Optimize Your Game, a Podcast from the University of Miami Sports Medicine Institute

Heisman winner and Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard shares what it takes to reach—and stay at—the top. From the power of mentorship to the value of surrounding yourself with high performers, Desmond offers hard-earned insights on human potential. He also reflects on an unexpected lesson from a conversation with a professional ballerina, revealing what elite performers across fields have in common.

You can learn more about Desmond at De...

Dr. Lee Kaplan sits down with Jorge Gonzalez, CEO of City National Bank, to explore the deep connection between sports, leadership, and high performance. Jorge shares how athletics shape character, decision-making and discipline—key traits for success in business and life. This conversation is a masterclass for anyone looking to elevate their leadership game. Tune in for insights on discipline, healthy competition, and the mindset ...

Join Dr. Lee Kaplan in an electrifying conversation with Christine Coppola—marathon swimmer, 3X Ironman finisher, HR pro, mom, and unstoppable force. Christine takes us inside the grueling mental and physical battle of tackling some of North America’s toughest swims, from the 28.5-mile 20 Bridges Swim to the Catalina Channel’s eerie, overnight 20-mile stretch.

From mastering visualization to surrendering control, to conquering open...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and J.D. Arteaga, head coach for the Miami Hurricanes baseball team. Step up to the plate with this inspiring episode as we dive into the transformative power of resilience. Discover how cultivating a culture of grit and character on and off the field shapes players into stronger athletes and better humans. We explore the pivotal lessons of detaching self-worth from performance, embracing failu...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Melissa Medina, Co-founder, CEO & President of eMerge Americas. We discuss the unique role of Healthcare within eMerge Americas’ vision and programming, balancing eMerge’s impact alongside the priorities of parenting 5 children, and the legacy of immigrant families within Miami’s culture.

You can learn more about Melissa at eMergeAmericas.com. The 2025 edition of eMerge Americas will ta...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Jordan-Elizabeth Long, Principal Soloist with the Miami City Ballet. We discuss the discipline and vision that led Jordan from childhood ballet in Blacksburg, Virginia to the Royal Swedish Ballet and European stages, and to becoming the Miami City Ballet’s Principal Soloist. We also discuss her choice to earn an MBA at the University of Miami, what goes inside pointe shoes, and “the work” t...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Stephen Staffieri, former Hurricanes football player throughout the 1984 through 1987 seasons, and founder of the podcast "The Game Changer Series”.  We discuss with Stephen how his definition of “peak performance” has evolved from his time as an All-American to his current professional and personal pursuits, how he motivates others to achieve more in their lives (his three P’s), and h...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Chris Pavon, Senior Manager, DCC Community Engagement with the Miami Dolphins. An icon within the South Florida and broader performance cycling community, Chris is now responsible for widening the Dolphins Cancer Challenge’s reach and impact within the local community.

We discuss with Chris the components of high performance in cycling (including bike tech), keys to evolving from casual...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Dr. Stephen Nimer, director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. In his leadership role at the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center in South Florida, Dr. Nimer has cultivated a team of more than 250 world-class physicians and researchers to create an environment of excellence and collaboration. He is a ...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Dr. Ricardo Komotar, renowned Neurosurgeon and Co-Director of the Sylvester Brain Tumor Institute. Dr. Komotar is an international leader in pioneering strategies for brain tumor surgery and treatment, performing nearly 700 surgical procedures each year using cutting-edge techniques that remove tumors with the least impact on the patient and their daily lives. Dr. Komotar has authored hundr...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Don Bailey, Jr., former Hurricanes Football team captain, and now radio color commentator for ‘Canes football broadcasts. Don was an integral player in Coach Howard Schnellenberger’s era of Hurricanes football, and is also owner of Don Bailey flooring, a South Florida business icon.

We discuss with Don his first-hand experience across decades of Hurricanes football’s cultural evolutions, a...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Jacqueline Kasen, Senior Director of Group Fitness at Anatomy Fitness, strength & performance coach and speaker on a mission to guide individuals toward surpassing their own limitations to achieve greatness. Jacqueline has also embraced the challenges of mountaineering and exploration, setting her sights on conquering the prestigious Explorer's Grand Slam. She has already experience...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Jeff Conine, former All-Star player with the MLB and now current Executive and Advisor to the Miami Marlins. We discuss with Jeff the mind frame and behaviors to endure as a life-long athlete, how the culture of performance measurement has evolved in professional baseball, and how to complete an Ironman (hint: it’s not just about physical endurance).

You can follow Jeff Conine on X: h...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Zach Ripic, postdoctoral associate with the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences at the University of Miami. We discuss with Zach the methodology being researched and developed by his collaboration with the Sports Medicine Institute and Kinesiology to measure an injured athlete’s physiological and psychological readiness to safely return to play – what we’re calling The Miami Score....

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Drew Rosenhaus, renowned sports agent, and founder of Rosenhaus Sports. Drew has successfully negotiated over 7 billion dollars in contracts throughout his career, representing some of sports’ biggest names, including Tyreek Hill and Rob Gronkowski.

We discuss with Drew insights on negotiating the best terms for his clients, integrity as a key to the best outcomes, the impact of NIL on...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Tommy Otley, Physical Therapist and Sports Scientist with Miami Hurricanes Basketball. Tommy also manages sports science for both programs, including overseeing team performance technology use, baseline profiling assessments and in-season athlete monitoring.

We discuss the role of wearable technologies and data in assessing how athletes are responding to physical load and recovering during ...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Jon Jay, first base coach for MLB's Miami Marlins, and former outfielder with the MLB and Miami Hurricanes, where he became both a World Series Champion and Hurricanes Hall of Famer. Jon also started the Jay Family Foundation to give back to the communities that allowed him to become who he is today. 

We discuss the pros and cons of performance data, the power of relationships in in...

A conversation between Dr. Lee Kaplan and Leslie Bonci, sports nutrition consultant for the 2020 and 2023 Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Leslie is a registered dietitian, board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, the owner of Active Eating Advice, a nutrition consulting company, and co-founder of Performance365, a sports nutrition consulting company. 

We discuss the role of a personalized nutrition plan in optima...