Synapse Performance Podcast

In this episode, David is joined by Alex Kolliari-Turner. 

Alex holds an undergraduate degree in biological science from the University of Oxford, and is currently undertaking PhD. research at the University of Brighton. Alex's research focuses on implications of RNA-sequence in the detection of anabolic steroid use and the harnessing of the molecular mechanisms of muscle memory.

David & Alex have a balanced discussion about anabolic steroid use, its pros & cons and the future of doping testing in sport. 

Full show notes: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode74

In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Paul Rimmer. 

Throughout the course of his academic studies, Paul has covered many areas related to sport science, including nutritional biochemistry, physiology, psychology, elements of physiotherapy and nutrition and exercise programming. His area of academic expertise is in biomechanics – in particular functional and clinical measures of strength and performance, which is what his PhD. was involved in. Paul has also developed and delivered courses and seminars covering many aspects of health and fitness. He has developed a deep understanding of nutrition and human metabolism, which is the research area he is now considered to be most knowledgeable in. 

Paul has also developed and delivered courses and seminars covering many aspects of health and fitness. He has developed a deep understanding of nutrition and human metabolism, which is the research area he is now considered to be most knowledgeable in. In his current professional

In his current professional capacity, Paul provides science-based health and fitness content and education for various businesses and individuals within the fitness industry. He is passionate about the need to educate people on evidence-based nutritional practices, working as a consultant to many trainers and coaches around the world to help them develop their knowledge and provide better service to their clients.

Paul & David discuss:

- How to perform an effective needs analysis

- The differences in coaching individuals versus coaching teams

- Nutritional monitoring strategies 

Full show notes available at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode73

In this episode, David is joined by Jacob Schepis. 

Jacob Schepis is the owner & director of JPS Health & Fitness, where he has helped thousands of individuals improve their strength, body composition and well being through evidence-based resistance training and nutrition.  

Taking a scientific based approach to training and diet has enabled Jacob to excel in a variety of sports, including playing VFL, bodybuilding, where he has won multiple state and international titles, along with competing in the International Powerlifting Federation, where he has competed at a national level and achieved a top 8 Ranking in Australia.   Having worked in the industry for over 8 years, Jacob’s wealth of knowledge coupled with his experience in the trenches has led him to become one of Melbourne’s most sought out trainers. His role has extended fate beyond working with his beloved clients, to now mentoring aspiring personal trainers, holding workshops and seminars, and writing for the nations personal training governing body, Physical Activity Australia.

For full show notes see: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode72

In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Cody Haun.

Dr. Cody Haun graduated Cum Laude in sport and exercise science from the University of East Tennessee, where he also went on to receive a masters degree in human physiology and performance.

Dr. Haun then progressed to a PhD program in Auburn University and has recently defended his thesis: 

Skeletal Muscle Growth Responses to Voluminous Resistance Training in Young Men with or without Graded Dosage of Protein Supplementation.

In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Austin Baraki. 

Dr. Baraki is a medical doctor of internal medicine at UT health centre in San Antoni, Texas. 

Austin is also a powerlifting coach and educator at Barbell Medicine along with Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum. 

In this episode, David & Austin discuss:

• Resistance Training for Chronic Disease
• Considerations for Specialist Populations
• The Biopsychosocial model and how it applies to pain and training fatigue. 

Full show notes can be found at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode70

In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Israel Halperin. 

Israel has just completed post-doctoral research at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Israel completed his PhD at Edith-Cowan University, Australia in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). His research focusing on the effect of coaching feedback on performance of resistance trainees and combat sport athletes. 

Israel worked with the four Olympic Combat sports in the AIS Combat Centre. 

Israel is also a former international competitor in Muay Thai, and now coaches elite level kickboxers. 

In this episode, we discuss metascience in the sports and exercise sciences. Essentially we discuss some limitations and considerations which we need to be aware of when both conducting and interpreting research. 

In this episode, David is joined once again by Andy Morgan, owner of the hugely successful rippedbody.com. 

Andy is a full-time online coach, based from Tokyo, Japan. 

Andy & David discuss coaching philosophies, imposter syndrome, the importance of a strong network, and the value of continued self-development. 

For full show notes see: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode68

In this episode, David is joined by Patrick Umphrey. 

Patrick is a full-time online coach and the man behind the monster Facebook community that is "Eat, Train, Progress."

Patrick has built a very successful business and works with a variety of people ranging from fat loss to novice/intermediate powerlifters. 

In this episode, David & Patrick Discuss the importance of empathy in coaching, how to gauge progress and set realistic goals and how Patrick has built a community of 16,000 people where no-one is a "dick."

Full show notes at www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode67

In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Catherine Norton. 

Catherine is a performance nutritionist and registered dietitian and currently works full-time at the University of Limerick, Human Research Institute. She teaches on the BSc & MSc courses there, as well as researching in both, food for health, and performance nutrition. 

Catherine is a graduate of DIT / TCD (Human Nutrition & Dietetics) and UL (PhD Nutrition), and an accredited Sport & Exercise Nutritionist (SENr High Performance).

Catherine spent three seasons as full-time lead performance nutritionist to Munster Rugby and has also consulted with a wide range of sports disciplines at national, international and Olympic levels. She previously held the Lead Performance Nutritionist role with the swimmers at the High-Performance Centre in UL and with Rowing Ireland. Dr. Norton has also provided nutrition support to both junior and senior athletes with Athletics Ireland, Triathlon Ireland, Inter-County GAA and AIL rugby clubs.

Dr Norton's research interests investigate optimising nutrition for athletic training and competition, with a particular emphasis on peri-training nutrition (PTN). She is also involved in research considering appropriate protein intakes (quantity, quality and timing) for the prevention of age related losses in both muscle (sarcopaenia) and bone (osteopaenia).

Full show-notes: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode66

In this episode, David is joined by Jim Elli. 

Jim is a coach with Reactive Training Systems which works with powerlifters from a variety of abilities, including world champions. 

Jim also teaches the practical nutrition course for RTS and manages social media for the company. 

In this episode David & Jim discuss:

- The role of carbohydrates for the powerlifter

- Rates of fat loss for powerlifters

- Acute weight cutting for competition

- Supplementation for powerlifters

- Pragmatism in coaching

Show notes can be found at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode65

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