萝莉社

For retired Navy veteran and Ironman competitor Chad Snyder, discipline is second nature. After serving 25 years in the military, including 15 on the prestigious Presidential Food Service team serving the President and First Family, he found his next challenge in one of the world鈥檚 most grueling competitions, the Ironman Triathlon.

鈥淚 retired in 2020 and needed a new mountain to climb,鈥� Chad said. 鈥淎 mutual friend introduced me to Ironman and I dove in headfirst.鈥�

The Ironman Triathlon is a long-distance race that consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride, and a 26.2-mile run. Participants have 17 hours to finish the race, with cut-off times for each leg.

But in early 2024, a training ride didn鈥檛 go as planned. Chad fell from his bike and felt something was off in his knee. There wasn鈥檛 much pain, but instincts told him something wasn鈥檛 right.

鈥淚 went to the hospital, had X-rays, and they didn鈥檛 show anything,鈥� he recalled. 鈥淏ut the MRI found a torn meniscus. That鈥檚 when I was referred to Dr. Washington.鈥�

Two surgeries, one goal

Johnny Washington, MD, orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship-trained physician at 萝莉社 Jacksonville, performed Chad鈥檚 meniscus repair on Jan. 30, 2024. But during surgery, he discovered additional damage under the kneecap 鈥� small air pockets known as chondral defects.

鈥淚f left untreated, these defects could lead to worsening pain and mobility issues,鈥� said Dr. Washington. 鈥淕iven Chad鈥檚 activity level and goals, we knew we needed to take care of it sooner rather than later.鈥�

The news of needing a second surgery wasn鈥檛 easy, especially with Ironman Texas already on Chad鈥檚 calendar for April.

鈥淚 sat on the news for a day or two,鈥� Chad said. 鈥淏ut Dr. Washington was honest and confident. If I didn鈥檛 do it, I鈥檇 only prolong the inevitable. So, I said, 鈥楲et鈥檚 go.鈥�

He underwent cartilage repair surgery on April 11, 2024, and shifted his Ironman goal to the next race, scheduled for November in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Rehab with a race on the horizon

Just days after surgery, Chad began physical therapy with Sara Young, DPT, PT, OCS, and Edwin Rivera, DPT, PT, OCS, both board-certified orthopaedic clinical specialists with 萝莉社 Jacksonville.

Sara, whose background includes Division I athletics, biomechanics and strength training, was immediately struck by Chad鈥檚 intensity.

"He鈥檚 got a huge personality, friendly, funny and focused,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ith someone like Chad, the challenge isn鈥檛 motivating them. It鈥檚 holding them back just enough to keep things safe.鈥�

鈥淗e came in and said, 鈥業鈥檝e got to get back in shape, fast,鈥欌�� added Edwin. 鈥淪o, we built a plan that respected his goals but kept recovery as the priority.鈥�

Advanced tools and athlete-level training

One of the most effective tools in Chad鈥檚 recovery was blood flow restriction therapy, which utilizes a pneumatic cuff to restrict blood flow to a specific muscle group. This technique, originally developed by the military and now widely used in professional sports, helps patients build muscle with minimal load.

鈥淲ith blood flow restriction, we鈥檙e tricking the body into thinking it鈥檚 doing a high-intensity workout,鈥� Sara explained. 鈥淭hat prevents atrophy and keeps the body strong even when traditional strength training isn鈥檛 possible.鈥�

Chad began therapy within the first week of surgery. Combined with cycling, core strengthening for swimming, single-leg stability and home-based pool training, his program was customized to reflect Ironman-level demands.

鈥淗e had a mini gym in his garage, a pool at home and a recovery mindset,鈥� Edwin said. 鈥淗e took recovery as seriously as he takes competition.鈥�

鈥淓very session he left sweating and smiling,鈥� Sara added. 鈥淗e was built differently. He came in with November in mind and never lost sight of that.鈥�

Back in the race

Chad completed his physical therapy in late September. By Nov. 2, 2024, he was at the starting line of Ironman Florida, less than seven months after his second surgery.

鈥淚 know the difference between pain and being hurt,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hanks to Dr. Washington, Sara and Edwin, I knew I was ready. They believed in me, and I trusted them 100%.鈥�

Dr. Washington called Chad鈥檚 recovery and return a model for what鈥檚 possible when patient commitment meets expert care.

鈥淐had brought his discipline and purpose, and we matched it with a personalized plan and a unified team,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to be part of his story.鈥�

The power of support and focus

Through it all, Chad鈥檚 biggest supporter was his wife of 25 years, whom he credits with keeping him grounded and focused.

鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to have a support system,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y wife, my care team, they had my back every step of the way. You can鈥檛 just sit in bed. Your competition is coming whether you鈥檙e ready or not. And 萝莉社 Jacksonville made sure I was.鈥