Patient Spotlight: Billy Atkinson
I’ve had the opportunity to treat Billy since he was maybe 14 or 15 years old. His athletic talents were obvious from the start—not only as an outstanding runner, but also as a remarkable surfer. But beyond his physical gifts, Billy has always stood out for being a genuinely great human being. He’s polite, engaging, full of character… and has an uncanny ability to quote dumb lines from stupid movies with perfect timing.
Billy also had a knack for getting injured. So, we had plenty of opportunities to hang out. I would treat him before work, after work, on Sunday evenings, after workouts, before meets—whenever we could make it work. And he always responded well to care.
Looking back, I think he was just too damn fast for his connective tissue. His tendons and ligaments simply couldn’t keep up with his talent. During those many treatments, we had the chance to talk: about injuries, about the disappointments of being sidelined, and about the stress and expectations of literally following in the footsteps of his dad, who was not only an Olympic finalist in the mile but currently a successful track and cross-country coach. That’s when I really got to know and appreciate Billy—not just the athlete, but the person.
Billy has consistently demonstrated resilience, patience, and persistence. I sometimes wonder if he ever thought, “Y’know, enough—this is just too f’n hard.” But if he did, he never quit. And now, that resilience and drive have paid off. It seems his connective tissues have finally caught up with his talent and determination.
Just this year, he ran a personal best of 3:41 in the 1500m, which, by the way, equates to a 3:59 mile. And this weekend, he’ll be competing in the NCAA regionals for a shot at the NCAA finals. That’s a very fast, very exclusive club.
What’s been most meaningful to me is hearing how this journey has felt from Billy’s side. In his words:
“I have been seeing Steve for treatment ever since I started running. Whether it was a little flare-up or a more severe injury, he has always been someone I could count on to give me confidence to get back to training. Despite the anguish that being hurt can cause, I always looked forward to our appointments—both to get relief from my pains but also to chat, banter, and learn. Steve has always been someone I looked up to, and he has a way of making you feel like a friend more than a patient.
There are endless things I could say about the impact that Steve has had on me as a person, but as an athlete, he has truly been essential to keeping me healthy. I’ve seen Steve in all phases of my training—between being injured and out of shape, to days before some of the most important races in my career. Between his classic active release work, the new cutting-edge shockwave therapy, and his personal advice, I have always left his office optimistic, feeling better, and more knowledgeable about how to train smarter and move forward.”
Congratulations and good luck, Billy. You’ve earned every step.
