On episode 213 I am delighted to be joined by athletic development pioneer Vern Gambetta. He is widely regarded as the founding father of functional sports training. He is a lecturer, coach, speaker, author. He is the founder of GAIN, a leader in multi-sport coaches education.  Take a look at his full bio below 🤯 

We discuss all things coaching, elite performers, Michael Jordan, what separates the best from the rest, being ready for practice, coaching his child, what makes a great team. We also discuss how he recognises the athletes who will make it to the top of their sport, observing elite teams & athletes, finding marginal gains and more. This was a fascinating interview with one of the best in the world. Vern offers a snapshot into his experience, insights, interests and knowledge. It was such a pleasure and honour to sit down with him to record. 

(Recorded October 2025)

He has just launched his new book building the complete athlete available to order here https://www.hmmrmedia.com/ Connect with Vern here http://www.gambetta.com/ https://thegainnetwork.com/ 

• Track & Field: Co-founder of USA Track & Field coaching education program. Edited Track Technique, the technical journal of USA Track & Field. Associate editor of the IAAF technical journal, New Studies in Athletics.
• Baseball: Director of Athletic Development, New York Mets. As Director of Conditioning pioneered conditioning for baseball with model program for Chicago White Sox. Consultant to Cincinnati Reds and the University of Texas.
• Basketball: Assistant conditioning coach for Chicago Bulls. Conditioning coach for Canadian National men’s team and the Canadian women’s team.
• Soccer: Conditioning coach for Tampa Bay Mutiny. Conditioning Coach for US Men’s World Cup team. Conditioning coach for New England Revolution. Consultant to Chicago Fire. Consultant, University of Virginia Women’s Soccer. Consultant, University of North Carolina Women’s Soccer.
• Hockey: Consulted with San Jose Sharks.
• Tennis: Conditioning coach for Monica Seles. Consultant Billy Stearns Tennis Academy, Sarasota, FL.
• Softball: Consultant to Australian women’s softball, bronze medalists Olympics.
• Swimming: Consultant to the Carmel Swim Club, Harvard University Women’s Swimmimg. Consultant to University of Michigan women’s swimming, Consultant, Kenyon College Swimming. Consultant to Mission Viejo Natadores.
• American Football: Consultant to San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.

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Recorded using Samson Q2 microphone, Edited using GarageBand

Intro music, Watered Eyes by a talented Irish artist, Dillon Ward check him out ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . 

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