Meet Natasha McCann | Clinical Rehabilitative Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natasha McCann and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natasha, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
The single most important decision I made is actually one I make on a regular basis. And that choice is to simply not be discouraged by “no”. When starting any new venture, but particularly one where new thinking and new ideas aren’t always the most encouraged, its vital to not shut down because someone else doesn’t see or believe in your vision. I was told no countless times when approaching people for sponsorships or just support or advice as I’ve grown my business. It can be a hard pill to swallow at times but learning to use the “no’s” and any discouragement from non-believers as fuel to only pursue your goal even more has been a key for me.

What should our readers know about your business?
McCann Athletic Therapy focuses on treating clients using a whole body approach. So often, we experience pain or an injury, go to a doctor, and that precise area is treated. I like to take a wider view using orthopedic testing and movement pattern analysis, determine what the root of the issue is and treat from there. I am a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Personal Trainer, and I am dual board certified in Clinical Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Manual Therapy. When I am treating a client I use a variety of techniques and corrective exercises to help reduce/remove pain and build functional movement patterns. While I do have clients of all ages and backgrounds, rodeo athletes are my specialty. I saw a distinct gap in care for these athletes and knew I wanted to be an advocate for them and make rodeo my area of expertise. Rodeo athletes experience injuries and deal with pain in a way that no other sport can compare, and yet the resources they are provided are light years behind any profesional sports organization.
I have made it my goal to help treat these athletes with services they will rarely see in an acute setting, all of which are commonplace in other pro sports training rooms. Another struggle of rodeo athletes is that there is no home court. Their season will take them all over the country and often in a new city on a daily basis, so even when proper care is provided, it may only be for one night. That is why I take my business on the road and I am traveling throughout the season as much as the athletes are. I do my best to coordinate with athletes and make sure I’m set up at bigger events, or events that I’ve been requested to attend.
Building my business has been no easy task, but it has made the journey all the sweeter. It was hard to break into the industry and gain the trust of athletes as someone relatively unknown to not only treat them, but also treat them with services such as orthopedic manual therapy that they may not have received before. Persistence and patience have been keys to growing my business and staying true to the vision I have for how these athletes should be treated. This sport requires so much of a person, and is misunderstood by so many. It’s not just a hobby, it is truly a way of life for many of us. It is also unique in the fact that these athletes can complete while injured, where most sports that isn’t possible (or necessary because they are being paid regardless). I want to make sure we are doing everything we can for these athletes to keep them on as long as possible and as healthy as possible.
In addition to the hands on rehabilitation work, I also provide online personal training with a company Champion Living Fitness. We work together to create training programs catered to the rodeo athlete so that they are strong and prepared for their event and can have longer more successful careers.
When I’m not on the road with rodeo, I work for a stock contractor based here in Colorado, and I am also a Wellness Provider for the Western Sports Foundation teaching Injury Management and Prevention at their clinics. I also work for the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball Team providing Orthopedic Manual Therapy to the team.

While it may seem cliche, I truly love helping people and that is the biggest driving force for my business. I have a background in emergency medicine so I’ve always enjoyed caring for others, and this business has allowed me to continue doing that, particularly for a demographic/sport that I have so much passion for. I have a soft spot for anyone in the western industry because of my background working on ranches and riding colts. I know the toll it can take on your body and have experienced some significant injuries from it myself, including breaking my back in 5 places after a wreck on a colt. I always keep those experiences in the back of my mind to remind myself why I do what I do, as well as why it is so important to have healthcare providers who understand the sport. I was told to stop riding, stop working out, basically stop every activity that I loved that were also my sources of income, because it would be foolish after my injury. I was fortunate that I had the education I did and was able to do most of my rehab on my own. But had I not, I’d be sitting on the couch still withering away missing the best parts of my life. I want to make sure no athlete is told that by a provider who doesn’t understand them, their job, and their livelihood.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Quite frankly, I don’t get the kind of free time to do these sort of things in the city! If my friend was visiting they’d see what I consider the best parts of the state, which is far outside of the city limits. When I’m not working at a rodeo, I’m working on a ranch riding horses, gathering stock, feeding, fencing, you name it. There is nothing that will beat the view of the sun coming up over the hills and horses coming up to the water tank in the morning.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be where I am without the continued support and belief from my family. They have always been very supportive and encouraging with all of my pursuits and I know they are always in my corner.

Instagram: mccannathletictherapy

Image Credits
Emily Hilton Hey Em Media Trinity Burke Photography Double R Flicks