160 | Dr. Tyler Lesher: Living the Dream: Working with NBA Stars and Building a Brand on Your Own Terms*
6/22/20261 hr 13 min
About the Guest
Dr. Tyler Lesher is an accomplished NBA performance therapist and former athletic trainer. With a diverse background that spans working with elite teams like the Cavaliers, Hornets, and UCLA, Tyler's experience in athletic performance and sports medicine is extensive. He has been involved in developing high-performance training regimens for athletes across various levels and sports, leveraging his expertise to also build a substantial online presence and business. Tyler's transition from his traditional role into a more entrepreneurial space is a testament to his innovative approach and dedication to the industry.
Episode Summary
In this episode of Becoming UnDone® , host Dr. Toby Brooks engages with Dr. Tyler Lesher, a renowned NBA performance therapist, to explore his extraordinary career path and personal growth in the field of athletic training. Tyler recounts his journey from humble beginnings in Wyoming to working with world-class athletes at the pinnacle of professional sports. His narrative unveils the passion and perseverance that have shaped his professional trajectory, moving through network connections, leveraging opportunities, and strategically transitioning from sports team roles to developing his own enterprise and social media presence.
The episode delves into Tyler's insights on the challenges and opportunities within athletic training. He boldly highlights systemic issues in the industry, such as undercompensation and limited recognition, and underscores the value of side hustles and self-marketing as crucial tools for career sustainability and growth. Tyler also shares candid moments from his personal life that have informed his resilience and dedication. His story illustrates the often complex blend of identity, professional aspirations, and personal evolution.
Key Takeaways
- Leveraging Networks: Tyler's career trajectory exemplifies the importance of building robust professional networks, which can open doors to unforeseen opportunities.
- Industry Challenges: The talk highlights systemic issues in athletic training like low pay and high demands, challenging aspiring professionals to think creatively about circumventing these hurdles.
- Value of Social Media: Emphasizing that social media isn't just recreational but a potent professional tool. It can effectively function as a modern resume, enhancing visibility and career prospects.
- The Power of Reinvention: Tyler showcases how embracing change and being willing to pivot professionally can lead to fulfilling work and personal growth.
- Mental Resilience: Sharing his personal losses, Tyler underscores the vital role of resilience and personal health in navigating challenging professional and personal landscapes.
Notable Quotes
- "Have you ever noticed that some of life's biggest transitions don't happen because we failed? Sometimes they happen because we succeed." - Dr. Toby Brooks
- "You need to have your own side hustle, your job is not enough." - Dr. Tyler Lesher
- "This was always the goal from the beginning." - Dr. Tyler Lesher
- "Life doesn't stop, business doesn't stop, sports don't stop." - Dr. Tyler Lesher
Resources
- Dr. Tyler Lesher on Instagram: Dr. T. Lesh
- Advanced Rehab Certification: ARC Website
- Connect with Dr. Toby Brooks on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn: @DrTobyBrooks
- Science of the Comeback
Listeners are encouraged to immerse themselves in this thought-provoking episode that navigates the intersection of professional ambition and personal revelation. Join in to glean insights from Tyler's experiences and discover how steadfast resilience and proactive reinvention can illuminate new paths to success. Stay tuned for more transformative discussions on Becoming Undone.
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Becoming UnDone® is a NiTROHype Creative production. Written and produced by me, Toby Brooks. If you or someone you know has a story of resilience and victory to share for Becoming Undone, contact me at undonepodcast.com. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at becomingundonepod and follow me at TobyBrooksPhD. Listen, subscribe, and leave us a review Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsToby Brooks· Host0:00
[dramatic music] This is Becoming Undone.
Tyler Lesher· Guest0:05
[tape rewinds] My junior year of college, I got lucky enough to go to the RMATA and I met the old Nuggets athletic trainer. And from there, I met his assistant and more or less after my master's, I was ... I couldn't get a job. I don't really know why. I was actually DJ-ing at the time. Best job ever. I, I got a phone call just from him one day, and he was like, "Well, dude, what are you doing?" And he was like, "I got the Bulls, Warriors, and the Cavaliers. They need an intern." He's like, "Do you mind if I throw your name out?" I said, "Yeah, go for it." Ended up interviewing with all of them and getting the Cavaliers job. So that's kind of how I got thrust into that. After that year, went to the Hornets. I was there for four years working with their G League team and their main league team. Uh, that was kind of my turning point of like, I need to leave the NBA because I was making shit money with the Hornets. They wouldn't give me a raise. And I was like, you know, like, this is unlivable. I never wanted to leave the Hornets. I thought I was gonna be moved up into work with the main team full time and, like, do all these great things, blah, blah, blah. And I was like, "This shit's never gonna happen." You know, I didn't have that person to reach out and be like, "Dude, you got to get out of here." Went down to FAU, was making $52,000 and thought I won the lottery. And that's kind of how it, it started the form, the social media, and ha- and realizing, obviously, being broke at the Hornets, barely was scraping by with FAU, and then kind of scraping by at UCLA, going like, "We need side