July 24, 2024 • 50 mins
Join us on Episode 9 of Beyond the Rodeo as Aubrey sits down with Natasha McCann, a WSF provider and clinical rehabilitative specialist with a passion for rodeo. Natasha shares her journey from working as an EMT to becoming a multifaceted expert in personal training, massage therapy, and clinical rehabilitation for rodeo athletes. Listen in as she discusses her unique career path, her love for the rodeo community, and how her own experiences with rodeo-related injuries have driven her dedication to helping others.
Natasha's story is a powerful testament to resilience and the pursuit of a career that aligns with personal interests and community needs. In this episode, Natasha reveals the upcoming expansion of her Texas-based business to become McCann Athletic Therapy, Performance, and Recovery Lab. Natasha outlines the comprehensive wellness services offered, from massage therapy and cold plunges to infrared saunas and PEMF therapy.
Additionally, Natasha discusses her role with Western Sports Foundation, focusing on injury prevention and the importance of proactive health care for rodeo athletes. Finally, she emphasizes the critical importance of preventive sports medicine and shares insights on how early intervention and professional expertise can enhance performance and recovery, preventing minor issues from becoming severe. Together, Aubrey and Natasha discuss the broader evolution of rodeo athletes as elite sports professionals and the importance of taking the necessary time for injury recovery.
To learn more about McCann Athlete Therapy, connect with Natasha on Instagram or book her services through WSF.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Aubrey O'Quin (00:12):
You're listening to Beyond the Rodeo,
brought to you by Western Sports Foundation,
the podcast that will explore the ups and
downs of rodeo life and reveal ways to help
the sport of rodeo reach new heights.
I'm your host, aubrey O'Quinn.
Let's get to the show.
(00:41):
Hello and welcome to Beyond the Rodeo.
I am your host, aubrey O'Quinn, and I am
joined today by my lovely friend, natasha
McCann.
Thank you for joining us.
Thanks for having me, of course.
So, natasha, we're just going to jump right
into it today.
Tell us about you, tell us about what you
(01:01):
do and all the things that make you you, oh
man.
Natasha McCann (01:06):
Well, I'll just I'll start with my
certifications, I guess, of what my my job
really is.
So I'm a clinical rehabilitative specialist.
I do specialize within rodeo for rodeo
athletes, just because their set of needs
and demands are so much different than any
other athlete or pro sport.
But I started off very simply as a personal
(01:27):
trainer and then just kind of expanded from
there.
So actually I was an EMT before everything
worked on an ambulance emergency medicine,
became a personal trainer, became a
licensed massage therapist and then I got
dual board certified in clinical
rehabilitation and orthopedic manual
therapy.
And then I have a few other certifications
in different aspects of physical training,
(01:49):
as well as nutrition and things.
That kind of go along for that whole
picture of wealth, health and wellness for
athletes.
Aubrey O'Quin (01:58):
I swear, every time I talk to you, I'm like
God, she's so smart, like, and all of the
little letters and acronyms and all of the
things that follow your name.
I'm like, I'm just Aubrey.
I wish I was as cool as Natasha.
Please, just Aubrey, Don't be silly.
So what got you into all of this and into
(02:18):
your all of the different certifications
and everything that you do have, like?
What was your passion or your drive to kind
of do that?
Natasha McCann (02:25):
Um, I mean, it's kind of been a winding
road.
It wasn't something I ever planned on.
In all honesty I I hate to say I fell into
it, but I just kind of discovered this path
as I went.
But I was, um, supposed to play sports in
college, always had an athletic background,
um big in sports growing up, and then had
(02:46):
an injury from a motorcycle accident.
So that all changed, didn't go to college
right off the bat and I went and worked on
ranches.
I was just kind of red and colts and
working for some cattle operations.
So that's kind of how I started off in the
Western industry.
And then, after doing that for a long time,
as everyone experiences, you get pretty
(03:06):
beat up and you know just aches and pains,
um, and I didn't have any formal education.
So that's where I got the EMT license.
I thought I would get a little bit of
education under my belt.
Um, worked on an ambulance, loved it, but
you also don't make a lot of money doing
that.
So I was kind of still stuck in the same,
uh, financial struggle, as you know, riding
(03:28):
Colts and working on an ambulance.
Um, I was training at a gym and the
gentleman that was my trainer, he kind of
took me under his wing and he had a very
similar background, similar interests, and
so he's the one that had suggested I get
the massage license, which I was super
resistant to at first Cause I was, you know,
I'm not touchy, feely, I'm not, that's just
(03:50):
not my and so I was like, oh, I don't want
to.
You know, massage gross.
And he was like, no, no, no, like you know
it's, it's very different if you take the
sports approach and he had helped me a lot
with the shoulder stuff I had from that
motorcycle accident.
So, um, I kind of just said, well, what do
I have to lose?
So got those certifications and then just
kind of took it and ran, um and got those
(04:12):
board certifications from there and really
wanted to specialize in a demographic of
people that I cared about and was in
already involved in.
I wanted to stay within sports and kind of
stay on that medical side of things, if you
will, just because I did enjoy the
emergency medicine things.
I did.
So kind of went from there and then
(04:34):
suffered another catastrophic injury of my
own and from there just got really terrible
advice.
I broke my back and my neck in five places
and brain injury and all that stuff that a
lot of our rodeo athletes experience and,
as most of us are told, they just said you
know, no more horses, no more working out
Like you're done, that's, that's a thing of
the past for you.
(04:55):
And I just refused to accept that.
After I had my good little pity party for
myself but finally picked myself up and
just kind of did my own rehab, and then I
think that was really the turning point for
me where I had been kind of half in, half
out on everything but that was like, okay,
I want to be the advocate that I needed for
(05:15):
other people, cause I know I'm not alone in
this struggle, and just kind of went from
there.
Um, and then I moved to Texas shortly after
I healed up from all that and just been
going ever since.
Aubrey O'Quin (05:27):
So move from to Texas.
Where are you originally from?
Natasha McCann (05:29):
Originally.
I actually grew up in California, right
outside Salinas.
You say that reluctantly.
Well, I mean, so many people are just
California haters, but they don't know.
Aubrey O'Quin (05:39):
It's a beautiful state.
It is a beautiful state.
Natasha McCann (05:41):
I will say that it is.
It's beautiful and what's funny.
So Salinas is the lettuce producing capital
of the world, and I just read this the
other day.
It was like per capita or per state the
most common industry that people work in
California is agriculture.
Texas is tech, so California actually has
more people working in agriculture than the
(06:01):
state of Texas, just for anyone out there,
I told you I'm going to start calling you
Wikitasha.
Aubrey O'Quin (06:08):
It's like a walking Wikipedia.
Natasha McCann (06:11):
So I grew up there and then I've lived all
over the Northwest.
I lived in Eastern Washington, wyoming, I
passed through Montana a bunch, so I've
just drifted a lot.
Aubrey O'Quin (06:21):
So you had mentioned earlier that there's a
difference between, um, like sports massage
therapy and regular massage therapy.
What is, what is the difference?
And is it the same sort of like are you?
Are you doing it for the same outcome or
the outcomes even meant to be different?
Even even though, like, the practice is
different or the outcomes meant to be the
same, are they different?
Natasha McCann (06:42):
I mean they both fall under the broad
umbrella of, like, muscle relaxation, right.
So we're trying to decrease tension within
the body.
I would say it's just the application and
approach of that becomes very different and
the setting right.
So when we think massage, it's usually your
typical like massage envy there's gong,
chime, music and incense and it's very
(07:02):
chill and quiet and soft chime, music and
incense and it's very chill and quiet and
soft, um, whereas in the sports setting, in
the, in the setting of athletes, um, and at
events is a lot of times it's pre-event.
So you're trying to activate muscles and
help them prepare to compete, or even post
event is you're helping to combat some of
the soreness or whatever they may have
going on from either you know in rodeo
(07:22):
their ride or you know other sports just
from that competition they were just in.
So it's, it really is the application and
we're trying to help facilitate the intent
of what they're about to go do.
Aubrey O'Quin (07:36):
How often should rodeo athletes be seeing
somebody like yourself for sports massage
therapy?
Natasha McCann (07:44):
I mean, in a perfect world, I would love if
guys could come in once a month just for
maintenance, like what I've always said is,
if I'm doing my job, you don't.
I want you to not have to see me, you just
want to see me, um, and so that's when I
say like the maintenance is great If you
can come in once a month and just mitigate
the aches and pains going on and address
things before they become bigger problems.
(08:06):
Um, which you know it's obviously
challenging for rodeo guys.
I try to be on the road as much as them,
but that's the struggle of any rodeo
athlete is, care isn't constant and they
have to get it where they can take it, or
take it where they can get it rather.
But, um, particularly if they have
something acute going on that's crept up,
is we can normally make a lot of progress
(08:27):
and a lot of headway on that If they can
come in, you know, once or twice, even a
week, or if they're at, you know, a five
day event is get worked on a couple of
times and normally we can make some good
progress there.
Aubrey O'Quin (08:39):
So where are you in Texas now located, so
like if there are athletes that are needing
your services?
I mean, you're pretty centrally located to
where all the, where everything's happening,
that they can come and find you right.
Natasha McCann (08:53):
Yes, fort Worth is home base.
My office is in Fort Worth.
I'm about to move to a new location and
expand, so that's really exciting, and
especially for for rodeo athletes, for the
Western world athletes.
I really want that to be kind of a hub of,
uh, wellness services, if you will, for for
those guys, just because, like I said, I
understand it, I live it, um, and I, I want
(09:15):
to be the go-to for all those people.
So that's in the works, in in the fall.
Aubrey O'Quin (09:21):
So you're you said you're expanding and
it's in the works.
I know you're probably still like figuring
out a lot of the details, but what can you
share with us of what this expansion kind
of looks like and what can rodeo athletes
expect to find by going and visiting you?
Natasha McCann (09:36):
McCann Athletic Therapy, performance and
Recovery Lab.
So basically it's a one-stop shop.
So, in addition to all the massage services
that I already provide, we'll have cold
plunges, infrared saunas, red light therapy,
magnawave or PEMF pulsed electromagnetic
therapy, I'll have an IV tech in every once
(09:57):
in a while, I'll have an acupuncturist on
staff and then I'll also have a full gym
for the corrective exercise.
So that's, I think, also one of the bigger
parts of of my practice and my approach
versus other massage therapists is I'm able
to incorporate all my licenses and give
them a really strong product.
Where I hate to speak ill of chiropractors,
(10:20):
but it's just a really good example is a
lot of people go to a chiropractor.
They get adjusted and they say, okay, see
you in a week, and they just kick you loose
and then you're like, okay, well, you know,
I don't want to keep coming back.
And that's where I say I want to work
myself out of a job is when I have a client.
If they come in saying, you know, hey, my,
my back's hurting is it their hips?
(10:42):
What's actually going on do the hands-on
work and then they get homework, so they're
getting corrective exercise and now at this
new facility, I'll be able to do all that
in one place, whereas before, just due to
space is normally I have to just kind of
text them videos or whatever.
But we'll have all of that in one spot so
they can come in, get worked on and then we
(11:02):
can go through some of the movements I want
them to incorporate to work on the issues
we addressed in their session.
Aubrey O'Quin (11:08):
And a lot of that stuff.
I assume would be things that they can do
on the road, so they're seeing you in
person and learning like proper mechanics
and all of that, but then it's stuff that
they can take onto the next stop or onto
that next rodeo so they can start applying
that and they don't always have to be in
your facility to actually be doing the
homework and the stuff that you're giving
(11:29):
them yeah, absolutely a lot of the times it
is very much mobility based.
