433. From Physical Therapist to Nike Sports Science Director: Dr. Blaise Williams' Journey

On this episode of the Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast, Dr. Blaise Williams shares his journey from being a physical therapy student to becoming the Director of Field Services at the Nike Sport Research Lab. He discusses his educational background, including his undergraduate degree in biology and environmental science, and how he stumbled upon physical therapy as a career. Dr. Williams explains how he developed a passion for running-related research and biomechanics, which led him to pursue a PhD and eventually work in various research labs. He also talks about his experience setting up and running a research lab at East Carolina University and later at VCU. Finally, Dr. Williams discusses his current role at Nike and how he is using his expertise to serve athletes and everyday runners.

Key Takeaways:

- Physical therapists have a unique understanding of human movement and can play a valuable role in various industries, such as sports science and product development.

- The field of physical therapy offers opportunities beyond traditional patient care, including research, consulting, and advising.

- Technology, such as wearables, provides new opportunities for physical therapists to analyze and interpret human movement data.

- Physical therapists should embrace their knowledge and expertise in human movement and actively seek out opportunities to contribute to discussions and advancements in the field.

D. S. Blaise Williams III, Ph.D., MPT, FACSM is Director of Field Science and Services on the Field Experience Team within the NIKE Sport Research Lab. Blaise is an energetic and seasoned leader in Applied Human Movement Science with more than 20 years’ experience guiding projects and platforms with multidisciplinary teams. Through innovation, education and service to ALL athletes, Blaise is focused on the future of sport science and its role for healthy participation across the globe.

You can learn more about him at: https://www.nike.com/nikelab/nde-nike-sports-research-lab

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