About the Guest

John Lopez is a renowned figure in athletic training with a storied career that has spanned over five decades. Starting as an electrical engineer major, John pivoted to the athletic training profession, emerging as a pivotal contributor and mentor to countless individuals in the field. He served in various capacities, including being the head athletic trainer for the Baltimore Colts and an assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Known for his resilience and mentorship skills, Lopez was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Hall of Fame in 2012. Now retired, he continues to impact the industry with his insights and reflections on the evolving landscape of athletic training.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Becoming UnDone, host Dr. Toby Brooks delves into the extraordinary journey of John Lopez, a pioneer in athletic training who scaled the heights of the profession amid various challenges. This conversation unfolds with John sharing his unconventional path into athletic training, fueled by missteps in his early academic career and eventual redemption through perseverance. Today, he reflects on the essential role of mentorship, the evolution of the athletic training profession, and the cultural shifts needed to empower young professionals entering the field.

Drawing on keywords such as “mentorship in athletic training,” “career challenges,” and “evolution of athletic training,” John articulates the discrepancies between the expectations and realities new graduates face today. The narrative extends into the profound differences in how athletic training was traditionally practiced versus today’s advanced educational frameworks. Conversations about essential topics like work-life balance, professional mentoring, and the implication of burnout lend depth to this episode, as John emphasizes the need for systemic support structures and improved career opportunities in the field.

Key Takeaways

• Mentorship is Critical: John Lopez underscores the irreplaceable role mentorship played in his career, advocating for increased focus on mentorship for the current generation of athletic trainers.
• Adapting to Change: There’s an expressed need for the athletic training profession to adapt and evolve to provide better salary conditions and work-life balance.
• Burnout is Real: Lopez candidly discusses his experiences with burnout and the importance of having a supportive family to navigate and overcome challenging times.
• Professional Misalignment: Concerns about the disconnect between the number of accredited training programs and viable job opportunities highlight a pressing issue for the profession.
• Community Support: Building strong networks and connections within the field is essential to support athletic trainers’ professional and personal growth.

Notable Quotes

1. “I crashed and burned twice big time. But thank God I had a wife who was strong enough to hold me up.” – John Lopez
2. “Our kids are far, far better educated than I was, or any of the people that were to us.” – John Lopez
3. “If you have a good support system if you have a good spouse, a good family, and they understand what you’re doing, that’s important.” – John Lopez
4. “In many respects, when you work for the athletics part of the organization, you’re the one who basically is going to have to live by their rules.” – John Lopez
5. “The mentorship was so important, and I can go through the list of mentors and what they meant to me and what they taught me.” – John Lopez

Resources

• John Lopez’s NATA Hall of Fame Bio
• Bubs Naturals Collagen Products
• Becoming Undone Newsletter
• TB AdvantEDGE Coaching and Consulting

Join the full episode for an enthralling discussion that not only serves as an inspiration but also provides actionable insights for those navigating their career paths in athletic training. Stay tuned for more engaging stories and lessons from Becoming Undone.