Optimize Your Game, a Podcast from the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute

On this episode of Optimize Your Game, Dr. Lee Kaplan sits down with Miami Host Committee Legend Gilberto Silva, World Cup Champion, former Brazil National Team midfielder, Arsenal great, and FIFA Technical Study Group analyst.

Gilberto shares his remarkable journey from playing barefoot in a small village in Brazil, to working in a factory to help support his family, to earning one final chance at professional soccer — a chance that ultimately led him to the World Cup, the Premier League, and one of the most respected careers in the sport. Together, Dr. Kaplan and Gilberto explore what separates elite performers, and Gilberto reflects on the evolution of modern soccer performance, and why the mental side of the game is now as essential as nutrition, recovery, tactics, and physical training.

The conversation also celebrates soccer’s unique power to unite people across countries, cultures, and generations — and the deep meaning of representing your family, your hometown, and your country on the world stage.

In this episode of Optimize Your Game, Dr. Lee Kaplan sits down with Donna Shalala—former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and past President of the University of Miami—for a conversation on leadership, resilience, and impact.

Drawing from decades of experience across education, government, and healthcare, Dr. Shalala reflects on the realities of leading complex organizations, staying closely connected to the communities you serve, and navigating decisions that carry long-term consequences.

She also looks ahead to the evolving role of artificial intelligence in healthcare—particularly its potential to improve patient outcomes.

This conversation offers a rare look at leadership from someone who has operated at the highest levels—and what it takes to lead with purpose in moments that matter most.

In this episode, Dr. Lee Kaplan sits down with Greg Mark, former standout defensive lineman and a longtime coach for the Miami Hurricanes.

Greg shares what it takes to build champions the right way—developing young men, demanding accountability, and putting team before self. He reflects on the football culture he was raised in - earning your role on the team through patience, humility, and distinct contributions - not entitlement.

The conversation also explores what Miami football has meant to him across decades as both a player and defensive line coach - offering a timeless perspective on leadership, legacy, and culture that transcends the game.

Dr. Lee Kaplan sits down with Harvard Business School professor Dr. Regina Herzlinger — widely regarded as the “Godmother of Consumer-Driven Healthcare.” Together, they explore how empowering individuals to make informed choices can transform both personal health outcomes and the healthcare system itself. Herzlinger explains why transparency, interoperability, team-based medicine and the power of private innovation are essential to building a system that performs as well as the people it serves. She also shares deeply personal insights on resilience and what it really means to “bet on yourself.” A candid conversation at the intersection of medicine, innovation, and human performance—and a reminder that the future of healthcare begins with those bold enough to rethink it. 

You can learn more about Dr. Herzlinger at HBS.edu.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Pat Whitely, a cornerstone of student life at the University of Miami and a leader whose influence spans decades.

As the U celebrates its centennial, Pat reflects on the evolution of student affairs and the strategies that have shaped a culture of excellence. She shares why prioritizing student well-being and safety isn’t just a responsibility—it’s the foundation for optimizing performance in every arena, from academics to athletics and beyond.

This conversation is a deep dive into leadership, resilience, and the art of building systems that empower human potential.

You can learn more about Pat Whitely and her work at https://studentaffairs.miami.edu.

In this special episode, the tables turn as Optimize Your Game host Dr. Lee Kaplan, Director of the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute, steps into the guest seat. Drawing from a career spent treating and studying elite athletes — from college champions to professional icons — Dr. Kaplan shares what decades in sports medicine have taught him about discipline, recovery, mindset, and the science of sustained performance.

From the operating room to the sidelines, he reflects on the patterns of excellence that define the world’s best — and how those same principles can help anyone pursue greatness in their own life.

You can learn more about Dr. Lee Kaplan at UHealthSports.com.

In this episode, we sit down with Stephania Bell, ESPN’s lead injury analyst and one of the most trusted voices in sports medicine reporting. Stephania takes us through the evolution of her career — from physical therapist, into fantasy football analysis, and ultimately becoming a fixture in sports broadcasting.

She opens up about the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field and the importance of developing a thick skin in the face of criticism. Beyond her career journey, Stephania also shares what she has learned about the mental side of injury rehabilitation, and how mindset plays as critical a role as physical treatment in an athlete’s return to play.

This conversation is a candid look at resilience, reinvention, and the balance between cultivating credibility, spotting opportunity early, and persistence in high-performance environments.

You can learn more about Stephania at @StephaniaBell on Instagram or @Stephania_ESPN on X.

In this episode of Optimize Your Game, we sit down with Scot Morrison, Performance Science Director for the Miami Marlins, to discuss how data is transforming player performance and recovery in Major League Baseball. Scot shares how the Marlins leverage analytics, technology, and individualized performance plans to optimize training, manage workload, and keep athletes competing at their best.

You can learn more about Scot and the Miami Marlins at www.mlb.com/marlins.

In this episode of Optimize Your Game, we sit down with David Zambrana, President and Chief Operating Officer of Jackson Health System, to explore what it truly means to lead with humility in today’s healthcare environment. With decades of experience leading complex organizations, David shares how intensely human leadership—rooted in trust, empathy, and a deep respect for frontline staff—can drive meaningful performance and lasting impact. From building culture to making better decisions by listening to the people delivering the results, David offers practical insights for professionals across industries who want to elevate their teams and cultivate efficacy as leaders.

Jason Green, Chief Revenue Officer for Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Dolphins, F1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix and Miami Open discusses how Hard Rock Stadium serves as a stage for everything from international soccer matches to sold-out concerts, and how each event demands a tailored marketing approach. We dive into his leadership philosophy, and reflect on what makes the Miami market truly unique—and how to turn that complexity into opportunity.

You can learn more about Jason's work at HardRockStadium.com.