It’s hard to imagine the challenges of being a professional athlete, a USA National team member, Olympic trials competitor AND going to medical school interspersed together, but for Dr. Amanda Sadler, maintaining the necessary level of hard work and focus in order to excel is simply how she’s always lived her life. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the world record-holding triathlete has found a way to blend her love of medicine and physical achievement, exceling in the specialized field of functional sports medicine.
A board-certified family medicine specialist, Sadler’s professional skills and dedication are now benefiting patients at the new NMotion Clinic, located at 3400 W. Tecumseh Road in Norman. The new clinic affiliated with Norman Regional Health System. The clinic officially opened its doors on April 19.
Originally from Enid, Sadler earned her medical degree with distinction from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and completed her residency at the Great Plains Family Medicine Program. During her OU Primary Care Sports Medicine fellowship training, she spent time at the Ortho Central Clinic, and her new position evolved from that experience.
“They were very interested in opening up and expanding the functional medicine and sports aspect, and I was completing my training, and all things converged,” Sadler said.
Functional sports medicine focuses on a broad range of therapies to treat acute, chronic and overuse injuries, as well as improving overall physical performance. With her unique athletic and medical background, Sadler is able to relate to her patients in a way that many health care professionals cannot, working alongside them throughout their healing journey.
Along with her medical expertise, Sadler is one of the world’s unmatched female triathletes, competing as part of Team USA in both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic trials. The daughter of a pro golfer and a dancer, Sadler and her three siblings were star athletes as children, with her older brother swimming in national competitions as a young child. Attending these competitions lit the spark that motivated Sadler herself to become a champion swimmer very early on in life. She continues to compete professionally, is a world champion, a two-time national champion, and holds the world’s record for the fastest Ironman swim time. That’s in addition to dozens of medals at every level, beginning in childhood.
Sadler’s initial interest in medicine was encouraged by her high school science teacher and also resulted from the frustration of chronic intestinal issues that threatened to derail her ambitions as a champion triathlete.
“The functional medicine interest arose because I had so many doctors tell me to deal with my physical problems by just giving up swimming, which wasn’t an option,” she said. “So many people are told by doctors to just give up an activity they enjoy, like running when they get shin splints. I got a lot of opinions, without anyone really looking for the root causes. I want to be the doctor who understands the athlete, who finds out the true, root causes of a patient’s problem, and works with that patient to find solutions.”
One of the best aspects of her job, she added, is the opportunity to work with patients on a long-term basis. “I love working beside them and helping them reach major milestones,” she said. “And the sports medicine side is wonderful because people know they can be better, and I want to be part of their team.”
Through both her athletic and medical connections, Sadler has and continues to serve on multiple medical, Olympic, athletics and public school-related boards and committees, along with community volunteer work and professional medical presentations.
Most important of all is her family, which includes her husband, Randy, who works for Farmers Insurance, and their two daughters, OuidaJho and MeliaAnn. The family loves living in Cleveland County, and enjoying its many outdoor entertainment options.
“We love it here,” Sadler said. “Everyone’s been very welcoming.”