On this episode of the Healthy Wealthy and Smart Podcast, Caralyn Baxter joins me to discuss her experience as a physical therapist in the 2018 Olympic Games. Dr. Caralyn Baxter is a physical therapist for United States Ski and Snowboard and spends roughly a third of the year traveling with the US Freeski Halfpipe team to domestic and international competitions. Most recently, Cara wrapped up a trip to PyeongChang, South Korea for the 2018 Olympic Games where her team brought home gold, silver, and bronze medals. When not traveling with the team, Cara works out of the Center of Excellence in Park City, UT with all US Ski and Snowboard disciplines, developing long term rehabilitation plans and collaborating with the high performance strength and conditioning team to optimize athletes’ health and success.
In this episode, we discuss:
-How Cara’s volunteer work brought her to the 2018 Olympic Winter Games
-What to expect with sports medicine on the road in comparison to in the clinic
-Prioritizing self care in the face of long working hours during competition season
-Cara’s top moments as a clinician in the Olympic Games
-And so much more!
Breaking into sports medicine takes perseverance and grit as Cara has found that, “Sports medicine is very much a world of needing to prove yourself and make those connections first before an opportunity of having a paid position is going to be placed in front of you.” Cara stresses, “You have to be persistent.”
While treating Olympic athletes on the road can be demanding, ultimately, you are responsible for providing the best care for the athletes as Cara reminds, “It wouldn’t be an Olympic experience without the athletes.”
To enhance your success in sports medicine, Cara advises, “Take advantage of any opportunity out there because you never know what door that’s going to open for you.”
For more information on Caralyn:
Dr. Caralyn Baxter is a physical therapist for United States Ski and Snowboard and spends roughly a third of the year traveling with the US Freeski Halfpipe team to domestic and international competitions. Most recently, Cara wrapped up a trip to PyeongChang, South Korea for the 2018 Olympic Games where her team brought home gold, silver, and bronze medals.
When not traveling with the team, Cara works out of the Center of Excellence in Park City, UT with all US Ski and Snowboard disciplines, developing long term rehabilitation plans and collaborating with the high performance strength and conditioning team to optimize athletes’ health and success. She has a particular interest in athlete brain health and concussion rehabilitation, and in the summer of 2017, Cara partnered with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher and implemented the first sports neurology pre participation exams for the US Freeski Halfpipe Team. Additionally, Cara has served as a guest lecturer on concussion rehabilitation at the University of Utah and presented at the 2017 Medical Emergencies in Skiing and Snowboarding conference.
Resources discussed on this show:
Cara Baxter Instagram
Cara Baxter Twitter
Email: cbaxter@ussa.org
Boston Globe: There’s more than one way to make an Olympic dream come true
Concussion Corner Podcast with Dr. Caralyn Baxter
Headspace
Thanks for listening and subscribing to the podcast! Make sure to connect with me on twitter, instagram and facebook to stay updated on all of the latest! Show your support for the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes!
Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart!
Xo Karen
548: Erica Meloe: Knowing your Strengths as an Entrepreneur
547: Dee Kornetti & Cindy Krafft: Maintenance Therapy in the Home
546: Dr. Emily Scherb: Working with Circus Artists Beyond the Bigtop
545: Kate Eckman: The Full Spirit Workout
544: Jeremy Herider: Becoming Your Optimal Self
542: Kate MacKinnon: A TEDx Talk: Women, Aging and Visibility
541: Keiya K. Rayne: The Path To Possibility: Journey To The TEDx Stage
540: Tricia Brouk: Stepping Into the Red Circle: How to Land a TEDx Talk
539: Dr. Jonas Sokolof: Moving Through Cancer
538: Dr. Lisa VanHoose: Are you Harming your Patients?
537: Daniel Folsom: Google Ads and SEO
536: Dr. Ellen Anderson: Burnout in Physical Therapy
535: Jillian Schmitt & Kristin Carroll: Why Evert PT Needs a Cancer Rehab Skillset
534: Dr. Erik Meira: Platform for AASPT President
533: Dr. Mike Reinold: Platform for AASPT President
532: Dr. Julie Wiebe: Running and Pregnancy
531: Dr. Chris Johnson: Empowering Runners Through Rehab
530: Tom Goom: Persistent Pain in Runners
529: John Lee Dumas: The Common Path to Uncommon Success
527: Dr. Alli Gokeler: Motor Learning & ACL Rehab: Do We Need It?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Relaxback UK Show
Good Nurse Bad Nurse
On Call With Dr. Anselm Anyoha
The Doctor’s Farmacy with Mark Hyman, M.D.
The Peter Attia Drive