1 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:14,360 Speaker 1: What's up everyone, and welcome to the Playmaker's Podcast. I'm 2 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:16,439 Speaker 1: your host, Haley Elwyn and We've got a good show 3 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:20,240 Speaker 1: today because we're highlighting Alison Minor. Alison is an assistant 4 00:00:20,239 --> 00:00:23,919 Speaker 1: athletic trainer and physical therapist with the Chargers, and remarkably, 5 00:00:24,239 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: she's one of only seven female athletic trainers in the NFL. 6 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:31,120 Speaker 1: So as an at for short, Alison is making her 7 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:34,240 Speaker 1: mark in a male dominated environment while helping players return 8 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:37,040 Speaker 1: to form from their lowest points. We'll talk to her 9 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:39,879 Speaker 1: about her career, her inspirations, and what she feels the 10 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: future has in store for female athletic trainers in the league. 11 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:47,000 Speaker 1: So now let's welcome in Alison Miner presented by Mercury Insurance. 12 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 1: All right, let's welcome in Alison Minor. Alison, thank you 13 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 1: so much for joining me. How are you doing today? 14 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 1: I'm doing great. How are you? I'm good? Thank you. 15 00:00:57,840 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: So I said at the top, you are one of 16 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: only seven female athletic trainers in the league. So when 17 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: you hear that and kind of put that into perspective, 18 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 1: how does that make you feel? Well? It's exciting because 19 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:10,120 Speaker 1: when I first got in there was only three of 20 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 1: us Yeah, so I think it's exciting, and I think, 21 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:15,120 Speaker 1: you know, we'll just continue to grow and grow and 22 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 1: it won't really be that big of a deal anymore. 23 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 1: You told me last year, I'm living my dream. You 24 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:24,039 Speaker 1: hear the players say they're living there's but I'm living mine. 25 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 1: You still feel that way five years into this in 26 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 1: the league? I do, Yeah, I do. I still enjoy 27 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: it as much as I did the first maybe even more. Yeah, 28 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 1: you know, because I'm understanding the NFL more as each 29 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:39,400 Speaker 1: year progresses. Is that in terms of the game, in 30 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 1: terms of I'm sure even your player relationships have strengthened 31 00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:45,600 Speaker 1: as well. Yeah, I mean, I think when you come 32 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: from college and you you know, it's football, right, but 33 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 1: it really is kind of a different game. Yeah, and 34 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 1: so I think I understand the game more, the business 35 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 1: of the NFL more, and and yeah, you do. You 36 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 1: do grow because there are some guys that are still 37 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 1: here from five years ago, which is really cool. So 38 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:08,079 Speaker 1: those relationships I've grown quite quite a lot. Your job 39 00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 1: is to really help athletes get back to form. How 40 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 1: rewarding ultimately of a career? Is that the most Yeah, 41 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 1: the most rewarding, because you see, I'm dealing with elite 42 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:22,640 Speaker 1: athletes right every day, and you see them at their 43 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 1: at their best when they score or they block somebody 44 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:29,840 Speaker 1: or whatever their job is. And then I see them 45 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:32,959 Speaker 1: also at their very very worst. And so to see 46 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 1: them at their very worst and get them back to 47 00:02:35,639 --> 00:02:38,920 Speaker 1: what they love to do and ultimately what their job 48 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:41,640 Speaker 1: is to do is a great thing. So take us 49 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:43,320 Speaker 1: a little bit behind the curtain and just kind of 50 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 1: give us an overview of what a week in season 51 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:48,320 Speaker 1: is like for you. We'll start with Mondays, I guess 52 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:52,240 Speaker 1: are are like a kind of an injury clinic day. 53 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 1: So it's after the game. The players, you know, will 54 00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: probably get there around thirty or seven in the morning, 55 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:03,680 Speaker 1: but the players don't have to get there until about 56 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 1: nine o'clock for you know, basically injury check. And but 57 