Science for Sport Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Elite Sport”

315: The Under-fueling Problem in Professional Sport with Dr Nessan Costello

Science for Sport — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Sports nutrition in elite football is often misunderstood, even by the players doing it for a living. In this episode, Richard Graves sits down with Dr. Nessan Costello, 1st Team Sports Nutritionist at Al-Ahli in the Saudi Arabia Pro League, to cut through the noise and get practical about what performance nutrition actually looks like at the highest level.
Nessan has worked across the Premier League with clubs including Chelsea, Newcastle United and Leeds United, and brings a rare combination of academic rigour and real-world experience to the conversation. From fuelling strategies across a congested fixture schedule to navigating Ramadan with Muslim players, and from debunking carbohydrate myths to calling out the damage done by overly controlling nutrition environments, this is a frank and refreshingly honest look at what it takes to keep elite footballers performing at their best, week in, week out.
Whether you're a practitioner working at the sharp end of elite sport, a coach trying to get more out of your athletes, or simply someone who wants to understand the science behind peak performance, there is plenty here for you.

In This Episode You Will Learn

Why the majority of elite footballers are chronically underfuelled — and why that matters more than their body fat percentage
The real science behind carbohydrate loading: why you should start 24 hours before kick-off, not the night before, and what foods actually work
How to structure post-match nutrition across a 72-hour recovery window, including the specific gram-per-kilogram targets Nessan uses with his players
Why ultra-lean body composition as a performance goal is actively harming players, and how disordered eating behaviours are more common in elite football than most environments will admit
How Nessan adapted his approach during Ramadan — including training sessions at 10pm and cup semi-finals kicking off at 1:30am
The practical hydration framework he uses: why 500ml of fluid with every meal beats carrying a big bottle around all day
How nutrition changes across a full season, from pre-season heat acclimatisation through to the demands of a congested run-in
Why supplements are largely irrelevant until you've nailed sleep, three meals a day, two snacks and consistent hydration
What working in the Saudi Pro League has taught him about personalised nutrition across diverse nationalities and food cultures
His advice for coaches and practitioners working without a dedicated nutritionist — and when it becomes worth bringing one in

About Nessan Costello
Dr. Nessan Costello is a sports nutritionist with over a decade of experience working at the highest levels of professional football. He has held roles at Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Newcastle United and Leeds United, before taking on his current position as 1st Team Sports Nutritionist at Al-Ahli in the Saudi Arabia Pro League.
Nessan specialises in helping elite athletes optimise their health and performance through practical, evidence-based nutrition strategies — with a particular focus on fuelling, recovery and body composition in high-demand environments. He is known for his ability to simplify complex nutritional science and make it actionable for players, coaches and multidisciplinary teams alike.
You can follow Nessan on LinkedIn and Instagram at @DrNessanCostello.

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314: Player Load, Practice Periodisation, and the Art of Keeping It Simple with Jackson Polk

Science for Sport — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Richard Graves is joined by Jackson Polk, Director of Sports Science at the University of Southern California (USC), for a conversation that covers the full spectrum of what it actually means to do this job well, from wrangling a thousand Catapult metrics down to the handful that matter, to the perhaps surprising conclusion that conversation might be your most powerful tool.
Jackson's path into sports science isn't the conventional one. He started as a student videographer with Oklahoma football, found himself drawn to the patterns hiding in data, and taught himself enough statistics and analytics to make coaches stop and listen. That curiosity eventually took him from Norman, Oklahoma, to Los Angeles, where he's spent the past four years building USC football's sports science programme from the ground up.
What makes this episode stand out is Jackson's willingness to be honest about uncertainty, about AI, about his own mistakes, and about the limits of any single metric or method. He's equally at home referencing Principal Component Analysis and the TV show Veep, and that breadth of thinking is what makes him worth listening to. Whether you work in elite sport, study sports science, or just want to understand what goes into keeping a college football roster performing at its best, there's plenty here to take away.

In This Episode You Will Learn

Why reducing Catapult's thousand-plus metrics down to a focused few, Player Load, sprint volume, and repeat sprint exposures, actually produces better decisions than trying to monitor everything
How Jackson uses principal component analysis to build confidence in the data he's presenting to coaches and athletes
The "iceberg" model of athlete monitoring: what data can tell you, and what only a direct conversation will uncover
Why practice periodisation and load management have been one of USC's biggest organisational wins, and how PlayerLoad underpins that planning
How force plates (via VALD/ForceDecks) and velocity-based training tools like Perch complement GPS data to reveal readiness on any given day
The case for teaching college athletes sound recovery habits early, so they're not spending their rookie contracts figuring out what works
How Jackson thinks about AI in sports science: where it's useful, where to be cautious, and why it's only as good as the data it's trained on
Why communication, not technology, is the cornerstone of an effective sports science operation, and how to make data digestible for coaches under pressure
The value of building a culture where experimentation and failure are treated as learning, not liability
Lessons from Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke on separating process from outcome, applied directly to sports science decision-making

About Jackson Polk
Jackson Polk is the Director of Sports Science for USC Trojans football, a role he was elevated to in 2024 after serving as Assistant Director from 2022–23. He joined the USC support staff in March 2022, bringing with him an unconventional background that blends mathematics, data science, and a deep passion for American football.
His journey began at the University of Oklahoma, where he spent four seasons as a student videographer before becoming a volunteer performance analyst. While at OU, he co-founded the Oklahoma Sports and Data Analytics Club, which went on to win the Pro Football Focus Analytics Blitz contest. He completed his bachelor's degree in mathematics at Oklahoma in 2021 and subsequently pursued a master's in data science and analytics.
At USC, Jackson has been responsible for building the football programme's sports science infrastructure, integrating GPS monitoring, force plate testing, and load management into daily practice planning. He holds an MBA alongside his analytical credentials, and his work sits at the intersection of data science and high-performance sport.

