Episode 191: In this episode of the Inform Performance Podcast, Andy McDonald is joined by Dr Fearghal Kerin. Fearghal is a chartered physiotherapist with extensive experience in elite sports. He has worked across Irish sports, including as Rehabilitation Physiotherapist at Leinster Rugby for nine seasons, before transitioning to Chelsea Football Club in the English Premier League, where he held the same position. At Chelsea, he worked with international athletes including Premier League, Champions League and World Cup winners. In this episode Andy and Fearghal discuss the management of T-Junction hamstring Injuries. 

-

Where you can find Fearghal:

- 

Sponsors

VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training

Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport. 

- 

Where to Find Us

Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:

-

Our Team

Episode 190: In this episode of the Sports Science Insights Podcast, powered by Inform Performance and hosted by Steve Barrett, we’re joined by Dr. Jamie Salter, a researcher and applied sport scientist currently serving as a Senior Lecturer at York St John University.

Jamie’s work focuses on training load management in youth athletes, with a particular emphasis on growth, maturation, and injury risk. Drawing from both academic research and applied experience, he explores how practitioners can better support developing athletes through tailored strategies that align with biological age rather than chronological age.

Jamie’s background and journey into youth sport science

The relationship between injuries and maturation in young athletes

Managing training load across different maturity statuses

An introduction to and practical insights on Bio-Banding

This episode is essential for coaches, practitioners, and researchers working in youth development and long-term athlete performance planning.

-

Where you can find Dave:

•⁠  LinkedIn

•⁠ ResearchGate

•⁠ X

-

Sponsors

VALD: makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training.

Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.

Teambuildr: A platform for any coach in any setting. Every day, thousands of coaches log into TeamBuildr to write training programs, build questionnaires and access athlete and client performance data. Teambuildr is a complete platform. Whether you're building your own programming, looking to create custom reports or give athletes a tool for accountability, they've built it out.

- 

Where to Find Us

Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:

-

Our Team

Episode 189: In this episode of the Sports Science Insights Podcast, powered by Inform Performance and hosted by Steve Barrett, we’re joined by Dave Carolan, a highly experienced Head of Performance, strategy advisor, and entrepreneur, currently leading the first team performance program at Derby County.

With over 30 years in elite professional sport, Dave brings a wealth of knowledge on the evolution of performance departments, athlete monitoring, and the changing landscape of sport science. From his early days pioneering innovation in football to his current strategic leadership role, Dave offers both historical context and forward-thinking insight.

The evolution of performance departments in elite sport

How internal and external load monitoring has changed over three decades

What innovation looked like in the early days of sport science

Why players today are playing fewer games than 10–20 years ago

This is a must-listen for practitioners, coaches, and leaders seeking to understand the past, present, and future of performance strategy in elite sport.

-

Where you can find Dave:

•⁠  LinkedIn

•⁠ Website

•⁠ X

-

Sponsors

VALD: makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training.

Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.

Teambuildr: A platform for any coach in any setting. Every day, thousands of coaches log into TeamBuildr to write training programs, build questionnaires and access athlete and client performance data. Teambuildr is a complete platform. Whether you're building your own programming, looking to create custom reports or give athletes a tool for accountability, they've built it out.

- 

Where to Find Us

Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:

-

Our Team

Episode 188: In this episode of the Inform Performance Podcast, Andy McDonald is joined by Stephanie Grubbs, a Strength & Conditioning Coach and Sport Scientist currently working with the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball. With prior experience across top-tier programs including the University of Pittsburgh, Clemson Athletics, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Stephanie brings a diverse and practical perspective on applied sport science in elite sport.

In this conversation, Stephanie shares her journey through high-performance environments and reflects on the strategies, systems, and relationships that have shaped her approach to athlete development.

The evolution of sports science in the U.S. high-performance landscape

Building strong relationships and implementing impactful ideas

Designing effective systems and processes in sports science programs

The use of microdosing in strength training

Adapting training methods to the unique demands of baseball

The importance of intent and communication in daily training

Exploring innovative recovery strategies

Thoughts on career development and mentorship in elite sport

Whether you're a coach, practitioner, or sports science student, this episode delivers valuable insights into optimizing performance support in team sports.

-

Where you can find Stephanie:

- 

Sponsors

VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training

Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport. 

