For episode 10, we brought you our second case study, an interview with Kelly Hudson, an athletic trainer on The Biggest Loser and with the stunt men & women at Universal Studios. She gives us an all access pass into athletic training for the performing arts. Listen to the full episode on Soundcloud or iTunes.

Kelly was given an opportunity to work a 5 week tour with Lord of the Dance, which eventually turned into a 5 year stint and  full athletic training program that allowed ATs interested in the performing arts to travel internationally. 

Here is Kelly’s 4 step program to getting into performing arts, using production terms:

1. Audition: selling who & what we are to a company
   • Doing your homework to speak in terms of production, not just athletics
   • Use NATA as a resource
   • Attend performing arts conferences & meetings to network with those already in the industry
2. Front Line & Bottom Line: getting the cast & company to buy in
   • Front Line:
     • Determining & delivering what the cast needs to perform optimally.
     • Getting those cast members who are most valuable to the production to buy into what you’re doing.
   • Bottom Line:
     • If you don’t make money or save money, your job is not secure; your cost must be justified
     • Having a business sense is paramount when speaking to people who only care about money
     • Return on Investment:
       • Cost effective solution to health care keeps them an industry leader. Having an athletic trainer sets that company apart from other competition
       • Recognizing & responding to injury trends including cast & crew
       • Building relationships with other medical providers to increase show quality and general welfare
       • Improve cast morale and increase show quality and productivity
3. Dress Rehearsal: how do you get ready for the show
   • Build experience working in the performing arts
     • Varsity spirit corporation is a good company to get your start in the performing arts
     • Look into professional affiliations through the NATA
     • Get involved with Toastmasters to help with your public speaking ability
     • Volunteer work with community or company productions to learn the language and get comfortable with the setting
4. Encore: how do you get them to keep coming back to you
   • Networking will get you to the next gig. Establishing connections and relationships with people assist in getting you more work.
   • Continue to show the value of what you do and as the company grows they will want more athletic trainers and their services

How to quantify your value using the workers compensation model:

• Look at total days lost due to workers compensation situations, which is available through any employer
• Work Comp premium equation is each of these numbers multiplied by each other:
  • Classification rate: set rate based on type of work (secretary vs. construction worker)
  • Total amount of payroll for each classification
  • EMOD: claims history; the more claims filed, the higher the number

By having an athletic trainer on staff, the EMOD can be decreased for the company, thereby reducing their workers compensation cost and premium.

100% of companies have a positive ROI, some experience $3-$7 in return for every dollar invested in an athletic trainer.

It’s important to not just show the feel good aspects of athletic training, but also the numbers behind what we do.

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