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313: Building Durability in Action Sports with Ryan Blake

Science for Sport — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0100

What does it actually take to prepare an athlete for a sport where the environment itself is part of the challenge? In this week's episode, Richard Graves sits down with Ryan Blake, Performance Coach, Consultant, and founder of Extreme Sports Performance, to explore the fascinating and often overlooked world of action sports performance.

Ryan brings a unique perspective to this conversation. A former action sports athlete himself whose career was cut short by a life-threatening injury, he has since spent over 20 years working across elite sport, academy systems, private education, and national governing bodies, before circling back to the world he started in. Today, he works as a performance consultant for British Water Ski and Wakeboard, Head of Sport Science at St Paul's School in London, and Lead Tutor for the Youth Strength and Conditioning Association.

This isn't a conversation about conventional periodisation or standard gym metrics. Ryan challenges the assumptions baked into most traditional performance models and makes a compelling case for why action sports, think X Games, halfpipe snowboarding, freestyle skiing, demand an entirely different approach. One built not around chasing peaks, but around building repeatable, durable performance that holds up under fatigue, variable terrain, and real-world unpredictability.
He talks through his Restore, Apply, Own framework in practical terms, explains why training in a fresh state but competing in a fatigued one is one of the most underappreciated problems in sport, and shares how he uses a blend of velocity-based training, jump testing, readiness monitoring, and athlete-specific education tools to close that gap. He also weighs in on the growing use of AI in competition judging, the rapid rise of the X Games League, and why the preparation systems in action sports simply haven't caught up with where the sport is heading.
Whether you're a sports scientist, strength and conditioning coach, or simply someone with an interest in how elite performance is built at the fringes of mainstream sport, this is a conversation worth your time.

In This Episode You Will Learn

Why traditional performance models fall short in action and adventure sports, and what needs to change
The difference between performance capacity and durability — and why durability is the more important target in action sports
How Ryan's Restore, Apply, Own framework structures athlete preparation from the ground up
Why training athletes in a fatigued state is just as important as having them fresh — and how to do it effectively
How to use a simple SWOT analysis to identify athlete needs and prioritise support when resources are limited
The role of technology in action sports performance, including VBT, jump testing, readiness monitoring, and AI in competition judging
Why strength training alone doesn't transfer to sport performance without progression through capacity, application, and environment
How the rapid growth of the X Games League and Olympic inclusion is creating both opportunity and a preparation gap in action sports
Practical first steps for coaches and athletes looking to engage with a more structured performance system in action sports

About Ryan Blake
Ryan Blake is a performance coach and consultant specialising in action and adventure sports. He founded Extreme Sports Performance in 2018 after a career that has taken him through elite academy systems, professional sport, private education, and national governing body consultancy. He holds accreditations from both the UKSCA and NSCA, holds an MSc in Maintenance and Enhancement of Elite Performance from the University of Portsmouth, and has worked with world champion athletes and Olympic medallists across disciplines including British Tennis, England Cricket, British Cycling, and now British Water Ski and Wakeboard.
Alongside his consultancy work, Ryan serves as Head of Sport Science at St Paul's School in London and as Lead Tutor for the Youth Strength and Conditioning Association. His own background as an action sports athlete — and the life-threatening injury that ended that chapter — underpins his philosophy around risk, durability, and long-term performance. He is based in Guildford and can be found on Instagram at @extremesportsperformance or at extremesportsperformance.com.

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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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307: Performance Science in AFL and NRL with Brendan Fahrner

Science for Sport — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000

This episode explores what high performance really looks like inside two of the most demanding professional sporting environments in the world.

Richard Graves is joined by Brendan Fahrner, formerly Head of Sports Science at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and previously a long-serving performance staff member at Richmond Football Club during one of the most successful periods in AFL history.

Across a career spanning AFL and NRL, Brendan has worked inside premiership-winning programs, navigated the evolution of GPS and performance analytics, and seen firsthand how elite sport has shifted from data accumulation to data translation.

In this conversation, he strips back the noise around technology and shares why soft skills, trust, and clarity of message ultimately drive performance outcomes. From simplifying GPS dashboards to building credibility with senior coaches, Brendan offers a grounded, practical perspective on what actually moves the needle in team sport.

He also speaks candidly about practitioner burnout, self-worth, and why sustainability in high performance careers is just as important as physical robustness in athletes.

This episode will resonate with sports scientists, S&C coaches, performance managers and aspiring practitioners looking to build impact in elite environments.

In this episode you will learn

Why high performance is more about relationships than periodisation
How to build trust quickly when entering a new club environment
The importance of simplifying data for coaches and athletes
How to align performance metrics with a coach’s game model
Why most GPS reports contain too much irrelevant data
How to identify the few variables that truly influence coach perception
Practical strategies for athlete-centric monitoring in squad settings
The crossover principles between AFL and NRL performance environments
How to translate analytics into language players understand
Why self-care and professional boundaries matter in elite sport
The importance of valuing yourself as a practitioner

About Brendan Fahrner
Brendan Fahrner is a high performance practitioner with extensive experience in elite Australian sport.
He began his career in the early adoption phase of GPS in the AFL, working with Richmond and later Geelong during a period of sustained premiership success. He spent the majority of his career at Richmond Football Club, contributing to three premiership titles and multiple finals campaigns.
Most recently, Brendan worked in the NRL with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, applying performance principles across codes and leading athlete monitoring and sports science integration within rugby league.
He has developed a strong reputation for simplifying complex performance data, building trust with athletes and coaches, and creating athlete-centred systems in high-pressure team environments.

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306: The Evolution of Professional Cricket Through Ryan Sidebottom’s Career

Science for Sport — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Richard Graves welcomes former England fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom to the Science for Sport Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on longevity, resilience, and the evolution of elite cricket.

Across a first-class career spanning more than 20 years, Ryan experienced the game at every level — from sweeping floors and laying bricks in the winter to winning a T20 World Cup with England. In this episode, he reflects on how professional cricket changed during his career, why physical preparation became essential for longevity, and how mindset, curiosity, and self-analysis shaped his success.