- 

Where to Find Us

Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:

-

Our Team

Episode 187: In this episode of the Athletic Shoulder Podcast, we’re joined by Annelies Maenhout, a visiting professor at Ghent University’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and a leading researcher in shoulder rehabilitation. As a core member of the university’s Upper Limb Research Team, Annelies has contributed significantly to the field through her work on EMG, motor learning, and kinetic chain mechanics.

Her research bridges cutting-edge science with clinical practice, offering insights into how shoulder rehab can be refined through eccentric loading, implicit motor learning, and neuromechanics. With a forward-thinking approach, she explores how VR, brain activity, and reaction time play a role in optimizing rehab for overhead athletes.

EMG research on kinetic chain and plyometric exercises

How her view on GIRD (glenohumeral internal rotation deficit) evolved over time

Key findings from eccentric training research

Transitioning from internal to external attentional focus in rehab

Applying implicit motor learning in shoulder rehabilitation

The current gap in research on reaction time in overhead athletes

Exploring the potential of VR and neuroscience in shoulder rehab

Future directions in shoulder research: muscle synergies and brain activity

Whether you're a clinician, coach, or researcher, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of evidence-based shoulder rehabilitation.

-

Where you can find Annelies:

- 

Sponsors

VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training

Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.

- 

Where to Find Us

Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:

-

Our Team

Episode 186: In this episode of the Sports Performance Leadership Podcast, hosted by Pete McKnight, we speak with Perry Stewart, Head of Academy Performance at Arsenal Football Club, and a highly respected leader in elite sport. With over a decade of experience across high-performance environments, Perry brings a unique blend of practical coaching expertise, strategic leadership, and a deep focus on developing high-trust, high-performing teams.

Perry holds an MSc in Strength & Conditioning, is pursuing a PhD at Loughborough University focusing on performance support teams, and is accredited by both the UKSCA and BASES. He was also named UKSCA Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year for Youth Sport, recognizing his outstanding work in athlete development.

Unconventional path to leadership – From community fitness roles to elite sport

Transitioning from practitioner to strategic leader at Arsenal

The importance of people over process in high-performance environments

How to build high-trust teams through empowerment and collaboration

Learning leadership through experience and reflection, not just formal training

Influences from organisational psychology and practical leadership frameworks

The enduring impact of classic leadership models like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

This episode provides powerful insights for anyone interested in building culture, leading teams, and elevating athlete development within elite sport.

-

Where you can find Perry:

•⁠  LinkedIn

•⁠ Instagram

•⁠ X

-

Sponsors

Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.

Remaker: The Portable Strength Tracking Ecosystem. Remaker provides real-time insights to optimise your performance, making even the smallest improvements in your strength training visible in an engaging and powerful format. Remakers integrate seamlessly with the exercise equipment you already use, and the app provides meaningful metrics for every rep, of every set, of every exercise.

VALD: makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training.

- 

Where to Find Us

Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:

-

Our Team

Episode 185: In this episode of the Inform Performance Podcast, hosted by Andy McDonald, we’re joined by Travis Gaudet and Taylor Evernden — two leaders in integrated rehab and performance systems.

Travis is a highly credentialed physiotherapist with a Master’s from Dalhousie University, a Fellowship with the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapists (FCAMPT), and advanced certifications in IMS, acupuncture, diagnostic imaging, and manual therapy techniques. His work focuses on evidence-based rehab, injury reduction, and leveraging sport science analytics to help athletes truly return to performance.

Taylor is a Strength and Conditioning Coach and founder of ORKA Performance, with over a decade of elite-level coaching experience across the Premier League, NHL, MLS, CFL, and more. Holding a Master’s in Strength and Conditioning from Edith Cowan University, Taylor brings a high-performance, sport-specific lens to athlete development and is also a coach educator with Canada Soccer.

Tune in for a deep dive into next-generation rehab and performance strategies that bridge science, therapy, and coaching to build resilient, elite athletes.

-

Where you can find Travis and Taylor:

- 

Sponsors

VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training

Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.

- 

Where to Find Us

Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:

-

Our Team

Episode 184: In this episode of the Athletic Shoulder Podcast, powered by Inform Performance and hosted by Ben Ashworth, we’re joined by Hon. Professor Ian Horsley, a renowned Chartered Physiotherapist and Athlete Health Lead at the UK Sports Institute. With over 25 years of experience in elite sport, Ian has worked with England Rugby, Rugby League, professional football clubs, and was part of Team GB’s HQ physiotherapy team at four Olympic and two Commonwealth Games.

