Let me tell you a story...
About four years ago now, I started my career as a certified athletic trainer. I got a job at a small division 3 college right out of graduate school. It was extremely demanding but also rewarding, and I loved it. My third year there, my lacrosse team honored me during halftime of one of their games for athletic training month (which is March, fyi). They even got me a shirt signed by all of the team members. Now, this was very unexpected and by far the biggest gesture of thanks I had ever received at my job. So, after the game I was looking at everyone's little notes written on the shirt when I came across one in particular that made me pause. It said, "thank you for everything you do for us, even though you're just a trainer!" I stopped and read it again, "just a trainer." Now upon reflection, I believe the athlete was trying to convey their gratitude for what they perceived as me going above and beyond my job duties. (This particular athlete had struggled with some non-sport related issues that I helped with.) However, that phrase "just a trainer", still got to me. And rightfully so. Athletic trainers are constantly looked down upon by both the athletic and medical communities. Why is that? (That can of worm is for another day.)
Getting back to my story, it's near impossible for athletic trainers to be "just" any one single thing. An athletic trainer's job inherently makes it that we go above and beyond. In my personal experience, I essentially was a stand-in parent for many of the athletes, fielding questions that went far beyond having to do with athletic injuries. The truth is, I'm not "just a trainer". I'm part injury preventer, part injury healer, part counselor, part motivator, and full-time problem solver. I'm always there for the athlete, no matter what.
I am an athletic trainer.
"A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one."
