{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Stronger Health and Leadership: Lessons from NFL Hall of Fame Athletic Trainer Mike Ryan","description":" On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with Hall of Fame NFL athletic trainer and sports medicine expert Mike Ryan for an inspiring conversation that\u2019s filled with wisdom, stories from the NFL sidelines, and practical ways to stay healthy from his new book Foam Rolling made Easy.   Mike shares his unique journey\u2014from his early days as an assistant with the New York Giants to becoming the youngest head athletic trainer in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and later transitioning to his current role with NBC\u2019s Sunday Night Football. Along the way, Mike opens up about the leadership lessons he learned under pressure, the importance of clear communication, and the power of honesty in building trust with both players and coaches.   We delve into the mindset shifts required when stepping into a leadership role, the art of mentoring others to their own success, and the lasting impact of fostering a culture where team members can grow and thrive. Mike\u2019s commitment to making sports medicine simple and accessible shines through as he discusses his mission to help people move pain-free and live more active, fulfilling lives. He unpacks strategies for injury prevention, reveals how foam rolling can unlock your body\u2019s potential, and explains why taking care of ourselves matters\u2014not just for elite athletes, but for anyone who wants to stay \u201cstronger for longer.\u201d   Whether you\u2019re a leader, an athlete, or simply someone looking to invest in your health, this episode is packed with actionable advice and encouragement. Mike\u2019s passion is contagious, and his message is clear: no matter your age or where you\u2019re starting from, positive change and lifelong wellness are within your reach. About Mike, Mike Ryan is a sports medicine specialist, physical therapist and former 26-year National Football League (NFL) Head Athletic Trainer\/Physical Therapist. He proudly served as President of the PFATS Research & Education Foundation for 14 years. Mike was recently inducted into the NFL Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026. He\u2019s focused his career post-NFL career on teaching individuals the art of restoring pain-free joint movement without medicine. Mike\u2019s Personal Mission Statement is simple: To Enhance the Health of Others and Himself Mike is the currently the sideline Sports Medicine Analyst for both Sunday Night Football and Thursday Night Football. Mike\u2019s second book, Foam Rolling Made Easy, was released in January 2026. His athletic and extreme-sport resumes continue to grow: \u2022 Acrobatic plane Wing Walking \u2022 Competing in 3 of the last 4 three DekaFit World Championships \u2022 6 Ironman triathlons in 5 countries \u2022 Great white shark diving in South Africa \u2022 Bungee jumping in New Zealand \u2022 Two Running with the Bulls in Spain \u2022 2002 Duathlon World Championships \u2022 Ironman Triathlon World Championships Mr. Ryan attended Central Connecticut State University earning hisdegree in Athletic Training before earning hisPhysical Therapy degree from the University of Connecticut.  Here\u2019s a few additional resources for you\u2026 Do you feel called to share your story with the world? Check out Gordon Publishing  Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11 Check out my new revised release of my book, The Power of Positive Leadership here! Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It\u2019s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters. Ready to lead with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose? The Certified Positive Leader Program is for anyone who wants to grow as a leader from the inside out. It\u2019s a self-paced experience built around my most impactful leadership principles with tools you can apply right away to improve your mindset, relationships, and results. You\u2019ll discover what it really means to lead with positivity\u2026 and how to do it every day. Learn more here! Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare! ","author_name":"The Jon Gordon Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/positiveuniversity.com\/","html":"