Science for Sport Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Coaching”

312: The Role of Environment in Player Performance

Science for Sport — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000

This week on the Science for Sport podcast, Richard Graves is joined by former professional footballer Carl Asaba for an honest and insightful look at life inside the game.
Carl’s journey into professional football wasn’t typical. From missing out on early opportunities and stepping away from the game, to earning a contract at 21 and going on to play over a decade in the professional ranks, his story challenges many of the assumptions around talent pathways and development.
Across the conversation, Carl reflects on the psychological demands of elite sport, handling pressure, navigating setbacks, and the importance of environment and culture in performance. From record transfers and dressing room dynamics to playoff heartbreak and career-defining moments at Wembley, this episode offers a grounded, real-world perspective on what it actually takes to build and sustain a career in football.
For practitioners working in elite sport, there are clear takeaways around player psychology, team culture, and the often-overlooked role of man management in performance.

In this episode, you will learn

Why non-linear talent pathways can still lead to elite performance
How early setbacks can shape long-term motivation and resilience
The psychological impact of transfers, expectations, and identity
What separates strong team cultures from individual-driven environments
Why “man management” remains a critical performance skill in modern sport
How players experience pressure in high-stakes matches (e.g. playoffs, Wembley)
The role of belief, environment, and coaching in unlocking performance
Lessons on handling success, ego, and distractions early in a career
What burnout, injury, and time out of the game really feel like
Why giving “your all” is a more sustainable mindset than chasing outcomes

About Carl Asaba
Carl Asaba is a former professional footballer whose career spanned over a decade across English football. Starting his professional journey at Brentford at the age of 21, he went on to play for clubs including Reading, Gillingham, and Sheffield United.
Known for his work ethic and team-first mentality, Carl was part of some iconic teams, including Gillingham’s promotion-winning side and Sheffield United’s memorable 2002–03 campaign, which reached the latter stages of multiple competitions.
Since retiring, Carl has remained close to the game through media work and supporting the next generation, while offering a unique perspective shaped by both traditional and unconventional routes into elite sport.

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Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

291: Managing Workload and Performance in the NHL

Science for Sport — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0000

This week, host Richard Graves welcomes Steven Nightingale, Sports Scientist with the New Jersey Devils (NHL), to explore the realities of managing workload, performance, and recovery in one of the world’s most demanding sporting environments.
From starting out in Peterborough to working in China, Russia, and now in the NHL, Steve shares his fascinating journey through elite sport, and how data, experience, and practical collaboration with coaches all come together to optimise athlete performance.
They dive deep into how workload is managed across an 82-game season, the impact of fixture congestion and travel, and the evolving role of data and AI in shaping the future of sports science.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How Steve’s career took him from teaching in England to sports science roles across China, the KHL, and the NHL.
What workload management really means in professional ice hockey, and why it’s misunderstood.
How the Devils balance recovery, readiness, and tactical demands across a relentless schedule.
The challenges of measuring true intensity and how Steve uses Z-scores and T-scores to make data meaningful for coaches.
Why less distance covered can actually correlate with winning more games.
How travel, sleep, and recovery all factor into athlete performance across an 82-game season.
The future of data analysis, including AI’s growing role in sports science.

About Steven Nightingale
Steven Nightingale is a Sports Scientist with the New Jersey Devils in the NHL and is currently completing his Doctorate in Applied Sport and Exercise Science. Originally from Peterborough, England, Steve’s career has taken him from teaching and voluntary roles in UK hockey to international positions with Ice Hockey UK, the Chinese Olympic Committee, and teams in the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League).
His research focuses on workload monitoring, return-to-play strategies, and performance optimisation, using technologies such as Catapult to inform evidence-based decision-making. Steven regularly shares insights on LinkedIn and publishes his research on ResearchGate.

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290: Rewiring Performance: The Neuroscience Behind Mindset and Recovery

Science for Sport — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, host Richard Graves is joined by Dan Metcalfe, former youth footballer, West End performer, Olympic development coach, and now international keynote speaker and founder of Born Superhuman.
Dan’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. From a career-ending accident that left him paralysed and blind in one eye, to rebuilding his life, defying medical diagnoses, and going on to coach Olympic-level athletes. His journey is a masterclass in resilience, mindset, and human potential.
In this inspiring conversation, Dan shares the philosophy that underpins his Born Superhuman method, revealing how mindset, breathwork, hydration, and self-belief can transform performance in sport and life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How Dan overcame paralysis and rebuilt his life
Why mental training is just as critical as physical training for peak performance
The seven pillars of Dan’s Born Superhuman philosophy and how they apply to everyone
How reframing setbacks as “gifts” can unlock growth and success
Why elite athletes and CEOs alike struggle with the same mental blocks, and how to rewire them
The simple word change that helped Dan drop from 21% to 8% body fat without changing his diet
How hydration, sleep, and breathing directly impact focus and performance
The neuroscience behind belief, recovery, and human potential

About Dan Metcalfe
Dan Metcalfe is a performance and mindset coach, keynote speaker, and founder of Born Superhuman. His remarkable journey spans football, theatre, and elite sports coaching. After suffering paralysis and vision loss in a stage accident, Dan defied medical expectations and rebuilt his body and mind through sheer determination and psychological mastery.
He went on to become Nike Youth Coach of the Year (USA), leading players into professional football and working across the US Olympic Development Program. Today, he helps elite athletes, business leaders, and teams unlock their full potential through his Born Superhuman framework, blending neuroscience, mindset, and performance principles to inspire extraordinary results.

