We hear the word all the time. We know it exists. We go to conferences and lectures on its prevalence in our profession. Our committee often offers advice on how to prevent it and we beg our seasoned peers to preach wisdom and to offer us their secrets of success. But no one admits to it. Or no one is around to admit to it. So I will confess to you all that I am suffering from (dun dun duuuuuun) burnout.

Now let me stand back and say to you that I am not thinking of leaving this profession. I truly love my profession, but right now I am not sure that I am loving my job. I think this time every year takes it toll on the high school athletic trainer, but for some reason, this time, is different. I'm not just hot and sweaty with aching feet and long hours.

Going back to my sport psych work in grad school, I think the more accurate descriptor of my discord would be “staleness,” the emotional problems stemming from “daily worries, anxieties, and feelings of restlessness that typically is unnamable or specific.” But the thing with staleness is that it can easily morph into this burnout phenomenon that we all know exists.

I can’t put my finger on the “it” that has me Googling PhD programs and searching the NATA website for curriculum programs; on why this month I am completely unmotivated to watch football practice or to preplan a new rehab. Maybe its because two of my best friends left coaching last year (ironically to burnout!) and I miss having them around. I miss the distraction, of not having to talk about work related stuff with an adult and the hide out they could provide with a 10-minute gab session in their offices. Or maybe its that my husband has been working as much as me the last few weeks, leaving our sleep schedules to be the only thing we are sharing. Could it be as simple as that? That I am a victim of the life-work struggle they have warned me about?

Or perhaps it is indeed the restlessness. Am I where I want to be professionally? Am I what I want to be when I grow up? As young professionals, we need to continue to encourage exploration professionally. Being a part of this organization or a committee allows us to continue to evolve from graduate to professional, but we have to recognize that it is a transition and not an absolute. I’m not sure how many of us can admit to having already scored their dream job, but the YPC is set up to help all of us transition into the athletic trainer we want to be. I know my passion and I believe I have discovered where in the athletic training profession I belong. I just now need the courage and resolve to pursue it.

One is Greater Than...

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I am only 1 person.

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We hear it all the time. Can 1 person really make a difference? An impact?

The song goes..."1 is the loneliest number," but I'm of the belief that 1 is the most powerful number.

It only takes 1.

4:00 minute mile...was an impossible task. It was thought that no one would ever run that fast. In 1954, with a time of 3:59.4, Roger Bannister made the impossible seem possible. Since that time the record has been broken numerous times.

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Mt. Everest...at 29,002 ft high is a giant of inconceivable proportion. Despite dangerous obstacles, and the sure belief of others that it couldn't be done, on May 29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary became the first climber to reach the summit. As of this year, nearly 2500 more climbers have reached that incredible goal.

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There are several more examples of amazing accomplishments by 1 person. Louis Pasteur, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesus Christ.

These individuals CHANGED THE WORLD.

I'm not asking you to change the world. I just want you to know that your impact can be felt in athletic training. 1 person CAN make a difference. 1 person does matter.

If every person made their own impact, think about how huge that could be!

1 is greater than none, and whatever your contribution can be, it matters.

An Athletic Trainer?

Recently, I visited a doctor's office. In casual conversation, the physician asked me what I did, and I proudly stated: "I'm an athletic trainer." To my delight she knew what an athletic trainer was and when discussing my condition(s), she used medical terms and spoke to me as a fellow healthcare professional.

I required some further testing and was sent to a phlebotomist. In casual conversation, she asked me what I did, and I proudly stated: "I'm an athletic trainer." She responded, "Yeah, I really need to get in shape....(something about working out)"

I proceeded to give her my "elevator speech" about athletic training...

"Actually, athletic trainers are in the health care field. Our focus is on the prevention, care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries of all athletes, from your high schools to the professionals and the weekend warriors. We are also first responders and have a very unique skill set from our educational programs, and it requires a degree and a certification like most allied healthcare professions."

This sparked interest and conversation. In my brief visit, I was able to educate someone new about athletic training. Goal achieved!

I would guess that nearly 1 out of every 2 people are unfamiliar with athletic trainers. What do you do when you encounter those people?

I used to say..."you know when you watch sporting events and someone gets hurt...those people that run out on the field/court...those are athletic trainers." The problem with this is while you've provided them with a point of reference, they still don't know WHAT we do.

Another hurdle is that it is difficult to correct or challenge a stranger (or even a friend), but it is necessary to continue to advance. You don't have to be confrontational or rude, just informative and personable. So I developed my "elevator speech." A short, informative blurb about athletic training that you could spit out over the course of an elevator ride. Just long enough to peak interest without boring and beating over the head ;)

Over the course of the next few months, this great job of ours will afford us the opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet new people and be missionaries of athletic training.

I challenge you to go forth and testify about athletic training!

Take advantage of opportunities to talk to the unaware about athletic training, further educate those almost in the know, and spread the good word about this amazing profession.

P.S. No worries, I'm doing fine :)

What a difference a year makes...

To think- a year ago around this time we had just started the young professionals committee (and this blog), and I remember sitting and thinking...What's Next?!

As the seasons have changed, we have grown and developed, and I look forward to what's to come!

I hope you all enjoyed your summer. It was great catching up in San Antonio and in Arlington. I'm so proud to be in District 6, we are AWESOME!

Now we are all back to the grind that is August, and while I know it is busy, I hope you will take a little time to see what is going on in SWATA and NATA as the associations never rest.

The YPC collected over 200 postcards at the SWATA annual meeting in support of our current legislation, HR 1137. This project is an easy way to get involved and the more momentum we get going the better our chances are of passing this bill this year! If you want to start this project at your work place, follow this link and the easy instructions. Keep track of the number that you send, so we can measure our impact!

For all you secondary school athletic trainers...have you heard about the NATA SS Injury Surveillance Outcomes Study? Want more information, or want to be a part of the steering committee? Go here...

Need some advice on issues you are facing in the workplace? Be sure to visit the SWATA and NATA e-Mentors. They are a great group of experienced professionals that are here to answer your questions. We will be adding new mentors, and enhancing the interface soon!

The NATA presidential election starts in September, so educate yourselves about the candidates and be prepared to cast your vote when you get your electronic ballot!

Be on the look out for more to come from the young professionals committee and SWATA. I believe this will be an exciting year for athletic training!