Summary: <br> Jovan Means is an Athletic Trainer and a professional cutman. It would seem that these jobs conflict each other but Jovan shares how these professions work together for him.<br> <br> <br> <br> <a href="https://sportsmedicinebroadcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Jovan-Means-DC-Public-School-IG_-_ATC_jo-2.png"></a><br> <br> <br> <br> Where does your Cutman story start?<br> <br> <br> <br> 16 years as an AT<br> <br> <br> <br> DC native<br> <br> <br> <br> Currently working in the same school system, he graduated from (not at the same school though)<br> <br> <br> <br> Jovan has always been a fan of boxing and MMA and thinking “I always wanted to expand my skill set.”<br> <br> <br> <br> One day he was watching a fight with his son and he said “Dad, that is similar to what you do.” <br> <br> <br> <br> Light bulb moment.<br> <br> <br> <br> Started reaching out to cutmen in the area and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/boxerrodz/?hl=en">Mike Rodriguez</a> reached out to him and serves as his mentor.<br> <br> <br> <br> Being a cutman is an inside job. You have to know someone to get your foot in the door.<br> <br> <br> <br> Mike Rodriguez invited him to a cutman workshop and they sparked a friendship.<br> <br> <br> <br> What about taping?<br> <br> <br> <br> It takes Jovan takes 12 minutes to wrap one hand<br> <br> <br> <br> Different classes and commisions have requirements for the amount of tape per hand.<br> <br> <br> <br> Make gauze pads for knuckles.<br> <br> <br> <br> Tape must be 1 inch from the knuckles.<br> <br> <br> <br> Monitored by an official and the opponent’s team.<br> <br> <br> <br> There are a lot of rules to follow.<br> <br> <br> <br> Back to cutman business<br> <br> <br> <br> You got 60 seconds to get in the ring, handle swelling, overheating, and out of the ring.<br> <br> <br> <br> He has learned how to anticipate what injuries will be coming and how he will handle it.<br> <br> <br> <br> 2019 Jovan was in Las Vegas for NATA and there were a few fights in Las Vegas that he was able to shadow him.<br> <br> <br> <br> Mike is really big in boxing; it was really a blessing for him to be connected with such a big name.<br> <br> <br> <br> Chris Colbert allowed Jovan to walk out with him<br> <br> <br> <br> Mike reminded him you gotta start in the trenches. The Las Vegas week was pretty "big-time" but definitely solidified Jovan’s desire to grow in this field.<br> <br> <br> <br> Jovan does a lot of volunteer work at a local boxing club.<br> <br> <br> <br> Some cutmen do not tape hands...so for Jovan's fighters it is a bonus.<br> <br> <br> <br> Ringside you get a 10-second heads up to jump into action.<br> <br> <br> <br> Keep the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meister-Pro-Cutman-Contoured-No-Swell/dp/B07M59RM7C/ref=asc_df_B07M59RM7C/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241961786772&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16285420562998499766&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027795&hvtargid=pla-839959163432&psc=1">“Enswell”</a> tool on ice.<br> <br> <br> <br> Jovan also uses an ice cream scooper to help with swelling.<br> <br> <br> <br> Wound care is something we obviously know how to do as ATs.<br> <br> <br> <br> What is your priority as a cutman?<br> <br> <br> <br> Over the eye first - blood<br> <br> <br> <br> Swelling before under the eye-bleeding<br> <br> <br> <br> Nose plug<br> <br> <br> <br> How do you stop the bleeding?<br> <br> <br> <br> Dog ear cleaner q-tips<br> <br> <br> <br> You are allowed some medicines, but you gotta know the rules.<br> <br> <br> <br> Adrenaline chloride 1:1000 and other coagulants<br> <br> <br>