Ian is internationally recognized for his expertise in shoulder dysfunction, upper limb rehabilitation, and dysfunctional breathing. He also serves as Clinical Director at Back in Action Rehabilitation and holds an honorary professorship at the University of Salford, where he contributes to the MSc in Sports Rehabilitation program.

The importance of respiratory health in movement and rehab

Assessing thoracic shape and breathing patterns to support shoulder function

How cranial nerves and eye movements influence pain and range of motion

Using the brain’s activation to enhance rehabilitation exercises

Case studies from elite sport showcasing holistic assessment techniques

The 'not the shoulder' approach to shoulder treatment

The role of proprioception in athlete performance and recovery

Innovative methods like sensory input and non-threatening assessments

Gaps in current functional and overhead testing for athletes

The value of collaborative research in advancing shoulder rehab

Tune in for a masterclass in shoulder performance and rehabilitation, combining neuroscience, biomechanics, and decades of elite sport experience.

-

Where you can find Ian:

- 

Sponsors

VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training

Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.

- 

Where to Find Us

Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:

-

Our Team

Episode 183: In this episode of the Sports Science Insights Podcast, powered by Inform Performance and hosted by Steve Barrett, we’re joined by Mitch Cholewinski, Coordinator of Football Sports Science at the University of Nebraska. Now in his second season with the Cornhuskers, Mitch plays a key role in collaborating with strength & conditioning, athletic medicine, and coaching staff to monitor workload and enhance athlete performance.

Before Nebraska, Mitch served as Associate Director of Applied Sports Science at the University of Texas, where he helped shape data-driven performance systems for the Longhorns' football program.

What sports science looks like in college football

The importance of recovery strategies in a demanding football environment

Blood flow restriction training (BFR) – how it’s used and why it matters

Tune in for a unique behind-the-scenes look at how sports science is integrated into elite college football programs to maximize athlete performance and recovery.

-

Where you can find Mitch:

•⁠  LinkedIn

•⁠ Google Scholar

•⁠ X

-

Sponsors

VALD: makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training.

Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.

Teambuildr: A platform for any coach in any setting. Every day, thousands of coaches log into TeamBuildr to write training programs, build questionnaires and access athlete and client performance data. Teambuildr is a complete platform. Whether you're building your own programming, looking to create custom reports or give athletes a tool for accountability, they've built it out.

- 

Where to Find Us

Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:

-

Our Team

Episode 182: In this episode of the Sport Performance Leadership Podcast host Pete McKnight speaks to Luke Passman, a seasoned performance leader with experience across rugby, tennis, baseball, and football at the elite level. Luke is currently the Head of Performance Sciences – Academy at Chelsea FC, where he oversees S&C, sport science, and nutrition.

Luke’s career spans top roles including Strength & Conditioning Coordinator for the New York Mets, where he oversaw player development systems in the U.S. and the Dominican Republic, and Head of Sport Science Support at SotoTennis Academy, leading multidisciplinary teams. He’s also a private performance consultant on the WTA Tour, working with players at Grand Slam and WTA 250/500 events.

Career journey – From coaching in Spain to leadership at the Mets and Chelsea FC

Transition to leadership – Moving from S&C delivery to managing multidisciplinary teams

Leadership at the Mets – Navigating decentralised systems and empowering staff

Strategic performance impact – Leading initiatives like performance scouting for the MLB Draft

Learning to lead – Mentorship, reflection, and executive leadership training at Oxford

Navigating change – Managing staff and culture through leadership turnover

Core leadership principles – Authenticity, clarity, autonomy, and honest feedback

Cultural adaptability – Leading across Spain, the U.S., and the UK

Future of performance leadership – Data-driven systems, generational shifts, and staff development

Advice for aspiring leaders – Be self-aware, seek support, work hard, and own your growth

-

Where you can find Luke:

•⁠  LinkedIn

•⁠ Instagram

•⁠ X

-

Sponsors

Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.

Remaker: The Portable Strength Tracking Ecosystem. Remaker provides real-time insights to optimise your performance, making even the smallest improvements in your strength training visible in an engaging and powerful format. Remakers integrate seamlessly with the exercise equipment you already use, and the app provides meaningful metrics for every rep, of every set, of every exercise.

VALD: makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training.

- 

Where to Find Us

Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:

-

Our Team