Enhanced Pod

What does high performance really mean in school sport? Is it simply about winning on a Saturday, or should sport be a vehicle for developing well-rounded young people?

In this episode of the Enhanced Pod, I'm joined by Chris Ekron, co-founder of Playbook Education, sport education and bursary specialist, and researcher exploring the role of sporting scholarships in student-athlete development ⁠https://playbook-ed.com/⁠

We unpack the South African school-sport landscape, including the divide between well-resourced and under-resourced schools, the opportunities and challenges associated with sporting bursaries, and the responsibility we have to support young athletes beyond their performances on the field.

Chris shares insights into mentorship, the dual-athlete concept, and the importance of connecting coaches, educators and support teams to create environments where young people can thrive both in sport and in life.

We also explore the thinking behind Playbook Education and how research can help us rethink the way we approach youth development and high performance.

Because developing an athlete is one thing. Developing the person behind the athlete is another.

In this episode, we explore:

• The realities of South African school sport and unequal access to opportunity.

• Sporting bursaries: expectations, pressures and support beyond selection.

• The dual athlete and the importance of holistic development.

• Mentorship, belonging and collaboration between coaches and educators.

• Playbook Education and the future of student-athlete development.

• Redefining success beyond results and preparing young people for life beyond school sport.

  
  

A conversation about looking beyond the scoreboard and asking a bigger question: Are we using sport to develop better athletes, or to develop better people?

What does high performance really mean in school sport? Is it simply about winning on a Saturday, or should sport be a vehicle for developing well-rounded young people?

In this episode of the Enhanced Pod, I'm joined by Chris Ekron, co-founder of Playbook Education, sport education and bursary specialist, and researcher exploring the role of sporting scholarships in student-athlete development https://playbook-ed.com/

We unpack the South African school-sport landscape, including the divide between well-resourced and under-resourced schools, the opportunities and challenges associated with sporting bursaries, and the responsibility we have to support young athletes beyond their performances on the field.

Chris shares insights into mentorship, the dual-athlete concept, and the importance of connecting coaches, educators and support teams to create environments where young people can thrive both in sport and in life.

We also explore the thinking behind Playbook Education and how research can help us rethink the way we approach youth development and high performance.

Because developing an athlete is one thing. Developing the person behind the athlete is another.

In this episode, we explore:

• The realities of South African school sport and unequal access to opportunity.

• Sporting bursaries: expectations, pressures and support beyond selection.

• The dual athlete and the importance of holistic development.

• Mentorship, belonging and collaboration between coaches and educators.

• Playbook Education and the future of student-athlete development.

• Redefining success beyond results and preparing young people for life beyond school sport.

  
  

A conversation about looking beyond the scoreboard and asking a bigger question: Are we using sport to develop better athletes, or to develop better people?

In this episode, Richard Husseiny shares his journey from high-performance sport to supporting mental and emotional well-being among support staff and coaches. We explore the human side of elite sport, the importance of self-awareness, and practical steps for creating sustainable careers in high-performance environments.

Richard is the founder of the organization "Men Behind Sport"

https://www.menbehindsport.com/

"Through Men Behind Sport, I work with people navigating questions around identity, career, leadership, relationships, purpose, uncertainty and change.

I created this practice because sometimes another framework isn't what we need.

Sometimes we need to stop.

And listen."

As a podcast platform and as a host, I cannot emphasize the importance of Richards work enough - I highly suggest following his page on instagram, listening to his podcast, or engaging with him for coaching.

https://www.instagram.com/menbehindsport/

https://www.menbehindsport.com/social-links

We appreciate your support in this passion podcast for Sports Medicine, and would love if you could share the episode with a friend, rate the podcast and make sure you subscribe for future episodes!

In this special collaboration between the South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) and the Enhanced Pod, Nick Pereira sits down with Professor Habib Noorbhai to explore the rapidly evolving intersection of sport science, medicine, technology and artificial intelligence.

From athletic intelligence, data-driven decision-making and cricket batting biomechanics to markerless motion capture, precision-based sports science and spatial computing, the conversation explores how emerging technologies could shape the future of performance and rehabilitation. Habib also shares his perspective on democratizing access to technology in South Africa, the importance of interdisciplinary practice, and how clinicians can prepare themselves for a rapidly changing landscape.

A forward-looking conversation for anyone working in sports medicine, performance, rehabilitation, research or athlete development.

