The AT Last Podcast

In this deeply moving episode, the AT Last team sits down with Amir Nickerson, a young athlete whose life was saved after a sudden cardiac arrest during a high school track event, and Dr. Jonathan Drezner, world-renowned sports cardiologist, team physician for the Seattle Seahawks, and director of the UW Center for Sports Cardiology. Together, they unpack the science, systems, and inequities behin...

Cardiology researcher and clinician Dr. Viet Le joins us to talk about the pressing need for equitable access to heart health services. Drawing on his work with underserved communities, Le explains how systemic gaps in screening, prevention, and treatment contribute to disproportionate rates of cardiovascular disease among communities of color and low income populations. We discuss culturally tail...

David Gallegos, NATA leader and advocate for underserved athletes, joins us to rethink one of sports medicine’s most routine practices, the pre participation physical exam (PPE). Rather than treating the PPE as a checkbox, Gallegos sees it as a powerful touchpoint for preventive health, education, and relationship building, especially in communities with limited access to care. We discuss ways to...

Public health scholar Dr. Kemba Noel London and Therapist Crystal Grimsley bring their expertise and lived experience to a critical conversation on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their effect on youth athletes. They explain how trauma in childhood can show up in unexpected ways on the field, in the classroom, and in long term health outcomes. This episode breaks down the science behind A...

Dr. Kimberly N. Carr, interdisciplinary scholar and researcher, takes us deep into the realities of food apartheid, the structural inequities that create food deserts and food insecurity, particularly in communities of color. Unlike the term “food desert,” which suggests a natural phenomenon, Dr. Carr explains how these conditions are the product of policy decisions, disinvestment, and systemic ra...

Live from Paris 2024, athletic trainers Aaron Ngor and AT Last CEO Chris Bates share what it is like to provide medical care for Olympic athletes and why representation in sports medicine matters at every level. The conversation dives into their experiences working with diverse teams, the challenges of cultural competence in high stakes environments, and how their presence alone sends a powerful m...

Jordan Robinson, journalist and podcast host takes us inside the intersection of sports storytelling and social justice. She shares her path from covering games to covering the deeper narratives about who gets to play, who gets heard, and how sports can be a vehicle for change. Through her work, Jordan amplifies stories of women, nonbinary athletes, and athletes of Color whose journeys are often o...

Dr. Neal Lester, cultural studies scholar and nationally recognized educator, joins us to discuss the often overlooked role of language in healthcare equity. He explores how words, cultural references, and communication styles can build or break trust between providers and patients. Using examples from both healthcare and everyday life, Dr. Lester illustrates how cultural competence starts with li...

Dr. Trevor Bates, higher education leader and university president, opens up about the challenges diverse leaders face when navigating spaces that were not built with them in mind. He reflects on his personal journey through academia and administration, sharing moments of both breakthrough and burnout. From mentorship gaps to unspoken biases in leadership pipelines, Bates reveals the subtle and no...

Dean Dayna Bowen Matthew, legal scholar, author, and Dean of The George Washington University Law School, delivers a compelling examination of how bias, both implicit and structural, continues to shape health outcomes in America. Drawing on decades of work at the intersection of civil rights and healthcare, she explains how inequities in housing, education, and employment are compounded by biases...

In this episode of the AT Last Podcast, we hear from Sierra Cruz, an Athletic Training Student, whose journey reflects both the challenges and triumphs of underrepresentation in healthcare. Sierra shares her experiences navigating professional spaces where diversity is limited, and how resilience, mentorship from AT Last, and advocacy helped her carve out her path. The conversation highlights the...

In this episode of the AT Last Podcast, we welcome Dr. Stuart Shanker, internationally recognized researcher, author, and founder of the MEHRIT Centre. Dr. Shanker is best known for his groundbreaking work on self-regulation, a framework that helps individuals and communities better understand stress, behavior, and resilience. The conversation dives into how self-regulation connects to equity in e...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Hawk Newsome, activist, community leader, and co-founder of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York. Hawk brings his sharp insights on social justice and equity to the world of sports medicine, challenging us to see healthcare as a frontline in the fight for justice. The conversation explores how systemic racism shows up in healthcare access, the parallels...

