About the Guest
Dustin Emery is an athletic trainer at McKinney High School in the Dallas area. He is a former four-sport athlete and was part of the 2007 Texas 5A state champion football team, the Euless Trinity Trojans. Despite facing challenges such as a torn ACL and a life-threatening blood clot, Dustin continued to pursue his passion for sports and athletics, eventually earning a position at Hardin Simmons University. His experience as an athlete informs his practice and allows him to connect on a personal level with the student-athletes he trains. Dustin is also recognized for his presence on TikTok, where he shares insights into the life of an athletic trainer.
Episode Summary
In this engaging episode of Becoming UnDone, Toby Brooks invites his first former student to the show, Dustin Emery, to explore the resilience and triumph that characterized his journey from a high-achieving athlete to a committed athletic trainer. Raised in the competitive world of Texas high school football, Dustin’s story is marked by pivotal moments that challenged and reshaped his aspirations, highlighting the critical role of perseverance, faith, and community support in overcoming life-threatening setbacks such as a torn ACL and a severe blood clot. Through his dedication to personal growth and professional excellence, Dustin transformed these adversities into opportunities, ultimately securing a place on the sidelines as a guiding force for young athletes.
The episode delves into Dustin’s early passion for sports, detailing his illustrious high school athletic career, his collegiate endeavors at Hardin-Simmons University, and his transition into athletic training. Brooks and Emery discuss the powerful lessons learned from failure and challenge, underscoring the importance of pushing through difficulties to find success. They touch on Dustin’s strong faith, which has been a cornerstone of his endurance, as well as the crucial work-life balance in the demanding field of athletic training. Enjoy listening to an inspiring narrative on dedication, faith, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Key Takeaways
- Perseverance through Challenges: Despite severe injuries and health issues, Dustin Emery’s perseverance allowed him to pivot from being an athlete to serving as an athletic trainer.
- Faith as a Foundation: Dustin emphasizes how his Christian faith supported him during hardships and led him to make personal and professional decisions aligned with his values.
- Transitioning Careers: The move from student-athlete to professional trainer was challenging but achievable through mentorship, hard work, and focus on academics.
- Work-Life Balance: Dustin balances his demanding career with family life by structuring his days to ensure time for his son, personal fitness, and quality time with his wife.
- Impactful Mentorship: As an athletic trainer, Dustin uses his experiences to guide and empathize with injured athletes, encouraging them to persevere and remain committed.
Notable Quotes
- “Both of these guys had life experiences and stories of serving and playing and growing literally all over the globe. But I never asked either one of them to tell me about it.”
- “I loved being in our athletic trainers’ anatomy class too. And so for me, it came down to, and this is something that’s really piqued my interest.”
- “I’m doing what he’s asked me to do. I’m just a small pawn in a really large chessboard.”
- “Do something that your future self is going to thank you for. Because right now it’s hard and it sucks and it’s not fun.”
Resources
- Follow Dustin Emery on Instagram and TikTok: @dematc
- Texas 5A State Champion Football Team, Euless Trinity Trojans
- Hardin Simmons University
- Dave Campbell’s Texas Football News
Join us for the full episode to hear more about Dustin’s inspiring journey, and continue following Becoming UnDone for more stories of resilience and relentless pursuit of excellence. Stay tuned for future episodes filled with more engaging and enlightening content!
| Timestamp | Summary |
|---|---|
| 0:11 | Missed Opportunities to Learn from Inspirational Mentors |
| 2:14 | From Athlete to Athletic Trainer: Dustin Emery’s Journey |
| 5:56 | From Reluctant Athlete to Passionate Sports Medicine Professional |
| 12:26 | High School Football Glory and Personal Achievements |
| 14:14 | Overcoming Adversity and Transitioning From Athlete to Healthcare Professional |
| 19:48 | Overcoming Academic Challenges and Transitioning from Athlete to Student |
| 24:58 | Faith, Family, and Overcoming Life’s Challenges Through Christ |
| 30:58 | Career Transitions and Family Life in Athletic Training |
| 37:34 | Perseverance and Resilience Through Adversity in Recovery |
| 40:44 | A Walk-Up Song Prank and Personal Growth Reflections |
| 42:16 | Balancing Family, Work, and CrossFit in a Busy Life |
| 45:28 | Dustin Emery’s Journey of Resilience and Professional Growth |