Episode 208: In this episode, Andy McDonald is joined by Jake Gillies, Lead Sports Scientist at Bristol Bears Rugby, working at the sharp end of performance data integration within English Premiership rugby.

Jake’s role centres on quantifying the physical demands of match play and translating performance technology outputs into actionable training decisions. Prior to joining the Bears, he worked as a Sports Scientist at Harlequins Rugby, alongside experience as a Strength & Conditioning coach in the British Basketball League (BBL) — giving him a broad, cross-sport perspective on how data should (and shouldn’t) be used.

Across the conversation, Jake breaks down what it really means to turn data into action. He explores how practitioners can move beyond numbers for numbers’ sake, contextualise information within rehab and performance environments, and ensure that data serves decision-making rather than complicating it. The discussion highlights the importance of athlete intent, flexible testing frameworks, and clear visualisation when bridging the gap between rehabilitation and match performance.

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• Turning data into action

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Where you can find Jake:

LinkedIn

Instagram

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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. 

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Where to Find Us

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Our Team