This week we have the honor to interview again a group of NBA/WNBA sports performance executives to talk about the team behind the team and what it is like to work with athletes privately.
Dr Bill Burgos, a former NBA head strength coach (ex Timberwolves / NY Knicks / Orlando Magic) who is now founder of his own nutrition app.
Dr. Marco Nunez, the Former Head Athletic Trainer at the LA Lakers (NBA).
Joelle Muro, the physical therapist of the NY Liberty, the 2024 WNBA Champions.
📝Show Notes: Through this interview, we touched on:
The challenges and best practices when working with an athlete privately.
They're success stories with athletes.What they have learned when things did not go as planned while working with an athlete privately.
How they see the role of private trainers/PT evolving in the future.
The technological tools or innovations that they have found helpful in their practices with athletes.
The types of innovative technologies they think private coaches / trainers / PT will use in the future.
You can read the full transcript of the podcast interview located at the top of this blog post.
Here are some of the best quotes of our conversation with Marco, Bill and Joelle:
Q1. Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you face when working with athletes privately? How do you manage the differing priorities of the athlete’s personal goals versus their club’s expectations?
Dr Bill Burgos:
"I get to spend more time with a particular athlete to better understand what motivates them. But one of the most important aspects is communication. It's crucial to understand the transition from the end of the season to the off-season, where the focus shifts to addressing areas that need improvement and dedicating more time to working on them."
Dr Marco Nunez:
"One of the biggest challenges I've encountered is that, since you're not part of the inner workings of the team, you don't always have access to key information. You're not in meetings with management, so you're often left out of decisions like player trades, releases, or contract negotiations. This lack of insight can be difficult, especially when you're not 'on the inside.'"
Joelle Muro:
"The best way to manage the differing priorities is to create a relationship with the private trainer. They are now an extension of us. I try to be honest and communicate our goals with the athlete’s private team, so it’s aligned with what we want to achieve."
Q2. Best Practices: What are the best practices when working with an athlete privately to ensure good collaboration and communication with their club?
Dr Bill Burgos:
"Collaboration is key. I vet as many people as possible to make sure this athlete is getting the best thing possible. It’s not about me; it’s about what this player needs to succeed for the team."
Dr Marco Nunez:
"I have almost a whole team with me — whether it’s a chiropractor, nutritionist, massage therapist. When I do have a client, if there’s something I can’t attend to, I refer them to someone that’s part of my so-called team."
Joelle Muro:
"Identify with the athlete who's their point person and let them dictate who they want us to communicate with. It’s all about keeping everyone in communication but letting the athlete guide how they feel comfortable."
Q3. Success Stories: Can you share a success story that highlights the impact of your work with an athlete on their performance or recovery?
Dr Bill Burgos:
"The biggest thing for me is their feedback on how they feel. If they felt stronger, more powerful, or looser, that’s more important than connecting it to a specific performance metric."
Dr Marco Nunez:
"In the private sector, when I travel to a player's home or their location, I have more time to dedicate to them. I can spend anywhere from 2 to 4 hours with the athlete, depending on what's needed, and I often make multiple visits throughout the day. In contrast, the organization’s staff typically works from 7 a.m. to about 3 p.m."
Joelle Muro:
"We just won a championship. Our team worked hard to make sure athletes got everything they needed. It took everyone working together, including the private trainers, to achieve that level of success."
Q4. Learning from Failure: Have there been instances where things didn’t go as planned? What lessons did you learn?
Dr Bill Burgos:
"Travel is one of the biggest challenges. You may have a structured program, but when you get there, resources might not be available, and you have to adjust quickly."
Dr Marco Nunez:
"I had an athlete who didn’t want me to communicate with the team. It became very stressful, and I eventually had to cut off the contract because it just wasn’t working."
Joelle Muro:
"Communication is always a challenge. Just when I think I’ve communicated something clearly, someone else comes along and seems to have heard the complete opposite. Now, I make a conscious effort to truly listen to the person and understand their concerns, rather than jumping straight into offering excuses or explanations to resolve the issue."
Q5. Evolving Roles: How do you see the role of private trainers/PT evolving in the future?
Dr Bill Burgos:
"I believe we’ll see more private trainers and physical therapists in the future, as athletes are making more money than ever and can afford these services. I spoke with an assistant GM of an NBA team, and he mentioned that he wouldn’t be surprised if this trend continues”.
“For example, if a player is making over $60 million, they could afford to hire their own staff, and would likely want to, especially given the high investment in that player. In fact, some players already hire private trainers full-time."
"I also think it all comes down to what players want in terms of consistency, as they are constantly moving between teams. It’s great when you can find one person who stays with the team long-term, and that’s where consistent communication with the staff becomes crucial."
Dr Marco Nunez:
"Teams themselves are starting to hire private trainers and assign them to specific players. It’s becoming more common, especially for high-value players, as a way to manage their performance better."
Joelle Muro:
"Players are hiring private trainers to maintain consistency in their care, especially since they can be with a team one day and traded the next. The challenge is how to ensure they continue receiving the care they need despite these frequent changes. Having a private trainer helps reduce stress and maintain that consistency."
Q6. Technology and Innovation: What technological tools or innovations have you found helpful?
Dr Bill Burgos:
"I travel frequently, so there isn’t always a lot of technology involved in my work. However, when I do use technology, I aim to align with whatever the team is using for consistency. For example, if I have access to a force plate at a local community or university, I’ll use it, or any movement tracking system available. I’ve done this in the past and always try to integrate whatever tools the team is using with the resources I have."
Q7. What types of innovations do you foresee in the future?
Dr Bill Burgos:
"I don’t want to sound like I’m promoting my own work, but I believe nutrition will play a significant role, especially with the rise of AI. There's a lot of confusion about what and when to eat. That was one of the biggest challenges I faced in the league—figuring out the optimal timing for meals. Some players have access to chefs and the best food, but they still struggle with when and what to eat."
"In the NBA, players have every resource at their disposal, but they don’t always know the right timing or choices for nutrition. AI will help solve this by providing personalized guidance. I see a future where practitioners like me, Joelle, and Marco work alongside AI to refine models that help athletes make informed decisions about when and what to eat, complementing their workouts and training."
Joelle Muro:
"I’m interested in portable technology—devices that are user-friendly and provide real-time data, even when athletes are overseas. It’s about ensuring consistency in their care, no matter where they are."
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