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279: Culture, Consistency, and Coaching Success in Elite Sport with Steve McNamara

Science for Sport — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week, host Richard Graves is joined by Steve McNamara, one of Rugby League’s most experienced and respected minds. With a career spanning over 36 years across playing and coaching, Steve has done it all, captaining Hull FC, coaching England at a home World Cup, and leading Catalans Dragons to their first major silverware.

From working on Hull’s fish docks to standing on the touchline at Wembley, Steve reflects on the evolution of the sport and the people and principles that shaped him. Whether you’re a performance coach, team manager, or aspiring leader in sport, this episode is packed with valuable lessons.

Key takeaways from this episode:

The importance of early coaching influences and how Brian Smith shaped Steve's entire coaching outlook
What it was really like transitioning from part-time pro in the mud to full-time athlete in the Super League era
How to build identity and unity in a national team without a home base – and why Steve moved England’s programme to Loughborough
Leading England to a heartbreaking 2013 World Cup semi-final defeat — and how to handle pressure and process loss
Turning around Catalans Dragons: the brutal honesty, cultural differences, and a French barbecue that changed everything
Why great coaches need great support teams – and Steve’s advice to anyone aspiring to coach at the highest level

From tactical insights to leadership philosophies, Steve shares stories that are honest, humorous, and hugely insightful.
**
About Steve McNamara**
Steve McNamara is a former professional Rugby League player and top-level coach with over 35 years in the game. He’s coached England at a home World Cup, worked in the NRL with the Sydney Roosters and New Zealand Warriors, and led Catalans Dragons to their first major trophy and multiple Grand Final appearances. Known for his leadership, culture-building, and tactical insight, Steve is one of the sport’s most respected figures.

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277: Is Youth Football in Crisis? With Andrew Hyde

Science for Sport — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week, Richard Graves is joined by returning guest Andrew Hyde, a leading strength and conditioning coach and founder of Aesthetic Athletes, who works with elite and youth footballers across the UK.

With professional clubs identifying talent as young as six, and social media raising the stakes for young athletes, is youth football facing a crisis? Or just a complex new challenge?
In this honest and insightful episode, Andrew shares his experiences from working with young athletes and their families, discussing how to support their development without damaging their love for the game.

Key topics you’ll learn about:

The difference between encouragement vs pressure in youth development
Why early specialisation might be doing more harm than good
The critical role of parents as stakeholders in an athlete's journey
How physical maturation affects performance (including issues like Osgood-Schlatter’s)
Why multisport participation isn't just beneficial, it's essential
Managing load, recovery and expectations during growth spurts
The impact of social media and performance comparisons on young athletes
Why long-term success is more about joy and patience than relentless training
Andrew's “Project Mbappe” warning, and why sitting back with a margarita might actually help
The importance of creating a supportive, multi-disciplinary environment around a child athlete

Whether you're a coach, parent, or performance professional, this episode will reshape how you think about talent development in football and beyond.

About Andrew Hyde
Andrew Hyde is a strength and conditioning coach and founder of Aesthetic Athletes, based in Manchester, UK. Specialising in youth athletic development, Andrew works with both elite and aspiring athletes, helping them build physical competence, resilience, and a love for the process.
With a background that includes roles in professional football academies, the NHS, and educational institutions, Andrew takes a holistic and empathetic approach to coaching. His philosophy centres around guiding young players through the challenges of early specialisation, maturation, and performance pressure, all while helping them maintain joy in their sporting journey.
Andrew has previously contributed to Science for Sport and Catapult, and continues to be a respected voice on how to develop athletes in a sustainable and person-first way.

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271: Strength First: Why It Underpins Everything

Science for Sport — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this week’s episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves is joined by Leicester Tigers’ Head of Performance, Matt Parr, a former professional rugby player turned strength and conditioning expert with experience across both rugby union and league.
Matt shares his fascinating journey from the pitch to the performance department, offering valuable insights drawn from his time at Leicester Tigers and Catalan Dragons. With a career that’s spanned both codes of rugby, Matt dives into the key physical demands of each sport and how training must adapt to meet them. He also lifts the lid on what really goes into building strength, power, and robustness across a long and gruelling season.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The real physical differences between rugby union and rugby league – and why it’s not just “the same shaped ball”
How to build meaningful preseason plans that lay the foundation for success
Why strength underpins everything, and how it connects to power and injury prevention
The importance of athlete conversations over just relying on data
How Matt handles return-to-play protocols and balances performance with player wellbeing

Whether you're a coach in pro sport or working at grassroots level, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways and thought-provoking reflections on what it really takes to keep athletes performing at their best.