What happens when you stop waiting for someone else to create the conversation you want to be part of?

You start it yourself.

After 29 episodes, countless conversations and an incredible group of guests from across sports medicine, performance, research, technology and beyond, I wanted to take a step back and ask: What have I actually learned?

In this solo episode, I reflect on Season One of Enhanced Pod — why I started it, what surprised me, the people I've met, the ideas that have challenged my thinking, and the lessons that have changed the way I approach sports medicine.

We talk about:

🎙️ Why Enhanced Pod started in the first place
🧠 What I've learned from listening to people who have made significant contributions to sports medicine
🤝 How the podcast has expanded my professional network and created relationships I wouldn't otherwise have had
💡 The importance of giving people with great ideas and great work a platform and a spotlight
📚 The role of podcasts and digital content in professional education
🎓 The exciting milestone of having Enhanced Pod CPD accredited, with the help of EduPro
📊 Technology, rehabilitation, research and the ongoing challenge of translating knowledge into practice
⚡ The apathy I sometimes see within physiotherapy towards education, contribution and engaging with new ideas
🎧 What I've learned about creating, recording, editing, marketing and building something completely from scratch
🚀 How the podcast has changed the way I think — and how it has helped shape the direction I want my own career to take
🔮 And ultimately, where Enhanced Pod goes from here

One of the biggest lessons from Season One has been that there is an incredible amount of work happening in sports medicine that most of us simply don't know about.

There are researchers asking better questions. Clinicians solving difficult problems. Coaches challenging convention. Practitioners using technology in innovative ways. People developing ideas that deserve to be heard.

Sometimes all they need is a microphone and someone willing to ask, “Tell me about what you're doing.”

That's what Enhanced Pod has tried to become.

Not just another podcast.

A platform for ideas.
A place to connect people.
A way of shining a light on good work.
And, hopefully, a small contribution towards making sports medicine better.

And perhaps the biggest challenge of all:

If we're frustrated about the direction of our profession, are we actually doing anything to change it?

Enhanced Pod was created because I didn't want to wait for someone else to answer that question.

29 episodes later, I'm still asking it.

And we're only getting started.

If you've listened to an episode, shared one, recommended a guest, appeared on the podcast, supported the project or simply followed along — thank you.

Here's to the next conversations...

In this episode, I sat down with leading UK physiotherapist and international educator Paul Hobrough to unpack the science, clinical application and business of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT).Together, we explore the physiological effects of shockwave, the differences between radial and focused shockwave, effective treatment dosing, patient selection, and how to integrate shockwave alongside exercise, strength training and other rehabilitation strategies. We also dive into the business side of physiotherapy, discussing pricing, structuring shockwave services, creating value for patients, and why the profession may need to move beyond simply selling time towards delivering measurable outcomes.Whether you're a physiotherapist, sports therapist, sports physician, chiropractor, podiatrist or anyone interested in evidence-based rehabilitation, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.

This episode is brought to you by HiTech Therapy in partnership with STORZ MEDICAL. Shockwave therapy has revolutionized and advanced rehabilitation, but it often comes with plenty of practical questions from clinicians on the ground. To bridge the gap between theory and daily practice, HiTech Therapy is proud to sponsor an exclusive Q&A session featuring Paul Hobrough, representing STORZ MEDICAL. We are tackling real-life clinical questions to give you the clear, actionable insights you need to optimize patient outcomes.

Learning objectives:* The physiology behind shockwave therapy* Radial vs focused shockwave: what's the difference?* Evidence-based indications for ESWT* Effective dosing, treatment frequency and number of sessions* Patient selection and clinical reasoning* Combining shockwave with exercise and rehabilitation* Common mistakes clinicians make* Building a successful shockwave service* Pricing, patient communication and ethical sales* The future of technology in physiotherapyCONNECT WITH PAUL HOBROUGH🌐 Website: https://www.paulhobrough.com🔗 LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/paul-hobrough-78a51b28b

👥 ESWT Hub (LinkedIn Community): https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13041865/🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share it with a colleague.

What does it take to build a career that helps shape an entire profession?

In this episode of Enhanced Pod, I sit down with Dr. Helen Millson—one of the true pioneers of sports physiotherapy in South Africa. With more than three decades of experience spanning Springbok Rugby, SA Cricket, Hockey, the Stormers, Commonwealth Games, and now consulting within the English Premier League, Helen has witnessed—and helped drive—the evolution of sports medicine.

