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 chan...

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...

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...

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...

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 foundat...

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...

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...

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. Yo...

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 driv...

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 h...

Known for her transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence, legendary (retired) Coach Katie Meier shares her coaching philosophy, the values that guided her storied career, and her approach to developing peak performance in athletes. From building a culture of accountability and resilience to recognizing the unique strengths of each player, Coach Meier offers insights that go...

Heisman winner and Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard shares what it takes to reach—and stay at—the top. From the power of mentorship to the value of surrounding yourself with high performers, Desmond offers hard-earned insights on human potential. He also reflects on an unexpected lesson from a conversation with a professional ballerina, revealing what elite performers across fields have in common. Yo...

Dr. Lee Kaplan sits down with Jorge Gonzalez, CEO of City National Bank, to explore the deep connection between sports, leadership, and high performance. Jorge shares how athletics shape character, decision-making and discipline—key traits for success in business and life. This conversation is a masterclass for anyone looking to elevate their leadership game. Tune in for insights on discipline, he...

Join Dr. Lee Kaplan in an electrifying conversation with Christine Coppola—marathon swimmer, 3X Ironman finisher, HR pro, mom, and unstoppable force. Christine takes us inside the grueling mental and physical battle of tackling some of North America’s toughest swims, from the 28.5-mile 20 Bridges Swim to the Catalina Channel’s eerie, overnight 20-mile stretch. From mastering visualization to surre...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and J.D. Arteaga, head coach for the Miami Hurricanes baseball team. Step up to the plate with this inspiring episode as we dive into the transformative power of resilience. Discover how cultivating a culture of grit and character on and off the field shapes players into stronger athletes and better humans. We explore the pivotal lessons of detaching self-wort...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Milagros Cubelli, Chief Marketing Officer of the Miami Sharks professional rugby team. We discuss what makes rugby a distinct culture – in terms of athletic performance, the spirit of competition, and within the Global sports community – and how the brand is cultivating a new fanbase in South Florida. You can learn more about the Miami Sharks at MiamiShark...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Melissa Medina, Co-founder, CEO & President of eMerge Americas. We discuss the unique role of Healthcare within eMerge Americas’ vision and programming, balancing eMerge’s impact alongside the priorities of parenting 5 children, and the legacy of immigrant families within Miami’s culture. You can learn more about Melissa at eMergeAmericas.com. The 2025...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Jordan-Elizabeth Long, Principal Soloist with the Miami City Ballet. We discuss the discipline and vision that led Jordan from childhood ballet in Blacksburg, Virginia to the Royal Swedish Ballet and European stages, and to becoming the Miami City Ballet’s Principal Soloist. We also discuss her choice to earn an MBA at the University of Miami, what goes in...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Stephen Staffieri, former Hurricanes football player throughout the 1984 through 1987 seasons, and founder of the podcast "The Game Changer Series”.  We discuss with Stephen how his definition of “peak performance” has evolved from his time as an All-American to his current professional and personal pursuits, how he motivates others to achieve more in...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Chris Pavon, Senior Manager, DCC Community Engagement with the Miami Dolphins. An icon within the South Florida and broader performance cycling community, Chris is now responsible for widening the Dolphins Cancer Challenge’s reach and impact within the local community. We discuss with Chris the components of high performance in cycling (including bike tech...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Dr. Stephen Nimer, director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. In his leadership role at the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center in South Florida, Dr. Nimer has cultivated a team of more than 250 world-class physicians and researchers to create an environment of exc...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Dr. Ricardo Komotar, renowned Neurosurgeon and Co-Director of the Sylvester Brain Tumor Institute. Dr. Komotar is an international leader in pioneering strategies for brain tumor surgery and treatment, performing nearly 700 surgical procedures each year using cutting-edge techniques that remove tumors with the least impact on the patient and their daily li...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Don Bailey, Jr., former Hurricanes Football team captain, and now radio color commentator for ‘Canes football broadcasts. Don was an integral player in Coach Howard Schnellenberger’s era of Hurricanes football, and is also owner of Don Bailey flooring, a South Florida business icon. We discuss with Don his first-hand experience across decades of Hurricanes...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Jacqueline Kasen, Senior Director of Group Fitness at Anatomy Fitness, strength & performance coach and speaker on a mission to guide individuals toward surpassing their own limitations to achieve greatness. Jacqueline has also embraced the challenges of mountaineering and exploration, setting her sights on conquering the prestigious Explorer's Gra...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Jeff Conine, former All-Star player with the MLB and now current Executive and Advisor to the Miami Marlins. We discuss with Jeff the mind frame and behaviors to endure as a life-long athlete, how the culture of performance measurement has evolved in professional baseball, and how to complete an Ironman (hint: it’s not just about physical endurance). You c...