About Matt Parr
Matt Parr is the Head of Athletic Performance at Leicester Tigers and a former professional prop whose rugby career saw him represent clubs such as Sale Sharks, Saracens, London Irish, and Leicester. After transitioning from player to coach, Matt began his performance career at the Tigers in 2015, later becoming Lead S&C coach in 2020. In 2022, he took on the Head of Performance role at Catalan Dragons in rugby league, before returning to Leicester in mid‑2024 to bring his cross-code expertise back to the Tigers setup . With an MSc in strength and conditioning and a reputation for strategic planning, leadership, and performance optimisation. Matt combines top-level playing experience and science-backed coaching to help elite athletes perform and stay on the field.

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265: Why Sprint and Jump Training Transforms Every Athlete

Science for Sport — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this week's episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves welcomes performance coach Michael Fennell, who brings over 22 years of experience in athletics coaching, specialising in long jump and sprints.
Michael shares his journey from athlete to coach, including his work with notable figures like Chelsea and England football star Cole Palmer.
Michael discusses the importance of cross-training and how techniques from various sports, including American football and rugby, can enhance an athlete's performance. He emphasises that the fundamentals of running, jumping, and throwing are universal across disciplines, making it essential for athletes to embrace diverse training methods.

Gain insights into Michael's training philosophy, which revolves around four key areas: running mechanics, speed, strength and conditioning, and plyometrics. He breaks down how these elements work together to create a well-rounded athlete.
He reflects on the visibility of field events compared to track events, sharing his thoughts on the need for role models in the sport. He encourages young athletes to pursue their dreams with patience and an open mind, reminding them that enjoyment is at the heart of athletic development.

Tune in to discover how Michael's passion for coaching and his wealth of knowledge can inspire the next generation of athletes.

About Michael Fennell
Michael Fennell is an accomplished performance coach with over two decades of experience in athletics, specialising in long jump and sprints. With a rich background that includes coaching athletes across various sports, including notable football star Cole Palmer, Michael harnesses his expertise to cultivate well-rounded athletes. His coaching philosophy integrates essential elements such as running mechanics, speed, strength and conditioning, and plyometrics to maximise performance. Michael is passionate about the importance of cross-training and encourages aspiring athletes to embrace diverse training methods. Through his enthusiastic and engaging approach, he aims to inspire the next generation to pursue their athletic dreams while enjoying the journey along the way.

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262: Balancing Performance and Player Health

Science for Sport — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week on the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves chats with Sophie Smith-Moore, the England Men’s Pathway Physiotherapist and Disability Cricket Medical Services Lead. In this episode, Sophie takes us on her journey from a fresh graduate to a key player in elite cricket, sharing her insights on the unique challenges faced by fast bowlers and the critical role of data analytics in injury prevention.
Discover how Sophie navigates the fine line between traditional methodologies and cutting-edge science, ensuring athletes perform at their peak while staying injury-free. Sophie also reflects on her recent tour with the England men's under-19s in South Africa, offering invaluable lessons on self-care for practitioners and the importance of understanding the diverse needs of athletes in both men's and disability cricket.

About Sophie Smith-Moore
Sophie Smith-Moore is an experienced physiotherapist currently serving as the England Men’s Pathway Physiotherapist and Disability Cricket Medical Services Lead. A graduate of Northumbria University in 2011, Sophie initially entered the field without a clear focus on sports but quickly gravitated towards it. Sophie has worked with Yorkshire Cricket, GB Boxing and Leeds Carnegie and has gained valuable experience supporting players at various levels, including county and international. Sophie is passionate about optimising athlete performance and well-being, where she advocates for a holistic approach to care. With her expertise and commitment, she plays a vital role in shaping the future of sports physiotherapy in cricket.

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251: Old-School Grit vs Modern Sports Science in Football

Science for Sport — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Dive into this episode of the Science for Sport podcast with Chris Morgan, whose football journey spans from playing in the Premier League with Barnsley and Sheffield United to coaching and now working as a FIFA football agent. Chris offers unparalleled insights into how the game has transformed over the decades, shedding light on the stark contrasts between the old-school training methods and the modern-day data-driven, science-supported approach to player development.

Through candid stories, Chris reflects on the evolution of sports science in football, the challenges and opportunities for today's athletes, and the critical role of mindset and character in achieving success. He tackles hot-button topics like whether modern footballers are overcoached, if data analysis and sports science have stripped the game of its creativity, and how young players can stand out in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Whether you're a coach, analyst, or sports science professional, this episode delivers practical takeaways and thought-provoking perspectives on the balance between tradition and technology in football. Get ready to rethink your approach to player development and performance management.

