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Resilience Redefined: A U.S. Olympic Athletic Trainer’s Journey in Living with a Life-Changing Diagnosis

Resilience Redefined: A U.S. Olympic Athletic Trainer’s Journey in Living with a Life-Changing Diagnosis

Jul 25, 2024My Store Admin

“When you develop a disorder that morphs itself by hitting different body systems, mandates finding a great medical team, changing nutrition, becoming a strong self-advocate and exercising even when you do not feel well, you fight for your health or you end up bedridden. And so I fight.” 

Diana Tessada is a triple threat in the world of sports medicine - a highly skilled athletic trainer, a dedicated educator, and an athlete - all rolled into one remarkable person. Her journey as a professional and elite athletic trainer spans years of dedication and support for some of the world’s top athletes. Achieving such expertise required total commitment and years of hard work. 

After completing graduate school, Diana was offered the position of head athletic trainer for a men’s pro soccer team, a pioneering position in an era devoid of female counterparts on the field. “Those days toughened your skin,” she reflects, underscoring the challenges that fueled her pursuit of excellence. 

In the following years, Diana expanded her repertoire by working with diverse and high-profile teams such as the USA Triathlon National Team, the USA Cycling Team, International World Polo Championships, the Pan American Games, and many Olympic Teams and Olympic Games. Her career pinnacle was being invited to work with the US Olympic Committee Staff and the International Olympic Committee Staff. 

Reflecting on her time as an Olympic athletic trainer, Diana shared, “The most rewarding moments were seeing athletes return from injury to perform at their potential and knowing they trusted me to be a part of the support team they needed. That was fun!” 

In addition to her extensive practical experience, Diana has dedicated over 30 years to teaching college-level classes in sports medicine, nutrition, and therapeutic kinesiology. As a former endurance athlete in cycling, running, and mountain biking, she possesses a profound understanding of human physiology. In 2021, when Diana began experiencing debilitating symptoms such as severe dizziness, significantly elevated and crashing heart rates, presyncope, digestion issues, food allergies, heat intolerance, and overwhelming fatigue, she knew something was very wrong. Despite her expertise, obtaining a diagnosis proved immensely challenging. “I got to the point of coming home and just crying out in frustration thinking I had to give up sports because I can’t be this sick!” 

Initially dismissed as age-related, post-menopausal related, or psychological, Diana’s symptoms persisted. Determined, she pursued answers tirelessly. “You have to fight to find a physician

who takes you seriously. Usually that will be a functional medical doctor, a cardiologist, and a neurologist. Those are the big three.” 

In 2022, Diana was finally diagnosed with Dysautonomia, specifically Dysautonomia with POTS and Synucleinopathy. Dysautonomia disrupts the autonomic nervous system (ANS) responsible for regulating bodily functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, muscle strength, sleep patterns, exercise tolerance, headaches, cardiac function, and temperature control. It can result from many sources including trauma, chronic stress, disease, significant infections, chronic pain, or reactions to medical treatments that do not coincide with one’s body

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a common form of Dysautonomia, affects blood flow regulation and heart rate, especially when changing positions from lying down to standing up. The result is an excessive pooling of blood primarily in the lower extremities and a reduced flow of oxygen to the brain. Symptoms include rapid heart beat, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, blurred vision, and fatigue, and can affect blood shunting after eating. 

Diana discovered that a reaction to a medical treatment triggered her Dysautonomia. She is now dedicated to raising greater awareness about it. Fighting for a diagnosis is crucial. “I would tell any athlete, male or female, if you feel you’re getting tired before other people, if you’re dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, your heart rates are erratic, your you blood pressure drops significantly, you’re having problems with digestion, you feel you cannot tolerate heat, or your sleep is affected, don’t let anybody blow you off. You know your body better than anybody else. Don’t let people tell you it’s in your head. You can’t give up!” She suggests keeping a journal of your symptoms and document when they happen, as well as regularly recording your blood pressure. 

If you're unsure of what's wrong, you might find yourself staying in bed all day or pushing yourself too hard, both of which can exacerbate the condition. Fighting for a diagnosis is crucial as it enables access to necessary medications, facilitates entry into testing labs, and for those unable to remain active, helps in obtaining essential disability support. Diana is approaching two years working with an outstanding support team. Being willing to take one day at a time, not worrying about the future or feeling angry that your life has changed is important. Life has changed, but nutritional changes, compression tights, electrolytes, medications and supplements, yoga, pilates, and staying mentally and physically active allow her to have a blessed and intelligently active life. 

Diana's diagnosis has reshaped her daily life. She now relies on compression wear, all day, every day. “When I first get up in the morning, if I want to get over getting dizzy, nauseated and kind of spacey, I have to put them on. Within 10 minutes, I feel better.” She emphasizes the importance of compression wear, especially for the abdomen and thighs, for managing blood pressure. 

Diana was familiar with SKINS from her time with the USA Triathlon National Team. Many athletes wore them in 2008 and 2010. “Just to be sure, I tried four different types of compression garments, but went back to SKINS because they give me compression and allow me to move.

The skyscraper brand with the wide waistband is a game-changer! It’s extremely beneficial for anyone diagnosed with dysautonomia.” 

Since her diagnosis, Diana had to switch from endurance sports to sports that allow her to stop and start. She now excels in pickleball, and with her partners, she has now qualified for three national events. “Without my SKINS, I could not compete. I can do all my sprints, change of direction, and squats that you can’t do in other compression types. Compression tights allow me to do yoga, pilates, strength training, rowing, and high-level pickleball. When I do not have them on, the increase in my fatigue, mental function, eye-hand correlation, and dizziness is shocking. If I could just get more people to try them, they would be amazed!” 

Diana Tessada's story embodies resilience redefined. She encourages those with Dysautonomia to persevere. “Keep living your life and make the disease follow your life. Don’t let the disease define you!” Diana, you are an inspiration, and we anticipate your future accomplishments! 

For more information on dysautonomia: 

http://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/ 

In addition, each state offers their own dysautonomia and POTS websites with a vast array of educational articles on nutrition, exercises, and helpful resources.

 



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