3 Things I Learned from the University of Hawaiʻi Athletic Training Team
Interning with the University of Hawaiʻi Athletic Training program gave me a new perspective on how we take care of our bodies—not just as athletes, but as people who want to move well for a long time.
It reinforced that movement isn’t just about training hard. It’s about how you support your body before, during, and after.
Here are the three biggest things I took away from my experience:
1. Consistent Self-Rehab Matters
One of the biggest shifts for me was realizing how important it is to take ownership of your own recovery.
Modalities like massage, foam rolling, scraping, and cupping aren’t just add-ons—they’re tools you can use regularly to keep your body functioning well. It’s less about doing everything, and more about finding what actually helps you feel better and building a routine around that.
Recovery isn’t something you only focus on when something hurts. It’s something you stay consistent with so your body can keep up with what you’re asking of it.
2. Learn Your Own Body
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to performance or recovery.
During my time there, I started paying closer attention to how my body responds to different inputs—what foods give me energy, when I need electrolytes, when I need to eat more, and when I actually just need rest. I also noticed that athletic trainers often asked athletes these same questions when they reported feeling fatigued or “off.”
The more you pay attention to patterns in your energy and performance, the easier it becomes to support your body in a way that actually works for you.
For example, if you consistently skip a meal before a workout and feel lethargic during it, that habit may be holding you back from getting the most out of your training.
3. Clear Communication Changes Everything
Something I saw over and over again in the training room was how much more effective treatment becomes when someone can clearly explain what they’re feeling.
Instead of just saying “it hurts,” being able to describe where it is, what it feels like, and when it shows up makes a huge difference. It helps athletic trainers and practitioners understand what’s going on and respond more effectively.
Even taking a few minutes to learn basic anatomy, like the name of the muscle that’s bothering you, can make your time with a provider that much more productive.
That level of awareness takes time, but it’s worth building. The better you understand your body, the better you can advocate for it.
Final Thoughts
This experience reminded me that taking care of your body is an active, ongoing process—not something you only think about when things start to break down.
It’s not just about pushing through pain or showing up no matter what. It’s about paying attention, staying consistent, and making adjustments when your body needs it.
That awareness is what allows you to keep moving well long-term.