** About Chris Morgan**
Chris Morgan is a former Premier League footballer turned FIFA football agent with a career spanning nearly three decades in the game. Starting as a gritty young defender at Barnsley, he made his Premier League debut in the 1997 season before becoming a fan favourite at Sheffield United, where he spent 13 years as a player, captain, and coach. Known for his no-nonsense leadership and deep understanding of the game, Chris transitioned into coaching and eventually into his current role as an agent for Stellar Group. Drawing on his experiences across all levels of football, he now scouts and mentors the next generation of talent, blending his old-school values with insights into modern sports science and analytics. A straight-talking advocate for hard work and character, Chris offers a unique perspective on the evolution of football both on and off the pitch.

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250: The Science for Sport Story

Science for Sport — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we unveil The Science for Sport Story with none other than its founder, Owen Walker. From his early days chasing football dreams to building the world’s go-to platform for sports science education, Owen shares the highs, lows, and pivotal moments that shaped Science for Sport. Discover how a failed footballer’s passion for sports science turned into a revolutionary resource used by professionals and students worldwide.

Join host Richard Graves as he dives into the vision behind Science for Sport, its impact on athletes and coaches, and the exciting future of sports science education. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a coach, or simply curious about the journey of turning an idea into a global phenomenon, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

** About Owen Walker**
Owen Walker is the founder of Science for Sport, a platform revolutionizing sports science education worldwide. Starting as an aspiring footballer, Owen’s passion for understanding performance and recovery led him to a career in sports science, including roles at Cardiff City FC and beyond. With a mission to make evidence-based knowledge accessible to all, Owen has turned Science for Sport into a trusted resource for professionals, students, and coaches globally. His journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and the power of education.

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247: Bold Choices: Coaching with Impact

Science for Sport — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0000

In this must-listen episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves sits down with Ajmal Shahzad—World T20 champion, fast-bowling coach, and cricket trailblazer. Ajmal shares his journey from making history as Yorkshire's first Asian-born player to becoming a sought-after coach in the modern game.

Discover:

The advice legendary all-rounder Imran Khan gave him that changed his game.
How Ajmal brought cricket back to Pakistan with an historic MCC tour.
His philosophy on developing fast bowlers in today’s game.
The challenges and triumphs of transitioning from player to coach.

Ajmal’s honest reflections on authenticity, leadership, and learning from failure will leave you inspired. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or cricket fan, this episode is packed with insights to help you elevate your game.

** About Ajmal Shahzad**
Ajmal Shahzad is a former professional cricketer and World T20 champion who represented five counties and England at the international level. Breaking barriers as Yorkshire's first Asian-born player, Ajmal transitioned into coaching after a successful playing career. He is now the lead bowling coach at Derbyshire and has worked with elite teams like the Trent Rockets. Renowned for his innovative approach and leadership, Ajmal continues to inspire the next generation of cricketers while shaping the future of fast bowling.

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230: All Those PhDs And Not A Single Smart Person

Science for Sport — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 09:00:00 +0100

In episode 230 Daniel Booth, Head of performance for Watford FC Women, joins us.

Specifically Daniel will be looking at:

Why jobs ask for PhDs in sport
Alternatives to university education
Skills necessary for coaching
How to develop these skills

About Daniel

"Daniel Booth is currently head of performance for Watford FC Women and Founder and CEO of The LAB Performance which is a high performance management consultancy for teams and coaches. Daniel has a proven track record as a high-performance coach and manager with over a decade of experience, leading performance and medical teams across various elite sporting disciplines. Starting as a Strength and Conditioning coach, he quickly became a trusted advisor to top coaches and athletes in sports such as football, rugby, athletics, golf, and more, driving excellence at the highest levels of sport."

Instagram: @boothy_lab
The Coaches Coach Newsletter: https://labnewsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe
www.labperformance.co.uk

Nominate future podcast guests here!

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Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

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206: Evidence vs Experienced Based Coaching

Science for Sport — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In episode 206 Derek Wilcox, record breaking athlete and world champion coach, joins us.

Specifically Derek will be looking at:

Evidence based practice and practice based evidence
Advantages and disadvantages
How to combine both for ultimate coaching performance

About Derek :

"Dr. Derek Wilcox is a world record breaking athlete and world champion coach with a PhD in Sport Physiology & Performance. He has been a coach with Renaissance Periodization for a since 2014, a former D1 Strength coach & Supervisor of Strength & Conditioning and all time world record holder for squat in the 181 class lifting 993lbs and being the lightest person to ever squat 1,000lbs in powerlifting competition."

Instagram: @wilcoxstrengthinc

RP Coaching linkhttps://rpstrength.com/products/coach-derek-

wilcox?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=bio&utm_campaign=RP_Coaching
https://wilcoxstrengthinc.com/

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130: Can Training Visual Cues And Decision Making Take Your Performance To The Next Level?

Science for Sport — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 02:00:00 +0100

In episode 130, John Quinn, Exercise Physiologist, joins us.

