Emily has spent the past decade building and refining a sports science model within a relatively small department, working primarily with men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball. Alongside her role at Marquette, she also contributes to U.S. Soccer in a high-performance capacity.

In this conversation, we explore one of the most pressing challenges in applied sports science: how do you simplify complex data streams so they become actionable for coaches and meaningful for athletes?

From acute:chronic workload ratios and GPS monitoring to return-to-play frameworks and Power BI dashboards, Emily shares how she transformed “expensive toys” into effective performance tools.

She discusses the importance of visualisation, collaboration with data engineers, humility in decision-making, and why the “eyeball test” still matters in a world driven by wearables and AI.

For practitioners working in elite sport, or those building systems within constrained environments, this episode offers practical insight into making sports science more impactful, not just more complex.

In this episode you will learn:

• How to simplify GPS and workload data for real-world application
• Why acute:chronic workload ratios are a framework — not a solution
• How to build effective data visualisations that coaches actually use
• The difference between “expensive toys” and performance tools
• How to structure phased return-to-play models with clear definitions
• Why collaboration with data engineers and academics can transform departments
• How to educate athletes in an era of AI, social media and misinformation
• Why patience and long-term development still matter
• How to adapt sports science systems in the transfer-portal era
• Why relationships remain more important than technology

About Emily Jacobson
Emily Jacobson is the Assistant Director of Sports Performance at Marquette University, where she has worked for the past 10 seasons. A former Marquette women’s soccer student-athlete, she now oversees sports science and performance systems across multiple programmes, with a particular focus on soccer and volleyball.

She has helped develop load monitoring models, return-to-play protocols and data visualisation systems that integrate GPS, velocity-based training, force plates, motion capture and body composition analysis.

In addition to her work at Marquette, Emily serves as a network employee within U.S. Soccer’s high-performance department.

Her approach combines applied performance coaching, collaborative analytics, and a strong emphasis on education and athlete relationships.

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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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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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Whether you're a coach, therapist, or performance practitioner, this episode offers a wealth of real-world insights you can apply immediately.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why rehab should be treated as coaching, not just therapy
• How communication and trust are at the heart of effective injury recovery
• The mental toll of injury, and how to keep athletes feeling connected and valued
• Why protocols are useful, but experience and adaptability matter more
• How to “train around injury” and keep performance progressing
• The role of environment, load tolerance, and coaching cues in recovery
• How elite recoveries (like NFL star Aaron Rodgers') can mislead athletes
• Why Michael teaches his students to “get miles on the soul” through experience
• How to filter hype, stay objective, and build athlete autonomy

Michael’s no-nonsense, athlete-first approach is as insightful as it is relatable, combining science, coaching, and a human touch in every decision he makes.

About Michael Carolan
Michael Carolan is a highly experienced performance coach and academic specialising in sport rehabilitation. He is the Subject Lead and Programme Lead for Sport Rehabilitation at the University of Salford, where he teaches and mentors future practitioners while supporting clinical practice through partnerships with organisations like the PFA and Salford City Council. With a background spanning elite athletics, rugby, professional football, and the British military, Michael brings a unique blend of hands-on coaching, clinical rehab, and academic insight. He continues to work directly with athletes across the world, from youth sprinters to pro footballers, helping them navigate injury and return stronger than before.

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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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​ 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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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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Specifically Jamie will be looking at:

• The importance to return to play
• How to monitor load in return to play
• How to return to play using the chaos-control continuum

About Jamie:

"I am a Strength and Conditioning Coach with 7 years experience working at the professional level in football. I am currently working at Malmö FF, where my role has progressed form interning to now focusing on the return to play process for injured players, acting as a bridge between the physios and getting the players back into training. I have an Undergraduate Degree in Strength and Conditioning from St Mary's Twickenham and a Masters Degree in Sports and Exercise Science and Medicine from the University of Glasgow."

Instagram: @jamiemackay_sc

Nominate future podcast guests here!

If you want to hear from a particular person on a particular topic, let us know! Hit the link below and we'll see what we can whip up for you.

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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
​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

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