Natasha McCann (11:33):
So you're, you either need no equipment or
a basic set of bands, which at this point
in rodeo most guys have with them.
And that's kind of the beauty of I'm also a
personal trainer with champion living, so
if they're working with myself or any of
the other Champion Living coaches, they
kind of already know the routine and
they've gotten a pretty good idea of what
we're expecting and the equipment they need.
(11:53):
So they usually already have it.
But it's very minimal and that's, I think,
again, just the beauty of my approach and
my understanding of the industry is I'm not
going to require you to use a lot of
equipment or need a bunch of bells and
whistles.
You only have so much space in a Capri, so
you got to make two.
Aubrey O'Quin (12:14):
And so in your facility, what exactly?
I think most athletes or most people are
aware of physical therapy or working out or
massage therapy, but you're talking about
cold plunges and red light therapy and all
of that other stuff Like what are some of
the benefits from doing the cold pool
plunges and some of the other services or
(12:35):
therapies that you'll have there at your
facility?
Natasha McCann (12:38):
I mean the whole idea with everything that
I'll have.
There is one.
It's supported by clinical data.
I don't advocate or promote anything.
That's anecdotal or just well, I really
like it and it feels good.
I want to be able to explain the
physiological process of what I'm doing
when I'm working on a client, as well as
any service that I might recommend.
So all those services, very simply put, are
(13:02):
the goal is to reduce inflammation, um,
increase healing times, or decrease healing
times, whichever you want to look at it.
Make healing times faster and just help
their bodies recover from the strain and
the stress that they're inputting in their
event Perfect.
Aubrey O'Quin (13:20):
I imagine people probably are going to walk
out of that facility feeling like 100 bucks
bucks or, within a couple of days of
walking out, maybe feeling like a hundred
bucks.
So I want to shift and talk a little bit
about what you do with Western Sports
Foundation, and I think what's a good point
to start is I know you've kind of have worn
a couple of hats in working with us, but
(13:42):
what we have specifically honed in on your
skillset is like our injury prevention
provider and you know the.
The funny story I think with that is you
were up at high school finals and we our
neurologist wasn't able to make it for a
mini clinic and I was in a pinch and I'm
like, hey, can you do a presentation?
And you're like, yeah, I have one right
(14:03):
here, let's do it.
And you got up there and I remember sitting
in that room and coming up to you
afterwards and I'm like, ok, this is what
these guys need to be hearing.
Like, are you cool?
I need you to do this.
And you're like, absolutely so what exactly
(14:23):
you know when you are working with athletes
or what it is.
What is it that you're presenting to them?
Like that's beyond.
Obviously it's incorporating, I imagine all
of your certifications, but what does that
kind of like look like when you're having
those conversations and presenting Normally
the thing I start with and I think the
biggest aspect to it is changing the
connotation of what sports medicine is.
Natasha McCann (14:44):
For a lot of these guys is when we talk to
rodeo athletes, for them any sports
medicine provider is they've been hurt and
they go into the trailer and they say, hey,
I blew up my knee or you know whatever it
may be.
And then they address from there and so we
want to change that connotation and change
their perspective on things and go, hey,
sports medicine is also preventative.
(15:06):
So I tend to work a little bit more on the
preventative side nowadays, obviously
outside of the EMS side of things, but I
want to help them prepare so they're less
likely to sustain those injuries or, when
they occur, cause they're inevitable.
With the sport is, how do we increase those
statistics as far as better healing rates,
better recovery time, better results once
(15:27):
they get back to sport?
So a lot of it is just having those
conversations and getting them to
understand that you don't need to just seek
out providers when things have totally gone
up a creek.
If we address things when they're small and
you just have little aches and pains,
little discrepancies going on.
That's when you want to work with me or
whoever, to make sure that we address those.
(15:49):
They don't become the death by a thousand
cuts issue that we see so often with these
guys.
Aubrey O'Quin (15:54):
I like that you bring that up, because I
actually I did a podcast with Katie
Hollingsworth, you know, our mental
performance coach, and you know she kind of
said the same thing of don't just seek them
out when you're in that point of like you
feel like you're at that time of need or
you're up against a wall, like using those.
You know, like having her in your back
pocket, having you in their back pocket.
(16:14):
You know, throughout whatever that you know
journey looks like of it, you're not just
coming to them when you absolutely are like
in dire need of it, but like doing it as a
maintaining and you know, having it where
it's, it's in your toolbox to help you
continue to be successful and it's
something that you're using on a regular
basis.
So I know one of the things that we're
(16:36):
looking to, are hoping to start to kind of
incorporate into our clinics or services
that we're offering, is like a needs
assessment, like can you and I've never had
one done or seen one done so can you kind
of walk us through, like what does that
look like?
Like, what does a needs assessment look
like?
If an athlete were to want to say, hey, you
know, I want to get a needs assessment done.
(16:56):
What is from start to finish Is that kind
of look like.
And then what do you do as a follow-up
after you've done that assessment with them?
Natasha McCann (17:09):
I mean, it always starts with a
conversation.
If they're in person, you know great.
But if not, even just a phone call where we
can talk about kind of what they're feeling
and what seems to be, you know, problem
number one, and then secondary and tertiary
from there, and then, once I have them in
the office, it's going through manual
resistive tests.
Sometimes it's just observing them walking.
But all these different tests and
assessments that I employ in my practice,
(17:29):
basically to really evaluate, okay, they're
saying their knee is hurting, but if we
look from the 10,000-foot view, what else
is going on?
Do we have a systemic problem here that's
working up or down the chain, and how do we
address that?
So that's why and I harp this to so many
athletes is assessment is vital.
Um, you know, the internet is a very
powerful tool and there's so much
(17:50):
information accessible to people now, which
is great.
We want you to educate yourself, but also,
like, rely on the experts and rely on
people like myself or any other sports med
provider that really understands it,
because while your knee might be hurting,
it could very well be because your hips
aren't rotating when you walk and sometimes
if we just chase the pain, we're not going
(18:11):
to get results.
We can in fact, cause more issues if we're
addressing the wrong thing.
So a lot of that assessment is so huge and
so important when we're going over needs
assessments or just evaluations for these
athletes is really finding the root of the
problem and addressing it from there.
Aubrey O'Quin (18:28):
Well, the internet's great, but I can't
tell you how many times I've self-diagnosed
myself with God only knows what, and I
think I'm dying.
So your best friend and your worst enemy.
Exactly, I say that about technology all
the time too.
It's.
It's great when it works, but when it
doesn't, it's like.
You know how do we function?
Like I, I know two phone numbers right now.
If I were to ever end up without my phone,
(18:48):
I would be totally screwed.
Um, so tell me a little bit about what
you're doing this summer.
I mean, you and I were chatting, before the
podcast, or before we got on today of of.
You know you're getting ready to get on the
road.
So if there are any athletes that want to
try and sync up with you at any upcoming
rodeos, where are you kind of?
Where is the road taking you and over the
(19:09):
next couple of months?
Natasha McCann (19:10):
So I'm.
I usually take off for all of July.
That's kind of it's my fun time, partially
in a selfish way.
But also that's something I've always been
really strongly passionate about is these
rodeo athletes are on the road constantly.
They don't have a homestand, they don't
have a stadium to go home to to get worked
on by everyone under the sun, um.
(19:31):
So if we want to provide them with the best
care, then we have to be on the road just
as much as them.
So that's my goal for the summers is try to
be as many places I can to help Um.
So I will probably hit Pike speaker bus and
if our open in Colorado Springs, um, I'll
probably be in Estes for a day, just cause
they're so close, and then I'll jump up to
Sheridan.
(19:51):
I'll fly to Salinas, cause you know
hometown rodeo is always fun, and then I'll
fly back Um and I'll be in Cheyenne for
most of that and then I usually go to um
the extreme rough stock in Mitchell the day
after Cheyenne and then I'll either stick
around for some of those Colorado rodeos
around there and Nebraska or kind of drift
(20:12):
on back to Texas.
But those are the main big ones at least
are Colorado Springs, sheridan, cheyenne
and Salinas.
Aubrey O'Quin (20:19):
You're a bit of a gypsy, it sounds like
I've been accused.
So, like, what are some of your?
I mean obviously with your facility opening
and stuff, that's going to be taking a lot
of time.
But what I mean I know you and I, over the
last couple of years, have had some
conversations about.
You know some aspirations and some goals
and long-term things that you want to be
(20:39):
able to provide to rodeo athletes.
Is there anything like you can kind of
share, like what's your, what's your
five-year goal to, um, you know, to to
reaching rodeo athletes and what do you
really are hoping and aspiring to, kind of
the change that you want to be making?
Natasha McCann (20:54):
Man, that's a tough question.
Um, I mean, as far as change, I think we're
seeing a really really cool shift in rodeo
right now, and we've seen it over the past
year kind of progressively building.
But just the mindset shift of what it is to
be a rodeo athlete.
Um and that's something you know I'm sure
Katie touched on it as well as it can be a
challenge of, like, these guys are salt to
(21:16):
the earth, they're tough.
That's the inherent nature of being a rodeo
athlete.
And so that's where they, I think, fight
sportsmen sometimes is like well, you know,
I'm, I'm tough, I'm, I'm a hard, hard dude.
I don't need to go in just because my
ankles bothering me.
So we, we fight them and butt heads a
little bit, cause that's where I'm always
like just come see me, it doesn't matter if
it's just a minor thing.
(21:37):
That's when you actually really need to see
me.
That's the best time.
So, changing that um perspective, I think,
for athletes of hey, catch things before
they become serious and also treat your
body.
You know, rodeo athletes, that is, your
tool is yourself.
Um, if you don't care for your body, then
you're not going to last in the sport,
(21:57):
you're going to be riddled with injury,
it's going to slow your career down or end
it prematurely.
Um, so really taking the time and money to
to put that into your body and take care of
yourself.
Um, like Josh Frosh, caleb Bennett they're
fantastic examples of this is they
literally do everything under the sun to
provide themselves with as much benefit
(22:19):
from therapies and anything that they can
to keep them going.
And you know, look at Josh, he's.
He's getting better with time.
Like he's getting better with age.
Um, and and Caleb's still going and going
strong, despite having some pretty serious
injuries and setbacks.
So we see guys like that and we want that
to kind of be the standard of like, yeah,
it's an investment, it's.
It can be a ding in your checkbook
(22:40):
sometimes, but so is not rodeoing for three
months because you finally blew out your
knee and you didn't address it six months
beforehand.
So I think that's one of the big things is
I love to see that change and I want to
help encourage more of that change of these
guys really taking care of themselves and
investing in themselves to preserve their
future.
And then, as far as personally, you know
(23:03):
we've talked about this my big goal is I
think we have some really wonderful
providers that do the acute stuff in sports
med trailers, um, and I'd love to have a
service that works in conjunction with that
and kind of a lateral move to them, um, and
just providing some of the things that I do
of massage that can be a little bit hard to
work into that setting, just from a space
(23:24):
perspective, uh, so a trailer that that has
the space to do more of the hands-on body
work for these athletes, um, and have
myself and a staff that I employ able to
provide that and have a wide range of
rodeos that we hit, rather than just the
ones that I can, you know, hit when I'm
here in Texas or when I hit the road.
Aubrey O'Quin (23:47):
I think you'll get there and I think it's
it's a like you said, it's it's slowly
changing and it feels like it's kind of
fastly changing.