Specifically John will be looking at:

The importance of visual cues and decision making
How to train these aspects of performance

About John

"John’ s career has spanned more than 30 years. He has worked with many of Australian’s leading athletes and coaches across sports as diverse as track and field, swimming, AFL, rugby league, tennis, cricket, bobsleigh and soccer..

In 2014 John was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease – Limbic Encephalitis. This initial prognosis from this condition was one of dire consequence. After months in hospital and professional care, John emerged from this condition with an even stronger determination for changing peoples lives.

This saw John return to GWS Giants in the role of Academy Director. He also established two separate Exercise Physiology Clinics – one in Sydney and the other in Melbourne. In an Australian first, John is also employed at two
private schools as an Exercise Physiologist and acts as a service provider and mentor to students and staff at these colleges.

Highly regarded in the sport and fitness industry, John’s involvement with some of Australia’s most elite sports people along with his own inspiring health battle, has made his expertise highly sought-after by both sporting teams and businesses alike."

Instagram: @john_quinn01
Twitter: JQuinn_01

https://www.quinnelitesports.com.au

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121: How To Avoid Career Ending Culture Shocks When Working Abroad

Science for Sport — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 02:00:00 +0100

In episode 121, James de Lacey, Strength & Conditioning Coach, joins us.

Specifically James will be looking at:

What culture shocks might involve
How to overcome the language barrier
How to minimise culture shocks

About James

"James was the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Romanian Rugby Union. He has previously worked in America’s professional rugby competition Major League Rugby with Austin Elite and the NZ Women’s National Rugby League Team. He is a published author and has completed a MSc in Sport & Exercise Science from AUT, Auckland, NZ."

https://sweetscienceoffighting.com
https://liftbigeatbig.com

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116: Qualities You Need To Maximise Your Impact On Physical Performance

Science for Sport — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 02:00:00 +0100

In episode 116, Nicole Rodriguez, Strength & Conditioning Coach, joins us.

Specifically you will learn:

Three key ways any coach can improve their impact on an athletes performance
How athletes can get the best out of their coach

About Nicole

"Nicole is a physical development coach currently working with younger age groups. Having previously been based in the US working with various American sports on the adult and professional level. Currently she is based in Poland and is working in Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic along with some other European Union countries."

Instagram: @n.rodriguez.coach
Twitter: @NicoleRod

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97: Mental Toughness: Adjust Your Mindset For Next-Level Performance

Science for Sport — Sun, 13 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000

In episode 97 Dre Baldwin, Assistant Professor in Applied Sport Sciences at the University of Birmingham, joins us.

Specifically you will learn:

What mental toughness is
How to train mental toughness
How to use mental toughness to overcome any obstable

About Dre

"In just 5 years, Dre Baldwin went from his high school team's bench to a 9-year professional basketball career. At the same time, Dre built a content publishing empire.

Blogging since 2005 and publishing videos to YouTube starting in 2006, Dre has published over 8,000 videos with his content being viewed over 73 million times. Dre's daily Work On Your Game Podcast has over 4 million listeners.

Dre has given 4 TEDxTalks and authored 29 books, including “Work On Your Game” And “The Third Day.”

Instagram: @drebaldwin
Twitter: @Dreallday
Website: https://dreallday.com/

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87: Maximise Your Wellness, Health & Wealth For Happiness In Sport

Science for Sport — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 02:00:00 +0000

In episode 87, Joshua Fletcher, Founder of Career Blueprint, joins us.

Specifically you will learn:

The importance of wellness and health
What to look out for in coaches and colleagues
How to improve health, wealth and wellness

About Josh

"Josh has dedicated his business Career Blueprint to performance practitioner well-being. ‘We look after it athletes well-being but ours is an afterthought. It’s about time we started looking after our own happiness, health and wealth dont you think?’"

Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/practitionerwellbeing
IG: @careerblueprint
Twitter: @coachblueprint1
Website: www.yourcareer-blueprint.com

COMPETITION

PERFORMANCE PRACTITIONERS, THERE ARE THREE JOURNALS TO BE WON. ALL'S YOU HAVE TO DO IS:

1) FOLLOW SCIENCE FOR SPORT
2) FOLLOW THE CAREER BLUEPRINT
3) TAG A FELLOW PERFORMANCE PRACTITIONER IN THE COMMENTS

*THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES YOU CAN MAKE. THE MORE TAGS, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING

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84: Serve Your Athletes Better: How To Fulfill Your Potential As A Coach

Science for Sport — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 02:00:00 +0000

In episode 84, David Joyce, Co-Editor of High Performance Training For Sports, joins us.

Specifically David will be looking at:

Why we should improve our skills
Key skills a coach needs & how to improve them
How athletes can find the perfect coach for them
Navigating the political landscape

About David

"David is an internationally recognized leader in human performance, strategy and decision making. He holds Masters degrees in both Sports Physiotherapy and Strength & Conditioning, as well as an MBA.

He has worked with hundreds of elite athletes, including multiple world and Olympic champions and in multiple sports around the world.