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:11,160 Speaker 1: we'll we'll we'll be there early and if guys want 58 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:13,040 Speaker 1: to come in early and start the rehab or just 59 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 1: start getting treated and looked at, that, we'll start there 60 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:19,400 Speaker 1: and then we kind of go through the day. The 61 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:23,119 Speaker 1: players have some activities that they they're doing and meetings 62 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,480 Speaker 1: um and then we'll be there after their meetings. So 63 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:29,880 Speaker 1: they're meetings usually end around five o'clock and so we'll 64 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 1: be there after that and take care of whatever needs 65 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:36,520 Speaker 1: to be taken care of. And then um, Tuesday's is 66 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 1: a little bit of a lighter day. It's a player 67 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 1: day off, but it we'll be in again, you know, 68 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 1: somewhere around six thirty in the morning and and start 69 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 1: treating players, you know, shortly after that. We try to 70 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 1: get them in and out as as quickly as we 71 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:57,040 Speaker 1: can in terms of trying to have give them an 72 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 1: actual day off that injured athletes. Obviously, if you're not in, 73 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 1: you don't need to come in totally. Wednesday is probably 74 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:06,360 Speaker 1: you know, your longest day. You're probably in you know, 75 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,440 Speaker 1: five o'clock in the morning. So if you're working out, 76 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 1: you're in at three thirty in the morning. And so um, 77 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: on those days, you know, it's an early day. You know, 78 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:19,600 Speaker 1: you get up, you work out, and then you get 79 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 1: to your desk by around five o'clock and start treatment. 80 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 1: Because the thing is our treatment start at six am. Yeah, 81 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:30,599 Speaker 1: and so some players though, like to lift around six am, 82 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:32,840 Speaker 1: or they like to live. They have a routine. So 83 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:35,600 Speaker 1: if you have an injured player that's routine is to 84 00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 1: come in at six You need to be there at 85 00:04:38,240 --> 00:04:41,719 Speaker 1: five from him to to fulfill what he needs to 86 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:45,560 Speaker 1: fulfill in his day. And so, um, yeah, and we 87 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 1: probably leave you know, six thirty seven somewhere around there 88 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:54,120 Speaker 1: on those days, so you know, those are longer days. Obviously, Fridays, 89 00:04:54,160 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 1: you know, we if we're traveling, you know, we get 90 00:04:56,640 --> 00:05:00,480 Speaker 1: out early. Yeah, we leave early. And Saturdays, same thing, 91 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:04,360 Speaker 1: you know, traveling and stuff. Saturdays the latter day. And obviously, um, 92 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 1: Sundays is a long day. And yeah, Sundays you're there, 93 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: you know, crack of dawn till till whenever, whenever you're 94 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:14,040 Speaker 1: you're done. What's it like the whole training department taking 95 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:16,240 Speaker 1: it on the road. Is it different when you're sort 96 00:05:16,279 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 1: of out of your element in your own facility or 97 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:20,039 Speaker 1: anything like that, when you're doing stuff out of a 98 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:22,680 Speaker 1: hotel at all? Yeah, I mean I think we've got 99 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:26,280 Speaker 1: it down. Um, I'm pretty well. You know, we we 100 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 1: have all these different trunks and things that we travel with, 101 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:33,599 Speaker 1: so we pretty much bring a training room on the 102 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 1: road every every time we travel. So, yes, it is 103 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 1: a different. Yes, it's a hotel, you know, it's a 104 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:41,680 Speaker 1: hotel ballroom that you're working out of. But I think 105 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:43,839 Speaker 1: we can still get a lot done that we need to. 106 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:48,320 Speaker 1: And by that point, um, you're not doing um tons 107 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 1: and tons of rehab and things. If if somebody needs 108 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:53,280 Speaker 1: that much, they're probably not going to play on totally. 