But it's also slowly changing and I think
the more athletes and rodeo athletes and
you know, um did a podcast with Dr Alessi
too and part of the thing that he kind of
talked about was the, the change in the
mindset of the athlete starting to think of
themselves as athletes and you know, for so
(24:08):
long I, you know, I think rodeo athletes
and whether it's the actual individual
itself or the organization or the fans or
whatever, it is not necessarily, I mean, we
call them athletes but not truly looking at
them that way or treating them that way,
and that shift in starting to treat their
bodies and their minds and what they're
doing outside of competition more like your
(24:30):
traditional professional athlete would, I
think, the more that that shift starts,
continues to change, where everybody is
it's not just a word we're putting after
you know, a Western sports athlete, but
that they truly are seeing and treating
themselves like athlete.
I would, I would think that your service
would become something that you know
athletes are demanding, that are there, or,
(24:52):
you know, just having you as their personal
massage therapist that follows around to
all of the rodeos.
I personally would love to have my own
personal massage therapist, but yeah it's,
it's happening.
Natasha McCann (25:05):
I mean it's.
It's been a cool, even just in the time
I've been in Texas, like the growth I've
seen in my personal business and, um,
having, like I've worked for the Rangers so
I've worked in in professional baseball and
for both the major league team, the Rangers,
and their minor league affiliates and it
was kind of funny Like I almost had to
check myself because I was, I was working
for them and I had a contract and that was
(25:26):
like the pinnacle for me, you know, is
working in pro sports.
Then I was like wait, a minute, I've been
working in pro sports like rodeo these are
the elite of the elite in rodeo and so it
was kind of a good reality check for me,
even as a provider.
I was like, wait a minute, why am I
discrediting not only them but what I do in
the pro sports world?
Um, just because they're not a traditional,
(25:47):
you know, american pastime of baseball.
But seeing these guys and and kind of using
some of those examples that I can get from
working in baseball towards them, of like
those guys are so in tune with their bodies,
um, almost to a fault sometimes is, you
know, I know I'll treat them and they're
like I looked up this and it's this muscle
and they're like way too involved.
But they they care like any little minor
(26:10):
thing going on.
They address it and they're in with me,
they're in with a trainer, they're in with
a chiropractor, whoever like that day.
And partly, is the accessibility right,
they have that access but they they take it
so, so seriously.
And if my pitchers, like, have an elbow
thing going on, if they have blisters, like
they're on an il and I use that example a
(26:30):
lot but it's just such a good one is like
that's.
The gravity of the situation for them is if
they're not able to throw a fastball as
fast as as they can and they lose some of
that velocity and then they're giving up
runs like that's bad news, that's a big
problem.
And they address it right away.
And we want rodeo athletes to to take that
and use it in their own context.
(26:51):
Obviously it's always going to be a little
different because they don't have that um
luxury, shall we say to to take time off
that guaranteed paycheck, right?
Yeah, no, guaranteed paycheck.
But you know they can still address those
things and make sure they're not creeping
up on them and causing bigger problems in
the future.
Aubrey O'Quin (27:07):
With doing what you do.
You know, and obviously every situation is
going to be different.
Every athlete is going to respond to injury
different in the recovery process and they
tear an ACL or they have a torn rotator
cuff or whatever that may be.
Whatever the injury may be in the rehab is
(27:31):
what you do and the services that you can
provide potentially help to speed up that
recovery.
And, like you said, obviously it's money
out of their pockets, but we see so often
and understandably so, because it's not a
guaranteed paycheck and when they're not
competing they're not making money Um, but
like the importance of actually taking that
time to allow your body to heal adequately
(27:52):
before they go back to it.
And and you know it's, I'm sitting here
talking from the luxury of a, of an office
chair, so I, I mean, I don't have that,
that concern, but you know, I've always, um,
you know what?
What can some of these athletes do, whether
it's working with you or somebody else,
that might be able to set their bodies up
to healing faster or or at least getting
(28:15):
back to where they're able to kind of get
back to competition a little bit faster
after they've experienced an injury?
Natasha McCann (28:19):
Just even from the preventative standpoint,
is mobility and all that work becomes so
vital is that way when you're put into
those extremes of ranges of motion where
other people might experience a tear
because they don't get into those as often.
So if we do some of that mobility work and
making sure we're moving on multiple planes
and we're not just overpowering in the
(28:39):
quads and our glutes aren't active, you
know, whatever it may be, that really does
make a huge difference.
And then if those injuries are sustained is
there's still some movement stuff we can do
some rehabilitative exercises, even if they
need surgery.
So we can kind of prep and make sure that
the surrounding structures and tissues are
strong If they need a surgical intervention.
(29:00):
Once that's done and they're cleared, to
return to some level activity, whether it
be PT or return to play, and then doing a
really extensive rehab program, which
oftentimes I warn guys like, hey, it's
probably gonna be kind of boring, it's not
always the funnest stuff.
But if we're not working those intrinsic
muscles and all those smaller surrounding
structures, you can't just go, you know,
crazy right back to it and go into barbell
(29:22):
squatting or something.
So taking the appropriate baby steps and
really making a business decision and
eliminating that emotion from it of, hey,
is it smart for me to get back on?
Am I actually going to win some money here
or am I risking?
You know, I might win 400 bucks but I also
might really hurt myself and set my
recovery back.
So, kind of making those business decisions
(29:44):
and that's where I think the beauty of
Western sports foundation comes in is
because we have all this support staff and
we communicate is like if they're working
with me rehabbing an injury.
But they kind of come to that point like
okay, maybe you should talk to Katie, or
like maybe you should talk to Dr Beach or
someone about some of those more mental
side of things, if the physical side is
kind of handled.
Aubrey O'Quin (30:05):
But just evaluating all that stuff and
taking that into consideration, let's say
you rehab it to 50% and you're like I got
to get back and they go back and they're
(30:26):
not totally healed Like and maybe you don't
know so I'm sorry to put you on the stop
but are on the spot but what's kind of like
the science behind not fully allowing your
body to heal and like the reoccurrence of
that injury happening and or other injuries
happening because of you know you're
overcompensating or whatever else.
Like what, how does, how does it take those
tendons or muscles or bones or whatever
(30:47):
else to really, you know, heal?
And that time it's not just an arbitrary
number that people are throwing out and
obviously it's based off of the average, so
it's not an exact science.
I mean, you may heal 10 times faster than I
heal, based off of age and diet and all of
those other things.
But you know how do?
How do they kind of come up with the time
frame to be out, but then you know what the
(31:09):
reason for that is X, y, z and what do you
kind of risk by actually going back, you
know before, the recommended time after an
injury.
Natasha McCann (31:17):
Yeah, I mean, it's hard to to put metrics
to that or a timeline, just because there
are so many variables and everyone's
different.
Um, but the biggest thing, and I guess,
just like a simple example, would be you
know, if you, if you pull a rubber band and
it's not, you stretch it all the way out
and then you kind of let it get halfway
(31:37):
back to its normal size and shape and then
you go pull it again, like we're, we're
damaging the structural integrity each time
we do that.
So if you're trying to get back on, before
all that, a knee is just an easy one before
all those tissues, muscle, tendons,
ligaments, fascia, all those things that
comprise that area and allow it to function
(31:58):
properly.
If we're going too fast one, your range of
motion probably isn't there.
So not only are you not going to ride well,
because now you can't fully extend, nor can
you get your heels up in your d's.
Big problems there, obviously, um, but
you're you're damaging the structural
integrity of all those tissues.
And then, because inevitably you're going
to compensate is now we're going to see
(32:20):
things work up or down the line.
We're going to see things jump, probably to
the opposite hip, because you're going to
shift and see how you're sitting in that
saddle and the way you're activating your
muscles to try and compensate for the fact
that, one, you just don't have the output,
the strength in that leg yet, but also the
range of motion likely isn't there.
So your body is naturally going to do other
things to try and make up for that.
(32:40):
So not only does it affect the initial
injury, but you're more likely, without a
doubt, to injure other structures in the
chain as well.
Aubrey O'Quin (32:49):
So the short answer to this is utilize
Western Sports Foundation.
We have financial assistance due to injury
so we can help alleviate some of that
financial burden and that that concern
there.
But we also work with you that you can help
to with their doctor or whatever else um,
(33:10):
really put together a good treatment plan
and hopefully get them back to competing
and doing what they love and providing for
them, their families, as quickly and as
healthy as possible.
Natasha McCann (33:20):
Yeah, that's without a doubt, and I I tell
this to a lot of athletes Um, and I joke,
you know my, my business model is terrible.
But, like you know, I know the guys that
are rodeoing and gals, they do it cause
they love it.
This is what I love.
I truly believe like I was put on this
earth to help people and that's what I love
to do.
I love my job.
I'm very fortunate, so it pains me when I
(33:44):
talk to guys and they're like well, I
wanted to see you, but you know they worry
about financials or whatever.
Um, so it's, it's awesome that we have
organizations like Western sports that help
that.
But also, that's a big part of what I do
honestly is, if someone's hurt and they
can't afford my service, like, just please
come talk to me, we can, we can work a deal,
we can give you a freebie.
(34:05):
Um, I, this is a huge passion of mine.
I I'm from the Western industry.
I know, um, how devastating it was for me
to to not be able to ride and just the
thought of of not being able to ride ever
again.
You know I was.
I was totally bedridden.
Um, like I had to kind of retrain myself a
gate pattern, even walking normally.
So I was like in the absolute pits of
(34:26):
despair and I want to make sure no one else
ever feels that way, and if it's simply
comes down to a financial issue, that just
it breaks my heart.
So I don't want anyone to ever not reach
out to me just because they're worried
about money is, if Western sports can't
help you, I can.
I have contacts.
I want to help people.
So don't let the monetary side of things
(34:47):
stop you from reaching out for help,
whether it be my service or anyone in
Western Sports Foundation, but truly anyone
in rodeo.
I think if they're worth their salt and
they're there for the altruistic purpose,
then we're going to help you, no matter
what.
Aubrey O'Quin (35:01):
For sure.
Well, and I think putting good karma out
there right it, it.
It comes back tenfold and I think,
especially in this industry, I mean, so
much of it is word of mouth and the last
thing you need is everybody going around
being like, hey, call Natasha, she's going
to give you everything for free.
And you know, then, yeah, you're going to
work yourself out of business, but, um, you
know, I think that it's the, it's how
(35:21):
genuine people are and you know, I think
that's what is so unique and amazing about
having you as one of our providers, and I
think all of our providers are this way of
of.
You know, you guys truly believe in what
you're doing and you believe in what we're
doing as an organization and our mission,
and so, um, you know, I, I I tell people
this all the time when they, you know, they
(35:41):
do apply or they don't apply, and I'm
talking to them and it's like there's so
many other people that you know need it
more than I do, or whatever else, and I
can't tell you in 11 years, how many times
I've heard that the services we provide, or
you know, whether it's financial assistance
or working with a provider, you know, just
(36:03):
because you may have finished in the top 10
of the world, or you finished in the you
know bottom of it.
You all were doing this for all of you.
Let me worry about the money.
Take that, take that one worry off of your
shoulders and let us figure out how we can
best take care of you.
So I love that that's your approach,
because I do.
(36:23):
I truly believe, like you know, putting
that good karma out there, it's only going
to come back tenfold, and it may not be
this year, it may not be next year, but at
some point you know what you're doing for
others will come back and serve you in a
way to continue to serve others.
So I just one of the many reasons why I
love you, tasha.
So, um, and I love the fact that you said
you know, with massage therapy, you're not
(36:44):
a touchy-feely person, cause I am like the
opposite of like you know.
