In 1994, working at Washington University in St. Louis, Susan was asked to serve as the medical services director for the U.S. Olympic Festival. Through those connections, she joined the Xtreme Games (now called the X Games) in 1995, and she's overseen the medical services for their summer and winter games ever since.

Susan says, "Action sports are quite unique and offer athletic trainers an opportunity to use every skill. It's more trauma oriented, and there are more high-impact injuries. But these are professional athletes; the best of the best.  They practice and there's a whole rhyme to their reason for what they do."

As an integral part of the X Games, Susan doesn't mind the hefty time commitment in the least. "I treat it like a hobby, and welcome the demands that come with the job. Depending on the event, I have a staff of 25-35 ATCs, and it's great to make that opportunity available to my colleagues. We come together as a family, and it's awesome!"

Susan was with the X Games for their first international games, and has traveled extensively with the team, including Dubai, Rio de Janeiro Barcelona, and France.

Susan loves the X Games, but is equally as passionate about her work with students at UNM. "I put a lot of energy into my students and love teaching future athletic trainers. During the last Winter X Games, I started an internship program that included four sophomores.  About half of the certified staff was alumnus from UNM, and it was just a great experience getting former and current students involved."

Last year, Susan was elected to serve on the Board of Certification, and has been very involved with the Collegiate Sports Medicine Leadership Workshop for five years. She is also the director of sports medicine for ESPN, and is the risk manager and medical consultant for Red Bull North America, Inc.

Susan shares these words of wisdom with students and young professionals: "There is nothing more important than integrity and being humble. And don't set any limitations on yourself!  Visualize what you want to do with your career, and go after it with great passion. The rest is fate and hard work."