109 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:57,440 Speaker 1: So by that point we have all we need. Yeah. Yeah, 110 00:05:57,880 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 1: So let's get into the history of the female athletic 111 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 1: trainers in the league, because I think to appreciate your position, 112 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:06,440 Speaker 1: there's really a limited history that came before you. But 113 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 1: I know two of the women you and I had 114 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 1: briefly talked last year who broke barriers were Sue Hillman 115 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 1: and Rico Eso. But how did they influence you? Well, 116 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 1: I think again, until I saw them, specifically to Rico, 117 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:23,279 Speaker 1: because you know, she was more publicized than Sue was, 118 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:27,160 Speaker 1: I would say, and you know, you have these dreams, 119 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 1: but you don't see anybody who looks like you're doing 120 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 1: what you're trying to do. So when Rico got the job, 121 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:37,360 Speaker 1: I thought, oh my gosh, Okay, I want to do that. Okay, 122 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:41,080 Speaker 1: she's there. That's that's what I've been wanting to do. 123 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 1: But again, you don't see anybody doing it. It looks 124 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 1: like you. That's like you. So once she got it, 125 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: it was like, Okay, I'm going for this and I'm 126 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:52,040 Speaker 1: going to continue to strive for it. Because you get 127 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:54,560 Speaker 1: a little discouraged. I would say, well when you don't 128 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:57,479 Speaker 1: see somebody or you just think it's just I'm not 129 00:06:57,520 --> 00:06:59,599 Speaker 1: going to be able to break in type of things, 130 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:03,920 Speaker 1: a mail dominated environment. Absolutely, absolutely, so that right there 131 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:06,159 Speaker 1: was big when I when I saw she was there, 132 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:09,080 Speaker 1: that gave me a lot of hope and encouragement to 133 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 1: just kind of keep pursuing the goal that I had 134 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 1: had said. Were you always into sports? You know? I was, 135 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 1: But really I was actually in theater. Okay. I was 136 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 1: more of an art musical and dance. I did the 137 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,000 Speaker 1: dance thing too, So I mean I was in theater 138 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 1: for quite a long time, and I was pursuing that 139 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: for quite a long time. Okay, Um, I always liked sports. 140 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 1: Thought I was always an an athletic girl. I wouldn't 141 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 1: say I was an athlete necessarily. I mean I played 142 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 1: sports in high school, sure, but not but like drama 143 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 1: kind of took over. You know, they're at the same periods, 144 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 1: experiod or whatever it was in high school. So I 145 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 1: had to pick. So I picked. I picked the theater. 146 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:50,200 Speaker 1: But um, I've always I always liked sports. So give 147 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 1: us a little bit of kind of just a reader's 148 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 1: digest version of your experience, your schooling, your physical therapist. Also, 149 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 1: prior to coming to the Chargers, I went to San 150 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:03,720 Speaker 1: Diego State University, graduated with UM a kinesiology degree in 151 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: athletic training, and then UM I did I went to 152 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: physical therapy school after that, you know, University of Pugets 153 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 1: down up in the Pacific Northwest, so southern California. Girl 154 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:18,280 Speaker 1: up there rough a raincoat, it was rough. Yeah, they 155 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 1: don't use umbrellas up there. Raincoat, they know that. I 156 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 1: had an umbrella at first. It Yeah, it doesn't work out. Um. 157 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:28,600 Speaker 1: And then I worked at San Diego State with their 158 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 1: football team for ten years, and so I think that 159 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: was a really good training ground for me, um, to 160 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 1: prepare me for what I'm doing. Now. What was it 161 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 1: like working in the college game. Oh, you know what, 162 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 1: it was great. You know, you see these these young 163 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 1: men out there just putting it all out on the line, 164 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:47,000 Speaker 1: you know, and uh, they're not getting paid to do it, 165 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 1: so they're they're really they're just out there for the 166 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:52,839 Speaker 1: love of the game, just doing it. I think there 167 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:55,960 Speaker 1: was a lot more um policing that you had to 168 00:08:56,000 --> 