Behavior of Sport
Return to Play, Confidence, and the Role of Mental Performance with Dr. Stefan Valdes
In this episode, Dr. Naser sat down with Dr. Valdes to explore the mindset, mentorship, and multidisciplinary approach behind building a successful performance and rehab facility for athletes. From his path through the University of Florida, University of Miami, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Detroit Pistons to founding Movement Lab in Miami Lakes, Dr. Valdes shares how communication, trust, and strong foundational principles shape better outcomes for athletes. We discuss why great mentors matter, how he blends physical therapy and strength and conditioning under one roof, and why collaboration across rehab, performance, and mental health is so important. He also breaks down the impact of early sports specialization, how to know when an athlete is truly ready to return to play, and why fear, trust, and buy-in can shape recovery just as much as physical readiness. If you care about athlete performance, injury recovery, mental health, and long-term development, this conversation is full of practical insight and real-world perspective. 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:45 Dr. Valdes's Journey in Sports Physical Therapy 04:12 Transition to Professional Sports 08:56 Building a Multidisciplinary Approach 26:55 Impact of Early Specialization in Sports 29:53 Return to Play Process 33:38 The Role of Mental Health and Performance https://linktr.ee/alicianaser Sign up for Dr. Naser's monthly newsletter: https://doctoralicianaser.beehiiv.com/ Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/doctoralicianaser Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/behavioral-sports-psychology-7147731671646150657/ Disclaimer: Guests appearing on the Behavior of Sport™ podcast do so solely in their personal capacity, and their participation does not constitute or imply endorsement, affiliation or sponsorship by any team, league, employer, or organization with which they are affiliated, including organizations within professional sports leagues. All statements, perspectives, and opinions expressed during podcast episodes are those of the individual speakers and are provided for discussion and informational purposes only. They should not be interpreted as official positions, policies, or statements of any team, league, organization, or governing body. Content presented on Behavior of Sport™ podcast is not intended to serve as medical, psychological, legal, or professional advice, nor should it be relied upon as organizational guidance or performance directives for any team, athlete, or staff member. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare or behavioral professional regarding any questions or concerns you may have. This podcast and all related content produced by Alicia Naser LLC are independent of and not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). All materials are the intellectual property of Alicia Naser LLC and are protected under U.S. and international copyright law. Any reproduction, distribution, or use of this material without explicit written consent is strictly prohibited.