Ryan speaks openly about setbacks, selection disappointments, returning to the England setup after six years away, and the hard, often unseen work that underpinned his performances. It’s an honest insight into elite performance, long careers, and what really matters behind the scenes.

In this episode you will learn:

How professional cricket evolved from semi-professional roots to a fully supported high-performance environment
Why strength & conditioning became critical to Ryan’s longevity as a fast bowler
How he managed long periods outside the England setup and stayed mentally engaged
The role of self-analysis, questioning, and learning from senior players
What elite environments can learn from England’s 2010 T20 World Cup turnaround
Why curiosity and asking questions accelerate development in elite sport
How mindset, confidence, and preparation influence consistency over time

About Ryan Sidebottom
Ryan Sidebottom is a former England international fast bowler with a first-class career spanning over two decades. He represented England in Test cricket and was part of the 2010 ICC World T20-winning squad. At domestic level, Ryan enjoyed success with Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, winning multiple County Championship titles and taking over 1,000 career wickets. Since retiring, he has remained closely involved in the game through media, hospitality, and ambassadorial roles, with a growing interest in coaching and player development.

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305: Building Resilient Athletes in High-Pressure Environments

Science for Sport — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Behind every high-performance environment are people, personalities, and decisions that shape outcomes. This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, Richard Graves is joined by former England international and Premier League defender Warren Barton, speaking from California.
Warren reflects on a career that spanned very different eras of elite football, from coming through non-league and the famously demanding culture of Wimbledon’s “Crazy Gang”, to becoming a record signing at Newcastle United during the Entertainers era. Across the conversation, Warren offers a rare, first-hand perspective on the psychology of professional sport: rejection, resilience, team identity, leadership, and how elite environments shape behaviour.
The discussion also moves into modern high-performance sport, exploring how man-management, culture, and trust still sit alongside data, technology, and sports science. Warren shares thoughtful insights on coaching, communication, player wellbeing, and why asking an athlete how they feel still matters just as much as what the numbers say.
A wide-ranging, honest conversation that will resonate with practitioners working in elite sport, as well as those interested in the human side of performance.

In this episode you will learn

How early rejection and non-academy pathways can shape resilience and long-term success
Why strong team culture and shared identity can create psychological advantages over more talented opponents
Lessons from Wimbledon’s “Crazy Gang” environment and what modern teams can still learn from it
How elite managers like Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, and Sir Bobby Robson differed in leadership and man-management
Why man-management remains central to performance, even in data-rich environments
How elite players and coaches balanced intuition, experience, and emerging sports science practices
The importance of trust, togetherness, and players “having each other’s backs” in high-pressure environments
Where modern football may be losing connection with basic human communication
Warren’s perspective on technology, VAR, and how decision-making affects the athlete and fan experience
How coaches can better integrate data with athlete feedback and lived experience

About Warren Barton
Warren Barton is a former England international footballer who played at the highest level of English football during the 1990s. His career included spells at Wimbledon and Newcastle United, where he became part of Kevin Keegan’s iconic “Entertainers” side and captained the club during one of its most influential Premier League eras.
Since retiring from playing, Warren has built a career in broadcasting and coaching, working extensively in the United States as a football analyst and pundit, including coverage of major international tournaments. He holds his UEFA Pro Licence and continues to work across elite football, combining practical experience with a deep understanding of performance, psychology, and leadership.

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303: Periodised Nutrition in Practice: Delivering the Plan Away From the Club

Science for Sport — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000

This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, Richard Graves is joined by Rachel Muse, one of the leading performance chefs working with elite athletes across professional sport.Rachel is the founder of Talk Eat Laugh, a specialist performance-chef service supporting athletes in their own homes. Her work bridges the gap between performance nutrition science and real-life eating habits, ensuring athletes follow precise nutritional plans without meals becoming clinical, restrictive, or culturally disconnected.In this episode, Rachel shares her unconventional journey from mathematics graduate to elite performance chef, and explains how chefs, nutritionists, and sports science teams work together to deliver periodised nutrition away from the training ground. The conversation explores how macronutrient targets are delivered in practice, how food preferences and cultural background shape compliance, and why fuelling the brain is just as important as fuelling the body.This is a rare insight into a part of the performance system that is often overlooked, but critical to recovery, consistency, and late-game performance.

In this episode, you will learn

What periodised nutrition actually means in practice, beyond the theory
How performance chefs work from nutritionist-led macro prescriptions
Why chefs should not act as nutritionists, and where the professional boundaries sit
How to deliver exact macronutrient targets without meals becoming boring or restrictive
The role of carbohydrates in sustaining physical and cognitive performance late in matchesHow cultural background and food identity influence nutritional compliance
Why elite performance nutrition is as much about psychology and trust as it is science
What “success” really looks like when supporting elite athletes away from the club environment

About Rachel Muse
Rachel Muse is a performance chef with a background spanning elite hospitality, private households, and professional sport. After an unconventional route into the culinary world, she founded Talk Eat Laugh, a performance-chef business supporting elite athletes across football, rugby, swimming, and motorsport.Rachel works closely with performance nutritionists and sports science teams to deliver highly specific nutritional strategies in athletes’ home environments. Known for her emphasis on collaboration, precision, privacy, and cultural understanding, Rachel specialises in translating complex nutrition plans into meals athletes genuinely want to eat, consistently and compliantly.You can follow Rachel on LinkedIn or find Talk Eat Laugh on Instagram for insights into performance food done properly.

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302: Creatine and the Evolution of Performance Nutrition

Science for Sport — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Creatine is now one of the most widely used and well-researched supplements in elite sport — but few people know the story of how it first made its way into Olympic performance programmes.

In this episode of the Science for Sport Podcast, Richard Graves sits down with Steven Jennings, one of the key figures behind the early adoption of creatine in elite sport, to unpack a remarkable story that begins long before creatine was common knowledge.

Steven takes us back to the early 1990s — a pre-internet era where sports nutrition research travelled slowly, secrecy mattered, and a single kilogram of creatine played a role in reshaping performance preparation ahead of the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. From working directly with pioneering researchers at the Karolinska Institute to navigating Olympic-level scrutiny, this is a rare, first-hand account of how science moved from the lab to the field.

