For the first feature of our “Non-Traditional AT” series, we introduce to you Nora Gilman! Read on for her story of finding purpose beyond the sidelines, what keeps her motivated, and tools she uses to enhance creativity and spark ideas.
Q: What personal experiences or life events sparked your unique practice of athletic training? What professional experiences led you to this place?
A: There are a lot of experiences that have led me to this place but I can recall a very specific point in my career when I felt the most drawn to divert from traditional settings. It started when I lived in Denver, CO and worked as an ATC at University of Denver and loved it. Then I moved to Madison, WI to pursue a GA position with UW-Madison athletics. I loved Madison but always longed to be back in Colorado. If it wasn’t for that intense longing to go back west, I would have stayed at Wisconsin and bury myself in traditional pursuits. I loved every minute of the collegiate setting but my motivation was lapsing, turns out my motivation isn’t in wins/losses like most. Since the collegiate setting was out of the question, I prepared to create my own luck in Denver since AT are careers where people typically move for the job and not move for the location, as opposed to jobs in finance or teaching. Meanwhile, I had thoughts that ATCs need to participate in the business sector and this could potentially be my focus. I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t even know what keywords to type in to research for ideas or other people on the same path.
I moved back to Denver and immediately started interviewing at sport-focused physical therapy clinics to see where I can insert myself and if there are clinics that will be innovative with me. Needless to say, reimbursement stands in the way of innovations. These positions were poor pay, physical therapy aide duties, pay based on ‘performance’ which to me, just meant pay based on how many more patients I can allow the physical therapist to see. I became frustrated. I then realized conforming to other areas of healthcare wouldn’t make me happy, I had to do this on my own. Something else kept me going during this frustration period. No joke, I saw a fortune teller at a hole-in-the-wall place in Honolulu, Hawaii when I was there for winter training. It was a treat to myself for my birthday that day. When she got to my career, she told me to hold on, something will come to me in late August and it will change my life. Turns out, that’s exactly what happened. I never hesitate to attribute my luck to the cards and the stars. HA!
Q: What space do you currently fill in the AT profession?
Q: What is your WHY? What keeps you going when things get hard?
Q: What piece of advice would you give to prospective ATs looking to influence or evolve the AT profession?
A: At this point, the door is wide open for innovation in the AT profession. You can adopt ideas from others and make it better or develop something new. Innovation is the result of frustrating encounters or eye-opening experiences. Do not expect innovation to come without that component.
Q: Has your view on the AT industry evolved since pursuing a non-traditional avenue? If so, how?
A: People know what athletic trainers are. ATs are in their kids high school, ATs are the people on the field when someone gets injured in an NFL game, or they had an athletic trainer in college. Despite that knowledge, people get thrown through a loop with confusion when I mention I am an athletic trainer working in this setting. With this experience, I realize people don’t know what we really do besides sports coverage. Additionally, I thought 3rd party reimbursement for AT services would be the best thing to happen to the industry. However, listening to people’s frustrations with formal healthcare options and watching this business model grow has changed my attitude about 3rd party reimbursement. The best thing for this industry is to detach ourselves from that failing model.
Q: What gave you the confidence to go against the grain and take an innovative approach to serving the AT profession?
A: I have a very supportive partner. None of this would be possible without her support. If I was on my own, I probably would choose ‘safer’ routes. Having a constant pit in your stomach because the traditional options in your career doesn’t make you happy is also quite the motivator.
Q: If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
A: This question is usually for someone who is at their end goal, I’m definitely not there yet. However, one thing I would do differently is negotiate with the owners of the business a bit more for the sake of the AT profession. When we sat down to chat about the future of RXSR, I didn’t know a lot about RXSR, it was a new concept. The owners invested thousands into the building, equipment, etc. The amount spent on capital items is no match for business outcomes if there was more investment in hiring more certified staff and supporting staff development. I wish I would have properly educated them on what an ATC in this role can do to propel the business. The people directing these businesses are more valuable than the equipment. Anyone can purchase a NormaTec and have it at home. No one can purchase me. I mean, unless they are paying high dollar I might consider. However, having equipment that people are familiar with helps them to associate this service with ATs.
Rapid Fire:
A: Outliers by Malcom Gladwell, Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath, Orignials: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant
A: My time. All the time and costly adjustments I’ve made to move all around for the least convenient (as far as geography) positions but those positions have lead me to where I am today and contributed in their own way.
A: I have about 1 hour of driving each day for my commute and to fill the time I listen to a variety of podcasts. One year of listening to very informative and well-produced podcasts has taught me more than four years of college! If you have a gap in your day that is silent, I suggest filling it with audiobooks or podcasts. There’s a lot of information out there to absorb.
A: I’ve always been extremely skillful at noting things in my head. Even in graduate school I didn’t need a planner to help organize going to school full-time and working (more than) full-time. However, on my Apple laptop, I have tons of tabs open at once that I need to pay attention to such as the business software, an exercise programming software for clients, the current blog I’m working on, my e-mail, etc and I just go through each tab throughout the day and work a little on each.
A: A quote by Tony Gaskins said, “If you don’t build your dream, someone will hire you to help build theirs.” This helps clarify that there are two options in this life, are you the person to pursue your own dreams or help others reach theirs? The world needs both types of people, but the quote really helps to simplify the decision to be made if you’re at a spot in your career where you want change.