We explore the role of passion and curiosity in building an extraordinary career, why clinical reasoning still matters in an era of technology, the lessons elite sport has taught her about injury management, and why she chose to complete a PhD after decades of clinical practice.

Whether you're a student, an early-career clinician, or an experienced practitioner, this episode is packed with timeless wisdom on leadership, lifelong learning, and leaving a lasting impact on the profession.

In this episode we discuss:

• Building a career in elite sport
• The evolution of sports physiotherapy
• Passion, curiosity and lifelong learning
• Injury prevention and return-to-play
• Research versus clinical practice
• Mentorship and developing future clinicians
• Lessons from over 30 years in high-performance sport

Connect with Helen via her website and find out how to connect: https://www.helenmillson.com/#!/pageHome

Please make sure to follow the podcast for new episodes, and give us a review - your feedback is always welcome!

What separates teams fighting relegation from teams lifting trophies?

In this episode of Enhanced Pod, I sit down with Lee John Miles, Sport Scientist and Strength & Conditioning Coach at Orlando Pirates, to explore one of the most unique journeys in South African football. Having experienced the disappointment of relegation before being part of a treble-winning environment, Lee has seen both ends of the performance spectrum from the inside.

We discuss what actually changes inside a football club when results shift from survival to success, the realities of working at one of Africa's biggest football clubs, and why sustainable performance is often built on systems rather than individuals.

Lee also shares insights into his work with GPS and performance analytics, how to present data in a way that drives decision-making, and the lessons coaches, physiotherapists and sport scientists can apply in their own environments.

In this episode we discuss:

• Lee's journey into professional football
• Lessons from relegation and winning a treble
• What high-performing football environments have in common
• Working at Orlando Pirates and managing elite players
• GPS, performance analytics and data storytelling
• Collaboration between sport scientists and physiotherapists
• Return-to-play vs return-to-performance
• Skills young practitioners need to succeed in elite sport

Whether you're a coach, clinician, sport scientist or simply fascinated by high performance, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build winning systems in professional football.

Connect with Lee on instagram via the link below!

https://www.instagram.com/leejohnmiles/

GPS units, force plates, dashboards, live monitoring... team sports have never had more access to technology. But is having the latest tech really the same as being high performance?

In this episode of Enhanced Pod, Nick Pereira sits down with sports scientist Ashley de Beer to unpack the realities of implementing GPS and athlete monitoring in team sports. From his experiences at Catapult and consulting across Africa in a variety of team sporting codes, Ashley shares why the challenge isn't a lack of technology - it's knowing how to use it.

Together, they explore the illusion of high performance, the dangers of chasing metrics without context, why training data matters more than match data, and how coaches, clinicians, and sports scientists can work together to make better decisions.

Whether you're a coach, physiotherapist, sports scientist, S&C coach, or student entering the field, this conversation will challenge the way you think about data in sport.

Topics discussed:
• Why GPS doesn't solve high performance
• The biggest mistakes teams make with athlete monitoring
• Data hygiene and actionable reporting
• Match data vs training data
• Live GPS: useful tool or unnecessary distraction?
• The role of communication and culture in high-performing teams
• How physiotherapists and sports scientists can collaborate better in return-to-play
• The future of GPS, AI, and athlete monitoring

Connect with Ashley via LinkeIn "Ashley De Beer"

In this episode, I sit down with one of South Africa’s most accomplished hockey coaches, Gareth Ewing.

Gareth has coached at the very highest level of the sport — including the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Hockey World Cups, and international franchise hockey — while building a career that has taken him across the globe.

But this conversation goes far beyond medals, tournaments, and elite performance.

We unpack the realities of working in high-performance sport, the pressure and personal sacrifice that often comes with chasing success, and how Gareth navigated periods of challenge and burnout within elite coaching environments.

Most importantly, we explore how those experiences shaped a new chapter in his life and career — helping other leaders, coaches, and high performers build sustainable performance, self-awareness, and purpose through his new chapter on the back of his lived experiences.

This is a powerful conversation around leadership, identity, resilience, performance, and the human side of elite sport.

Connect with Gareth:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heroing.collective/
LinkedIn: Gareth Ewing
Website: https://heroing.global/

If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, rate the podcast, and share it with someone who would benefit from the conversation.