Beyond performance sport, the conversation also looks forward. Steven shares why he believes we are only just beginning to understand creatine’s wider potential — from cognition and ageing to plant-based diets and long-term health.

This is an essential listen for practitioners who want to understand not just what works in performance nutrition, but how evidence, trust, regulation, and timing shape real-world impact.

In this episode you will learn

What creatine actually is and how it works at a cellular level
How early research in the early 1990s changed elite sport preparation
Steven’s role in bringing creatine into Olympic sport ahead of Barcelona 1992
Why creatine was (and still is) legal, safe, and fundamentally different from banned substances
How creatine became associated with repeated high-intensity performance and recovery
Why creatine research is now expanding beyond sport into cognition, ageing, and health
Why we may still be “scratching the surface” of creatine’s full potential

About Steven Jennings
Steven Jennings is a sports nutrition entrepreneur and former professional cyclist who played a pivotal role in the early commercialisation of creatine for elite sport. In the early 1990s, he worked directly with leading researchers from the Karolinska Institute to help translate groundbreaking creatine research into real-world Olympic performance programmes.

Over the past three decades, Steven has remained closely connected to the evolution of creatine research, from elite performance applications to emerging work in health, cognition, and ageing. Today, he continues to focus on education, innovation, and the future direction of creatine science.

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300: Training Through Disruption: Managing Load, Time, and Performance in Winter with Michael Fennell

Science for Sport — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Science for Sport Podcast, host Richard Graves welcomes back Michael Fennell for a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood periods of the performance calendar: winter training.
With the competitive season behind us and Christmas disruptions in full swing, Michael shares a practical, experience-led perspective on how elite athletes and practitioners should approach December and the early winter months. From managing training load and avoiding premature peaks, to maintaining performance standards through smart programming, this episode is packed with real-world insight from the track, the runway, and the training ground.
Drawing on his work across elite athletics, football, rugby, and para sport, Michael breaks down how training priorities shift between individual and team sports, why fundamentals still matter in an age of performance technology, and how micro-sessions can be used to maintain progress when time and facilities are limited.
This is an honest, grounded conversation about perspective, planning, and patience, and why doing the basics exceptionally well still underpins elite performance.

In this episode you will learn:

How elite athletes should approach December training without peaking too early
Why maintaining performance is more important than chasing PBs in winter
How to structure micro-sessions when time, facilities, or routine are disrupted
The key differences in winter training for team sports vs athletics
How and when to prioritise plyometrics, speed, strength, and conditioning
Why fundamentals like ground contact time, elasticity, and movement quality still matter
How to balance data, technology, and coaching eye in modern performance environments
The importance of coach collaboration and open-minded learning
What elite preparation looks like heading into major championships and qualification periods

About Michael Fennell
Michael Fennell is an experienced performance coach working across elite athletics, team sports, and para sport. With close to two decades of coaching experience, he has supported athletes at national and international level, including British champions and elite performers progressing toward major championships.
Michael’s coaching philosophy blends technical excellence, physical fundamentals, and athlete-centred planning, with a strong emphasis on sprint mechanics, jumping performance, plyometrics, and long-term development. He is known for his collaborative approach, regularly working alongside other coaches, strength and conditioning practitioners, and support staff to ensure athletes are prepared for the demands of elite competition.

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299: Managing Performance Nutrition Over Christmas with Dan Richardson

Science for Sport — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000

The festive period can be one of the most challenging times of the year for athletes and practitioners trying to balance performance, recovery, wellbeing and real life.
In this episode of the Science for Sport Podcast, host Richard Graves welcomes Dan Richardson back to the show to tackle one of the most relevant (and misunderstood) topics in elite sport: how to manage nutrition, fuelling and hydration over Christmas and the New Year.
Drawing on his experience working across football, rugby, rowing and professional cricket, Dan breaks down how athletes can enjoy the festive period without compromising performance. From Boxing Day fixtures and congested travel schedules to Christmas dinners, social events and late nights, this conversation blends applied sports nutrition principles with real-world practicality.
Whether you’re working in elite sport, competing at a high level, or simply want evidence-based guidance on fuelling through a disruptive period of the year, this episode delivers clear, actionable insight, without guilt, extremes or fads.

In this episode you will learn:

How to apply the 80–20 rule to festive eating without harming performance
Practical strategies for managing Christmas meals, portion sizes and food choices
Why under-fuelling can be just as risky as overindulging during the festive period
How athletes should think about macronutrients vs calories when routines break down
Smart approaches to travel nutrition and hydration during busy fixture schedules
Simple habit-based strategies to stay consistent through Christmas and into January
How elite athletes can enjoy social time while still prioritising recovery and readiness

About Dan Richardson
Dan Richardson is a performance nutritionist who works across elite and professional sport, with experience supporting athletes in football, rugby, rowing and professional cricket. Known for his practical, athlete-centred approach, Dan specialises in helping performers fuel effectively in real-world environments — including congested schedules, travel-heavy periods and high-pressure competitive blocks.
He regularly works with athletes navigating complex training and match demands, translating sports science into clear, actionable habits that support both performance and wellbeing. Dan shares evidence-based insight through his applied work and educational content, making him a trusted voice in modern performance nutrition.
You can find Dan on Instagram at @DRNnutrition.

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297: Finding the Competitive Edge: Elite Performance with FC Midtjylland’s Niklas Virtanen

Science for Sport — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000

This week, host Richard Graves sits down with one of the most energetic and thought-provoking voices in modern performance: Niklas Virtanen, Head of Sports Science at FC Midtjylland.

If you’ve ever wondered how a club without the financial muscle of Europe’s giants consistently outperforms bigger teams, beating Nottingham Forest away, winning at Celtic, and challenging at the top of the Danish Superliga, this conversation tells you exactly how they do it.