00:09:00,480 Speaker 1: do because they're just young, young kids coming right out 169 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 1: of high school, so you had to kind of mother them, 170 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:05,520 Speaker 1: if you will, yeah, a little bit more than you 171 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:11,120 Speaker 1: do here. We'll get back to our convo with Allison 172 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:12,839 Speaker 1: in a few but we wanted to remind you that 173 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 1: you won't miss a minute of the action with the 174 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:18,439 Speaker 1: official Los Angeles Chargers mobile app. Follow real time stats, 175 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:21,679 Speaker 1: watch your favorite Bolts programming, and live local Chargers games 176 00:09:21,720 --> 00:09:25,560 Speaker 1: all season long. 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So, in twenty fifteen, you basically got 193 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 1: the opportunity of a lifetime because the NFL had mandated 194 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:20,559 Speaker 1: that every team in the league have a physical therapist, 195 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:23,000 Speaker 1: and you got the call to join the Charger staff. 196 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:25,440 Speaker 1: What was that, Like, what do you remember? Yeah? I 197 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:29,559 Speaker 1: remember one of my mentors, Carolyn Peters, she called me 198 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:34,599 Speaker 1: and said there might be an opportunity, you know, that 199 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:38,320 Speaker 1: that might arise soon. You know. I didn't have a 200 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:41,760 Speaker 1: lot of details, really kind of vague, Yeah, with the Chargers. 201 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: And that was like my stomach, I mean, my heart 202 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:46,720 Speaker 1: just dropped into my stomach, Like you've got to be 203 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 1: kidding me, because because not only did you want to 204 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:52,160 Speaker 1: be in the NFL, right, but I wanted to work 205 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:54,600 Speaker 1: for the Chargers. Yeah, that was the team I wanted 206 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:57,000 Speaker 1: to work for. I grew up in San Diego, sure, 207 00:10:57,160 --> 00:10:59,559 Speaker 1: so I was a Chargers fan and so that is 208 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:02,839 Speaker 1: something that, you know, was really something that I wanted 209 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:05,560 Speaker 1: to do. So yeah, so I got that, you know, 210 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:08,439 Speaker 1: I got she kind of gave me a little bit 211 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: of info, and so obviously I started getting my resume 212 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 1: together and just getting getting everything together, you know, and 213 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 1: hopes that what she kind of threw out there was 214 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 1: going to happen. And then, um, so I don't know 215 00:11:20,679 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 1: if it was soon after, but after that, then I 216 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 1: got a call from James Collins, I was a head 217 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 1: athletic trainer at the time, and and then the ball 218 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 1: star rolling from there. I remember James had told me 219 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 1: he'd met you a while back. Yeah, because James also 220 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 1: is a San Diego State alumni alumni, and so he's 221 00:11:40,280 --> 00:11:42,959 Speaker 1: like especially in athletic training, you know, he was kind 222 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:45,199 Speaker 1: of one of the more famous, if you will, yes, 223 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:50,040 Speaker 1: people that are alumni. So I of course knew him. 224 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:54,760 Speaker 1: And then I just always anytime we had events or 225 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:58,080 Speaker 1: we have enough National Athletic Trainers Convention every year and 226 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 1: things like that, anytime I saw him, I made sure 227 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:03,920 Speaker 1: that I would always introduce myself, and by the you 228 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 1: know how many other times he finally was like, I 229 00:12:06,240 --> 00:12:11,199 Speaker 1: know you don't have to keep inter getting yourself. So yeah. 230 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:13,960 Speaker 1: So so I have known him through the years, but um, 231 00:12:14,679 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 1: you know, didn't have like a lot of contact with 232 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:20,559 Speaker 1: I remember he had told me that it really wasn't 233 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:22,719 Speaker 1: a gender thing, that you were ultimately just the most 234 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 1: qualified person to take the job. But ultimately the Chargers 235 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,040 Speaker 1: were one of those teams that was on the forefront 236 00:12:28,040 --> 00:12:30,959 Speaker 1: of bringing women into the organization and positions like yourself. 