Thread by @MikaelaJoseph

Tomorrow will be my last day as a Division I Athletic Trainer (probably ever) and my Sunday scaries have got me doing a lot of reflecting on how I got to this point #ATtwitter 🧵

I’ve been in DI athletic training for 8 years, most recently as a division I Men’s basketball AT. I’m the picture of a successful collegiate AT. My athletes trust me. My coaches and coworkers respect me. I’m incredibly hardworking. I’ve cut down postseason nets 3 times.

But privately, this profession has eaten me up and spit me out. I need a break. I’m exhausted. At one point this season I worked a stretch of 90 days in a row without a day off (including weekends!)

I spent 35 nights away from home this season. My infant son was sick with HFM, RSV, and Covid and I had to be away for all of it (shoutout to my hero of a husband).

I’ve given up so much for this job. My family doesn’t understand why I’m not able to be at Thanksgiving or Christmas. My friends don’t understand why I can’t make weddings, bachelorette parties, and baby showers. Why I have to answer calls and texts at all hours.

All of this to make <50k a year. It’s not worth it. It’s time for me to step away and take care of myself and my family. I desperately love and believe in the profession of athletic training but the culture HAS to change. If we continue like this we will keep burning out good ATs

I never thought I would leave collegiate athletic training. I love it and I’m so good at it. But I’m more than my job, and my job has become detrimental to every part of my life. Maybe the next generation of ATs will be the ones to finally figure it out, but as for me, I’m out ✌🏼