Niklas is a rare blend of passion, creativity and evidence-based practice. His presentation at a recent Catapult event had the entire room hooked, and this episode delivers the same energy. From dismantling traditional GPS limitations to redefining how football teams train for micro-actions, set pieces, and physical dominance, Niklas pulls back the curtain on the processes driving Midtjylland’s success.

This episode goes deep into the real-world application of sports science, the balance between data and intuition, and why sometimes the most powerful competitive advantage is simply learning to “solve problems without money.”

Things You Will Learn

Why FC Midtjylland’s entire model is built on “solving problems without money” and how data gives them a competitive edge.
How Niklas and his team dominate set pieces using Trackman technology and detailed ball-flight analytics.
Why GPS alone is blind to football’s most important movements, and how inertial data captures the micro-actions that matter.
How to use accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers to measure real football movement quality.
The truth about injury “prediction,” why we still don’t know athletes’ limits, and why subjective data is often your most valuable input.
How to balance analytics with player feelings, coaching intuition, and the “eyeball test.”
Why communication, not technology, is the biggest challenge when coaching staffs change.
Practical ways to design training exercises that actually transfer to match actions (including why traditional rondos may be overrated).
How to create buy-in across departments in fast-moving environments with shifting coaching teams.
Why the best decisions come from leading with data first, then layering coaching opinions on top.

About Niklas Virtanen
Niklas Virtanen is the Head of Sports Science at FC Midtjylland, one of Europe’s most forward-thinking football clubs and pioneers in data-driven performance.
From Finland’s Jyvaskyla to the top of the Danish Superliga, Niklas has carved out a journey defined by curiosity, relentless learning, and a willingness to challenge traditional methods. Starting his career as a physiotherapist, he transitioned into coaching, performance, and ultimately sports science — where he discovered his passion for practical, applied, football-specific methodology.
At Midtjylland, Niklas plays a central role in integrating data, performance analytics, inertial technology and coaching processes. His approach blends scientific rigour with real-world applicability, always anchoring decisions in the question: “Does this help the players perform?”
He collaborates closely with coaches, mental performance staff, physios, analysts, and leadership teams, shaping a holistic performance culture built around trust, objective data, and constant communication.
Niklas is known across the professional football community for his high energy, creativity, authenticity, and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of what sports science can be. You’ll often find him speaking to — and learning from — industry leaders such as Chris Barnes and Paul Balsom, who he credits with encouraging him to explore unconventional ideas, test them in the real world, and build evidence from the ground up.
He shares many of these insights on LinkedIn, where he’s become a respected voice for modern performance practitioners.

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296: The Mental Game: What Athletes Really Carry with Them

Science for Sport — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000

This week, host Richard Graves sits down with former Great Britain and England international basketball player Kofi Josephs, an athlete whose journey through elite sport has been anything but ordinary.

From growing up in Birmingham to playing in front of Michael Jordan at the Jordan Brand Classic, suffering two major hip surgeries in the US collegiate system, becoming the British Basketball League’s highest-scoring British player, and navigating the hidden psychological battles behind performance… Kofi’s story is raw, real, and deeply relevant for anyone working in elite sport.

Now the founder of WhyNotI, a preventative mental health tech platform designed specifically for elite athletes, Kofi is on a mission to reshape how professional environments understand – and support – the person behind the performer.

This episode offers an unfiltered look at the pressures, cultural challenges, expectations, and mental load that athletes carry, and the systemic changes needed to truly support sustainable high performance.

What You’ll Learn

The hidden mental toll of elite sport and why performance alone never tells the full story.
How perfectionism, pressure, and identity shape athlete wellbeing – and where support structures fall short.
Why mental health must be preventative, not reactive, if teams want consistency and longevity in performance.
Insights into the collegiate system in the US and its cultural, emotional, and psychological challenges for young athletes.
Why separating “the athlete” from “the person” is flawed, and how reframing this changes support strategies.
The crucial role of coaches, GMs, and ownership in building environments where mental health is prioritised.
How WhyNotI is using technology, psychology, and data to influence policy, culture, and player care across elite sport.

About Kofi Josephs

Kofi Josephs is a former professional basketball player who represented England at the Commonwealth Games and Great Britain at EuroBasket, competing across elite leagues worldwide including Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and Iceland.

A psychology graduate and outspoken advocate for athlete mental health, Kofi has built a platform that blends his lived experience with scientific insight. He is the founder of WhyNotI, a preventative mental health tech solution designed to provide bespoke support for elite performers while equipping organisations with the data needed to improve culture, care, and decision-making.

Kofi now works across sport, safeguarding, and policy, collaborating with leaders from national governing bodies, Olympic sports, and high-performance environments to drive systemic change.

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294: The Science Behind England’s Ashes Preparation – with Lead Nutritionist Charlie Binns

Science for Sport — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000

This week, host Richard Graves sits down with Charlie Binns, Lead Nutritionist for the England men’s cricket team, fresh from Perth as preparations ramp up for the Ashes. Charlie lifts the lid on what elite fuelling actually looks like across five-day Tests, why recovery is an arms race, and how his team builds simple, repeatable habits the players will actually use, from colour-coded carb periodisation to the humble banana bread on the snack table.
He also shares the months of behind-the-scenes logistics you never see: venue-by-venue menus for lunch, tea and post-match; shipping batch-tested supplements across the world; and how day–night “pink ball” Tests flip the entire eating schedule on its head. Expect practical insights, no fluff, and a proper appreciation for just how physically brutal modern cricket really is.

What you’ll learn from the episode

Cricket’s true physical demands: why a Test bowler can cover ~50 km across a match and repeatedly absorb ~8× bodyweight through the front leg, and what that means for fuelling and recovery.
Tour prep, six months out: coordinating stadium caterers, training-day menus, and freighted, batch-tested supplements, plus how strategies are trialled at home before heading overseas.
Match-day fuelling made usable: the role of lunch, tea and all-day snack stations; when to use liquids vs solids; and why simple, high-carb options (wraps, bagels, flapjacks, banana bread) win.
Carbohydrate periodisation in practice: using colour-coded days to align intake with bowling/fielding workloads, then ramping to a high-carb taper before the first ball.
Refuel like a pro: stacking recovery windows, shakes on the final whistle, high-carb changeroom options, team-room snacks, and evening meals, to reduce soreness and restore glycogen for day two (and three).
Day–night Test adjustments: how pink-ball timings shift pre-match, “lunch”, “tea” and sleep hygiene, and the tweaks Charlie makes to keep players alert without compromising recovery.
Communication that sticks: nudging over lecturing, tailoring to individual preferences, and equipping S&C staff to deliver on-ground during play.