237 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:33,040 Speaker 1: So when you kind of hear that, though, I mean, 238 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:34,600 Speaker 1: how special is it to be a part of something 239 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 1: like that. Oh, it's so special because they didn't have 240 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 1: to do that. Yeah, because you know, really there's there's 241 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:44,280 Speaker 1: um I don't know, I don't know if it's an 242 00:12:44,320 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 1: inherent risk or or whatever, but but whatever the stigma 243 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:53,160 Speaker 1: is or was, it's there. Yeah. And they said they 244 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:57,920 Speaker 1: they they listened to James and and and and they said, okay, 245 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,320 Speaker 1: let's you know, let's give it a go, let's take 246 00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:02,320 Speaker 1: a chance. I mean I talked to Tom to leasco 247 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 1: and um, you know, he was great to me when 248 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:08,800 Speaker 1: I talked to him and everything that kind of in 249 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 1: the interview process. And so I'm grateful to him as well. 250 00:13:12,679 --> 00:13:16,360 Speaker 1: And and and you know, the coaches and and everybody 251 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:20,280 Speaker 1: else that was like, yeah, okay, let's do this, you know, 252 00:13:20,360 --> 00:13:22,640 Speaker 1: and and and really I don't think we've looked back 253 00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:26,199 Speaker 1: since it's been great. Yeah. Is there any added pressure 254 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 1: being a woman in this position? Sure, because you don't 255 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:31,760 Speaker 1: want to mess anything. Now. Yeah, there's only seven of us, right, 256 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:35,600 Speaker 1: you know, so you don't want your misstep to be 257 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:39,160 Speaker 1: you know, three or four other art women. You know, 258 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 1: remember what happened with this or you know, you just 259 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 1: don't want anything anything to go wrong. So I think 260 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:47,720 Speaker 1: there's pressure. And you get I get a lot of 261 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 1: emails and our Facebook messages and from people, young ladies 262 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 1: that I don't know, but I try to talk to 263 00:13:55,080 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 1: all of them and give them the best device that 264 00:13:57,320 --> 00:13:59,640 Speaker 1: I can. When they asked me, how important is it 265 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:03,600 Speaker 1: to give back? Like that? Very important, very important, because 266 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:06,600 Speaker 1: I think, you know, I actually talked to our reco 267 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:09,800 Speaker 1: a little bit too, you know, and so and she 268 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:12,200 Speaker 1: she emailed me back. She always she always did that, 269 00:14:12,280 --> 00:14:15,080 Speaker 1: And so I try to do the same, you know. 270 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 1: I mean, no matter how busy you get, this is 271 00:14:17,920 --> 00:14:20,880 Speaker 1: somebody and and you don't have to, you know, write 272 00:14:20,920 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 1: a three page letter to them, totally right, But um, 273 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 1: sometimes I say, hey, you know what, give me your number, 274 00:14:26,920 --> 00:14:28,400 Speaker 1: I'll give you a call, or why don't you give 275 00:14:28,440 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 1: me a call? You know, it might be easier than 276 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:32,960 Speaker 1: explaining this over the or you know they sometimes they 277 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:36,440 Speaker 1: have different questions and totally like that. So yeah, I 278 00:14:36,480 --> 00:14:38,840 Speaker 1: think it's important. I think it's always important to give 279 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:42,000 Speaker 1: give back to people. Um, you know, because people gave 280 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:44,479 Speaker 1: to me and people mentored me, and I think mentorship 281 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:46,760 Speaker 1: is very very important well, and in today's day, at 282 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 1: age two, it's so much easier to get in touch 283 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 1: with people as well. Yes that even things like like 284 00:14:51,800 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 1: you said, Facebook, it's not even you going up to 285 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 1: James at a conference anymore. It's digital now. Oh yeah. Yeah, 286 00:14:57,080 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 1: so from co workers to players, how receptive that they 287 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:02,400 Speaker 1: been to your position. But also I know this team 288 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 1: has other female interns too. You know, I think when 289 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:08,440 Speaker 1: I first my first year in and I think this, 290 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:11,800 Speaker 1: this probably would have happened with a male too. You know, 291 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:15,560 Speaker 1: they were a little hesitant or reluctant. I just kind 292 00:15:15,560 --> 00:15:17,920 Speaker 1: of waited it out and I just kind of, you know, 293 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:20,600 Speaker 1: would try to pluck one guy and and then once 294 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:23,000 Speaker 1: they were like, okay, she's cool, she knows