Q&A with Richard Schwabacher, Blueprint For Athletes

Richard Schwabacher is the Executive Director of Sports and Human Performance at Quest Diagnostics. Richard has a master’s degree in public health, and he has overseen the product development of Blueprint For Athletes since its inception. As an avid cyclist, Richard is keenly interested in using data and health markers to improve athletic performance. You can follow him on Twitter at @Schwabachered.

Why did you choose to pursue a sponsorship with the Leadville Race Series, and what set it apart from other endurance races?
Leadville hosts the most elite of endurance competitors. They must overcome unforgiving terrain, at times, more than two miles above sea level, making it imperative they understand their bodies capabilities. We know that these athletes need every advantage they can get, which makes them perfect for Blueprint for Athletes. Blueprint for Athletes can help them maximize their athletic performance as they work to achieve their personal best even under extreme environmental stress.

What do you hope the LRS athletes will gain from this partnership?
Blueprint for Athletes can help them maximize their athletic performance as they work to achieve their personal best even under extreme environmental stress. But aside from what they will be able to do with Blueprint on the course, it is our goal to ensure they can use the health insights provided by Blueprint for Athletes off the course, in their everyday life. If we can accomplish that, then we will have realized our shared goal of improving health outcomes.

What is your vision for growing the relationship between the Leadville Race Series and Blueprint for Athletes?
Next year we will be at more of the races in the series, working with more of the elite LRS athletes. That is paramount to growing our relationship, as both organizations are deeply committed to a healthy way of life.

How does BFA support Quest Diagnostics vision of actionable insights that improve health?
Our goal is to help athletes train smarter. They need good data to make good decisions, and we provide important, actionable health data that empowers athletes to take control of their health.