About Charlie Binns
Charlie Binns (BSc, MSc, SENr, UKAD, ISAK) is the Lead Nutritionist for the England & Wales Cricket Board’s men’s team. He joined the ECB setup after roles across elite rugby and football, including First-Team / Senior Men’s Nutritionist at Tottenham Hotspur and consultancy with Birmingham City FC. He also founded CMB Performance & Nutrition, serving athletes and organisations from academy to international level.
Charlie’s academic route began with a First-Class BSc in Sport & Exercise Nutrition at Leeds Trinity University, followed by an MSc in Applied Sports Nutrition at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. He is SENr-registered, UKAD-accredited, and ISAK L1 certified.
Before moving into cricket full-time, Charlie built experience in multiple environments to broaden his practice, from Richmond Rugby during his Master’s to league and academy football, a deliberate multi-sport grounding he still credits for his applied approach in cricket.
Within England Cricket’s performance team, Charlie’s remit spans:
Tour logistics & catering coordination across venues (training, lunch, tea, post-match menus).
Carb periodisation frameworks aligned to bowling/fielding loads and match phases.
Recovery protocols (e.g., immediate shakes, tart cherry, staged refuelling) to hit repeat high-output days.
He’s been part of touring groups across the subcontinent, South Africa and Australia, and has supported senior and Lions squads in major series and tournaments. Media reporting has highlighted his role in individualising fuelling targets for players during high-demand campaigns.
Outside the ECB, Charlie has hosted CPD for nutritionists across the county game and continues to contribute to practitioner development within cricket.

285: Ellie Wilson: Inside the High-Performance World of Women’s Football

Science for Sport — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week, host Richard Graves is joined by Ellie Wilson, a professional footballer who has played for Reading, Bristol City, Sheffield United, Wolves, and most recently Melbourne Victory in Australia’s A-League Women.

Ellie opens up about her journey through elite football, from being rejected by academies as a young player, to representing England U19s, U20s and U23s, battling an ACL injury, and helping Melbourne Victory break club records this season.

This is a powerful conversation for anyone working in or around sports science, performance support, and high-performance teams who wants to understand the real challenges athletes face behind the scenes — and how the right environment can shape success.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How the infrastructure and support systems in women’s football are evolving — and where they still need to catch up.
The physical and psychological demands on female athletes during adolescence and how clubs can better support them.
How Ellie navigated a 13-month ACL rehab and what it taught her about athlete wellbeing and return-to-play planning.
Why preparing for life beyond football is vital, and how her sports science degree and S&C studies helped her do that.
What it’s like to be part of a team that breaks records but misses out on silverware, and how to process that experience.
How penalty shootouts are prepared for and the role of psychology in those high-pressure moments.
Practical advice for coaches, practitioners, and parents supporting the next generation of female players.

About Ellie Wilson

Ellie Wilson is a professional footballer currently playing for Melbourne Victory. She has previously played for Reading, Bristol City, Sheffield United, and Wolves, and has represented England at U19, U20 and U23 levels, playing alongside stars like Leah Williamson and Alessia Russo.

Ellie holds a degree in sports science and is studying towards an advanced strength and conditioning qualification, showing her commitment to both performance on the pitch and life beyond it.

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284: Club Plans & Personal Coaches: Adding An Edge?

Science for Sport — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Club Plans & Personal Coaches: Adding An Edge?

In this week’s episode, host Richard Graves sits down with Daniel Booth, a performance coach who’s worked inside elite teams (Watford FC, Ealing Trailfinders), across Olympic sprint programmes, and independently with top athletes, to unpack one of the hottest debates in high performance:
Should athletes stick strictly to club schedules, or can personal trainers/physios/dietitians add an edge without adding risk?

Drawing on experience from football, rugby, and Olympic sport, Daniel explains why tensions flare (mismatched philosophies, poor communication, asset ownership), what great collaboration looks like in the real world, and how high-performing organisations formalise outside support without losing control.

What you’ll learn

The real source of conflict between club performance/medical staff and external coaches, and how cross-sport thinking challenges “that’s how we’ve always done it.”
A practical collaboration model: who shares what, when, and how (weekly data drops, post-match/flight recovery notes, and a single “central coordinator” to integrate inputs).
Risk vs. reward in load management: why living on the “edge” drives adaptation, and how to avoid double-loading athletes after intense sessions.
Contracts done right: how some teams formally write approved externals into player agreements and set clear, shared calendars.
International duty realities: why centralised models in rugby/cricket often outperform football’s fragmented approach, and what football can copy now.
Case studies that translate: lessons from LeBron/Mancias and Mahomes/Stroop—how season-long regen blocks and role clarity reduce noise and improve availability.
Social media pitfalls: why chasing a “brand” erodes trust, and how word-of-mouth and discretion still win in elite environments.

About Daniel Booth
Daniel Booth is a performance coach with 10+ years’ experience across elite football (Watford FC), rugby (including Ealing Trailfinders), and Olympic sprint programmes, as well as work with Warner Bros. Discovery. Now operating independently, he partners with clubs and national teams to deliver athlete-centred programming and is formally written into several Premiership rugby player contracts to act as the central performance coordinator, integrating club, country, and external inputs. Daniel’s approach blends cross-sport best practice, honest communication, and low-ego, data-led decision-making focused on availability and longevity.

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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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275: What It Really Takes: A Look at Life as a Professional Footballer

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

In this episode, host Richard Graves sits down with former professional footballer Sam Winnall, who shares his honest reflections on a 15-year career across clubs including Wolves, Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, Oxford United, and Burton Albion.