what she's 295 00:15:23,040 --> 00:15:25,360 Speaker 1: doing it, then maybe I'd get another one and then 296 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 1: you know, and I think you just have to build 297 00:15:27,280 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 1: rapport with people. So, like I said, I think it 298 00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:32,720 Speaker 1: probably could have happened with a guy just as easy. 299 00:15:33,160 --> 00:15:36,600 Speaker 1: You know, But you new right exactly basically that's what 300 00:15:36,640 --> 00:15:39,240 Speaker 1: it was. I think, you know, you're new, and you know, 301 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 1: I don't know you. I'm not going to trust you 302 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 1: with my body round you know what I mean, this 303 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 1: is my this is my craft basically what you know, 304 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:49,440 Speaker 1: their bodies. So, yeah, it didn't I mean, it didn't 305 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 1: take very long, but but initially, you know, it was. 306 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:55,640 Speaker 1: It was a little bit of a struggle, I guess 307 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 1: for me because I came from a place at San 308 00:15:57,800 --> 00:16:01,080 Speaker 1: Diego State where I was in chargeable lot of things. Yeah, 309 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:03,160 Speaker 1: and I knew everybody and everybody knew me, and I 310 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:06,760 Speaker 1: knew everything about everything, right, and so I came to 311 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:09,400 Speaker 1: a place where I knew nothing starting over. I didn't 312 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:11,600 Speaker 1: know where the tape was located. And you know what 313 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:16,000 Speaker 1: I mean, you're basically completely starting over. So um, initially, 314 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:18,760 Speaker 1: you know, there was some growing paints for me. I 315 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 1: don't think I don't think it's a big deal. Yeah, 316 00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 1: you know, I think I think players here treat me 317 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 1: the same as they they they treat my coworkers. Yeah, 318 00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:30,280 Speaker 1: you know, it's like, hey, this is what I need 319 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 1: whatever or whatever whatever, you know, And that's that's great 320 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 1: because I enjoy that. I mean, obviously you can enjoy 321 00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 1: a bit of chivalry and things like that, you can, sure, 322 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:43,840 Speaker 1: and I do, and I appreciate that. But I also 323 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:47,280 Speaker 1: appreciate them just treating me like a person who who 324 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:50,560 Speaker 1: has a job to do. I appreciate that as well. Well. 325 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:52,200 Speaker 1: And then lastly, to kind of tag off of that, 326 00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:54,000 Speaker 1: I mean you opened it up by saying you hope 327 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 1: eventually the numbers don't matter. But ultimately, where do you 328 00:16:57,840 --> 00:17:02,520 Speaker 1: see female athletic trainers trending in the league? Oh? Up, yeah, 329 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 1: up for sure. I think I think in in in 330 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:10,640 Speaker 1: in all areas, not just ethotic training. Obviously that's my foretight, 331 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: but um yeah, I think in all areas there's there's 332 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:17,840 Speaker 1: more and more and more women and and I think, uh, 333 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:22,800 Speaker 1: there's so much strength and diversity. Yeah, you know so, 334 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:27,000 Speaker 1: Um a diverse workplace is I think going to to 335 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:29,800 Speaker 1: just build you know so much. And I think I 336 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:32,480 Speaker 1: think our you know, our our athletic training room is 337 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:35,720 Speaker 1: very diverse, and I think that's one of the one 338 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:38,560 Speaker 1: of the reasons we're so strong. It's great, it's because 339 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:41,920 Speaker 1: we're so diverse. Yeah, awesome, Alison, We appreciate it. Thank 340 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:47,080 Speaker 1: you so much. Thank you all right, and that's a 341 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:50,000 Speaker 1: wrap on this week's episode of Playmakers. Many things to 342 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:52,960 Speaker 1: Alison Minor for sharing her story and for her insight. 343 00:17:53,359 --> 00:17:56,119 Speaker 1: One final reminder to subscribe to the All New Chargers 344 00:17:56,160 --> 00:17:59,479 Speaker 1: podcast Network wherever you listen to podcasts. It's your one 345 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:02,200 Speaker 1: stop shot for all things Chargers directly from the team, 346 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:06,480 Speaker 1: including in depth conversations and analysis with players, coaches, executives, 347 00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:09,920 Speaker 1: national reporters and broadcasters, and much more. Be sure to 348 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:12,200 Speaker 1: rate and review on Apple Podcasts and thanks for listening. 349 00:18:12,359 --> 00:18:13,360 Speaker 1: Catch you guys next time.