Episode 2

Breaking Barriers in Leadership: The Reality for Diverse Executives

Published on: 15th September, 2025

Dr. Trevor Bates, higher education leader and university president, opens up about the challenges diverse leaders face when navigating spaces that were not built with them in mind. He reflects on his personal journey through academia and administration, sharing moments of both breakthrough and burnout. From mentorship gaps to unspoken biases in leadership pipelines, Bates reveals the subtle and not so subtle barriers that continue to keep diversity at the top from being the norm.

Listeners will gain insight into what it takes to lead authentically while pushing against systemic resistance, and why representation in leadership roles transforms organizational culture. Timed with the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month, this conversation amplifies the importance of honoring diversity not only in cultural heritage but also in who holds the power to make decisions.

-AT L.A.S.T.

Website: WeAreATLast.org

Email: adam.cady@weareatlast.org

Support: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/athletic-trainers-leveraging-activism-for-social-transformation

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/at-l-a-s-t

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlastpod

35% OFF Thorne Products compliments of http://raincrosshp.com/ go to https://thor.ne/Ch2Uc

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Artwork by Jason Eisenberg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dots_and_squares/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoneisenberg00/


Music by Willie B the Ichiban Don

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichibandon/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-brown-25945b168/


Production / Engineering / Editing / by Gerson Sandoval

Website: www.davyrover.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davy.rover/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gersonsandovalengineer/


-Guest

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-m-bates-dhsc-atc-1b1b0234/

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About the Podcast

The AT Last Podcast
Sports medicine practitioners recognizing, addressing, and catalyzing change.
Sports medicine practitioners recognizing, addressing, and catalyzing change within their spheres of influence. Hosts Christopher Bates and Adam Cady focus on advancing health equity and DEIA in sports medicine, exploring how issues of race, representation, and systemic barriers shape the care and opportunities available to athletes and healthcare providers. Through candid conversations with leaders, practitioners, and changemakers, the podcast highlights both the challenges and the transformative possibilities of building a more just and inclusive future in sports medicine and beyond.
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About your hosts

Christopher Bates

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Christopher Bates is a proud family man and has passionately worked in sports medicine and human performance for over a decade. He is both a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), as well as a Registered Strength & Conditioning Coach (RSCC). Bates' experiences and paradigms for excellence have led to the creation and establishment of several holistic sports medicine and athletic-performance skill development programs across all levels of athletics including Olympic, University, High School and youth.

Currently, Bates serves as the Sports Medicine Manager and Head Athletic Trainer for USA Water Polo’s Men’s Olympic team. Bates also directs the athletic-performance skill development for the team along with the team's dedicated strength and conditioning coach.

Adam Cady

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Adam C. Cady holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology/Athletic Training from California State University-Fullerton, and a Master of Health Science from Duke University. He is also a graduate of the sports medicine fellowship program at The Steadman Clinic, in Vail, Colorado. He currently works as a Physician Assistant at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, where he specializes in sports medicine.

His current passions/research interests include improving health equity in underserved communities and Functional Medicine.