Sam opens up about the realities of life as a professional athlete, the highs of Wembley wins and Golden Boots, the lows of injury setbacks and contract uncertainty, and the immense physical and mental demands that most people never see.

More than just a career retrospective, this episode offers valuable insights into the mindset, resilience, and adaptability required not only to succeed in elite sport, but to transition into life after it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The hidden pressures of professional sport—why talent alone isn’t enough.
How dealing with setbacks, rejection, and injury shaped Sam’s career and character.
What a typical day really looks like for a professional footballer, from training to nutrition to recovery.
The crucial role of mental health and mindset in athletic performance and longevity.
Why transition planning and identity beyond sport are essential for athletes facing retirement.
The surprising ways Sam now channels his competitive edge into golf, padel, and personal growth.

Whether you’re a sports scientist, coach, practitioner, or athlete, this episode is for anyone interested in the human side of elite performance and what it truly takes to stay at the top, and how to support athletes through the challenges that come with it.

About Sam Winnall
Sam Winnall is a former professional footballer whose career spanned over 15 years, including spells at clubs such as Wolverhampton Wanderers, Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, Oxford United, and Burton Albion. Known for his goal-scoring instincts and work ethic, Sam made over 300 league appearances and scored more than 100 goals, achieving promotions, cup victories, and memorable moments at some of English football’s most historic clubs. Since retiring at 32, Sam has transitioned into mentoring and supporting athletes, with a particular focus on helping them develop the mental resilience needed to thrive both during and after their sporting careers.

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272: Inside Catapult: Global Trends, Common Pitfalls & the Future of Sports Science

Science for Sport — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week, host Richard Graves is joined by Chris Polley, Vice President of Customer Success at Catapult, for a deep-dive into the world of elite sports performance monitoring. With over 55 sports scientists working across 16 countries, Chris shares what he and his team are seeing across top-tier teams in more than 40 sports worldwide.

Listeners will learn:

The global trends shaping the future of sports science, including data integration and AI
Why the best teams often do the basics exceptionally well
Common mistakes when adopting performance tech – and how to avoid them
How Catapult’s wearable and video technologies are being used to save time and unlock deeper insights
What really makes a great sports scientist in today’s high-performance environment

Chris also shares practical advice for aspiring practitioners, highlighting the importance of communication, cultural fit, and the ability to simplify complex data to drive better decision-making.

Whether you're working in pro sport or just entering the field, this episode is packed with wisdom from someone who’s helped scale one of the most widely used performance platforms in the world.

About Chris Polley
Chris Polley is Catapult’s Vice President of Customer Success, formerly Senior Director of Sport Science, based in Victoria, Australia. Over the past 11 years at Catapult, Chris has played a pivotal role in scaling the team from its start-up beginnings to a global fixture, now supporting over 4,400 teams across 128 countries. He leads a diverse squad of approximately 55 sports scientists across 16 nations, delivering post-sales support, global training, analytics best practice, and insights-driven performance strategies. With a strong academic grounding, including published research on activity profiling in elite lacrosse and rugby forwards, Chris brings both scientific rigour and real-world expertise to Catapult’s wearable and video technology suite

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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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270: Dr. James Morehen on Fueling England Rugby Through the Six Nations

Science for Sport — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100

What’s it really like behind the scenes of an England Rugby Six Nations campaign? How do you fuel elite athletes to perform at their peak, and recover just as hard?

This week, host Richard Graves is joined by the brilliant Dr. James Morehen,lead performance nutritionist for England Rugby and founder of the Performance Nutrition Network. With a career that’s taken him from snowboarding in Canada to backstage of international test matches, James brings a fascinating, no-nonsense look at the art (and science) of elite-level nutrition.

If you’re a coach, athlete, nutritionist or just curious about what fuels champions, this episode is packed with practical insights, powerful stories, and a few grassroots tips that could change your game.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to fuel for optimal performance and recovery during high-stakes tournaments like the Six Nations
The importance of preparation, trust, and consistency in elite sports nutrition
Why carbohydrates aren’t the enemy, and how they’re periodised to match training loads
How halftime nutrition strategies can make or break a second-half performance
The real-world challenges of fuelling players during international travel and changing environments
Simple, effective advice for grassroots players and coaches to improve fuelling and recovery on a budget
Why Jaffa Cakes and chocolate milk still have a place in post-match recovery
What inspired James to go from aspiring S&C coach to becoming one of the top performance nutritionists in UK sport
The importance of building trust with athletes and the subtle art of sideline communication
James’ thoughts on balancing consistency with cultural curiosity when travelling with elite teams

Whether you're working at the elite level or coaching an U16s team on Sundays, this episode offers something for everyone. As James puts it, "We’re all failed athletes trying to help others be their best."

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266: Blending Science, Rehab and Reality in Elite Football

Science for Sport — Mon, 05 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week on the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves is joined by Scott Armistead, Athletic Trainer at Seattle Sounders FC, to explore the realities of working at the highest level of football in the US.

Born and raised in New Zealand, Scott’s journey has taken him across continents — from youth football in Auckland to the intensity of Major League Soccer. In this candid conversation, Scott reflects on his early struggles in pro sport, navigating four head coaches in 12 months, and playing a key role in transforming FC Cincinnati from bottom of the table to Supporters’ Shield winners.

You’ll hear Scott’s insights into:

Building trust with players through communication, not just data

Balancing holistic care with performance metrics

Avoiding "paralysis by analysis" in a tech-heavy environment

The power of multidisciplinary collaboration

Why being a generalist can be just as important as being a specialist

Whether you're a practitioner looking for real-world advice or a sports fan curious about what really happens behind the scenes, this episode delivers practical takeaways and thoughtful reflections.