Nowadays, Dave’s focus has shifted much more towards enabling major sporting organisations, corporates, start-ups and emerging leaders navigate through the choppy seas of complexity, and set themselves up to thrive in an increasingly uncertain future.

He has written and co-edited with Daniel Lewindon 2 internationally best-selling textbooks on high-performance and rehabilitation, and the new edition of High Performance Training For Sports has just been released to critical acclaim around the world.."

Twitter: @davidgjoyce
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/david-joyce01/

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68: Data With Impact: How Data Can Make The Difference In Football

Science for Sport — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 01:00:00 +0100

In episode 68 Aman Singh Shergill, Physical Performance Scientist, joins us.

Specifically Aman will be looking at:

Importance & impact of data
Communicating data with coaches
Science for non-professional players

About Aman

"Aman is a Physical Performance Scientist at Aston Villa Football Club, and a PhD candidate at The University of Chester. His research looks into GPS usage and performance in elite football. Previously he was First Team Sport Scientist at Birmingham City Football Club.

Aman has specific interests around controlling contextual factors which influence physical outputs in sporting performance, along with effective feedback tools and visualisations to impact decision making."

Twitter: @AmanSShergill
LinkedIn: Aman Singh Shergill

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62: Elevate Your Coaching With A World Class Philosophy

Science for Sport — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0100

In episode 62 Scott Caulfield, Director Of Strength & Conditioning at Colorado College, joins us.

Specifically Scott will be looking at:

What a coaching philosophy is
Importance of a strong philosophy
How to develop your elite coaching philosophy
How he developed his own philosophy

About Scott

"Scott Caulfield directs the oversight, development and management of individual and group strength and conditioning programs for all student-athletes participating in the College's two Division I programs (Men's Ice Hockey & Women's Soccer) and 15 Division III programs. He has been involved in fitness and athletics for more than two decades, including as Head S&C Coach/Coaching Education Manager at the NSCA Headquarters from 2011-2019. He utilized those 20+ years of "under the bar" lifting and coaching experience in a variety of different roles in support of the NSCA's mission as the worldwide authority on strength and conditioning. Prior to joining the NSCA, he served as an assistant strength & conditioning coach at Dartmouth College from 2008-11, working primarily with the football, men's & women's swimming, and rugby teams. From 2006-08, he was the head strength and conditioning coach and director of camps for the back-to-back American Basketball Association champions, Vermont Frost Heaves."

Instagram: @coachcaulfield
Twitter: @scottcaulfield
Website: https://www.coachcaulfield.com/

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61: Make An Immediate Impact With Elite Level Soft-Skills

Science for Sport — Mon, 31 May 2021 05:00:00 +0100

In episode 60 Jesse Wright, Strength & Conditioning Coach and Author joins us.

Specifically Jesse will be looking at:

Importance of soft skills
Key skills practitioners need
How you can develop these skills
Practical examples

About Jesse

"Jesse K. Wright has spent over two decades in the high performance sport culture, including working with teams in the NBA, NFL, NCAA, and the private sector. He most recently spent 14 years with the Philadelphia 76ers, first as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach and then as the Director of Performance Science. During this time, he was named the NBA’s Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year in 2013, an award voted on by his contemporaries in the league. He also served as President of the National Basketball Strength & Conditioning Association from 2013-2015. In addition, he served as chair of the committee that oversees and coordinates the anthropometric and performance testing for the NBA Pre Draft Combine for six years."

Instagram: @jessekwright
LinkedIn: jessekwright
Website: www.balancethebar.com
Book, “The Intent Is To Grow”: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B092L59HST/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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FLEX by GymAware

Find out why VBT is such a powerful training method and what separates FLEX from the competition via the link below.

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Hawkin Dynamics

To learn more about force plates and Hawkin Dynamics, check out their blog which is full of educational and practical blog posts.

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52: Bilateral Training Is Dead, Unilateral Is King

Science for Sport — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0100

In episode 52 Michael Boyle, Strength & Conditioning Coach, joins us.

Specifically Mike will be looking at:

Why unilateral training is important
Advantages to unilateral training
Lack of advantages to bilateral training
Unilateral exercise progressions

About Mike

"Michael Boyle is one of the worlds’ foremost educators in the areas of performance training, personal training and athletic rehabilitation. Boyle has been involved in training and rehabilitation with a wide range of athletes, including stars in every major professional sport. Mike has also served as a consultant to some of the top teams in the NFL, NHL, as well as numerous division one athletic programs. In addition, Boyle has been involved in Olympic Gold Medal efforts in women’s soccer, women’s ice hockey, gymnastics and judo."

Website: https://www.bodybyboyle.com/
Twitter: @mboyle1959 @bodybyboyle
Instagram: michael_boyle1959

Check out David Epstein's episode which we discussed here: https://scienceforsport.fireside.fm/46

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Enhance your knowledge in all areas of sports science including strength & conditioning, recovery, nutrition and more
Learn from trusted industry experts as they translate complex study results into practical methods for you to use today

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51: Sport Science Is Broken: We Can Fix It

Science for Sport — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

In episode 51 Henk Kraaijenhof, Performance Consultant, joins us.

