Unlocking Blood Biomarkers for Peak Performance: Insights from Pratik Patel

The Taylor Hooton Story: The Hidden Pressure of PED Use in Young Athletes

Today on the Sports Pharmacy Podcast, we’re joined by Don Hooton, president of the Taylor Hooton Foundation, for an important conversation on the evolving world of performance-enhancing drugs and the pressures facing young athletes today. Don shares Taylor’s story and how tragedy led to the creation of a foundation that has educated millions on the risks of anabolic steroids, appearance-enhancing substances, and athlete health. We discuss how the landscape has shifted over the years — from traditional anabolic steroids to SARMs, peptides, testosterone optimization culture, and the growing influence of social media, fitness influencers, and “looksmaxing” culture. This episode also explores the role healthcare professionals, pharmacists, coaches, parents, and athletic staff play in recognizing warning signs, addressing misinformation, and helping young athletes navigate performance and body image pressures in today’s digital world. A powerful and timely discussion on athlete safety, education, and prevention. For more information on the Taylor Hooton Foundation: #ALLMEPEDFREE www.taylorhooton.org [http://www.taylorhooton.org/] Podcast Audio:  www.allme.libsyn.com [http://www.allme.libsyn.com/] (also on all major podcast platforms – ALL ME Podcast) Podcast Video: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorHooton [https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorHooton] Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/taylor.hooton.1 [https://www.facebook.com/taylor.hooton.1] TikTok:  TheTHF10 IG/X:  TheTHF

Unlocking Blood Biomarkers for Peak Performance: Insights from Pratik Patel

In this episode, Dr. Brandon Welch interviews Pratik Patel, a sports performance expert and former NFL coach, about blood biomarkers, health optimization, and misconceptions in sports performance. They explore how to interpret lab values, the importance of context, and practical strategies for athletes and clinicians.

Sideline Science: Does REDs Exist?

In this inaugural episode of Sideline Science, Kaleigh Steelman is joined by Sports Pharmacy Network star Nilhan Uzman for a quick journal-club style review of the 2024 article “Does Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) Syndrome Exist?” Together, we briefly break down the authors’ main arguments surrounding REDs, low energy availability (LEA), and the challenges of diagnosing REDs in athletes. We also touch on the idea that many symptoms commonly associated with REDs may be multifactorial and influenced by factors beyond energy intake alone. This episode is designed to provide concise, clinically relevant takeaways for sports healthcare professionals looking to stay current on emerging conversations in athlete health and performance. As a reminder, the information provided by the Sports Pharmacy Network is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Reference: Jeukendrup AE, Areta JL, Van Genechten L, et al. Does Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) Syndrome Exist?Sports Medicine. 2024;54:2793–2816. Athlete Health and Readiness Checklist: https://cdn.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/blobs/af59/11561064/b9f4a726c76a/40279_2024_2108_Fig4_HTML.jpg

The Hidden Risks of Medication Use in Sports: Inadvertent Doping, Safety, and How Medications Affect Athletic Performance

In this episode, Colin Ryan, a sports pharmacist with extensive experience, joins us to discuss the critical intersection of medication use, legality, safety, and performance in athletes. Topics include inadvertent doping risks, medication governance, and the impact of medications like GLP-1 agonists and inhalers on athletic performance. Key topics include: Inadvertent doping risks and system failures Medication governance and athlete safety Impact of GLP-1 agonists on athletes Role of pharmacists in sports medicine Medication safety in community and elite sports Keywords sports pharmacy, athlete medication, doping, medication safety, performance impact, anti-doping, sports medicine, pharmacology, athlete health, medication governance Resources WADA Prohibited List - https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list GlobalDro Anti-Doping Resource - https://globaldro.com/ Informed Sport Testing - https://informed-sport.com/ Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Sports Pharmacy Module - https://www.rcsi.com/ireland IOC Certificate in Drugs and Sport - https://www.olympic.org/education FIFA Diploma in Football and Medicine - https://www.fifa.com/medical

Developing a Sports Pharmacy Rotation

With The Sports Pharmacy Summit planning in full force, please join us in revisiting this previously recorded webinar with PharmD candidate Mikka Anora who shares her journey of creating one of the first Sports Pharmacy APPE rotations—from concept to implementation. Hosted by Jessica Veal, PharmD, CHO of the Sports Pharmacy Network, with insights from Kristal S. Potter, PharmD, BCPS, Chief of Operations for SPN and Director of Experiential Education at Larkin University College of Pharmacy, this discussion explores how pharmacy students can bring their passions to life through experiential learning.💡 Topics Covered: * How to design a new experiential rotation from scratch * Integrating pharmacy practice into sports medicine settings * Collaborating with athletic trainers, physicians, and coaches * Overcoming challenges and building professional confidence Lessons learned from developing the first sports pharmacy elective at Marshall UniversityThis session highlights the interdisciplinary power of pharmacists in athlete care and provides practical steps for students and educators interested in expanding pharmacy practice into sports medicine and performance health.