I see you, I'm going to hug you and even if
it's the first time I've met you, I'll
shake your hand and then, when we leave,
I'm going to give you a hug and I've I'm
slowly want it or not?
Well it's.
Natasha McCann (36:56):
I mean when I first started doing this and
kind of like, told my family you know I
wasn't living at home, wasn't anywhere
close to him, and told him that and they
were all like I'm sorry what my parents, my
siblings, and so I don't.
I mean I hug them, but they're like Tosh,
(37:17):
you don't, you don't touch people, you
don't want contact.
I'm very, you know I.
I value my alone time.
I.
Aubrey O'Quin (37:32):
I'm very independent, I suppose, and just
I'm on my own a lot and not like a a touch.
You're an introvert, extrovert.
I feel like, like you're you, you can be a
chameleon in both of those situations, like
if you're totally fine being alone, but
you're also good at being social.
Natasha McCann (37:42):
So yeah, I've learned to be situationally
extroverted.
I know how to turn it on and it's been
something, a skill I really had to develop
in this job.
But I definitely love to pull the Irish
goodbye and just get home and not talk to
anyone.
Aubrey O'Quin (37:58):
I know a couple of people that do that.
Irish goodbye.
I need to learn that one for sure.
So you have done, and you know we've done,
a handful of wellness clinics with you
being there and you know the first couple
ones I think you were there helping out
with, you know with Doug and Champion,
living Fitness and kind of from the
(38:19):
personal training side and and then, you
know, started having you present from the
injury prevention.
Injury prevention You've helped out with
our mental toughness all the way from
leading it to jumping into it and you know
kind of just being all hands on deck
involved, which I truly appreciate, but you
know what kind of.
(38:39):
You know being from a provider and the
perspective of you know being right there
in the trenches with the athletes and but
also being a provider slash, mentor and
whatever else.
I mean what are.
What do you kind of think is the most
impactful, meaningful thing of those
clinics?
And and you know what are you think those
athletes are really kind of taken away from
those.
Natasha McCann (38:59):
I mean, oftentimes it's just what I hear
most is they're gleaning so much
information and we joke with them like
you're drinking from a fire hose at these,
because it's just eight hours of hey,
here's five different subjects and we're
just going to throw the book at you, um,
which a lot of them value that and they're
they're super grateful because they just
get so much information from from experts
(39:20):
in their respective fields.
But I think also the one of the bigger
things is they kind of get this sense of
community.
I mean, rodeo is already such a good
community in such a small world, um, but
it's cool to see their interpersonal
relationships grow just over the course of
those three days where you really see them
bond and like, especially after the mental
toughness, I think you see these athletes
(39:43):
in their respective events, even like
timies and roughies, start to cheer each
other on and like be helpful for each other
and, um, kind of form some of those bonds.
So I think that's something huge that they
take away is, uh, other people that they're
like okay, well, I don't feel so silly or
like so self-conscious seeking help,
because here's a room of 30 other people
(40:03):
that are also seeking help.
Aubrey O'Quin (40:05):
Yeah, yeah, no, I think that's, I mean, my
favorite story is always going to be the.
You know the very first clinic we did, and
at the time I had no idea what we were
doing, and I remember the first mental
toughness that we did do, and at the time
you know Cody Lostro and I won't give it
all away, but Cody Lostro shows up with
like a 20 pound bag, and we're in Pueblo
(40:27):
Colorado in July, which, if anybody's been
here in July, and and you know it's 105
degrees, it's miserable and he makes them
go run around the river walk, so it's like
a mile, and he doesn't tell anybody this.
But the whole group of guys goes and runs
it and the last guy comes across and he
said, okay, you finished.
Last comes across and he said, okay, you
finished last.
Here's this 20 pound bag Go run it again.
(40:49):
Caveat with this, though, is, all of you
guys can go and run it with him and help
him carry that bag, and not one guy paused
for a second to pick up that bag and go and
run with him, and you know he got back to
the finish line and I remember he, they,
they made sure that he had that 20 pound
bag when he walked across the finish line,
that he did it.
But my mama heart was like I'm.
(41:11):
I'm holding back tears like, oh my God,
this is the greatest thing ever.
And every single time they do they're,
they're cheering each other on and they can
show up in that situation.
You know, being complete strangers, but by
the time they leave their their buddies,
they've exchanged phone numbers, they're
talking to each other, they're going to
meet up on the road somewhere, and it's a
community.
(41:31):
But it's a very individualized sport and
the really cool thing from it is it's an
individual sport for the amount of time
that you're competing, from the time that
you're on the back of the bull or the back
of the horse or whatever that looks like,
that you're on the back of the bull or the
back of the horse or whatever that looks
like.
But as soon as you're done, every single
(41:52):
one of them is always out there cheering on
the back of the chutes.
For you know their, their friends, and for
you know the other competitors and they
want the other guys to do just as well as
as you know, not better, but just as well
as they did, you know.
So it's, it's really cool to to see that
and I think you know, every single time
there's always those amazing stories, that
kind of walk out of it and and I feel like
(42:13):
you know it's, it's really good, I think,
for the providers to.
I mean, the whole point of this initially
was, hey, let's get these athletes here,
let's get them in front of the providers
where they feel comfortable, maybe having
those harder conversations about, about
mental health, about financial, about, you
know, an injury that's been plaguing them
and they can't, you know they they don't
know how to get over it and they don't want
(42:34):
to ask for the help, whatever that looks
like.
But I think it's almost been just as
beneficial for the providers to be in front
of the athletes and get to know the
athletes in that personal way, because it
it it speaks to why I think all of us are
doing it, which is that, that human
connection and that, like I'm truly making
a difference in helping somebody, and I
would like to think that that's why you
(42:56):
continue to come back, and I mean you are,
you know, have very graciously donated a
lot of your time and your services, and you
know, I know I'm grateful for it, but I
know the athletes are too, so I mean it's
just it's.
It's fun to see, though, how they've even
involved with you know, you being involved
in, um, just the the growth that it's taken
(43:16):
over the last couple of years.
Natasha McCann (43:18):
Yeah, it's.
I mean it's very humbling and it's very
fulfilling for me.
Like I said, I I really love what I do and
I'm very fortunate to to feel that way and
wake up every day and not just dread going
to work.
Um, but even like the mental toughness day,
the one I jumped in on was, you know, I
think, like you said, I don't want to give
(43:38):
too much away, but there was one girl and
it was.
The rest of the group was guys.
So we had already noticed kind of just how
that inevitably goes, being the only girl
in a group of 28.
I was like I know, I've been there myself
many times and she was so sweet and I kind
of knew that morning I was like I'm going
to have to do this.
I know how this goes, we pair up.
And I just remember I kind of asked them
you guys were like no, I don't think we'll
(43:59):
need you to.
And then, about five minutes for, lostra
was like do you have a swimsuit?
Yeah, I'll go to my truck.
And so I grabbed a pair of shorts or
something and did that with her, but I mean
to this day, like I keep in touch with her,
and it was.
It was just a really really neat experience
to do that with her and to be able to help
her, um, and she's such a sweetheart but
(44:22):
it's it's taken on that almost like I'm the
little sister in my family and she's kind
of been the little sister for me and it was
just a really neat experience.
But, like you said, to have that face time
in front of athletes I'm fortunate I'm on
the road.
I see a lot of these people, a lot, but
especially some of the newcomers or younger
guys that like normally wouldn't come get
(44:44):
treatment is one.
I see them seek out treatment more often,
which is awesome.
But also like just running into people at
rodeos.
I mean I run into people here at
Weatherford all the time but just seeing
these kids at rodeos.
Or I got PBR finals.
It was Trenton Ross and he was like hi, ms
McCann, I was like Trenton, you can call me
(45:04):
Natasha and he's like I didn't know if you
remembered me, but he was so sweet.
I was like Trent, you can call me Natasha
and he's like I didn't know if you
remembered me, but he was so sweet.
I was like of course I do, I know all you
guys, you know.
So it's really neat to just have those
experiences, but see that growth as well.
Aubrey O'Quin (45:19):
I mean all of them.
That's probably one of my favorite things,
though, is it really is like a Miss Aubrey.
I mean Chase Outlaw is a perfect example of
that.
I have known him for 10 plus years and
still to this day, every time I see him,
it's hi, miss Aubrey, and I'm like Chase,
like we're buddies, dude, like I mean I, I,
but the, the respect, right and just I
(45:41):
think, the overall appreciation of you.
Know, you, you could give them a napkin or
a Kleenex to blow their nose, and they're
going to remember it for their life and
just thank you for you know, just being
there for them when they needed to blow
their nose, and so it's just, it's um, it's
an amazing group of athletes that we get to
work with, but I love that.
You know, it's like I didn't know if you
were going to remember me, like that's just,
(46:03):
uh, I don't know, I'm just, I'm very
grateful that you're on this journey with
us and I'm very grateful that you came
prepared with a swimming suit, because
there is no way I was going to do it, nor
will I ever do it, but Cody does like to
tell everybody all the things that he does
put any of the athletes through.
He has tested them all on his wife, candice,
and Candice has done them with flying
(46:24):
colors.
So any of the athletes that he's putting
them through the mental toughness stuff
should not complain and should be able to
do it, because his wife has done it so and
she's a total baddie.
So you know what can you do.
But so I guess, before we wrap up here, is
there anything, some little nugget of
wisdom or truth or a little Natasha ism
(46:47):
that you would like to leave all of our
listeners with today.
Natasha McCann (46:51):
I think one of the things I tell my
athletes a lot and kind of getting people
used to the idea that there's there's new
research and new developments in medicine
and health sciences is like movement is,
medicine is.
I can totally go in the weeds, but there's
so many studies about the use of ibuprofen
(47:11):
or pain medicine beyond, like the immediate
issues of substance abuse, of just the
actual process, of what that's doing on
your body and how it can delay recovery
time, like significantly Um and so there
there are great tools when needed, but it
shouldn't be the primary practice.
So if you're experiencing injury, seek out
help.
There are great tools when needed, but it
shouldn't be the primary practice.
So if you're experiencing injury, seek out
help.
Seek out a professional that knows the
(47:33):
sport, knows rodeo and understands you,
because the advice I give you as a massage
therapist is going to greatly differ from
the advice a massage therapist that only
works on GP general public people gives you.
Um, but seek out that help and and stay
moving in whatever capacity you can that is
bringing in non-threatening stimuli Cause
(47:54):
that is going to be such a huge help for
your recovery process, um, and just the
rest of your life.
You know, rodeo unfortunately does have a
time limit as far as how long we can
compete, and all the advice we give you
guys is is certainly for while you're in
the arena, but also outside of it.
Aubrey O'Quin (48:10):
Yeah, nope, that's.
That's perfect and I think it's setting,
setting athletes up to be successful
athletes, but to be successful individuals
for whatever life may be.
And and we want to, you know, get to that
younger population, to the junior and the
high school and the college level athletes
and even the professional athletes.
But you know, we want your bodies and your
(48:32):
minds to be just as equipped and able to do
all of the things once you're done rodeoing
as they are now.
So, great advice Reach out to Western
Sports Foundation.
We will have links for your for Natasha's
services in the show notes.
So if you want to reach out and chat with
(48:53):
her a little bit more about her services or
whatever else, please do.
You can also apply for her services on our
website and thank you for listening.
Thank you, Natasha, for joining us.
We'll have to have you back on on another
episode episode.
We'll we'll have to open it up on social
media where we can take some questions and
ask you some questions next time on, maybe
we can get into the weeds for all those
(49:15):
people that really want to know how truly
smart you really are.