Specifically Henk will be looking at:

Developments in science
Issues with science & coaching
Fixing these issues
Roles of specialists in a team

About Henk

" Henk Kraaijenhof (1955) started as coach in sports in 1975. Right from the start he had the opportunity to work with elite athletes at national and international level in many sports. He became 3 times national champion in the 400 meter with a personal best of 47.4.

Originally his roots were in track and field, but he extended his expertise to other sports. In this position he coached and advised many world class and Olympic athletes. Characteristic is his quest to discover the limits in human performance of his athletes.
He is a high-profile coach who has his own integrated and well-founded vision on sports and human performance.

His job can be expressed in one title: performance consultant, he helps people to perform at their best and stay healthy doing that.
To get from coach to performance consultant needed time, dedication, knowledge an experience, that is why he intensively cooperated internationally with many scientists, doctors and researchers, in order to be able find the synergy between all performance-related factors."

Website:

https://helpingthebesttogetbetter.com/

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FLEX by GymAware

Find out why VBT is such a powerful training method and what separates FLEX from the competition via the link below.

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Hawkin Dynamics

To learn more about force plates and Hawkin Dynamics, check out their blog which is full of educational and practical blog posts.

https://bit.ly/hawkin-dynamics

46: Range: The Game-Changing Truth Behind Early Specialisation

Science for Sport — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 05:00:00 +0000

In episode 46, David Epstein, Best Selling Author, joins us.

Specifically David will be looking at:

What range is
Why range is superior
Impact of improved range
How to practically get more range

About David

"David Epstein is the author of the #1 New York Times best seller Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World — which Bill Gates featured in his end-of-year recommendations — and of the New York Times best seller The Sports Gene, both of which have been translated in more than 20 languages. (To his surprise, the latter was purchased not only by his sister but also by President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.) He is also the host of Slate’s popular “How To!” podcast.

He was previously a science and investigative reporter at ProPublica, and prior to that a senior writer at Sports Illustrated, where he co-authored the story that revealed Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez had used steroids. His writing has been honored by an array of organizations, from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, to the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Center on Disability and Journalism, and has been included in the Best American Science and Nature Writing anthology. His story “Following the Trail of Broken Hearts,” on sudden cardiac death in athletes, was chosen as one of the top 100 stories of the last 100 years by Columbia Journalism alumni.

David has given talks about performance science and the uses (and misuses) of data on five continents; his TED Talks (here and here) have been viewed more than 10 million times. Three of his stories have been optioned for films: a Sports Illustrated story on the only living Olympian to have survived a concentration camp; an Atlantic/ProPublica piece detailing the DEA’s fraught pursuit of Chapo Guzman’s rivals; and a 2016 “This American Life” episode he wrote and narrated about a woman with two rare diseases who shares a mutant gene with an Olympic medalist.

David has master’s degrees in environmental science and journalism, and is reasonably sure he’s the only person to have co-authored a paper in the journal of Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research while a writer at Sports Illustrated. (Like many of the characters in Range, he has benefitted from a winding career.) He has worked as an ecology researcher in the Arctic, studied geology and astronomy while residing in the Sonoran Desert, and blithely signed up to work on the D-deck of a seismic research vessel shortly after it had been attacked by pirates.

David enjoys volunteering with the Pat Tillman Foundation and Classroom Champions, and, as of recently, with the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project. An avid runner, he was a Columbia University record holder and twice NCAA All-East as an 800-meter runner."

Website: https://davidepstein.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidEpstein

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FLEX by GymAware

Find out why VBT is such a powerful training method and what separates FLEX from the competition via the link below.

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Hawkin Dynamics

To learn more about force plates and Hawkin Dynamics, check out their blog which is full of educational and practical blog posts.

https://bit.ly/hawkin-dynamics

38: Leap Of Faith: Elite Sport To Private Sector

Science for Sport — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 05:00:00 +0000

In episode 38, John Noonan, Performance Coach Consultant, joins us.

Specifically John will be looking at:

Pros and cons of elite sport
Starting out in the private sector
Building your business

About John

"John is an experienced performance coach with over 15 years’ experience coaching in elite sport and the public domain. To date, John has worked with numerous professional youth, senior and international athletes from over 13 different sports, including work in professional soccer, Rugby Union/League, Olympic snowsports, Golf and Formula racing. In 2019, John founded NoonanPerformance.com and now operates as a performance consultant to various athletes, teams and corporate clients, providing a hybrid of physical preparation, physical therapy and coach mentorship services.

