Johnny Rodriguez always asked a lot of his body. He played multiple sports in high school and college and then went on to a seven-year career in professional lacrosse—a lifestyle that kept him in elite physical condition. In 2023, at the age of 35, he was working as a high school lacrosse coach, expecting his first child, and still working out every day when he received a shocking diagnosis of ALS.

Johnny says he has always wondered whether the toll his participation in elite athletics took on his body influenced his condition. That’s why he jumped at the chance to join the Champion Insights study. Champion Insights, a collaboration between Answer ALS, Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, and ALS TDI, aims to investigate why certain groups—including elite athletes, first responders, and military personnel—appear to get ALS at higher rates than the general population.

Today, on Endpoints, Johnny joins us to share his story, his Champion Insights experience, and why it’s important to him to participate in research.

Johnny Rodriguez always asked a lot of his body. He played multiple sports in high school and college and then went on to a seven-year career in professional lacrosse&mdash;a lifestyle that kept him in elite physical condition. In 2023, at the age of 35, he was working as a high school lacrosse coach, expecting his first child, and still working out every day when he received a shocking diagnosis of ALS.
Johnny says he has always wondered whether the toll his participation in elite athletics took on his body influenced his condition. That&rsquo;s why he jumped at the chance to join the Champion Insights study. Champion Insights, a collaboration between Answer ALS, Augie&rsquo;s Quest to Cure ALS, and ALS TDI, aims to investigate why certain groups&mdash;including elite athletes, first responders, and military personnel&mdash;appear to get ALS at higher rates than the general population.
Today, on Endpoints, Johnny joins us to share his story, his Champion Insights experience, and why it&rsquo;s important to him to participate in research.

The Endpoints Podcast features guests from the ALS community, including people living with ALS, researchers, advocates and fundraisers. Each episode cuts to the chase with short, digestible conversations about the latest research at ALS TDI and the most closely watched ALS clinical trials as well as stories from people living with ALS with their thoughts on research, healthcare and their journey with ALS.

The Endpoints Podcast is hosted by the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) the world's foremost drug discovery lab focused solely on ALS. ALS TDI is a non-profit biotech with one mission. End ALS.

To access all episodes of the Endpoints Podcast, visit als.net/endpoints.

The <a href="https://www.als.net/endpoints/">Endpoints Podcast</a> features guests from the ALS community, including people living with ALS, researchers, advocates and fundraisers. Each episode cuts to the chase with short, digestible conversations about the latest research at ALS TDI and the most closely watched ALS clinical trials as well as stories from people living with ALS with their thoughts on research, healthcare and their journey with ALS.
The Endpoints Podcast is hosted by the <a href="https://www.als.net">ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI)</a>&nbsp;the world's foremost drug discovery lab&nbsp;focused solely on ALS. ALS TDI is a non-profit biotech with one mission. End ALS.
To access all episodes of the Endpoints Podcast, visit als.net/endpoints.

Endpoints

The ALS TDI Endpoints Podcast features guests from the ALS community, including people living with ALS, researchers, advocates and fundraisers. Each episode cuts to the chase with short, digestible conversations about the latest research at ALS TDI and the most closely watched ALS clinical trials as well as stories from people living with ALS with their thoughts on research, healthcare and their journey with ALS.

The Endpoints Podcast is hosted by the ALS Therapy Development, the largest drug discover center focused solely on ALS. Visit our website and register to access all Endpoints Podcast episodes.

The ALS TDI Endpoints Podcast features guests from the ALS community, including people living with ALS, researchers, advocates and fundraisers.&nbsp;Each episode cuts to the chase with short, digestible conversations about the latest research at ALS TDI and the most closely watched ALS clinical trials as well as stories from people living with ALS with their thoughts on research, healthcare and their journey with ALS.
The Endpoints Podcast is hosted by the <a href="https://www.als.net">ALS Therapy Development</a>, the largest drug discover center focused solely on ALS. Visit our website and register to <a href="https://www.als.net/endpoints/">access all Endpoints Podcast episodes.</a>