This week, Danielle York, owner of York Orthopedic Recovery, joins Eli Hallak to discuss her journey as a business owner, the importance of adapting care to different age groups, and why seeking guidance from experienced professionals is essential before taking big steps. They also explore how those around us often recognize our potential before we do—and what it means to grow a family, both in business and at home.

York Orthopedic Recovery

This week, Eli Hallak welcomes Garrett Hedeen, Chair of the NAEMT Workforce Committee and Safety Specialist at Austin-Travis County EMS, for a look into the often-overlooked world of EMS safety. They explore the little things that are often taken for granted but make a big impact, the need for bold change, and key differences between safety in EMS and athletic training settings. Garrett also highlights the importance of trust, constant readiness, and addressing common misconceptions about emergency care.

National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT)

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services

In this episode, Dr. Mary Mundrane-Zweiacher, a Certified Hand Therapist at Premier Physical Therapy and Sports Performance, joins Eli Hallak. Together, they explore her journey from a Pre-Med Biology major aspiring to be a doctor to becoming a practitioner of the "Holy Trinity" (PT, ATC, and CHT). They discuss how to bring Sports Medicine to Hand Therapy—and Hand Therapy to Sport—why marching bands need Athletic Trainers just as much as athletic teams do, how giving patients a modicum of control fosters greater therapy “buy-in,” and why it’s essential to always believe in yourself and your knowledge. After all, unless there’s an orthopedic surgeon present, you are the expert.

In this episode, Darryl Conway, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director / Chief Health & Welfare Officer at the University of Michigan and Co-Owner of Sports Medicine Emergency Management, joins Eli Hallak. Together, they discuss the evolution of the profession, the importance of autonomy, and the critical role of a strong work ethic. They examine how the profession has transformed from a focus on ice and stem treatments to embracing movement-based rehabilitation and innovative modalities that support comprehensive athletic health and performance.

University of Michigan

Sports Medicine Emergency Management

In this episode, Marshall Knowles of Perry Weather joins Eli Hallak to share his professional background and highlight the critical role of accurate, real-time weather data—covering lightning, humidity, wet-bulb globe temperature, and air quality. Together, they explore the expanding role of weather technology in athletics and how Perry Weather, while often starting as a tool for sports programs, quickly evolves into a comprehensive, campus-wide safety solution with broad applications.

Perry Weather

In this episode, District Directors from the National Athletic Trainers' Association—Vicky Graham, Tanya Dargusch, Rob Marshall, and Valerie Herzog—join Eli Hallak for a candid conversation about the future of the athletic training profession and what's taking place in their Districts. Together, they explore how progress in clinical settings can elevate practice across the board, emphasize the power of volunteering over complaining when it comes to creating change, and challenge the narrative of a workforce shortage. They make it clear: it's not a shortage of athletic trainers, but a shortage of athletic trainers willing to work in environments that overwork, underpay, and undervalue them as medical professionals.

NATA District One

NATA District Two

NATA District Five

NATA District Seven

National Athletic Trainers' Association

This week, Eli Hallak is joined by David Chaffin, West Regional Sales Manager at Medco Sports Medicine. Together, these two seasoned veterans of Athletic Training engage in an insightful deep-dive into the value of relationships, the depth of shared knowledge, and what it takes to transition from practicing sports medicine on the field to providing the tools and supplies that make it possible. They explore why small schools should never be overlooked, how to show appreciation for larger programs, and why the most valuable takeaway from any convention isn’t the swag—it’s the connections you make.

Medco Sports Medicine

This week, Bill Ito, Industrial Injury Prevention Specialist and Certified Athletic Trainer, joins Eli Hallak to share his journey through the medical field. Together, they discuss how Athletic Trainers in industrial settings enhance wellness in the workplace, the value of embracing change, and why effective communication is at the heart of the medical profession.