What It Really Takes: Muay Thai Prep, Pain & Performance

In this episode, S&C coach Anthony Sams sits down with two of his elite Muay Thai athletes—Deren Chen, the current NSW Welterweight WBC Champion, and Ibrahim Abou Saleh, former national champion and multi-title holder who’s represented Australia at the Olympics—for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at life in and out of the ring.

From fight prep and cutting weight to building explosive strength and managing recovery, the boys talk through what really gives them an edge in competition. You’ll hear why conditioning might be the most underrated weapon, how their training changes throughout a fight camp, and the real difference between “just lifting weights” and sport-specific performance.

Plus, there’s plenty of banter, fight-day rituals (yes, showering and haircuts included), and candid thoughts on the gaps most fighters still have in their physical prep.

Whether you’re a fighter, coach, or just curious about what goes into elite-level Muay Thai, this episode is a must-listen.

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👉 Want to take your fight training to the next level? Check out our S&C programs at athletesauthority.com.au/athlete-development

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In this laid-back but info-packed chat, Lachie and Kalen dive into all things ACL rehab. From surgical graft options to the shift from traditional ACL physio, focused on just getting out of pain, to a full performance-based approach that takes athletes all the way back onto the field.

You'll also get insights into the psychology behind pain, what the deal is with non-operative ACL options, and exactly when and how athletes can start pre-running exercises and eccentric loading for the best recovery possible.

Plus, Kalen shares insights into the framework he uses to structure rehab, keep athletes motivated, and build the strength and confidence they need to get back in action.

If you're a physio, performance coach, or anyone involved with athletes, this episode is a must-listen.

Want to elevate your ACL rehab approach further? Check out Athletes Authority’s ACL Mentorship Program—get the exact framework you need to master ACL rehab from early-stage management to elite performance.
👉 athletesauthority.education/acl-mentorship

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In this episode, Lachlan sits down with our expert physio team—Kalen, Head of Rehab, John and Joe, Senior Physiotherapists—to dive into the crucial role recovery plays in athlete performance.

They answer the questions submitted around key recovery strategies, injury prevention, 'prehab', and the power of collaboration between coaches and physiotherapists to enhance outcomes.

Whether you're an athlete, coach or physio, this episode is packed with insights to help you optimise your training and rehab processes.

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In this episode, Lachlan chats with Adam Wylie, Athletes Authority’s resident sports scientist, who has earned cult hero status within the team.

Adam takes us through his journey from intern to full-time role and offers valuable insights into the evolving role of sports scientists.

He discusses the blend of art and science in the profession, key skills for aspiring sports scientists, and practical advice for S&Cs navigating data and technology.

Plus, Adam shares exciting details about his upcoming mentorship program aimed at helping coaches level up their skills.

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In this week's episode of Athletes Authority ON AIR, @performancecoach_wilmot, @coach_waktkins, and @strengthcoach_berg take a dive deep into the world of speed training in team sports. The coaches break down the critical question: Do team sport athletes actually get any faster over their sporting careers? They explore speed-momentum and its pivotal role in team sport performance. Packed with expert insights and real-world perspectives, this episode is a must-listen for coaches, athletes, and performance professionals looking to understand the complexities of speed development in team sport environments.

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In this weeks episode of Athletes Authority ON AIR, @coach_watkins and @performancecoach_wilmot sit down to talk all things pre-season. With coach Watkins kicking off his new role with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, we hear the specifics of what he has been planning and setting up for this upcoming pre-season to be across a large range of teams and athletes within their elite pathways program. Coach Wilmot adds in context to how that looks across a range of sports in the professional setting. A great listen for anyone involved in a pre-season in semi-pro or professional sport.

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In this episode, Lachy pulls back the curtain on ASCA, the Governing Body of Strength & Conditioning Coaches in Australia, from his vantage point as a Representative on the Board. The boys discuss the latest conference, the challenges of governance, how it's addressing the 'unpaid volunteer crisis', ASCAs strategic priorities, and how it intends to move the interests of the industry forward. If you're a part of the S&C industry, then this is one you won't want to miss. 

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The boys from Athletes Authority are back and going straight for the jugular by addressing the elephant's in the room — why they took a break, what they've been focusing on as a company, and what’s next for the brand. Get back up to speed with what the boys are doing and where the company is going (plus some valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way).

Instagram: @athletesauthority

See more of what we do: https://athletesauthority.com.au 

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Today’s episode of Athletes Authority ON AIR is episode 180 with co-owner Lachlan Wilmot and host Jordi Taylor.

This episode we discuss the current injury trends in the NRL, how to approach specific injury sites, trends vs accidents, how the modern day athlete approaches training games plus a whole lot more.

 We’d love to hear you thoughts!

Enjoy, and let us know what you think! 

Instagram: @athletesauthority

See more of what we do: https://athletesauthority.com.au 

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Today’s episode of Athletes Authority ON AIR is episode 179 with host Jordi Taylor.

Today’s guest is Aaron Sculli, founder of iPerform Lab and Athletic Performance Coach Newcastle Knights.

In this episode, Aaron shares his new business venture in iPerform Lab, where the inspiration came from and what services he delivers, the testing profiling he uses with the athletes, reflects on his “textbook” career progression as a coach, the benefits of learning in different environments, some of the biggest changes in NRL over the past 10 years, the advancement of Sports Science as a whole, the spike of unusual injuries in the NRL this season plus a whole lot more.

This episode has plenty of incredible insights for coaches and athletes.

Enjoy, and let us know what you think! 

Instagram: @athletesauthority

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