Science for Sport Podcast
Behind the Scenes of Elite Performance – Unlocking the Science, Stories, and Strategies That Make the Best Even Better
Displaying 5 items of Science for Sport Podcast with the tag "leadership in sport".
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323: The Unseen Work of S&C and Sports Science
June 8th, 2026 | 29 mins 16 secs
athletic performance, catalan dragons, coaching, decision making, elite rugby, elite sport, gps data, high performance, high performance puzzle, leadership in sport, leicester tigers, matt parr, performance data, performance environment, performance leadership, performance teams, player management, return to play, richard graves, rugby league, rugby performance, rugby union, s&c, science for sport, sports medicine, sports performance, sports science, sports science podcast, strength and conditioning, training load
Richard Graves welcomes Matt Parr back to the Science for Sport podcast to explore the invisible work behind elite performance. Matt discusses why data, GPS reports, and training plans only tell part of the story, and why relationships, trust, standards, alignment, and decision-making are often what determine whether performance systems truly work. Drawing on his experience across Leicester Tigers, Catalan Dragons, and High Performance Puzzle, Matt offers practical insight for sports science, S&C, medical, and coaching staff working in elite sport.
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312: The Role of Environment in Player Performance
March 23rd, 2026 | 36 mins 30 secs
athlete mindset, coaching, coaching psychology, elite sport, football coaching, football development, football performance, high performance sport, leadership in sport, performance analysis, player development, player psychology, professional football, sports performance, sports science, talent pathways, team culture
A powerful conversation with Carl Asaba on the realities of professional football — from non-traditional pathways and career setbacks to team culture, psychology, and the importance of man management in elite sport.
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305: Building Resilient Athletes in High-Pressure Environments
February 2nd, 2026 | 38 mins 6 secs
applied sports science, athlete wellbeing, coaching philosophy, elite coaching, elite sport, football performance, high performance sport, leadership in sport, man management, performance culture, premier league history, professional football, resilience in athletes, sports psychology, team culture
Former England international Warren Barton reflects on elite football across contrasting eras, from Wimbledon’s culture-driven “Crazy Gang” to Newcastle United’s Entertainers, offering first-hand insight into resilience, leadership, and team identity. The conversation explores how psychology, man-management, and trust still underpin high performance, even in a modern game shaped by data, technology, and scrutiny.
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293: Johnny Nelson on the Gym that Created World Champions
November 10th, 2025 | 32 mins 20 secs
athlete development, athlete mindset, athlete resilience, boxing podcast, brendan ingle, coaching philosophy, elite athlete stories, elite mindset, elite performance, high performance sport, human performance, johnny nelson, leadership in sport, mental fitness, mental toughness, mindset, motivation, overcoming failure, performance coaching, performance culture, physical conditioning, resilience, self belief, sheffield boxing, sport psychology, sports performance, sports science, training science, wincobank gym, world champion, world champion mindset
Former world champion Johnny Nelson joins Richard Graves to share how he went from a struggling amateur to the longest-reigning cruiserweight champion in history. He reveals the mindset, coaching, and resilience that turned failure into fuel, with lessons every sports science professional can apply to elite performance.
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268: From Wembley to Wake-Up Calls: Stevie Ward on Concussion, Courage & Life Beyond the Game
May 19th, 2025 | 45 mins 30 secs
athlete mental health, athlete transition, athlete wellbeing, concussion in sport, elite performance, emotional intelligence, fear in sport, grand final rugby, high performance mindset, leadership in sport, leeds rhinos, psychological safety, rugby concussion, rugby league, rugby retirement, sport and identity, sport injury recovery, sports psychology, sports science, stevie ward
In this episode, former Leeds Rhinos captain Stevie Ward shares the highs and lows of his rugby career, from debuting at 18 to retiring at 27 due to concussion. He opens up about fear, injury, identity, and how emotional intelligence and psychological safety are critical in elite sport.