Guest Blog: Sports Medicine Broadcast

The SWATA blog would like to introduce the November guest blogger, Jeremy Jackson. In this month’s guest blog, Pasadena High School athletic trainer Jeremy Jackson introduces SWATA members to his Sports Medicine Broadcast. As we all know, athletic training is a profession unlike any other. We are a family. We work together and learn from each other daily. The Sports Medicine Broadcast is the definition of that, and something everyone should hear about. Thank you for being our guest blogger Jeremy.

I started the Sports Medicine Broadcast as a project for my students. I wanted something new, innovative and a way to bring medical professionals into the classroom.  I’ll be the first to admit that I am not the best at forward thinking or long-term planning; however, this podcast has helped to create great potential for my future as an Athletic Trainer.  If you go back and listen to some of my first episodes like Think Outside The Gym (episode # 4), you will see that the show has greatly improved over time. Listening to the current broadcast you will hopefully notice vast improvements in areas like sound and video quality and interview questions.  

The thing is, though, we all have to start somewhere.  Just like in our work as Athletic Trainers, or as parents, teachers, or whatever we do, we have to START doing it to learn.  I am truly grateful that God has given me courage when faced with risk. I tend to just jump in and figure things out without a fear of failure.  This blog post is another example. I do not write a blog because I am not a great writer, but I am willing to give it a shot in hopes of encouraging others to do the same.

A little more about the podcast:

I have always said we are changing the way Athletic Training education is done. We are currently able to offer CEUs (sponsored by GHATS) for participating in the live broadcast.  We do a show almost every Wednesday during the school year and then sporadically through the summer as I attend conferences.  This summer at SWATA convention I was able to interview Scott Sailor, NATA President.  I was also able to meet several people from around the region who are listeners to the show.  The topics are usually selected based upon something I want to learn or suggestions from you, the listener.  I discussed in episode 186 that I sometimes feel intimidated to ask questions in large groups of ATs in conferences and I don’t want to be that one person holding everyone up.  This podcast is my way of getting everything answered in a way I understand.  If you listen live then you can be actively involved in getting your questions answered, too.  If you are an expert in something contact me and we can discuss you being on the show or start your own podcast or blog.  If it will bring value to the listeners of the Sports Medicine Broadcast then I want to know about it.  Adding value to your practice as an AT is why I have partnered with School Health to give away gift cards each month to podcast listeners.  There is a new password each month so be sure to listen to find out or join the email list.

As technology continues to evolve and provide more options, so does the service I hope to provide all of my listeners.  I am currently working on a way for people to watch the recorded version of the live broadcast and earn CEUs.  This will allow me to continue creating content for ATs to consume on their own time by creating an on-demand learning system specifically tailored for Athletic Trainers.

The best way to keep track of what is happening on the Sports Medicine Broadcast is by joining the email list.  This is the first place I announce topics and registration, giveaways, conferences and schedule changes.  I am also on Twitter often (@PHSSportsMed) which helps to expose me to what is going on in the world of Athletic Training outside of Texas.

I will leave you with comments on the podcast from some athletic trainers you may know:

I had the chance to catch a live broadcast. I have watched several recordings but have never caught a live one. Great job today to all involved. It was a great topic and definitely gave me a lot to think about. I want the SWATA members to know more about your SMB and what a great resource it can be. I thought it was awesome that you can live comment while it is going on. I ended up going back and watching the rest as well. Just wanted to let you know what a great broadcast it was.

·         Catherine Windsor MS, ATC, LAT

The Sports Medicine Broadcast, hosted by Jeremy Jackson at Pasadena High School, has become a fantastic way to discuss relevant situations relating to athletic trainers in a fun and educational way.  The Broadcast discusses topics that are directly applicable to the training room; topics that are not often covered in “traditional” periodicals or journals.  Topics such as “Female AT Struggles”, “Rookie Mistakes” and “Fixing Water Stations” have direct and immediate impact on aspects of our job that are not learned in traditional curriculum settings.  To top it off, you can receive one hour of CEUs for streaming the broadcast live which is made possible by Greater Houston Athletic Trainers Society (GHATS).  If you miss the opportunity to stream the episode live, you are still able to listen to the podcast at a later date.  It has always seemed to me that what we learned in the classroom only accounts for about half of what we do on a daily basis.  The SMB does a great job of discussing all the “other” stuff that we deal with on a day-to-day basis.

·         John Harmon, LAT

Jeremy’s devotion to his students and the Athletic Training community in the Houston area, along with his innovative creativity, has given us something we were lacking: an open, non-restricted bridge between the Sports Medicine community and the experts directly affecting our decisions in caring for the members of our community.

·         Daniel Young, ATC, LAT

Jeremy Jackson, LAT

Pasadena High School

Athletic Trainer

Reflect, Recharge, Refocus

This past Friday I was doing treatment and taping athletes prior to our game when one of my football players asked me why I listen to music and don't talk very much on game days.  My initial reply was, "I don't know, it's just what I have always done.  I like to focus on game days" As he nodded and continued on his way I stopped and thought about it, why do I do things the way I do? The answer, it's the way I was brought up.  Not by my parents but by my athletic training mentors.  And this is where it got really intriguing to me, I realized that although I never thought about it or planned it this way, I have adopted a series of my different mentors methods. 

When I was in high school, I had the privilege to work under the instruction of Past President and SWATA Hall of Famer Randy Day.  On Fridays, before we would pile into the old BISD delivery truck and travel over to Hopper Field, Randy would close his office door, turn out the lights and simply refocus in the quiet for a few minutes.  During my time in undergrad at Sam Houston State University I worked under Vance Pickard. On games days you always saw him with his Discman (oh how far we've come) in his back pocket with his headphones on.  It was obvious from my experiences that focus was the mantra.  It was respected.  In fact it was demanded.  

Last Friday, when my student asked me why I get so quiet, why I listen to my music and don't talk much, it made me stop and reflect on the way I am and why.  What I ultimately came up with is that in spite of the high paced, always connected society that we live in today, I still yearn for some of the old school focus that was once revered.  This was ingrained in me by my mentors and it served them well.  Today, I continue this practice on a regular basis.  Each game day between the end of school and before I begin treatments I sit in my office with the lights out, without interruption and refocus.  When I begin treatments or while I'm taping athletes I put my earbuds in and listen to music in an effort to keep my focus.  I focus on the upcoming event, the athlete that I need to pay extra attention to for one reason or another, and how an on field emergency will be handled.  I focus on being the best AT I can be and the AT that my athletes depend on me to be.    

As we quickly approach the Thanksgiving holiday I find myself, now more than ever, extremely thankful for my various mentors.  I would not be who I am without their guidance, leadership and example.  As I continue to reflect on my formative years I think of all those who came before me during the formative years of Athletic Training.  People like Billy Pickard, Paul Zeek, Al Wilson, James Dodson and so many others whose mentorship formed this great profession and have guided us to where we are today, I am thankful.  

The few minutes I spent reflecting on this brought back so many memories and took me on a quick yet amazing journey.  But most importantly, it reminded me just how thankful I am for the experiences I've had and the mentors who guided me along the way.  As you spend time with your family to rest, recharge and refocus this Thanksgiving holiday I encourage each and everyone of you to take a moment to reflect on your formative years.  Look back through your experiences and consider why it is you do the things you do.  I hope that you will find the time to let someone who guided and mentored you know just how thankful you are.  

I am thankful for each of you and what you do for our great profession.  I wish you all the best for a wonderful and restful holiday.

Josh Woodall; M.Ed., ATC, LAT 

SWATA President