ICYMI: Listen to Our Interview with Quay Burnett, the Most Important Person You Don’t See on Game Day
On our most recent episode of Slept On, we dropped an exclusive interview with Quay Burnett, athletic trainer at the University of Mississippi for Women.
Burnett’s story started as a high school athlete, where playing a “non-priority” sport showed her early how easily athletes can be overlooked when resources are stretched thin. Instead of shattering her trust in athletic training, her early experiences planted the seed for a career that would eventually put her at the center of The W’s athletics department. With only one other employee, Burnett handles multiple teams, nonstop schedules, and the constant pressure of keeping athletes physically and mentally healthy.
In our interview, Burnett breaks down why the job isn’t about quick fixes or miracle tape jobs, but about consistency, accountability, and patience. Sometimes, Burnett notes, the necessity of slow, consistent progress doesn’t always match how modern athletes think about recovery.
But what makes this conversation hit hardest is Burnett’s frank discussion of the mental side of athletic training. Burnett talks candidly about helping athletes through season-ending injuries, especially when the physical rehab is manageable but the emotional toll isn’t.
The episode also highlights the behind-the-scenes teamwork fans never see: constant communication with strength coaches, balancing childcare with early morning practices, and the cultural insights behind regular stretching.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Slept On featuring Quay Burnett, now streaming on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
This segment is called, “How the Sausage is Made”.
