A Game Plan for Sports Health

From Athlete to Advocate: Hayden Lee’s Unique Path to Sports Pharmacy

Sports have always played an important role in Hayden Lee’s life. Now a Doctor of Pharmacy/MBA student at Cedarville University, Hayden’s journey from high school athlete to aspiring sports pharmacist shows how passion and purpose can collide in powerful ways.

Growing up, Hayden was all in — on the field, in the weight room, and in the classroom. His love for biology and fascination with how the body works fueled his curiosity. He noticed how athletes managed pain, sometimes relying heavily on medications like ibuprofen before games. But as he dove deeper into his studies, he discovered how pre-treating pain with NSAIDs could actually hinder recovery, muscle growth, and bone health. This insight lit a fire: What if athletes had pharmacists guiding their training and recovery?

Why Sports Pharmacy Matters: Optimizing Recovery and Performance

That question led Hayden to the emerging field of sports pharmacy, a dynamic intersection of athletic performance and pharmaceutical care. “We’re stewards of our bodies,” he shared on the Cedarville Stories podcast, “and sports pharmacy helps us perform and heal in a way that honors that responsibility.”

Hayden now serves as a student board member for the U.S. Sports Pharmacy Group, where he advocates for his peers, builds mentorship bridges, and helps shape the future of the profession. The field is growing fast — so fast that it may not be long before sports pharmacists are regulars on the sidelines with college and professional teams.

Faith, Purpose, and Performance: The Future of Athlete Healthcare

With his faith as a guide and a playbook full of purpose, Hayden Lee is training for more than a career — he’s on a mission to help athletes steward their health and shine both on and off the field.