Sports Pharmacy Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Brandon Welch interviews Pratik Patel, a sports performance expert and former NFL coach, about blood biomarkers, health optimization, and misconceptions in sports performance. They explore how to interpret lab values, the importance of context, and practical strategies for athletes and clinicians.

In this inaugural episode of  Sideline Science , Kaleigh Steelman is joined by Sports Pharmacy Network star Nilhan Uzman for a quick journal-club style review of the 2024 article  “Does Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) Syndrome Exist?” Together, we briefly break down the authors’ main arguments surrounding REDs, low energy availability (LEA), and the challenges of diagnosing REDs in athl...

In this episode, Colin Ryan, a sports pharmacist with extensive experience, joins us to discuss the critical intersection of medication use, legality, safety, and performance in athletes. Topics include inadvertent doping risks, medication governance, and the impact of medications like GLP-1 agonists and inhalers on athletic performance. Key topics include: Inadvertent doping risks and system fail...

With The Sports Pharmacy Summit planning in full force, please join us in revisiting this previously recorded webinar with PharmD candidate Mikka Anora who shares her journey of creating one of the first Sports Pharmacy APPE rotations—from concept to implementation. Hosted by Jessica Veal, PharmD, CHO of the Sports Pharmacy Network, with insights from Kristal S. Potter, PharmD, BCPS, Chief of Oper...

Unlock the truth about CBD in sports—what’s scientifically supported, what’s hype, and how you can make informed decisions. If you’re an athlete, coach, or sports medicine professional eager to cut through the noise and understand the real potential—and pitfalls—of CBD, this episode is your essential guide. Most discussions on CBD focus on anecdotal benefits and sensational claims. Dr. Jeff Konin,...

In this episode of the Sports Pharmacy Podcast, Kaleigh Steelman and Katie Evenson discuss the complexities of concussions in athletes, including mechanisms, symptoms, and management strategies. Katie emphasizes the importance of immediate assessment, the role of sleep and nutrition in recovery, and the need for collaborative care among healthcare professionals and Kaleigh follows with a deep dive...

In this episode of the Sports Pharmacy Podcast, host Kaleigh Steelman and guest Dr. Ethan Melillo, PharmD discuss the critical importance of sun safety and skincare, particularly for athletes. They delve into the differences between UVA and UVB rays, the significance of daily sunscreen use, and how to choose the right sunscreen. The conversation also covers the role of pharmacists in educating pat...

In this episode of the Sports Pharmacy Podcast, hosts Jessica Beal-Stahl and Nilhan Uzman welcome Andrew Holt from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to discuss Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs). The conversation covers the importance of TUEs in protecting athlete health while maintaining the integrity of sports, the role of pharmacists in the TUE process, common misconceptions, and the evolving...

In this episode of the Sports Pharmacy podcast, host Kaleigh Steelman and athletic trainer Rachel Deal discuss part 2 of frequently asked questions from parents regarding medication and supplements for young athletes. They cover pain management strategies, the differences between acetaminophen and ibuprofen, the implications of NSAIDs on wound healing, and the use of topical treatments. The conver...

In this episode of the Sports Pharmacy podcast, host Kaleigh Steelman and guest Rachel Deal, a certified athletic trainer, discuss frequently asked questions from parents of young athletes. They cover essential topics such as injury prevention techniques, the differences between dynamic and static stretching, the appropriate use of ice and heat for injuries, and how to identify normal soreness ver...

Summary In this episode of the Sports Pharmacy Podcast, host Kaleigh Steelman interviews Dr. Justin Tausig, a certified mental performance consultant, about the intersection of sports psychology and mental health. They discuss the importance of mental toughness, performance anxiety, and the individualized approaches needed to support athletes. Dr. Tausig shares insights on how to help athletes man...

In this episode of the Sports Pharmacy Podcast, hosts Dr. Kaleigh Steelman and Dr. Alexis Shook discuss a patient case involving hormonal acne in a 23-year-old Olympic athlete. They explore various treatment options, including over-the-counter and prescription medications, as well as the role of hormonal contraceptives and spironolactone. The conversation emphasizes the importance of clinical deci...

