Reference Ranges16:21 – Understanding Magnesium Forms17:45 – Bioavailability and Different Supplement Formulations19:38 – Barriers and Misconceptions Surrounding Sports Pharmacy21:41 – Cultural Differences in International Athlete Care: Breathwork26:56 – Research Trends to Watch: The Rise of GLP-1s28:52 – The Future of Sports Pharmacy, and Joining the Network31:25 – Medication Risks Every Athlete Should Know33:36 – Managing Risks with Hormone Protocols and TRT33:56 – Hopes for the Future of Sports Pharmacy34:41 – Supplements to Avoid35:56 – Biggest Takeaways for Athletes and Supplement Warnings37:11 – Emerging Compounds: Hype, Evidence, and Anti-Doping Regulations QUOTES:04:41 - “As boring as fruits and vegetables are, about three years ago, I went through every client that I worked with for the previous 20 years — which ranged from high school athletes up to multiple Olympians and pro athletes — to see what had the biggest impact. It's fruits and vegetables.” - Sean Casey07:07 - “Some of the supplements are just going to lead to expensive urine, as I like to say. ‘You're just going to pee it out if it's not necessary in your body.’ Unfortunately, that's what a lot of it is: marketing and the tactics on social media.” - Kaleigh SteelmanLINKS Dr. Kaleigh Steelman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaleigh-steelman-548131224/ Sean Casey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-casey-cscs-rd-14299520/ Sports Pharmacy Network - https://sportsrxnetwork.com SPONSORSBeck 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.comDISCLAIMER 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.#SportsPharmacy #SportsNutrition #SportsPharmacyNetwork #SportsPerformance #HumanPerformance