I, I again I'm blown away every single time
I talk to you.
I'm just like holy moly, this woman knows
more stuff than I could ever imagine.
But that's that.
You're just my go to person.
So thank you again for joining us, Thank
you for being one of our lovely providers,
and we'll catch you on the next episode of
(49:35):
Beyond the Rodeo.
Natasha McCann (49:36):
Thanks for having me.
Aubrey O'Quin (49:50):
Thanks for listening to Beyond the Rodeo.
To learn even more about Western Sports
Foundation and how we're helping Western
sports reach new heights, head to
westernsportsfoundationorg.
We'll catch you back here for the next
episode.
Thank you.
You're listening to Beyond the Rodeo,
brought to you by Western Sports Foundation,
the podcast that will explore the ups and
downs of rodeo life and reveal ways to help
the sport of rodeo reach new heights.
I'm your host, aubrey O'Quinn.
Let's get to the show.
(00:41):
Hello and welcome to Beyond the Rodeo.
I am your host, aubrey O'Quinn, and I am
joined today by my lovely friend, natasha
McCann.
Thank you for joining us.
Thanks for having me, of course.
So, natasha, we're just going to jump right
into it today.
Tell us about you, tell us about what you
(01:01):
do and all the things that make you you, oh
man.
Natasha McCann (01:06):
Well, I'll just I'll start with my
certifications, I guess, of what my my job
really is.
So I'm a clinical rehabilitative specialist.
I do specialize within rodeo for rodeo
athletes, just because their set of needs
and demands are so much different than any
other athlete or pro sport.
But I started off very simply as a personal
(01:27):
trainer and then just kind of expanded from
there.
So actually I was an EMT before everything
worked on an ambulance emergency medicine,
became a personal trainer, became a
licensed massage therapist and then I got
dual board certified in clinical
rehabilitation and orthopedic manual
therapy.
And then I have a few other certifications
in different aspects of physical training,
(01:49):
as well as nutrition and things.
That kind of go along for that whole
picture of wealth, health and wellness for
athletes.
Aubrey O'Quin (01:58):
I swear, every time I talk to you, I'm like
God, she's so smart, like, and all of the
little letters and acronyms and all of the
things that follow your name.
I'm like, I'm just Aubrey.
I wish I was as cool as Natasha.
Please, just Aubrey, Don't be silly.
So what got you into all of this and into
(02:18):
your all of the different certifications
and everything that you do have, like?
What was your passion or your drive to kind
of do that?
Natasha McCann (02:25):
Um, I mean, it's kind of been a winding
road.
It wasn't something I ever planned on.
In all honesty I I hate to say I fell into
it, but I just kind of discovered this path
as I went.
But I was, um, supposed to play sports in
college, always had an athletic background,
um big in sports growing up, and then had
(02:46):
an injury from a motorcycle accident.
So that all changed, didn't go to college
right off the bat and I went and worked on
ranches.
I was just kind of red and colts and
working for some cattle operations.
So that's kind of how I started off in the
Western industry.
And then, after doing that for a long time,
as everyone experiences, you get pretty
(03:06):
beat up and you know just aches and pains,
um, and I didn't have any formal education.
So that's where I got the EMT license.
I thought I would get a little bit of
education under my belt.
Um, worked on an ambulance, loved it, but
you also don't make a lot of money doing
that.
So I was kind of still stuck in the same,
uh, financial struggle, as you know, riding
(03:28):
Colts and working on an ambulance.
Um, I was training at a gym and the
gentleman that was my trainer, he kind of
took me under his wing and he had a very
similar background, similar interests, and
so he's the one that had suggested I get
the massage license, which I was super
resistant to at first Cause I was, you know,
I'm not touchy, feely, I'm not, that's just
(03:50):
not my and so I was like, oh, I don't want
to.
You know, massage gross.
And he was like, no, no, no, like you know
it's, it's very different if you take the
sports approach and he had helped me a lot
with the shoulder stuff I had from that
motorcycle accident.
So, um, I kind of just said, well, what do
I have to lose?
So got those certifications and then just
kind of took it and ran, um and got those
(04:12):
board certifications from there and really
wanted to specialize in a demographic of
people that I cared about and was in
already involved in.
I wanted to stay within sports and kind of
stay on that medical side of things, if you
will, just because I did enjoy the
emergency medicine things.
I did.
So kind of went from there and then
(04:34):
suffered another catastrophic injury of my
own and from there just got really terrible
advice.
I broke my back and my neck in five places
and brain injury and all that stuff that a
lot of our rodeo athletes experience and,
as most of us are told, they just said you
know, no more horses, no more working out
Like you're done, that's, that's a thing of
the past for you.
(04:55):
And I just refused to accept that.
After I had my good little pity party for
myself but finally picked myself up and
just kind of did my own rehab, and then I
think that was really the turning point for
me where I had been kind of half in, half
out on everything but that was like, okay,
I want to be the advocate that I needed for
(05:15):
other people, cause I know I'm not alone in
this struggle, and just kind of went from
there.
Um, and then I moved to Texas shortly after
I healed up from all that and just been
going ever since.
Aubrey O'Quin (05:27):
So move from to Texas.
Where are you originally from?
Natasha McCann (05:29):
Originally.
I actually grew up in California, right
outside Salinas.
You say that reluctantly.
Well, I mean, so many people are just
California haters, but they don't know.
Aubrey O'Quin (05:39):
It's a beautiful state.
It is a beautiful state.
Natasha McCann (05:41):
I will say that it is.
It's beautiful and what's funny.
So Salinas is the lettuce producing capital
of the world, and I just read this the
other day.
It was like per capita or per state the
most common industry that people work in
California is agriculture.
Texas is tech, so California actually has
more people working in agriculture than the
(06:01):
state of Texas, just for anyone out there,
I told you I'm going to start calling you
Wikitasha.
Aubrey O'Quin (06:08):
It's like a walking Wikipedia.
Natasha McCann (06:11):
So I grew up there and then I've lived all
over the Northwest.
I lived in Eastern Washington, wyoming, I
passed through Montana a bunch, so I've
just drifted a lot.
Aubrey O'Quin (06:21):
So you had mentioned earlier that there's a
difference between, um, like sports massage
therapy and regular massage therapy.
What is, what is the difference?
And is it the same sort of like are you?
Are you doing it for the same outcome or
the outcomes even meant to be different?
Even even though, like, the practice is
different or the outcomes meant to be the
same, are they different?
Natasha McCann (06:42):
I mean they both fall under the broad
umbrella of, like, muscle relaxation, right.
So we're trying to decrease tension within
the body.
I would say it's just the application and
approach of that becomes very different and
the setting right.
So when we think massage, it's usually your
typical like massage envy there's gong,
chime, music and incense and it's very
(07:02):
chill and quiet and soft chime, music and
incense and it's very chill and quiet and
soft, um, whereas in the sports setting, in
the, in the setting of athletes, um, and at
events is a lot of times it's pre-event.
So you're trying to activate muscles and
help them prepare to compete, or even post
event is you're helping to combat some of
the soreness or whatever they may have
going on from either you know in rodeo
(07:22):
their ride or you know other sports just
from that competition they were just in.
So it's, it really is the application and
we're trying to help facilitate the intent
of what they're about to go do.
Aubrey O'Quin (07:36):
How often should rodeo athletes be seeing
somebody like yourself for sports massage
therapy?
Natasha McCann (07:44):
I mean, in a perfect world, I would love if
guys could come in once a month just for
maintenance, like what I've always said is,
if I'm doing my job, you don't.
I want you to not have to see me, you just
want to see me, um, and so that's when I
say like the maintenance is great If you
can come in once a month and just mitigate
the aches and pains going on and address
things before they become bigger problems.
(08:06):
Um, which you know it's obviously
challenging for rodeo guys.
I try to be on the road as much as them,
but that's the struggle of any rodeo
athlete is, care isn't constant and they
have to get it where they can take it, or
take it where they can get it rather.
But, um, particularly if they have
something acute going on that's crept up,
is we can normally make a lot of progress
(08:27):
and a lot of headway on that If they can
come in, you know, once or twice, even a
week, or if they're at, you know, a five
day event is get worked on a couple of
times and normally we can make some good
progress there.
Aubrey O'Quin (08:39):
So where are you in Texas now located, so
like if there are athletes that are needing
your services?
I mean, you're pretty centrally located to
where all the, where everything's happening,
that they can come and find you right.
Natasha McCann (08:53):
Yes, fort Worth is home base.
My office is in Fort Worth.
I'm about to move to a new location and
expand, so that's really exciting, and
especially for for rodeo athletes, for the
Western world athletes.
I really want that to be kind of a hub of,
uh, wellness services, if you will, for for
those guys, just because, like I said, I
understand it, I live it, um, and I, I want
(09:15):
to be the go-to for all those people.
So that's in the works, in in the fall.
Aubrey O'Quin (09:21):
So you're you said you're expanding and
it's in the works.
I know you're probably still like figuring
out a lot of the details, but what can you
share with us of what this expansion kind
of looks like and what can rodeo athletes
expect to find by going and visiting you?
Natasha McCann (09:36):
McCann Athletic Therapy, performance and
Recovery Lab.
So basically it's a one-stop shop.
So, in addition to all the massage services
that I already provide, we'll have cold
plunges, infrared saunas, red light therapy,
magnawave or PEMF pulsed electromagnetic
therapy, I'll have an IV tech in every once
(09:57):
in a while, I'll have an acupuncturist on
staff and then I'll also have a full gym
for the corrective exercise.
So that's, I think, also one of the bigger
parts of of my practice and my approach
versus other massage therapists is I'm able
to incorporate all my licenses and give
them a really strong product.
Where I hate to speak ill of chiropractors,
(10:20):
but it's just a really good example is a
lot of people go to a chiropractor.
They get adjusted and they say, okay, see
you in a week, and they just kick you loose
and then you're like, okay, well, you know,
I don't want to keep coming back.
And that's where I say I want to work
myself out of a job is when I have a client.
If they come in saying, you know, hey, my,
my back's hurting is it their hips?
(10:42):
What's actually going on do the hands-on
work and then they get homework, so they're
getting corrective exercise and now at this
new facility, I'll be able to do all that
in one place, whereas before, just due to
space is normally I have to just kind of
text them videos or whatever.
But we'll have all of that in one spot so
they can come in, get worked on and then we
(11:02):
can go through some of the movements I want
them to incorporate to work on the issues
we addressed in their session.
Aubrey O'Quin (11:08):
And a lot of that stuff.
I assume would be things that they can do
on the road, so they're seeing you in
person and learning like proper mechanics
and all of that, but then it's stuff that
they can take onto the next stop or onto
that next rodeo so they can start applying
that and they don't always have to be in
your facility to actually be doing the
homework and the stuff that you're giving
(11:29):
them yeah, absolutely a lot of the times it
is very much mobility based.
Natasha McCann (11:33):
So you're, you either need no equipment or
a basic set of bands, which at this point
in rodeo most guys have with them.
And that's kind of the beauty of I'm also a
personal trainer with champion living, so
if they're working with myself or any of
the other Champion Living coaches, they
kind of already know the routine and
they've gotten a pretty good idea of what
we're expecting and the equipment they need.
(11:53):
So they usually already have it.
But it's very minimal and that's, I think,
again, just the beauty of my approach and
my understanding of the industry is I'm not
going to require you to use a lot of
equipment or need a bunch of bells and
whistles.
You only have so much space in a Capri, so
you got to make two.
