Returning to the Team After 10 Years
As many of you already know, I spent the last two weeks helping the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton teams in Lillehammer, Norway. It’s been almost 10 years since I last deployed with the team, and I was excited to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. I was particularly interested to see how things may have changed, especially with the addition of a full-time ATC (Athletic Trainer Certified). Coincidentally, the current ATC is the same guy I traveled with to Sochi, Russia, in 2014 — so this trip also felt like a bit of a reunion.
I knew this trip would be more about work than sightseeing, but I didn’t quite realize what I was getting myself into!
The Journey to Lillehammer
The drive from Oslo to Lillehammer was absolutely stunning. I was lucky to be the passenger, riding along with the Skeleton coach and the team’s data analyst. Yes, you read that right — just like in the movie Moneyball, data analysts are making their mark on nearly every sport, bobsled and skeleton included. Upon arrival, we checked into a great hotel while waiting for the rest of the team.
In the first picture I took, if you zoom in, you’ll notice I’m standing in front of a Kiropraktor‘s office (that’s Norwegian for “Chiropractor”). Naturally, I was curious and decided to check it out.
The doors were closed, so I tried one… then the other. One of them was unlocked, but I was quickly shooed away mid-treatment—oops! Apparently, if I could read Norwegian, the sign probably said, “Knock first”—lol.
The chiropractor came out afterward, and we ended up chatting for a good 30 minutes. She was an absolute doll —originally trained in Canada and England before moving to Norway with her husband. She now runs a successful practice and has a family there. According to her, the local community is very receptive to chiropractic care.
Week One: Paid Training & Screening Athletes
Once the team (and more importantly, the trainer, Ben) arrived, I got a sense of the upcoming schedule. Our first week was what’s called “paid training,” where teams can pay to use the track for unofficial practice. These were lighter days since many countries were back home training on their own tracks or doing off-ice work.
This gave me some freedom to do my thing—screening any athlete willing to participate. The focus was on identifying:
- Imbalances
- Asymmetries
- Movement restrictions
For the general population, correcting these issues can take 7–10 days. But for elite athletes, it’s more like 3–4 days—they’re incredibly in tune with their bodies.
A few key observations:
- Rookies/Newer Athletes – Followed the corrective exercises exactly as prescribed.
- Veterans – A bit more selective in following protocols, for various reasons.
Those who stuck with the plan saw noticeable improvements quickly, which was super rewarding. I’m hoping this leads to opportunities to work with the team in an off-season capacity, focusing on physical preparation.
Week Two: Competition & Full-On Work Mode
As we entered the second week, things ramped up — especially as competition days approached. Our daily routine looked something like this:
- 7:00 AM – Breakfast
- 7:15 AM – Head to the track
- 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM – Treatments at the track (note: while the treatment area was covered, it wasn’t heated)
- Lunch – Sandwiches brought to the track to minimize downtime
- 5:00 PM – Return to the hotel
- 6:30 PM – Dinner
- 7:00 – 9:00 PM – More treatments
- Post – 9:00 PM – Decompress with Ben over a beer, reminisce about our Olympic run.
I don’t believe the rigors of the deployment have changed, however my body has. Being 10 years older certainly revealed itself during this trip.
Unexpected Moments & New Experiences
Even though most of the trip was dedicated to the team, there were some unique moments:
- Drug Testing Chaperone – I helped oversee the team during drug testing by various governing agencies. It was a new experience for me. Pretty routine stuff other than if an athlete didn’t have to pee. Then it could take a while until the appropriate volume was produced.
- Emergency First Aid – At the finish dock, I treated a German athlete who split his leg open on the sled. His doctor wasn’t present, so I bandaged him up until he could get stitches.
- Cognitive Drills – I helped some athletes prep using mental acuity drills—new territory for me. It was fascinating, and while I’m not sure how this fits into my regular practice yet, I’m always excited to learn new tools.
- Minimal Exploration – Sadly, there wasn’t much time for sightseeing. But I went into this knowing it was about helping the team, not playing tourists.
Reflections from the Trip & Looking Ahead
Overall, I’m really glad I made the trip. Helping these athletes at the highest level is always an honor. That said, the physical demands of these deployments aren’t getting any easier as I get older — so we’ll see if I have another round in me.
If anyone’s interested, the Smithtown News did a great piece about my selection for this trip. Check it out here: Local Chiropractor Selected for Lillehammer
If you want to experience Team-USA-style chiropractic treatment right here in Smithtown — give our office a call and schedule your appointment! Our goal is to keep you in the game regardless of whether you are a Team USA athlete, a weekend warrior, a dedicated fitness enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to move better and feel their best. Let us help you perform at your peak — because everybody deserves championship-level care!
