Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yvonnie Joseph. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Yvonnie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Along with taking care of clients, taking care of our team is one of the most important things we can do as leaders. Looking back on your journey, did you have a boss that was really great? Maybe you can tell us about that boss and what made them a wonderful person to work for?

The best boss I’ve ever had was my mentor from my first Athletic Training job after graduating. His name is Hide Okuwa, and I learned an immense amount from him during the three years we worked together. It never felt like work because of the valuable knowledge he shared. He had previously worked as an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Houston, and his wealth of expertise and experience benefited me greatly. Even though it has been six years since we worked together, I can still pick up the phone and reach out to him for any questions or concerns I may have. Mark Rodman, another Athletic Trainer, also played a significant role in my career by encouraging me to take leaps of faith in positions I was initially afraid of failing in. Both of them have made tremendous contributions to my professional growth, and I am grateful that God brought them into my life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Yvonnie Joseph, and I am a licensed and certified Athletic Trainer. For those of you who don’t know what that is, we are often mistaken for water boys on the field or sideline, but there is so much more to our profession. We are also hydration technicians, responsible for taking care of the well-being of athletes. Our job encompasses various aspects, including physical therapy, emergency response, first aid, game day and practice preparation, and recovery. We utilize a range of techniques and tools to ensure athletes stay healthy and pain-free.

As a teenager, I was always involved in sports. Although I wasn’t the best athlete, I excelled as a manager. I saw the potential of getting paid behind the scenes, which appealed to me as a teenager who wanted to earn my own money. Then, during my junior year, I watched the movie “Just Wright,” and a lightbulb went off in my head. I had always wanted to be in the health profession, and discovering that I could combine that passion with sports, attending games and practices for work, convinced me. I pursued Athletic Training in school, and I have never regretted this career choice.

I started my own business during the pandemic when schools and sports were shut down, especially in New York. I realized that our skills were also valuable in industrial settings. Just like many other athletes, my athletes were always in the training room. I wanted to extend the same services we provide to athletes and industrial workers to everyone, whether they are fitness enthusiasts, participate in summer tournaments and leagues, or simply experience common aches and pains.

Listening to my athletes and clients, I recognized their challenges with time and transportation, which made it difficult for them to access the services they needed. That’s when I decided to start a mobile business, bringing the services directly to clients wherever they may be, whether it’s at tournaments, races, or the gym. In The Training Room, we’ll be there for them.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

There have been a couple of times where I’ve had to pivot in business and my career. Life is never just a straight path; it has its twists, turns, and curveballs.

The pandemic was a significant one for most people, but the complete shutdown of sports, even on a professional level, was enormous. Athletic Trainers have unpredictable schedules, working as early as 6 am on some days and as late as 10 or 11 pm on others. It all depends on the games, practice times for different sports, and potential travel with a team. So, I went from working almost every day, at any given time, to not even knowing when my school would reopen. I was accustomed to picking up shifts working tournaments, semi-professional or amateur leagues, but suddenly everything came to a halt. However, I am a grinder, so I found a job as a bike delivery person for Amazon and Whole Foods. It may seem ironic, holding a master’s degree and all the certifications and licenses I’ve worked so hard for, while working for minimum wage. But I didn’t care; I had to make it work because bills don’t care about those things.

After a few months on the bike, I was able to secure a job at construction sites. This was a new experience for me, having to wear a hard hat and steel-toed boots. My responsibilities included leading stretch and flex sessions and sitting in the office, hoping no one would come in with a serious injury. I enjoyed the set hours of working on the construction site, and it’s similar in most other industrial jobs for athletic trainers. Finally, I knew what time I’d be going home every day, which brought some stability and predictability to my schedule.

In my business, I heard from student athletes who didn’t have cars, expressing their desire to go to recovery places but facing challenges in finding transportation. Clients also voiced similar concerns. That’s when I realized that even though I had a brick and mortar location, most of my clients were seeking mobility, and I could provide services where I was needed. This realization prompted me to seize the opportunity and stop paying rent for a place that was essentially functioning as a storage unit for equipment. Now, I am 100% mobile, able to reach my clients and attend events, which allows me to yield a greater return.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I have a strong dislike for social media. I believe it’s filled with too many unwanted and unnecessary opinions. However, as most entrepreneurs and business professionals know, it’s the best platform for marketing and advertising because a large portion of the population is frequently engaged on social media.

Recognizing the importance of social media presence, I made the decision to hire a social media manager, and it turned out to be a wise investment. They not only helped bring my page to its current state but also made me more comfortable with posting and understanding what to post. Many people have now complimented my page.

If you’re aiming to build your social media presence but lack technical or social media skills, like myself, I would advise you to seek out an affordable social media manager. It could even be someone you know whose Instagram page appears amazing or professional to you. Additionally, ask around; perhaps someone you know is already working with a social media manager who could assist you too. However, don’t simply take a back seat and ignore the process; you should also be actively learning so that you can take on that role if needed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.inthetrainingroomatl.com/
• Instagram: Inthetrainingroomatl
• Facebook: Inthetrainingroomatl
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/in-the-training-room-atlanta

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Zackice Guzman