Aubrey O'Quin (12:14):
And so in your facility, what exactly?
I think most athletes or most people are
aware of physical therapy or working out or
massage therapy, but you're talking about
cold plunges and red light therapy and all
of that other stuff Like what are some of
the benefits from doing the cold pool
plunges and some of the other services or
(12:35):
therapies that you'll have there at your
facility?
Natasha McCann (12:38):
I mean the whole idea with everything that
I'll have.
There is one.
It's supported by clinical data.
I don't advocate or promote anything.
That's anecdotal or just well, I really
like it and it feels good.
I want to be able to explain the
physiological process of what I'm doing
when I'm working on a client, as well as
any service that I might recommend.
So all those services, very simply put, are
(13:02):
the goal is to reduce inflammation, um,
increase healing times, or decrease healing
times, whichever you want to look at it.
Make healing times faster and just help
their bodies recover from the strain and
the stress that they're inputting in their
event Perfect.
Aubrey O'Quin (13:20):
I imagine people probably are going to walk
out of that facility feeling like 100 bucks
bucks or, within a couple of days of
walking out, maybe feeling like a hundred
bucks.
So I want to shift and talk a little bit
about what you do with Western Sports
Foundation, and I think what's a good point
to start is I know you've kind of have worn
a couple of hats in working with us, but
(13:42):
what we have specifically honed in on your
skillset is like our injury prevention
provider and you know the.
The funny story I think with that is you
were up at high school finals and we our
neurologist wasn't able to make it for a
mini clinic and I was in a pinch and I'm
like, hey, can you do a presentation?
And you're like, yeah, I have one right
(14:03):
here, let's do it.
And you got up there and I remember sitting
in that room and coming up to you
afterwards and I'm like, ok, this is what
these guys need to be hearing.
Like, are you cool?
I need you to do this.
And you're like, absolutely so what exactly
(14:23):
you know when you are working with athletes
or what it is.
What is it that you're presenting to them?
Like that's beyond.
Obviously it's incorporating, I imagine all
of your certifications, but what does that
kind of like look like when you're having
those conversations and presenting Normally
the thing I start with and I think the
biggest aspect to it is changing the
connotation of what sports medicine is.
Natasha McCann (14:44):
For a lot of these guys is when we talk to
rodeo athletes, for them any sports
medicine provider is they've been hurt and
they go into the trailer and they say, hey,
I blew up my knee or you know whatever it
may be.
And then they address from there and so we
want to change that connotation and change
their perspective on things and go, hey,
sports medicine is also preventative.
(15:06):
So I tend to work a little bit more on the
preventative side nowadays, obviously
outside of the EMS side of things, but I
want to help them prepare so they're less
likely to sustain those injuries or, when
they occur, cause they're inevitable.
With the sport is, how do we increase those
statistics as far as better healing rates,
better recovery time, better results once
(15:27):
they get back to sport?
So a lot of it is just having those
conversations and getting them to
understand that you don't need to just seek
out providers when things have totally gone
up a creek.
If we address things when they're small and
you just have little aches and pains,
little discrepancies going on.
That's when you want to work with me or
whoever, to make sure that we address those.
(15:49):
They don't become the death by a thousand
cuts issue that we see so often with these
guys.
Aubrey O'Quin (15:54):
I like that you bring that up, because I
actually I did a podcast with Katie
Hollingsworth, you know, our mental
performance coach, and you know she kind of
said the same thing of don't just seek them
out when you're in that point of like you
feel like you're at that time of need or
you're up against a wall, like using those.
You know, like having her in your back
pocket, having you in their back pocket.
(16:14):
You know, throughout whatever that you know
journey looks like of it, you're not just
coming to them when you absolutely are like
in dire need of it, but like doing it as a
maintaining and you know, having it where
it's, it's in your toolbox to help you
continue to be successful and it's
something that you're using on a regular
basis.
So I know one of the things that we're
(16:36):
looking to, are hoping to start to kind of
incorporate into our clinics or services
that we're offering, is like a needs
assessment, like can you and I've never had
one done or seen one done so can you kind
of walk us through, like what does that
look like?
Like, what does a needs assessment look
like?
If an athlete were to want to say, hey, you
know, I want to get a needs assessment done.
(16:56):
What is from start to finish Is that kind
of look like.
And then what do you do as a follow-up
after you've done that assessment with them?
Natasha McCann (17:09):
I mean, it always starts with a
conversation.
If they're in person, you know great.
But if not, even just a phone call where we
can talk about kind of what they're feeling
and what seems to be, you know, problem
number one, and then secondary and tertiary
from there, and then, once I have them in
the office, it's going through manual
resistive tests.
Sometimes it's just observing them walking.
But all these different tests and
assessments that I employ in my practice,
(17:29):
basically to really evaluate, okay, they're
saying their knee is hurting, but if we
look from the 10,000-foot view, what else
is going on?
Do we have a systemic problem here that's
working up or down the chain, and how do we
address that?
So that's why and I harp this to so many
athletes is assessment is vital.
Um, you know, the internet is a very
powerful tool and there's so much
(17:50):
information accessible to people now, which
is great.
We want you to educate yourself, but also,
like, rely on the experts and rely on
people like myself or any other sports med
provider that really understands it,
because while your knee might be hurting,
it could very well be because your hips
aren't rotating when you walk and sometimes
if we just chase the pain, we're not going
(18:11):
to get results.
We can in fact, cause more issues if we're
addressing the wrong thing.
So a lot of that assessment is so huge and
so important when we're going over needs
assessments or just evaluations for these
athletes is really finding the root of the
problem and addressing it from there.
Aubrey O'Quin (18:28):
Well, the internet's great, but I can't
tell you how many times I've self-diagnosed
myself with God only knows what, and I
think I'm dying.
So your best friend and your worst enemy.
Exactly, I say that about technology all
the time too.
It's.
It's great when it works, but when it
doesn't, it's like.
You know how do we function?
Like I, I know two phone numbers right now.
If I were to ever end up without my phone,
(18:48):
I would be totally screwed.
Um, so tell me a little bit about what
you're doing this summer.
I mean, you and I were chatting, before the
podcast, or before we got on today of of.
You know you're getting ready to get on the
road.
So if there are any athletes that want to
try and sync up with you at any upcoming
rodeos, where are you kind of?
Where is the road taking you and over the
(19:09):
next couple of months?
Natasha McCann (19:10):
So I'm.
I usually take off for all of July.
That's kind of it's my fun time, partially
in a selfish way.
But also that's something I've always been
really strongly passionate about is these
rodeo athletes are on the road constantly.
They don't have a homestand, they don't
have a stadium to go home to to get worked
on by everyone under the sun, um.
(19:31):
So if we want to provide them with the best
care, then we have to be on the road just
as much as them.
So that's my goal for the summers is try to
be as many places I can to help Um.
So I will probably hit Pike speaker bus and
if our open in Colorado Springs, um, I'll
probably be in Estes for a day, just cause
they're so close, and then I'll jump up to
Sheridan.
(19:51):
I'll fly to Salinas, cause you know
hometown rodeo is always fun, and then I'll
fly back Um and I'll be in Cheyenne for
most of that and then I usually go to um
the extreme rough stock in Mitchell the day
after Cheyenne and then I'll either stick
around for some of those Colorado rodeos
around there and Nebraska or kind of drift
(20:12):
on back to Texas.
But those are the main big ones at least
are Colorado Springs, sheridan, cheyenne
and Salinas.
Aubrey O'Quin (20:19):
You're a bit of a gypsy, it sounds like
I've been accused.
So, like, what are some of your?
I mean obviously with your facility opening
and stuff, that's going to be taking a lot
of time.
But what I mean I know you and I, over the
last couple of years, have had some
conversations about.
You know some aspirations and some goals
and long-term things that you want to be
(20:39):
able to provide to rodeo athletes.
Is there anything like you can kind of
share, like what's your, what's your
five-year goal to, um, you know, to to
reaching rodeo athletes and what do you
really are hoping and aspiring to, kind of
the change that you want to be making?
Natasha McCann (20:54):
Man, that's a tough question.
Um, I mean, as far as change, I think we're
seeing a really really cool shift in rodeo
right now, and we've seen it over the past
year kind of progressively building.
But just the mindset shift of what it is to
be a rodeo athlete.
Um and that's something you know I'm sure
Katie touched on it as well as it can be a
challenge of, like, these guys are salt to
(21:16):
the earth, they're tough.
That's the inherent nature of being a rodeo
athlete.
And so that's where they, I think, fight
sportsmen sometimes is like well, you know,
I'm, I'm tough, I'm, I'm a hard, hard dude.
I don't need to go in just because my
ankles bothering me.
So we, we fight them and butt heads a
little bit, cause that's where I'm always
like just come see me, it doesn't matter if
it's just a minor thing.
(21:37):
That's when you actually really need to see
me.
That's the best time.
So, changing that um perspective, I think,
for athletes of hey, catch things before
they become serious and also treat your
body.
You know, rodeo athletes, that is, your
tool is yourself.
Um, if you don't care for your body, then
you're not going to last in the sport,
(21:57):
you're going to be riddled with injury,
it's going to slow your career down or end
it prematurely.
Um, so really taking the time and money to
to put that into your body and take care of
yourself.
Um, like Josh Frosh, caleb Bennett they're
fantastic examples of this is they
literally do everything under the sun to
provide themselves with as much benefit
(22:19):
from therapies and anything that they can
to keep them going.
And you know, look at Josh, he's.
He's getting better with time.
Like he's getting better with age.
Um, and and Caleb's still going and going
strong, despite having some pretty serious
injuries and setbacks.
So we see guys like that and we want that
to kind of be the standard of like, yeah,
it's an investment, it's.
It can be a ding in your checkbook
(22:40):
sometimes, but so is not rodeoing for three
months because you finally blew out your
knee and you didn't address it six months
beforehand.
So I think that's one of the big things is
I love to see that change and I want to
help encourage more of that change of these
guys really taking care of themselves and
investing in themselves to preserve their
future.
And then, as far as personally, you know
(23:03):
we've talked about this my big goal is I
think we have some really wonderful
providers that do the acute stuff in sports
med trailers, um, and I'd love to have a
service that works in conjunction with that
and kind of a lateral move to them, um, and
just providing some of the things that I do
of massage that can be a little bit hard to
work into that setting, just from a space
(23:24):
perspective, uh, so a trailer that that has
the space to do more of the hands-on body
work for these athletes, um, and have
myself and a staff that I employ able to
provide that and have a wide range of
rodeos that we hit, rather than just the
ones that I can, you know, hit when I'm
here in Texas or when I hit the road.
Aubrey O'Quin (23:47):
I think you'll get there and I think it's
it's a like you said, it's it's slowly
changing and it feels like it's kind of
fastly changing.
But it's also slowly changing and I think
the more athletes and rodeo athletes and
you know, um did a podcast with Dr Alessi
too and part of the thing that he kind of
talked about was the, the change in the
mindset of the athlete starting to think of
themselves as athletes and you know, for so
(24:08):
long I, you know, I think rodeo athletes
and whether it's the actual individual
itself or the organization or the fans or
whatever, it is not necessarily, I mean, we
call them athletes but not truly looking at
them that way or treating them that way,
and that shift in starting to treat their
bodies and their minds and what they're
doing outside of competition more like your
(24:30):
traditional professional athlete would, I
think, the more that that shift starts,
continues to change, where everybody is
it's not just a word we're putting after
you know, a Western sports athlete, but
that they truly are seeing and treating
themselves like athlete.
