To The Bone: Sports Medicine Podcast

Shelby Daly interviews Kyle Peckham, a certified athletic trainer and creator of Athletic Trainer Finder, a platform designed to connect athletic trainers with job opportunities and professional networks. They discuss the challenges faced by athletic trainers in the job market, the importance of salary transparency, and the need for education and advocacy within the profession. Kyle shares insights on how Athletic Trainer Finder aims to modernize job searching for athletic trainers and the future potential of the platform.

Shelby Daly speaks with Deanna Kuykendall and Karen Fennell about the role of athletic trainers in the military, particularly in relation to the H2F program. They discuss the recent controversy surrounding the removal of athletic trainers, the advocacy efforts that followed from the National Athletic Training Association's Governmental Affairs and Political Action Committee (NATAPAC), and the importance of communication and relationships in navigating legislative challenges. The conversation emphasizes the need for proactive measures and member engagement to ensure the continued success and recognition of athletic trainers in various settings.

In the second part of the H2F series, Mackenize Heck describes the intricacies of military athletic training within the H2F (Holistic Health and Fitness) program. She discusses a typical day for an athletic trainer, the importance of collaboration with strength and conditioning coaches, and the management of common injuries among trainees. The conversation also highlights recent updates in the H2F program, including data management systems and the future of athletic training in the military, emphasizing the need for trust and education in the field.

MacKenzie Heck and Shelby Daly dive into the unexpected announcement regarding job cuts for athletic trainers from the military setting, highlighting the confusion and lack of communication surrounding the issue. It reflects on the emotional impact of such news on professionals in the field.

Shelby Daly discusses her capstone project, 'To the Bone,' which addresses the challenges faced by athletic trainers, particularly in professional responsibility and career sustainability. She emphasizes the importance of Domain 5 competencies and the need for open dialogue within the profession. Through her podcast, she aims to create a platform for authentic conversations that foster professional growth and engagement. Daly shares insights on listener demographics, feedback, and her future goals for the podcast, highlighting the challenges of generating revenue and sustaining content creation.ReferencesBOC. Practice Analysis 7th Edition. 2015. https://at.bocatc.org/practice_analysis/BOC. Practice Analysis 8th Edition. 2024. https://at.bocatc.org/practice_analysis_types/2/purchases/newCambridge Dictionary. 2025. Retrieved from: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/englishEdler, JR. et al. Athletic Training Assessment of Knowledge Inconsistent with Perceptions of Knowledge Needs: Part II. IJAHSP. 2020 Jan 01;18(1), Article 7. DOI: 10.46743/1540-580X/2020.1824Kahanov, L. Age, sex, and setting factors and labor force in athletic training. JAT. 2011;46(4):424-30. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-46.4.424.Kakungulu, S. The Role of Podcasts in Shaping Public Discourse. Research Invention Journal of Research in Education. 2025;5(1):60-66. DOI 10.59298/RIJRE/2025/516066 McClain, C. About half of TikTok users under 30 say they use it to keep up with politics, news. Pew Research Center. 2024. https://pewrsr.ch/3SVKrdWMerriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2025. Retrieved November 8, 2025 from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Oglesby, L. Athletic Trainer Burnout: A Systematic Review of the Literature. JAT. 2020;55(4):416-430. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-43-19Shearer, E. et al. Podcast use among different age groups. Pew Research Center. 2023. https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2023/04/18/podcast-use-among-different-age-groups/Weingart, P. et al. Public engagement with science-Origins, motives and impact in academic literature and science policy. PLoS One. 2021;16(7):e0254201. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254201

In this conversation, shares his extensive background in athletic training and discusses the challenges faced by professionals in the field. He highlights the issues of burnout and moral injury, the need for a reevaluation of the business model, and the importance of advocacy and leadership. The impact of COVID-19 on athletic training is also addressed, along with the critical issue of professional identity. Jim emphasizes the role of social media in shaping discussions and the need for innovative solutions to navigate the future of athletic training. In this conversation, Jim Raynor discusses the evolving role of athletic trainers and the challenges they face in terms of job opportunities, value perception, and leadership within the profession. He emphasizes the importance of innovative business models, the need for advocacy and engagement to enhance the profession's standing in the healthcare system. Raynor also highlights the dichotomy between the roles athletic trainers are trained for and the positions they often find themselves in, urging for a reevaluation of the profession's value proposition and the need for a proactive approach to change.

Shelby Daly sits down with Dr. Stacy Walker, a founding leader of the Association of Athletic Training Education (AATE). They delve into the creation and evolution of AATE, its role in advancing athletic training education, and the challenges faced by the profession. Stacy discusses the importance of nimbleness and strategic planning in professional organizations. The conversation also touches on the broader landscape of athletic training and the need for specialized support for educators and other aspects of the profession. Join us for a deep dive into the future of athletic training education and the pivotal role of AATE in shaping it.

www.aated.org

In this episode, Shelby Daly interviews Paul Higgs, who works in an innovative athletic training clinic where it redefines the role of athletic trainers in healthcare. They discuss the Center for Exercise Medicine and Rehabilitation, the unique business model of the clinic, the challenges and opportunities in third-party reimbursement, and the importance of preventative care. Paul emphasizes the need for athletic trainers to advocate for their profession and the services they provide, while also addressing the ethical considerations in billing and patient care. The conversation concludes with advice for aspiring athletic trainers and thoughts on the future of the profession.

Agustin Melendez is a certified athletic trainer and founder of Combat Sports Medicine. Augie has carved out a unique role working ringside and cage-side as both an athletic trainer and professional cutman, supporting some of the toughest athletes in the world. From managing injuries in the middle of a fight camp to controlling bleeding between rounds, his work demands precision, calm under pressure, and a deep understanding of what it means to keep fighters safe while helping them perform at their best. What can we learn from working ringside?

In this episode Shelby sits down with Lynn Allen, President of Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy International (ARTI), to explore the growing global movement toward unified professional standards in sports medicine and athletic therapy in Ireland.

Lynn shares her journey through athletic therapy leadership and the mission behind ARTI — to promote international recognition, collaboration, and professional mobility for Athletic Therapists and Rehabilitation Therapists around the world. Together, they discuss how ARTI is bridging the gap between countries’ credentialing systems and helping clinicians gain mutual recognition across borders.