Season 2, Episode 1 — “Why a DAT? Rethinking ‘Advanced Practice’ in Athletic Training”

Hosts: Dr. Matthew R. Kutz & Dr. Jeff Konin
Length: ~30 min
Theme: Season kickoff + a candid conversation about leadership preparation in athletic training, what a Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) can (and can’t) do for your career, and why “advanced practice” is bigger than clinical skills.

Matt and Jeff launch Season 2 by reframing the DAT as purposeful, future-focused development—especially in leadership, entrepreneurship, global perspective, and strategic management. They unpack common reasons clinicians hesitate to pursue a DAT (time, money, unclear ROI, employer recognition) and explain how the right program can expand options you can’t yet see. They also challenge the notion that “advanced practice” only means more clinical techniques—and argue it must include the managerial, strategic, and business capabilities that most promotions actually require. The episode closes with a PSA on Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

• 00:00 – Welcome back: Season 2 vibe, format changes, occasional guests

• 01:25 – The big question: “Why should anyone get a DAT?”

• 03:10 – Purpose over boxes: Designing your DAT around goals, not CEU checklists

• 04:47 – It’s personal: The hidden upside of doctoral study (skills you didn’t know you needed)

• 07:02 – Time reality check: “What do I do with all this time now?”—grads after finishing

• 11:51 – The barrier list: Money, unclear advancement, employer recognition, alternatives, delivery myths, uncertainty, “I’m satisfied”

• 15:35 – Domain 5 debate: Why leadership/management gets 8% of focus but 80% of your day

• 19:31 – Leadership ≠ management: The skills schools protect students from (but jobs demand)

• 23:00 – Defining ‘advanced practice’: Beyond “eight ways to test an ACL”

• 27:58 – The promotion paradox: The higher you go, the less clinical you do

• 28:46 – Lightbulb moment: Most aspirations lead outside direct clinical work

• 29:45 – PSA: September = Prostate Cancer Awareness—get your PSA screened