Science for Sport Podcast

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.

289: What Sport Teaches Us About Leadership, Culture & the Human Mind

October 13th, 2025  |  29 mins 23 secs

accountability, athlete transition, athlete wellbeing, brisbane broncos, career transition, catalan dragons, courage, david mead, elite performance, leadership, life after sport, mental health in sport, nrl, performance coaching, professional sport, resilience, respect, rugby league, sports psychology, sports science, team culture

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Former NRL and Super League star David Mead joins host Richard Graves to share his journey from elite sport to business, exploring how athletes can successfully navigate life after competition. He reveals how the principles of courage, respect, and accountability learned on the field can drive leadership and performance beyond sport.

276: Coaching Through Rehab with Michael Carolan

July 14th, 2025  |  35 mins 27 secs

acl rehab, athlete rehab, coaching injured athletes, coaching psychology, communication in sport, elite athlete rehab, functional training, injury prevention, injury recovery, load management, mental health in athletes, performance coaching, professional sport rehab, rehab coaching, rehab protocols, return to play, sport performance, sports rehabilitation, sports science, strength and conditioning

In this episode, performance coach and rehab expert Michael Carolan shares his athlete-first approach to coaching through injury, blending science, communication, and real-world experience. From pro footballers to military personnel, Michael explains how tailored rehab, psychological support, and smart coaching can turn setbacks into comebacks.

274: The Truth About Blood Flow Restriction with Dr. Warren Bradley

June 30th, 2025  |  25 mins 38 secs

athlete recovery, athletic recovery, bfr training, blood flow restriction, elite athlete training, endurance training, exercise physiology, fitness innovation, hytro, injury rehab, muscle growth, nasa training, performance coaching, professional sports, space training, sports performance, sports science, strength and conditioning, strength training, wearable fitness technology

Dr. Warren Bradley is the Founder and Chief Science Officer of Hytro, a pioneer in blood flow restriction (BFR) wearables. With a PhD in Exercise Physiology and over a decade working in elite sport, he’s helped make BFR training accessible to athletes at all levels, from Premier League stars to grassroots performers.

271: Strength First: Why It Underpins Everything

June 9th, 2025  |  28 mins 21 secs

athletic development, coaching, elite sport, gps data, high performance, injury prevention, performance coaching, periodisation, physical preparation, player monitoring, player wellbeing, power training, preseason planning, return to play, robustness, rugby league, rugby performance, rugby union, sports science, strength and conditioning

Leicester Tigers’ Head of Performance, Matt Parr, shares insights from coaching across both rugby union and league. From building strength and robustness to managing return-to-play and player wellbeing, this episode dives deep into the science behind elite performance.

266: Blending Science, Rehab and Reality in Elite Football

May 5th, 2025  |  30 mins 33 secs

athlete wellbeing, athletic training, catapult sports, elite sport, football analytics, football performance, injury prevention, load management, mls, multidisciplinary teams, performance coaching, performance optimisation, player monitoring, rehabilitation, return to play, seattle sounders, sports medicine, sports science, sports technology, strength and conditioning

Athletic Trainer Scott Armistead joins the Science for Sport podcast to share his journey from New Zealand to the MLS, offering candid insights into injury rehab, player trust, and performance optimisation. With real-world examples from FC Cincinnati and Seattle Sounders, this episode explores the power of multidisciplinary teamwork and cutting through data overload.

252: How to Maximise Athlete Performance & Recovery

January 27th, 2025  |  29 mins 21 secs

athlete recovery, athlete wellness, coaching insights, elite athlete training, elite performance, fitness optimisation, football training, high-performance sport, injury prevention, leinster rugby, performance apparel, performance coaching, peter tierney, professional sports training, recovery strategies, recovery techniques, rugby performance, sports analytics, sports coaching, sports data, sports innovation, sports nutrition, sports performance, sports science, sports science podcast, sports technology, strength and conditioning, stuart lancaster, training intensity, wearable technology

From winning the Heineken Cup with Leinster Rugby to shaping the future of athlete recovery and performance data, Dr Peter Tierney shares key insights from his diverse career. Discover the biggest mistakes in replicating success, the science behind tailored recovery strategies, and how wearable tech is transforming sport.

38: Leap Of Faith: Elite Sport To Private Sector

December 21st, 2020  |  30 mins 45 secs

business, coaching, elite sport, performance coaching, private sector, sport, sport science, strength and conditioning, strength training

Come with us as we delve into the mysterious and exciting world of sports science…

This entertaining podcast explores:

• The science behind the world’s best athletes.
• Current issues and events in the world of sport.
• How to master the art and science of coaching.

Every Monday, Matt Solomon chats with various experts to uncover the science and secrets behind what makes the best athletes in the world so damn good at what they do. They’ll also dive into global issues and events effecting the world of sport, such as COVID-19 and gene doping.

Though anyone is welcome to join us on this journey, this podcast is primarily for:

• S&C coaches/sports scientists
• Physiotherapists
• Nutritionists/Dieticians
• Physical education teachers
• Sports enthusiasts
• Knowledge-seeking athletes

If you’re any of the above, we challenge you to listen to an episode and not fall in love with this laugh-out-loud, brain-swelling podcast.