In this episode of the AT Last Podcast, we sit down with John Abdou, former Chief Sport Performance Officer at USA Water Polo, to discuss the deeply rooted inequities in aquatic sports. From access to swimming pools to the cultural myths and systemic barriers that keep athletes of color out of the water, John sheds light on how racism shapes who gets to participate, and who doesn’t. The conversati...

In this inspiring episode of the AT Last Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Kensa Gunter, a trailblazer in sport psychology and the first Black president of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. Dr. Gunter shares her journey in breaking barriers, advocating for athlete mental health, and reshaping the way we think about “the helper” in sports and healthcare. From the lack of diversity in sports...

In this episode of the AT Last Podcast, we sit down with Afam Onyema, CEO of the GEANCO Foundation, whose work bridges global philanthropy and community leadership. Afam shares his journey of carrying forward his family’s legacy, building healthcare and education access in Nigeria, and reflecting on how his identity and upbringing inform his leadership today. The conversation explores the complexi...

In this episode of the AT Last Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Koyya Lewis-Trammel, a passionate advocate for representation and equity in athletic training. Koyya shares her journey as a woman of color in sports medicine, reflecting on the barriers she’s faced and the mentors who helped her navigate the profession. Her story underscores why representation is critical not only for patients, but also...

In this episode of the AT Last Podcast, we welcome Dr. Tim Noakes—world-renowned exercise scientist, physician, and founder of the Noakes Foundation, to challenge some of the deepest-held beliefs in sports medicine. Dr. Noakes takes us through the history of hydration practices in endurance sports, from the days when marathoners didn’t drink water mid-race to the rise of sports drink sponsorships...

In this episode of the AT Last Podcast, we’re joined by Reagan Griffin Jr . , sports journalist, commentator, and cultural critic, to examine one of the most enduring and harmful stereotypes in sports: the myth of Black athletic superiority. Reagan unpacks the history of this narrative, how it has been perpetuated by media and institutions, and the ways it distorts both the perception of Black ath...

In this thought-provoking episode of the AT Last Podcast, we welcome Dr. Robert Lustig, internationally renowned pediatric endocrinologist, author, and one of the most outspoken voices on the dangers of sugar. Dr. Lustig unpacks how excess sugar consumption fuels chronic disease and why the food industry’s practices disproportionately harm communities of color. The conversation highlights the inte...

In Part 2 of our powerful conversation with Darryll Stinson—former Division I football player, author, and two-time TEDx speaker, we dive deeper into the lessons he’s learned about resilience, mental health, and purpose. Darryll expands on how his darkest moments became a catalyst for transformation, offering wisdom for athletes, students, and leaders alike. He challenges us to rethink success and...

Season 2 of the AT Last Podcast kicks off with Part 1 of a powerful two-part conversation with Darryll Stinson , a former Division I football player whose life was forever changed by a career-ending back injury in college. The injury led him into a dark season where he attempted to end his life by suicide. Now a two-time TEDx speaker, author, and advocate, Darryll shares his deeply personal story...

In this episode, we sit down with Tedd Girouard to discuss how degree requirement changes in athletic training have reshaped opportunities for students of color. Tedd unpacks the ripple effects these structural shifts have on access, affordability, and representation in the profession. Raising important questions about who gets left behind when educational systems evolve without equity at the cent...

In this special episode, we sit down with Reggie Scott, Senior Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Los Angeles Rams. To discuss his journey as a Black leader in NFL sports medicine. Reggie shares stories from his career in professional football, reflecting on both the opportunities and the barriers he has faced along the way. The discussion highlights the importance of repres...

As athletes returned to play after the COVID-19 shutdowns, the challenges went far beyond regaining physical fitness. In this episode, the AT Last team explores how underserved communities faced disproportionate risks in their comeback, from gaps in access to athletic trainers and safe conditioning programs, to the mental health toll of uncertainty. This conversation highlights the urgent need to...