Cogent Conversations

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein speaks with Dr. Bernard Condevaux, an independent practitioner and owner of Superior Athletic Solutions in Denver, Colorado, whose career has included work with professional teams, USA Cycling, Olympic and Pan American athletes, and the Detroit Pistons.

Dr. Condevaux shares the path that took him from an early interest in sports physical therapy to working at the highest levels of competition. The conversation explores the responsibilities that come with caring for high-profile athletes, including confidentiality, professional boundaries, and earning and maintaining an athlete's trust. 

From the road to the Olympics to the sidelines of professional sports, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the career, responsibilities, and professional judgment required to work in sports medicine.

Individuals interested in contacting Dr. Condevaux can reach him at:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bernard-condevaux-pt-dpt-scs-ces-oly-5287926
Instagram: @bernard.condevaux_dpt

As college football gets underway, this episode of Cogent Conversations offers a timely look inside the Division I training room. Dr. Shelley Weinstein sits down with Dr. Alex Brownlow, head physical therapist for Penn State football, to discuss his path from the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine to high-performance sports. The conversation also touches on the realities of working with collegiate athletes, and the collaboration, rehabilitation, and decision-making that happen behind the scenes.

Alex offers practical advice for students and early-career clinicians looking to build their own path in the field.

Summer means more time outside—but protecting your skin is important no matter who you are. In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelley Weinstein sits down with dermatology nurse practitioner Brittany Smith to discuss practical strategies for reducing and preventing sun damage, recognizing early warning signs of skin cancer, and building healthy habits that protect your skin for years to come.

Whether you're an athlete, an athletic trainer, a physical therapist covering the sidelines, or simply someone who enjoys spending time outside, this conversation offers simple, evidence-based steps that can help protect your long-term health. From choosing the right sunscreen and protective clothing to performing skin self-exams and recognizing common skin conditions, you'll leave with simple steps to help keep yourself—and those you care for—safe in the sun.

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein speaks with Dr. Cody Ballay, Senior Physical Therapist at Duke Sports PT and Co-Coordinator of Duke University's Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship. Together, they explore the role of residency and fellowship training in developing clinical reasoning, refining manual therapy skills, and preparing physical therapists for the complexities of clinical practice.

Dr. Ballay shares insights into Duke's fellowship program, the value of mentorship, and the importance of lifelong learning in sports physical therapy. The conversation also offers practical advice for students and early-career clinicians considering advanced training, emphasizing that there is no single path to professional growth, only a commitment to continual learning and purposeful development.

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein sits down with Dr. Alice O’Connor, a current sports physical therapy resident at the University of Utah Health, to explore her journey into residency and the lessons she learned along the way.

From her early interest in sports performance to pivotal clinical rotations during PT school, Dr. O’Connor shares how she decided to pursue a sports residency and what the application process really looks like from a student’s perspective. She discusses the challenges, trade-offs, and key decision points involved in pursuing advanced training, as well as the value of mentorship, networking, and hands-on experience.

This conversation offers practical insights for students and early-career clinicians considering residency training, helping demystify the process and highlighting what it takes to grow into a confident, well-prepared sports physical therapist.

In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein is joined by Dr. Emily Maxwell, physical therapist and assistant coach of the U.S. women’s amputee soccer team, and Sarah Evans, a national team athlete, for a conversation about amputee soccer, adaptive sport, and the community that makes it all possible.

Together, they discuss the growth of the American Amputee Soccer Association, the rise of the women’s program, and the role adaptive sport plays in expanding access and visibility for athletes with limb difference. From Sarah’s personal journey into competition to Emily’s path from physical therapist to coach, the conversation highlights how amputee soccer is opening doors, building community, and reshaping what opportunity in sport can look like.

Emergency planning in youth sports is only as strong as its enforcement. In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein speaks with investigative reporter Stephanie Kuzydym about her deep dive into how schools fall short of athlete safety laws.

Stephanie’s “Safer Sidelines” investigation uncovered widespread failures by Kentucky high schools to comply with state emergency planning laws, revealing how gaps in oversight and enforcement leave student-athletes vulnerable. Through public records requests, data analysis, and a first-of-its-kind national database tracking athlete deaths, her reporting exposes critical gaps in oversight and enforcement of athlete safety, revealing how breakdowns in preparation and accountability can have devastating consequences.

This conversation explores the role of investigative journalism in advancing athlete safety, the importance of emergency action plans in high school sports, and how transparency and accountability can help prevent future tragedies.

Student-run EMS programs are powerful incubators for clinical skill and leadership. In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein explores that model in action with Brad Morrison and Andrew Tang, crew chiefs for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology EMS Service in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Both MIT graduates and seasoned EMTs, Brad and Andrew discuss their work training and mentoring student volunteers who provide ambulance operations for the MIT campus and surrounding communities. The conversation explores the intersection of education and emergency care and how volunteer EMS programs can help develop clinical skills, leadership, and a lasting commitment to service.

Careers in sports medicine rarely follow a single path. In this episode of Cogent Conversations, Dr. Shelly Weinstein is joined by Dr. Lisa Piropato, a dual-credentialed physical therapist and athletic trainer whose career spans clinical care, education, administration, business ownership, and residency leadership.

Together, they explore how athletic training and sports physical therapy complement one another across the continuum of athlete care—from injury through return to sport. Dr. Piropato also discusses her work supporting pregnant and postpartum athletes, her involvement in adaptive sports, and her commitment to expanding access to high-quality care. Throughout the conversation, she shares insights for students and early-career professionals on navigating career choices, embracing diverse roles, and building a professional path that aligns with both personal goals and the evolving demands of sports medicine.

Each summer, the Warrior Games bring together service members and veterans from across the branches of the U.S. military to compete in adaptive sports and celebrate resilience, teamwork, and recovery. This episode of Cogent Conversations discusses the history of the Games and the behind-the-scenes coordination that keeps them running safely each year. 

Our host, Dr. Shelly Weinstein, is joined by Dr. Chris Meyering, medical director of the Warrior Games; Dr. Jessy McLean, sports physical therapy resident with the U.S. Navy in Quantico; and returning guest Dr. Megan Mitchell, physical therapist and instructor at Cogent Steps. Together, they discuss emergency action planning, on-site medical support, athlete rehabilitation, and interagency collaboration—reflecting on the powerful connections forged through adaptive competition and the lessons learned from serving those who serve.