I would, I would think that your service
would become something that you know
athletes are demanding, that are there, or,
(24:52):
you know, just having you as their personal
massage therapist that follows around to
all of the rodeos.
I personally would love to have my own
personal massage therapist, but yeah it's,
it's happening.
Natasha McCann (25:05):
I mean it's.
It's been a cool, even just in the time
I've been in Texas, like the growth I've
seen in my personal business and, um,
having, like I've worked for the Rangers so
I've worked in in professional baseball and
for both the major league team, the Rangers,
and their minor league affiliates and it
was kind of funny Like I almost had to
check myself because I was, I was working
for them and I had a contract and that was
(25:26):
like the pinnacle for me, you know, is
working in pro sports.
Then I was like wait, a minute, I've been
working in pro sports like rodeo these are
the elite of the elite in rodeo and so it
was kind of a good reality check for me,
even as a provider.
I was like, wait a minute, why am I
discrediting not only them but what I do in
the pro sports world?
Um, just because they're not a traditional,
(25:47):
you know, american pastime of baseball.
But seeing these guys and and kind of using
some of those examples that I can get from
working in baseball towards them, of like
those guys are so in tune with their bodies,
um, almost to a fault sometimes is, you
know, I know I'll treat them and they're
like I looked up this and it's this muscle
and they're like way too involved.
But they they care like any little minor
(26:10):
thing going on.
They address it and they're in with me,
they're in with a trainer, they're in with
a chiropractor, whoever like that day.
And partly, is the accessibility right,
they have that access but they they take it
so, so seriously.
And if my pitchers, like, have an elbow
thing going on, if they have blisters, like
they're on an il and I use that example a
(26:30):
lot but it's just such a good one is like
that's.
The gravity of the situation for them is if
they're not able to throw a fastball as
fast as as they can and they lose some of
that velocity and then they're giving up
runs like that's bad news, that's a big
problem.
And they address it right away.
And we want rodeo athletes to to take that
and use it in their own context.
(26:51):
Obviously it's always going to be a little
different because they don't have that um
luxury, shall we say to to take time off
that guaranteed paycheck, right?
Yeah, no, guaranteed paycheck.
But you know they can still address those
things and make sure they're not creeping
up on them and causing bigger problems in
the future.
Aubrey O'Quin (27:07):
With doing what you do.
You know, and obviously every situation is
going to be different.
Every athlete is going to respond to injury
different in the recovery process and they
tear an ACL or they have a torn rotator
cuff or whatever that may be.
Whatever the injury may be in the rehab is
(27:31):
what you do and the services that you can
provide potentially help to speed up that
recovery.
And, like you said, obviously it's money
out of their pockets, but we see so often
and understandably so, because it's not a
guaranteed paycheck and when they're not
competing they're not making money Um, but
like the importance of actually taking that
time to allow your body to heal adequately
(27:52):
before they go back to it.
And and you know it's, I'm sitting here
talking from the luxury of a, of an office
chair, so I, I mean, I don't have that,
that concern, but you know, I've always, um,
you know what?
What can some of these athletes do, whether
it's working with you or somebody else,
that might be able to set their bodies up
to healing faster or or at least getting
(28:15):
back to where they're able to kind of get
back to competition a little bit faster
after they've experienced an injury?
Natasha McCann (28:19):
Just even from the preventative standpoint,
is mobility and all that work becomes so
vital is that way when you're put into
those extremes of ranges of motion where
other people might experience a tear
because they don't get into those as often.
So if we do some of that mobility work and
making sure we're moving on multiple planes
and we're not just overpowering in the
(28:39):
quads and our glutes aren't active, you
know, whatever it may be, that really does
make a huge difference.
And then if those injuries are sustained is
there's still some movement stuff we can do
some rehabilitative exercises, even if they
need surgery.
So we can kind of prep and make sure that
the surrounding structures and tissues are
strong If they need a surgical intervention.
(29:00):
Once that's done and they're cleared, to
return to some level activity, whether it
be PT or return to play, and then doing a
really extensive rehab program, which
oftentimes I warn guys like, hey, it's
probably gonna be kind of boring, it's not
always the funnest stuff.
But if we're not working those intrinsic
muscles and all those smaller surrounding
structures, you can't just go, you know,
crazy right back to it and go into barbell
(29:22):
squatting or something.
So taking the appropriate baby steps and
really making a business decision and
eliminating that emotion from it of, hey,
is it smart for me to get back on?
Am I actually going to win some money here
or am I risking?
You know, I might win 400 bucks but I also
might really hurt myself and set my
recovery back.
So, kind of making those business decisions
(29:44):
and that's where I think the beauty of
Western sports foundation comes in is
because we have all this support staff and
we communicate is like if they're working
with me rehabbing an injury.
But they kind of come to that point like
okay, maybe you should talk to Katie, or
like maybe you should talk to Dr Beach or
someone about some of those more mental
side of things, if the physical side is
kind of handled.
Aubrey O'Quin (30:05):
But just evaluating all that stuff and
taking that into consideration, let's say
you rehab it to 50% and you're like I got
to get back and they go back and they're
(30:26):
not totally healed Like and maybe you don't
know so I'm sorry to put you on the stop
but are on the spot but what's kind of like
the science behind not fully allowing your
body to heal and like the reoccurrence of
that injury happening and or other injuries
happening because of you know you're
overcompensating or whatever else.
Like what, how does, how does it take those
tendons or muscles or bones or whatever
(30:47):
else to really, you know, heal?
And that time it's not just an arbitrary
number that people are throwing out and
obviously it's based off of the average, so
it's not an exact science.
I mean, you may heal 10 times faster than I
heal, based off of age and diet and all of
those other things.
But you know how do?
How do they kind of come up with the time
frame to be out, but then you know what the
(31:09):
reason for that is X, y, z and what do you
kind of risk by actually going back, you
know before, the recommended time after an
injury.
Natasha McCann (31:17):
Yeah, I mean, it's hard to to put metrics
to that or a timeline, just because there
are so many variables and everyone's
different.
Um, but the biggest thing, and I guess,
just like a simple example, would be you
know, if you, if you pull a rubber band and
it's not, you stretch it all the way out
and then you kind of let it get halfway
(31:37):
back to its normal size and shape and then
you go pull it again, like we're, we're
damaging the structural integrity each time
we do that.
So if you're trying to get back on, before
all that, a knee is just an easy one before
all those tissues, muscle, tendons,
ligaments, fascia, all those things that
comprise that area and allow it to function
(31:58):
properly.
If we're going too fast one, your range of
motion probably isn't there.
So not only are you not going to ride well,
because now you can't fully extend, nor can
you get your heels up in your d's.
Big problems there, obviously, um, but
you're you're damaging the structural
integrity of all those tissues.
And then, because inevitably you're going
to compensate is now we're going to see
(32:20):
things work up or down the line.
We're going to see things jump, probably to
the opposite hip, because you're going to
shift and see how you're sitting in that
saddle and the way you're activating your
muscles to try and compensate for the fact
that, one, you just don't have the output,
the strength in that leg yet, but also the
range of motion likely isn't there.
So your body is naturally going to do other
things to try and make up for that.
(32:40):
So not only does it affect the initial
injury, but you're more likely, without a
doubt, to injure other structures in the
chain as well.
Aubrey O'Quin (32:49):
So the short answer to this is utilize
Western Sports Foundation.
We have financial assistance due to injury
so we can help alleviate some of that
financial burden and that that concern
there.
But we also work with you that you can help
to with their doctor or whatever else um,
(33:10):
really put together a good treatment plan
and hopefully get them back to competing
and doing what they love and providing for
them, their families, as quickly and as
healthy as possible.
Natasha McCann (33:20):
Yeah, that's without a doubt, and I I tell
this to a lot of athletes Um, and I joke,
you know my, my business model is terrible.
But, like you know, I know the guys that
are rodeoing and gals, they do it cause
they love it.
This is what I love.
I truly believe like I was put on this
earth to help people and that's what I love
to do.
I love my job.
I'm very fortunate, so it pains me when I
(33:44):
talk to guys and they're like well, I
wanted to see you, but you know they worry
about financials or whatever.
Um, so it's, it's awesome that we have
organizations like Western sports that help
that.
But also, that's a big part of what I do
honestly is, if someone's hurt and they
can't afford my service, like, just please
come talk to me, we can, we can work a deal,
we can give you a freebie.
(34:05):
Um, I, this is a huge passion of mine.
I I'm from the Western industry.
I know, um, how devastating it was for me
to to not be able to ride and just the
thought of of not being able to ride ever
again.
You know I was.
I was totally bedridden.
Um, like I had to kind of retrain myself a
gate pattern, even walking normally.
So I was like in the absolute pits of
(34:26):
despair and I want to make sure no one else
ever feels that way, and if it's simply
comes down to a financial issue, that just
it breaks my heart.
So I don't want anyone to ever not reach
out to me just because they're worried
about money is, if Western sports can't
help you, I can.
I have contacts.
I want to help people.
So don't let the monetary side of things
(34:47):
stop you from reaching out for help,
whether it be my service or anyone in
Western Sports Foundation, but truly anyone
in rodeo.
I think if they're worth their salt and
they're there for the altruistic purpose,
then we're going to help you, no matter
what.
Aubrey O'Quin (35:01):
For sure.
Well, and I think putting good karma out
there right it, it.
It comes back tenfold and I think,
especially in this industry, I mean, so
much of it is word of mouth and the last
thing you need is everybody going around
being like, hey, call Natasha, she's going
to give you everything for free.
And you know, then, yeah, you're going to
work yourself out of business, but, um, you
know, I think that it's the, it's how
(35:21):
genuine people are and you know, I think
that's what is so unique and amazing about
having you as one of our providers, and I
think all of our providers are this way of
of.
You know, you guys truly believe in what
you're doing and you believe in what we're
doing as an organization and our mission,
and so, um, you know, I, I I tell people
this all the time when they, you know, they
(35:41):
do apply or they don't apply, and I'm
talking to them and it's like there's so
many other people that you know need it
more than I do, or whatever else, and I
can't tell you in 11 years, how many times
I've heard that the services we provide, or
you know, whether it's financial assistance
or working with a provider, you know, just
(36:03):
because you may have finished in the top 10
of the world, or you finished in the you
know bottom of it.
You all were doing this for all of you.
Let me worry about the money.
Take that, take that one worry off of your
shoulders and let us figure out how we can
best take care of you.
So I love that that's your approach,
because I do.
(36:23):
I truly believe, like you know, putting
that good karma out there, it's only going
to come back tenfold, and it may not be
this year, it may not be next year, but at
some point you know what you're doing for
others will come back and serve you in a
way to continue to serve others.
So I just one of the many reasons why I
love you, tasha.
So, um, and I love the fact that you said
you know, with massage therapy, you're not
(36:44):
a touchy-feely person, cause I am like the
opposite of like you know.
I see you, I'm going to hug you and even if
it's the first time I've met you, I'll
shake your hand and then, when we leave,
I'm going to give you a hug and I've I'm
slowly want it or not?
Well it's.
Natasha McCann (36:56):
I mean when I first started doing this and
kind of like, told my family you know I
wasn't living at home, wasn't anywhere
close to him, and told him that and they
were all like I'm sorry what my parents, my
siblings, and so I don't.
I mean I hug them, but they're like Tosh,
(37:17):
you don't, you don't touch people, you
don't want contact.
I'm very, you know I.
I value my alone time.
I.
Aubrey O'Quin (37:32):
I'm very independent, I suppose, and just
I'm on my own a lot and not like a a touch.