In this episode of the Sports Pharmacy Network Podcast, host Kaleigh Steelman and expert Rebecca McConville MS, RD, LD, CSSD, CEDRD delve into the critical topic of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). They explore the signs, symptoms, and physiological impacts of RED-S on athletes, emphasizing the importance of nutrition and interdisciplinary collaboration in treatment. The conversation a...

In this episode, we sit down with Katie Dinnebier —an elite athlete turned aspiring pharmacist—who’s redefining what it means to balance passion, purpose, and performance. As a standout guard on Drake University’s Women’s Basketball team, Katie led her team to consecutive conference titles and earned national recognition as a finalist for the 2025 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year award. K...

In this episode of the Sport Pharmacy Network podcast, Sean Casey interviews Dr. Mike T. Nelson, an expert in human performance and health optimization. In this conversation, Dr. Mike T. Nelson discusses the significance of heart rate variability (HRV) in athletes and how it can be used to monitor recovery and performance. Key things touched on during this interview include: The history of Heart R...

In this inspiring episode of The Sports Pharmacy Podcast , host Brandon Welch, Clinical Sports Pharmacist, sits down with 27-time U.S. National Champion and elite track cyclist Mandy Marquardt. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 16, Mandy shares how she transformed what many saw as a limitation into a competitive advantage—racing on the world stage while managing her condition with precision an...

Energy drinks are everywhere—from locker rooms and athletic fields to every day “pick-me-ups”. But how much do we really know about what's inside the can and if it’s even benefitting us? In this episode of the Sports Pharmacy Network Podcast , Sean Casey (Director of Applied Human Performance) and Dr. Kaleigh Steelman (Research Chair) break down the latest research on energy drinks and their i...

Podcast Episode: Longevity & Human Performance – The Science & Strategies for a Healthier, Longer Life (Part 2) 🎙 Hosts: Dr. Brandon Welch & Dr. Michael Day (Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine Specialist, & Longevity Expert) 🔬 Episode Summary: In this special episode, Dr. Brandon Welch is joined by Dr. Michael Day , a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, sports med...

🎙 Hosts: Dr. Brandon Welch & Dr. Michael Day (Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine Specialist, & Longevity Expert) 🔬 Episode Summary: In this special episode, Dr. Brandon Welch is joined by Dr. Michael Day , a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, sports medicine specialist, and longevity expert, to dive deep into the intersection of longevity and human performance . Once a niche a...

In this episode, we explore effective strategies for managing asthma and exercise induced bronchospasms in athletes. We cover both non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches, emphasizing techniques like breathing exercises, environmental adjustments, and stress management. Our discussion includes an overview of asthma medications, such as short-acting and long-acting bronchodilators, inhal...

In today’s episode, we’re delving into a common respiratory condition affecting athletes—Asthma. Both asthma and exercise-induced asthma (EIA) are notably more common among elite athletes than in the general population. It’s not unusual to see Olympians relying on their inhalers during competitions, as asthma is the most prevalent chronic condition among Olympic athletes. A study spanning five Sum...

In this special episode, Dr. Brandon Welch and Julius Thomas discuss the topic of mental well-being for peak performance. Mental well-being is a crucial component of peak performance, particularly in sports and other high-demand environments. The relationship between mental health and human performance is increasingly recognized as athletes and professionals understand that maintaining a balanced...

Join Dr. Brandon Welch, PharmD, and Sean Casey, RD, CSCS, as they dive into the highlights from the 2024 National Athletic Trainers’ Association Clinical Symposia & Expo, held in New Orleans from June 25-28. In this episode, they discuss: The Sports Pharmacy Network’s Athletic Trainer Survey – Discover the intriguing results & what it means for Sports Pharmacy! Key topics from Dr. Brandon...

In this enlightening episode on the Sports Pharmacy Network Podcast, Jessica Beal-Stahl, PharmD and Kaleigh Steelman, PharmD, both former college volleyball players and now sports pharmacists, delve into the often-overlooked mental health challenges that athletes face, particularly during the transition from high-level competition to retirement. They shed light on their personal anecdotes and stor...

In the last decade, competitive sports have taken on a whole new meaning, where intensity has increased together with the incidence of sports injuries amongst athletes. These sport injuries, ranging from fractured  bones to disrupted muscles, tendons and ligaments.   Therefore, there is a strong need to develop more robust prevention strategies  and effective treatments that allow the injured athl...