The following is a feature story written by a student (Kizito Katende) in Christine Maleske, Ph.D. Fall 2024 Sports Communications Class about WSU graduate assistant athletic trainer Juan Sancho-Martinez.
Juan Sancho-Martinez – A Journey from Athlete to Athletic Trainer
For Juan Sancho-Martinez, sports have always been more than just a game — they have been his life's foundation, passion, and ultimately, his career. His path, though winding, is a testament to his relentless drive to not only stay connected to athletics but to redefine the way athletes train, recover, and perform at their best.
Early Beginnings: From Player to Student of the Game
Juan's story begins, like many, on the playing fields. Training wasn't just a routine; it was an obsession. "Training was always a huge part of me playing sports," he says. As he immersed himself in various athletic disciplines, something began to shift. Little by little, he found himself drawn not just to the competition, but to the science behind it.
During his time at the University of Michigan, he stumbled upon something that would shape his future — physical therapy. "I didn't even know what it was at the time," Juan recalls, "but I started to see the similarities between athletic training and physical therapy. There was a big overlap." That realization would spark a journey from athlete to athletic trainer, a role that allows him to blend his love of sports with a deep passion for helping others recover and improve.
A Defining Moment: Triumph and Travel
One key memory that stands out for Juan is getting cut just a semester short of his freshman year. Despite this setback, his sports journey was far from over. He dove into the world of swim, water polo, and even spring football with Michigan's renowned program. "Then there was lacrosse as a senior," he says. "Originally, I wanted to work in soccer, but lax was good. My requirement was to have an in-season sport."
It was in these years that Juan began to experience the highs of being part of collegiate athletics at an elite level, traveling across the country. "We went to Duke — an arena I watched growing up. It was surreal, gave me a real 'we made it' feeling." That moment underscored the sense of accomplishment that had been building throughout his college career, pushing him further into the athletic training world.
A Transition in Focus: From Football to Soccer
While Juan's current work centers on football, his sights are set on pro soccer in the future — ideally in Europe or Major League Soccer (MLS). He has always had a strong connection to soccer, having grown up playing the sport. "There's always a market for athletic trainers," he notes, "but in transitioning from football to soccer, you have to be more cautious about ankle and leg injuries. However, the main concepts of rehab don't change when you're working toward getting healthy."
His ability to switch between sports has been a valuable asset, especially with his experience working with smaller staffs. "The transition between sports is not easy, but the fundamentals of recovery are always the same," he adds.
A Profession with Legacy: The Changing Landscape of Athletic Training
One of the most pivotal moments in Juan's career came when he first arrived at Michigan and began his journey into athletic training. "I had to realize that, wow, this is an actual profession with associations around the country," he says. "Athletic training is now a master's degree, and I was grandfathered in as the last cohort at Michigan to get certified." While his certification is complete, Juan's journey isn't over — he still has to finish school by May 2025. He describes the current period as a "big transition," as the field becomes slightly less accessible to newcomers due to the new educational requirements.
This shift in educational standards has made it difficult for him to give advice to incoming students. "It's hard to give advice because I had the old-school way," he admits. For those starting out now, the path is more rigid, but Juan's insights into the differences between athletic training and physical therapy can help guide the next generation of trainers.
The Foundation of Success: Nutrition, Sleep, and Recovery
For Juan, athletic training isn't just about treating injuries — it's about ensuring athletes are performing at their peak. He stresses that two often overlooked aspects of performance are nutrition and sleep. "Nutrition and sleep are the two biggest aspects of performance," he says, emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to calories. He adopts a holistic approach, advising athletes to get their carbohydrates and fats, and to eat as much as possible to maintain both physical and mental strength.
The role of the mind is especially critical in sports. "Your brain burns tons of energy knowing play calls and signals/strategies for games, plus watching film," Juan says. "Feeding your brain is massive."
And when it comes to sleep, he sees it as an athlete's secret weapon. "Sleep is the secret weapon that everybody talks about," he says. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding electronics before bed, and understanding that you can't make up for lost deep sleep are all crucial elements. "Naps aren't the same," Juan adds. Consistent, quality rest is what allows athletes to stay sharp and recover fully.
Innovation and Techniques: Staying at the Cutting Edge
In the ever-evolving world of athletic training, Juan has also noticed the rise of new techniques in recent years. "One that stood out to me recently is dry needling," he says. "Another is tech R therapy, which creates an electrical current between practitioner and patient." This technique, he believes, is a game-changer, especially since heat plays such a big role in elasticity and pressure rehabilitation.
"Increased blood flow is huge," Juan says. "Within the blood, all the nutrients exist to treat an injured area. I love it because it allows for better recovery."
Looking Ahead
With a clear focus on his goals, Juan Sancho-Martinez is carving out a unique path in athletic training. Whether he's helping a football player recover from an injury, supporting lacrosse athletes during a long season, or dreaming of working with elite soccer teams in Europe, his passion and dedication to the craft are unwavering. For Juan, this is more than a job — it's the culmination of a lifelong love for sports and the drive to make athletes better every day.