You're an introvert, extrovert.
I feel like, like you're you, you can be a
chameleon in both of those situations, like
if you're totally fine being alone, but
you're also good at being social.
Natasha McCann (37:42):
So yeah, I've learned to be situationally
extroverted.
I know how to turn it on and it's been
something, a skill I really had to develop
in this job.
But I definitely love to pull the Irish
goodbye and just get home and not talk to
anyone.
Aubrey O'Quin (37:58):
I know a couple of people that do that.
Irish goodbye.
I need to learn that one for sure.
So you have done, and you know we've done,
a handful of wellness clinics with you
being there and you know the first couple
ones I think you were there helping out
with, you know with Doug and Champion,
living Fitness and kind of from the
(38:19):
personal training side and and then, you
know, started having you present from the
injury prevention.
Injury prevention You've helped out with
our mental toughness all the way from
leading it to jumping into it and you know
kind of just being all hands on deck
involved, which I truly appreciate, but you
know what kind of.
(38:39):
You know being from a provider and the
perspective of you know being right there
in the trenches with the athletes and but
also being a provider slash, mentor and
whatever else.
I mean what are.
What do you kind of think is the most
impactful, meaningful thing of those
clinics?
And and you know what are you think those
athletes are really kind of taken away from
those.
Natasha McCann (38:59):
I mean, oftentimes it's just what I hear
most is they're gleaning so much
information and we joke with them like
you're drinking from a fire hose at these,
because it's just eight hours of hey,
here's five different subjects and we're
just going to throw the book at you, um,
which a lot of them value that and they're
they're super grateful because they just
get so much information from from experts
(39:20):
in their respective fields.
But I think also the one of the bigger
things is they kind of get this sense of
community.
I mean, rodeo is already such a good
community in such a small world, um, but
it's cool to see their interpersonal
relationships grow just over the course of
those three days where you really see them
bond and like, especially after the mental
toughness, I think you see these athletes
(39:43):
in their respective events, even like
timies and roughies, start to cheer each
other on and like be helpful for each other
and, um, kind of form some of those bonds.
So I think that's something huge that they
take away is, uh, other people that they're
like okay, well, I don't feel so silly or
like so self-conscious seeking help,
because here's a room of 30 other people
(40:03):
that are also seeking help.
Aubrey O'Quin (40:05):
Yeah, yeah, no, I think that's, I mean, my
favorite story is always going to be the.
You know the very first clinic we did, and
at the time I had no idea what we were
doing, and I remember the first mental
toughness that we did do, and at the time
you know Cody Lostro and I won't give it
all away, but Cody Lostro shows up with
like a 20 pound bag, and we're in Pueblo
(40:27):
Colorado in July, which, if anybody's been
here in July, and and you know it's 105
degrees, it's miserable and he makes them
go run around the river walk, so it's like
a mile, and he doesn't tell anybody this.
But the whole group of guys goes and runs
it and the last guy comes across and he
said, okay, you finished.
Last comes across and he said, okay, you
finished last.
Here's this 20 pound bag Go run it again.
(40:49):
Caveat with this, though, is, all of you
guys can go and run it with him and help
him carry that bag, and not one guy paused
for a second to pick up that bag and go and
run with him, and you know he got back to
the finish line and I remember he, they,
they made sure that he had that 20 pound
bag when he walked across the finish line,
that he did it.
But my mama heart was like I'm.
(41:11):
I'm holding back tears like, oh my God,
this is the greatest thing ever.
And every single time they do they're,
they're cheering each other on and they can
show up in that situation.
You know, being complete strangers, but by
the time they leave their their buddies,
they've exchanged phone numbers, they're
talking to each other, they're going to
meet up on the road somewhere, and it's a
community.
(41:31):
But it's a very individualized sport and
the really cool thing from it is it's an
individual sport for the amount of time
that you're competing, from the time that
you're on the back of the bull or the back
of the horse or whatever that looks like,
that you're on the back of the bull or the
back of the horse or whatever that looks
like.
But as soon as you're done, every single
(41:52):
one of them is always out there cheering on
the back of the chutes.
For you know their, their friends, and for
you know the other competitors and they
want the other guys to do just as well as
as you know, not better, but just as well
as they did, you know.
So it's, it's really cool to to see that
and I think you know, every single time
there's always those amazing stories, that
kind of walk out of it and and I feel like
(42:13):
you know it's, it's really good, I think,
for the providers to.
I mean, the whole point of this initially
was, hey, let's get these athletes here,
let's get them in front of the providers
where they feel comfortable, maybe having
those harder conversations about, about
mental health, about financial, about, you
know, an injury that's been plaguing them
and they can't, you know they they don't
know how to get over it and they don't want
(42:34):
to ask for the help, whatever that looks
like.
But I think it's almost been just as
beneficial for the providers to be in front
of the athletes and get to know the
athletes in that personal way, because it
it it speaks to why I think all of us are
doing it, which is that, that human
connection and that, like I'm truly making
a difference in helping somebody, and I
would like to think that that's why you
(42:56):
continue to come back, and I mean you are,
you know, have very graciously donated a
lot of your time and your services, and you
know, I know I'm grateful for it, but I
know the athletes are too, so I mean it's
just it's.
It's fun to see, though, how they've even
involved with you know, you being involved
in, um, just the the growth that it's taken
(43:16):
over the last couple of years.
Natasha McCann (43:18):
Yeah, it's.
I mean it's very humbling and it's very
fulfilling for me.
Like I said, I I really love what I do and
I'm very fortunate to to feel that way and
wake up every day and not just dread going
to work.
Um, but even like the mental toughness day,
the one I jumped in on was, you know, I
think, like you said, I don't want to give
(43:38):
too much away, but there was one girl and
it was.
The rest of the group was guys.
So we had already noticed kind of just how
that inevitably goes, being the only girl
in a group of 28.
I was like I know, I've been there myself
many times and she was so sweet and I kind
of knew that morning I was like I'm going
to have to do this.
I know how this goes, we pair up.
And I just remember I kind of asked them
you guys were like no, I don't think we'll
(43:59):
need you to.
And then, about five minutes for, lostra
was like do you have a swimsuit?
Yeah, I'll go to my truck.
And so I grabbed a pair of shorts or
something and did that with her, but I mean
to this day, like I keep in touch with her,
and it was.
It was just a really really neat experience
to do that with her and to be able to help
her, um, and she's such a sweetheart but
(44:22):
it's it's taken on that almost like I'm the
little sister in my family and she's kind
of been the little sister for me and it was
just a really neat experience.
But, like you said, to have that face time
in front of athletes I'm fortunate I'm on
the road.
I see a lot of these people, a lot, but
especially some of the newcomers or younger
guys that like normally wouldn't come get
(44:44):
treatment is one.
I see them seek out treatment more often,
which is awesome.
But also like just running into people at
rodeos.
I mean I run into people here at
Weatherford all the time but just seeing
these kids at rodeos.
Or I got PBR finals.
It was Trenton Ross and he was like hi, ms
McCann, I was like Trenton, you can call me
(45:04):
Natasha and he's like I didn't know if you
remembered me, but he was so sweet.
I was like Trent, you can call me Natasha
and he's like I didn't know if you
remembered me, but he was so sweet.
I was like of course I do, I know all you
guys, you know.
So it's really neat to just have those
experiences, but see that growth as well.
Aubrey O'Quin (45:19):
I mean all of them.
That's probably one of my favorite things,
though, is it really is like a Miss Aubrey.
I mean Chase Outlaw is a perfect example of
that.
I have known him for 10 plus years and
still to this day, every time I see him,
it's hi, miss Aubrey, and I'm like Chase,
like we're buddies, dude, like I mean I, I,
but the, the respect, right and just I
(45:41):
think, the overall appreciation of you.
Know, you, you could give them a napkin or
a Kleenex to blow their nose, and they're
going to remember it for their life and
just thank you for you know, just being
there for them when they needed to blow
their nose, and so it's just, it's um, it's
an amazing group of athletes that we get to
work with, but I love that.
You know, it's like I didn't know if you
were going to remember me, like that's just,
(46:03):
uh, I don't know, I'm just, I'm very
grateful that you're on this journey with
us and I'm very grateful that you came
prepared with a swimming suit, because
there is no way I was going to do it, nor
will I ever do it, but Cody does like to
tell everybody all the things that he does
put any of the athletes through.
He has tested them all on his wife, candice,
and Candice has done them with flying
(46:24):
colors.
So any of the athletes that he's putting
them through the mental toughness stuff
should not complain and should be able to
do it, because his wife has done it so and
she's a total baddie.
So you know what can you do.
But so I guess, before we wrap up here, is
there anything, some little nugget of
wisdom or truth or a little Natasha ism
(46:47):
that you would like to leave all of our
listeners with today.
Natasha McCann (46:51):
I think one of the things I tell my
athletes a lot and kind of getting people
used to the idea that there's there's new
research and new developments in medicine
and health sciences is like movement is,
medicine is.
I can totally go in the weeds, but there's
so many studies about the use of ibuprofen
(47:11):
or pain medicine beyond, like the immediate
issues of substance abuse, of just the
actual process, of what that's doing on
your body and how it can delay recovery
time, like significantly Um and so there
there are great tools when needed, but it
shouldn't be the primary practice.
So if you're experiencing injury, seek out
help.
There are great tools when needed, but it
shouldn't be the primary practice.
So if you're experiencing injury, seek out
help.
Seek out a professional that knows the
(47:33):
sport, knows rodeo and understands you,
because the advice I give you as a massage
therapist is going to greatly differ from
the advice a massage therapist that only
works on GP general public people gives you.
Um, but seek out that help and and stay
moving in whatever capacity you can that is
bringing in non-threatening stimuli Cause
(47:54):
that is going to be such a huge help for
your recovery process, um, and just the
rest of your life.
You know, rodeo unfortunately does have a
time limit as far as how long we can
compete, and all the advice we give you
guys is is certainly for while you're in
the arena, but also outside of it.
Aubrey O'Quin (48:10):
Yeah, nope, that's.
That's perfect and I think it's setting,
setting athletes up to be successful
athletes, but to be successful individuals
for whatever life may be.
And and we want to, you know, get to that
younger population, to the junior and the
high school and the college level athletes
and even the professional athletes.
But you know, we want your bodies and your
(48:32):
minds to be just as equipped and able to do
all of the things once you're done rodeoing
as they are now.
So, great advice Reach out to Western
Sports Foundation.
We will have links for your for Natasha's
services in the show notes.
So if you want to reach out and chat with
(48:53):
her a little bit more about her services or
whatever else, please do.
You can also apply for her services on our
website and thank you for listening.
Thank you, Natasha, for joining us.
We'll have to have you back on on another
episode episode.
We'll we'll have to open it up on social
media where we can take some questions and
ask you some questions next time on, maybe
we can get into the weeds for all those
(49:15):
people that really want to know how truly
smart you really are.
I, I again I'm blown away every single time
I talk to you.
I'm just like holy moly, this woman knows
more stuff than I could ever imagine.
But that's that.
You're just my go to person.
So thank you again for joining us, Thank
you for being one of our lovely providers,
and we'll catch you on the next episode of
(49:35):
Beyond the Rodeo.
Natasha McCann (49:36):
Thanks for having me.
Aubrey O'Quin (49:50):
Thanks for listening to Beyond the Rodeo.
To learn even more about Western Sports
Foundation and how we're helping Western
sports reach new heights, head to
westernsportsfoundationorg.
We'll catch you back here for the next
episode.
Thank you.
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