---
title: "NATM Spotlight: Athletic Trainer Katie Kuykendall’s Impact Goes Far Beyond the Game"
description: From pro soccer rehab to a life-saving moment in the stands, Katie Kuykendall shows how Athletic Trainers make a difference everywhere, not just on the field.
image: https://blog.healthyroster.com/hubfs/Athletic%20Training%20And%20Sports%20Medicine%20News-1.jpg
---

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 June 23, 2026

# NATM Spotlight: Athletic Trainer Katie Kuykendall’s Impact Goes Far Beyond the Game

![Picture of Tim Clark](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tim%20Clark.jpg?width=50&name=Tim%20Clark.jpg) By  [ Tim Clark ](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/author/tim-clark)  ·   1 minute read

![Articles for Athletic Trainers and News Stories](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Athletic%20Training%20News%20and%20Articles%20-%20Small.png?width=500&height=150&name=Athletic%20Training%20News%20and%20Articles%20-%20Small.png)

During National Athletic Training Month, stories like Katie Kuykendall’s highlight just how wide-reaching the impact of Athletic Trainers can be.

<https://www.rsl.com/news/from-sideline-to-spotlight-rsl-athletic-trainer-katie-kuykendall-earns-hall-of-fame-induction>As a Physical Therapist and First Assistant Athletic Trainer for Real Salt Lake, Kuykendall blends her lifelong love of soccer with a commitment to individualized athlete care.

*“Sports have always been a part of my life… With all those sports came injuries, so I ended up in physical therapy a lot,” she said. “Once I saw it up close, I thought, ‘This is cool. I want to do this someday.’”*

That passion has carried her to the professional level, where she tailors rehab programs to each athlete.

*“It has always been important to me to not just be cookie-cutter… every player is different and may need different things to get them back out on the pitch,” she explained.*

But her impact isn’t limited to the sideline.

During a match in Los Angeles, Kuykendall noticed a fan in distress and quickly stepped in to perform the Heimlich maneuver, ultimately saving the woman’s life.

*“It was such a random and lucky moment… I just happened to look over and see what was going on,” she recalled.*

Despite the heroic moment, Kuykendall remains humble, emphasizing the everyday role Athletic Trainers play behind the scenes.

*“I feel like ATs are such a behind-the-scenes type job… They don’t always see how much work goes into all the planning and prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.”*

This is just a snapshot of an incredible story! Be sure to [read the full feature](https://www.rsl.com/news/from-sideline-to-spotlight-rsl-athletic-trainer-katie-kuykendall-earns-hall-of-fame-induction) by Isabella Rubis on the Real Salt Lake website to see the full impact of Kuykendall’s journey.

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