Iron Resolve

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’s most grueling competitions, the Ironman Triathlon.

“I retired in 2020 and needed a new mountain to climb,” Chad said. “A mutual friend introduced me to Ironman and I dove in headfirst.”

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’t go as planned. Chad fell from his bike and felt something was off in his knee. There wasn’t much pain, but instincts told him something wasn’t right.

“I went to the hospital, had X-rays, and they didn’t show anything,” he recalled. “But the MRI found a torn meniscus. That’s when I was referred to Dr. Washington.”

Two surgeries, one goal

Johnny Washington, MD, orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship-trained physician at UF Health Jacksonville, performed Chad’s meniscus repair on Jan. 30, 2024. But during surgery, he discovered additional damage under the kneecap — small air pockets known as chondral defects.

“If left untreated, these defects could lead to worsening pain and mobility issues,” said Dr. Washington. “Given Chad’s activity level and goals, we knew we needed to take care of it sooner rather than later.”

The news of needing a second surgery wasn’t easy, especially with Ironman Texas already on Chad’s calendar for April.

“I sat on the news for a day or two,” Chad said. “But Dr. Washington was honest and confident. If I didn’t do it, I’d only prolong the inevitable. So, I said, ‘Let’s go.”

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 UF Health Jacksonville.

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

"He’s got a huge personality, friendly, funny and focused,” she said. “With someone like Chad, the challenge isn’t motivating them. It’s holding them back just enough to keep things safe.”

“He came in and said, ‘I’ve got to get back in shape, fast,’” added Edwin. “So, we built a plan that respected his goals but kept recovery as the priority.”

Advanced tools and athlete-level training

One of the most effective tools in Chad’s 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.

“With blood flow restriction, we’re tricking the body into thinking it’s doing a high-intensity workout,” Sara explained. “That prevents atrophy and keeps the body strong even when traditional strength training isn’t possible.”

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.

“He had a mini gym in his garage, a pool at home and a recovery mindset,” Edwin said. “He took recovery as seriously as he takes competition.”

“Every session he left sweating and smiling,” Sara added. “He was built differently. He came in with November in mind and never lost sight of that.”

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.

“I know the difference between pain and being hurt,” he said. “Thanks to Dr. Washington, Sara and Edwin, I knew I was ready. They believed in me, and I trusted them 100%.”

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

“Chad brought his discipline and purpose, and we matched it with a personalized plan and a unified team,” he said. “We’re proud to be part of his story.”

The power of support and focus

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

“You’ve got to have a support system,” he said. “My wife, my care team, they had my back every step of the way. You can’t just sit in bed. Your competition is coming whether you’re ready or not. And UF Health Jacksonville made sure I was.”