Academically, John has an undergraduate degree in sport science and a postgraduate degree in applied biomechanics from Liverpool John Moores University, researching performance requirements of Olympic freestyle snowsport athletes. Specifically, John’s research examined the kinetic and kinematic demands of snowboard jump landings, the findings which John has presented internationally and nationally at the Australian and UK Strength and Conditioning (ASCA and UKSCA) Conferences. John currently holds professional certifications with the UKSCA, Postural Restoration Institute (PRI).

John’s professional interests continue to revolve around improving movement and athletic performance, as well as helping coaches succeed in both coaching and business based projects through the NoonanPerformance Coach Mentorship Programme."

Website: www.noonanperformance.com
Instagram/Twitter: JohnnoonanCoach

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FLEX by GymAware

Find out why VBT is such a powerful training method and what separates FLEX from the competition via the link below.

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Hawkin Dynamics

To learn more about force plates and Hawkin Dynamics, check out their blog which is full of educational and practical blog posts.

https://bit.ly/hawkin-dynamics

21: How To Land Your Dream Job Abroad

Science for Sport — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 05:00:00 +0100

In episode 21 James De Lacey, Strength & Conditioning Coach, joins us.

Specifically James will be looking at:

How to get a job abroad
Benefits & downsides to living abroad
When to choose stability vs adventure

About James

https://sweetscienceoffighting.com/

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https://bit.ly/sfspodcast_21

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FLEX by GymAware

Find out why VBT is such a powerful training method and what separates FLEX from the competition via the link below.

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Hawkin Dynamics

To learn more about force plates and Hawkin Dynamics, check out their blog which is full of educational and practical blog posts.

https://bit.ly/hawkin-dynamics

19: Overcoming COVID Adversity: Unique Insights From Coach & Athlete

Science for Sport — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 05:00:00 +0100

In episode 19 Tina Ball and David Liti, coach and commonwealth gold medal winning olympic weightlifter, join us.

Specifically Tina & David will be looking at:

Training adaptations due to COVID
Periodisation during lockdown
Mental demands of lockdown on athletes

About Tina & David:

Tina: "I have a very varied background in education and as a master trainer. I was a commonwealth games coach in 2010, 2014 and 2018, with gold medallist David Liti. We’ve also been to a number of world championships now, I’m very passionate about the sport, and I’m loving it!"

David: "My name is David Liti, I am an Olympic weightlifter representing New Zealand, I dabbled with weightlifting from 2009, just playing around with it until 2014. I’ve been competitive from 2015 until now, and have been to the Junior Worlds in 2016, and Senior Worlds in 2017, 2018, and 2019. I was commonwealth gold medallist in 2018, and I’m hoping to go to Tokyo next year."

Where to find them....

www.strengthhq.co.nz

Instagram:
@strengthhq.weightlifting
@davidliti1

Twitter:
@strengthhq.weightlifting

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/weightlifting.stre

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Thank you to our sponsors

We'd like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful sponsors for supporting this amazing podcast.

FLEX by GymAware

Find out why VBT is such a powerful training method and what separates FLEX from the competition at:

https://bit.ly/FLEX-gymaware

Hawkin Dynamics

To learn more about force plates and Hawkin Dynamics, check out their blog which is full of educational and practical blog posts.

https://bit.ly/hawkin-dynamics

1: What S&C must learn from other industries | Brett Bartholomew

Science for Sport — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 05:00:00 +0100

In our first episode, coach, best-selling author, keynote speaker and high-performance consultant Brett Bartholomew joins us.

Specifically Brett will be looking at:

• Whether we isolate ourselves from other industries
• What we can learn from other industries
• What other industries can learn from us
• What the future holds for interaction between industries

About Brett:

"I am a strength coach, author, speaker and entrepreneur. Long story short I’ve been a strength coach for over 15 years, I’ve worked with athletes of all ages, predominantly NFL, military, fighters, baseball, but had just as much fun working with high school kids and youth as well. I wrote a book in 2017 called Conscious Coaching, and by the grace of god it took off and became an Amazon international bestseller. That launched into a lot of the work that I’m doing now with corporations and teams, specifically on building buy in or solving people problems. A lot of what I do now aside from coaching is helping people with organisational leadership. How to get people out of their own way, ego, agendas, biases, Machiavellian games, and things like that that go on in elite organisations. Whether that be a sport team or fortune 500 business. I go in and help them solve those problems. I’ve always be fascinated by people. It’s a rabbit hole I go down early and often. Its part of my PhD program, so that’s the gist of it."

The Science for Sport Buy-in Bible is available to download here…..
https://app.scienceforsport.com/buy-in-cheatsheet

Brett also has a tonne of great resources, be sure to check them out at
www.artofcoaching.com

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Thank you to our sponsors

We'd like to say a huge thank you to our wonderful sponsors for supporting this amazing podcast.

FLEX by GymAware

Find out why VBT is such a powerful training method and what separates FLEX from the competition at:

https://bit.ly/FLEX-gymaware

Hawkin Dynamics

To learn more about force plates and Hawkin Dynamics, check out their blog which is full of educational and practical blog posts.

https://bit.ly/hawkin-dynamics