About Scott Armistead
Scott Armistead, MS, LAT, ATC, is an accomplished Athletic Trainer currently serving with Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer. Originating from New Zealand, Scott's career has spanned various roles, including positions with FC Cincinnati, FC Tucson, and the Barça Residency Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from McKendree University and a Master’s degree in Sports Performance from Arizona State University. Scott is renowned for his holistic, athlete-centered approach, seamlessly integrating sports science, rehabilitation, and performance optimisation. His commitment to evidence-based practice and multidisciplinary collaboration has made him a respected figure in elite football circles
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottarmistead/

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258: League Two to Premier League: Football's Greatest Underdog Story

Science for Sport — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000

From the dugouts of League Two to the intense pressure of the Premier League, former Luton Town Head of Performance Jared Roberts-Smith takes us behind the scenes of one of football's most remarkable journeys. In this captivating episode, Jared reveals how sports science has revolutionised the beautiful game over his 14-year career, sharing intimate insights into the physical and mental demands of Premier League football that few get to witness.

Discover the cutting-edge recovery techniques used by elite athletes, the psychological challenges of competing at the highest level, and what it really takes to survive in the world's most demanding league. Jared opens up about the emotional toll of last-minute defeats, the intense concentration required for 90+ minutes of Premier League football, and how modern players must maximise every aspect of their preparation to succeed.

Whether you're a sports professional, aspiring athlete, or passionate fan, this episode offers unprecedented access to the evolution of football performance and the fine margins that separate success from failure at the elite level. Join us for a masterclass in modern football performance from someone who helped orchestrate one of the sport's greatest underdog stories.

About Jared Roberts-Smith
About Jared Roberts-Smith: A pioneering figure in football performance, Jared Roberts-Smith brings 14 years of elite experience in professional football, most recently serving as Head of Performance at Luton Town FC during their historic rise from League Two to the Premier League. His career includes influential roles at Charlton Athletic, Stoke City, and Melbourne Victory, where he has been instrumental in revolutionising performance infrastructure and methodology. As a leader in sports science implementation, Jared has overseen the development of state-of-the-art performance centres, pioneered recovery protocols, and helped transform how clubs approach player optimisation. His unique perspective spans multiple levels of professional football, from League Two to the Premier League, making him one of the most insightful voices in modern football performance.

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256: Catapult: Rugby's Game-Changing Data Revolution

Science for Sport — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0000

From GPS Tracking to Game-Changing Analytics: The Evolution of Rugby Performance Technology
Join us for a fascinating conversation with Tom May, former international rugby player and current Head of Global Rugby at Catapult Sports. In this episode, we dive deep into how cutting-edge technology is revolutionising rugby performance analysis and player welfare.

Key discussion points include:

How advanced analytics are transforming rugby from traditional 'brute force' approaches to data-driven decision making
The crucial role of contextualising performance data for meaningful insights
Latest innovations in player safety technology, including smart mouthguards for concussion detection
Unique considerations in women's rugby performance monitoring and injury prevention
The future of sports technology in broadcasting and fan engagement

Whether you're a sports scientist, coach, or performance analyst, this episode offers valuable insights into how technology is shaping the future of rugby at all levels. May shares candid perspectives from both sides of the fence - as a former player and now a technology leader - making this a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of sports science and professional rugby.

About Tom May
A former international rugby player with an illustrious playing career spanning nearly two decades, Tom May brings unique insights from both sides of the professional rugby world. After making his debut in 1999 and playing at the highest levels of the sport, Tom has successfully transitioned into the sports technology sector. Now serving as Head of Global Rugby at Catapult Sports, he combines his extensive playing experience with a passion for advancing rugby through technology and analytics. His dual perspective as both a former player and technology leader makes him uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between traditional rugby culture and its data-driven future.

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249: The Untold Evolution of Sports Medicine

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

In this episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves sits down with Dave Hancock, a sports performance pioneer with a career spanning over three decades in professional sport. From the sidelines of Leeds United to the championship-winning New York Knicks and beyond, Dave shares incredible insights into the evolution of sports science, athlete care, and the role of data and AI in revolutionising performance.

Discover how today’s athletes are transforming their careers with personalised performance teams, the impact of cutting-edge technologies like AI on injury prevention, and the challenges practitioners face in adapting to the ever-increasing demands of elite sport.

Whether you're a sports scientist, strength and conditioning coach, or simply a fan fascinated by what happens behind the scenes, this episode offers unparalleled access to the world of elite athlete management and cutting-edge sports science. Don’t miss this conversation filled with practical insights, personal anecdotes, and a look at where the future of sports science is headed.

** About Dave Hancock**
Dave Hancock is a distinguished Performance Director, Chartered Physiotherapist, and Strength Coach with nearly 30 years of experience across professional sports in both Europe and the USA. His career includes pivotal roles such as Head Physiotherapist at Leeds United FC and Chelsea FC, where he contributed to Premier League and FA Cup successes. Notably, Dave became the first British Performance Director in the NBA, serving with the New York Knicks. He has also been part of the English National Team's medical staff during the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championships. Currently, Dave is the CEO of Apollo V2, a sports software company that aids teams and athletes in performance enhancement and injury prevention.

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102: Gigantic Goals: How Elite Level Goal Setting Can Skyrocket Your Performance

Science for Sport — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 02:00:00 +0000

In episode 102, Frank van der Putten, former Head Coach - Dutch Freestyle Snowboarding, joins us.

Specifically you will learn:

Whether goal setting really works
How to make goals work for you
How to apply goal setting to every day life

About Frank

"Frank van der Putten. Former headcoach of freestyle snowboarding for the Netherlands. I’ve hold that role for 5 years and before that I was the youth and junior coach for an additional 4 years. Currently I’m working partially as a Personal Trainer at Krachtmeesters, a small gym in Haarlem. Next to that I've got a company that provides a business to business/ venture that provides nutritional education which is called Melonlab. Last but not least I am consulting for multiple CEO’s of different types of business and sports on goal setting and leadership. "

Instagram: @frankiechardonnay

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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
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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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Learn from trusted industry experts as they translate complex study results into practical methods for you to use today

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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

FREE PERFORMANCE DIGEST COPY

DOWNLOAD NOW: https://bit.ly/sfspodcast_38

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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 via the link below.

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