Five years into his AFL career, Hawthorn's Conor Nash was a stalled half-forward. He was pulled aside for the one conversation every pro athlete dreads: "Look, this isn't going to work."

In this episode, Conor reveals the single positional change that "revitalised my career" and turned him from a fringe player into a dominant, "unorthodox" tagging midfielder. He also discusses the "insider" paradox of pro-sport: why his 'team-first' mentality "hurt me at times" and why the high-performance culture at Hawthorn empowers its players to "just be Irish".

In this episode, discover:

• The positional change that revitalised Conor's career.
• How to handle the one conversation every pro athlete dreads.
• The paradox of why a "team-first" mentality can sometimes hurt you.
• The choice between a Leinster Rugby contract and a Hawthorn rookie deal.
• How Hawthorn's culture empowers Irish athletes.

GUEST: CONOR NASH

► Follow Conor on Instagram: @cnash_11

TAKE THE NEXT STEP:

Ready to find your edge? Book your free, no-obligation athlete's assessment and let’s build your advantage together.

CONNECT WITH PETER WRIGHT:

► Website: https://peteyperformance.com/

► Instagram: @peteyperformance

► Podcast Instagram: @theathletesadvantagepod

Podcast produced in partnership with Dreamers Media.

She’s now the equal-fastest player in AFLW history to 50 career goals, but when Aine McDonagh (AFLW Hawthorn) first arrived, she was a 6-foot, 53kg athlete who openly "feared the contest".

Aine reveals the private fear that "kept her out of games" and the brutal, "insider" off-season playbook she used to gain 17kg and transform from a target into a leader who can finally "win the contest".

She also discusses the "massive clash" she experienced when her "super-competitive" Irish mindset met a professional environment with diverse personalities.

In this episode, discover:

• The brutal off-season playbook used to gain 17kg and build a body that "wins the contest."
• How Aine overcame a private fear of contact that was keeping her out of games.
• The "massive clash" between a "super-competitive" Irish mindset and a diverse pro environment.
• The evolution from a dual-sport star in Galway to a key leader at Hawthorn.

GUEST: AINE MCDONAGH

Originally a dual-sport star from Galway, Ireland, Aine was an inaugural member of the Hawks' AFLW team and is now a key member of their leadership group.

► Follow Aine on Instagram: @ainemcdonagh

TAKE THE NEXT STEP:

If you want to take your performance to the next level, there’s a pathway for you. Book your free athlete’s assessment and let’s build your advantage together.

CONNECT WITH PETER WRIGHT:

► Website: https://peteyperformance.com/

► Instagram: @peteyperformance

► Podcast Instagram: @theathletesadvantagepod

Podcast produced in partnership with Dreamers Media.

Stuck in a frustrating cycle of nagging groin pain and recurring hamstring injuries? You're likely falling victim to outdated advice and common rehab errors. In this episode, Peter breaks down the REAL reasons athletes keep getting hurt and provides clear, actionable solutions.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The "terrible" return-to-play criteria causing recurrence after recurrence.
• Osteitis Pubis & Groin Pain: Why common treatments fail & the steps that ACTUALLY work.
• The #1 BIGGEST MISTAKE athletes make after a hamstring tear (It's NOT skipping exercises!).
• Stop Stretching! The counter-intuitive approach NEEDED for high hamstring tendinopathy.
• Achilles & Calf Pain: How to identify the root cause beyond just "load management."
• PLUS: Peter answers your questions on ACL timelines, finding mentors & complex cases.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP:

Stop guessing and start fixing the root cause. Book your free, no-obligation athlete’s assessment today.

CONNECT WITH PETER WRIGHT:

► Website: https://peteyperformance.com/

► Instagram: @peteyperformance

► Podcast Instagram: @theathletesadvantagepod

Podcast produced in partnership with Dreamers Media.

What if being a rookie with no bad habits is actually a secret weapon? In this episode, North Melbourne star Bláithín Bogue reveals how coming into the AFLW as a "blank canvas" allowed her to learn the game faster and build a pro-level technique from the ground up—a lesson that challenges everything you think you know about gaining an edge.

In this episode, discover:

• Why a top coach sees a new player not as inexperienced, but as a perfect "blank canvas."
• The critical mindset shift required to go from practicing in private to proactively seeking feedback to accelerate your growth.
• How North Melbourne uses "fatigued state" drills to prepare forwards for high-pressure moments.
• The Gaelic football instincts you might need to "unlearn" to succeed in the AFLW system.

GUEST: BLÁITHÍN BOGUE

Bláithín is a resilient and determined athlete from Fermanagh who has transitioned from a successful Gaelic football career to become a key forward for the North Melbourne AFLW team.

► Follow Bláithín on Instagram: @blaithinbogue

TAKE THE NEXT STEP:

If you want to take your performance to the next level, there’s a pathway for you. Book your free athlete’s assessment and let’s build your advantage together.

CONNECT WITH PETER WRIGHT:

► Website: https://peteyperformance.com/

► Instagram: @peteyperformance

Podcast produced in partnership with Dreamers Media.

What does it really take to go from a star athlete at home to a rookie in a professional league abroad? Carlton Blues star and former Irish Player of the Year, Dayna Finn, reveals the unfiltered mindset required to survive and thrive.

In this episode, discover:

• How to handle the psychological shock of going from a "big fish" at home to a "small fish" in a pro environment.

• The specific skills from GAA & basketball that become a secret weapon in the AFLW.

• A practical framework for managing the unavoidable fear of being homesick while chasing your dream.

• The one mindset shift required to handle professional-level coaching and constant critical feedback.

GUEST: DAYNA FINN

Dayna is a multi-code elite athlete for the Carlton Blues (AFLW). In Ireland, she represented County Mayo in Gaelic football, the Irish National Team in basketball, and was named the Women's Standout Irish Player of the Year.

► Follow Dayna on Instagram: @dayna_finn

► Follow Dayna on Twitter (X): @daynafinn2

TAKE THE NEXT STEP:

If you want to take your performance to the next level, there’s a pathway for you. Book your free athlete’s assessment and let’s build your advantage together.

CONNECT WITH PETER WRIGHT:

► Website: https://peteyperformance.com/

► Instagram: @peteyperformance

Podcast produced in partnership with Dreamers Media.

Peter Wright gets brutally honest about his grueling ACL reconstruction that didn't go to plan. This is the unfiltered story of turning a major professional setback and burnout into the fuel for a new mission.

In this episode, discover:

• The counterintuitive reason a successful personal brand can limit your impact.

• The psychological toll of missing a public goal and the framework to reframe it.

• The critical turning point where a "minor niggle" threatened an entire rehab process.

• The dangerous line between dedication and burnout (and the warning signs to look for).

• The surprising personality trait that can make you a "bad client" and sabotage your own progress.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP:

Ready to find your edge? Whether you're in rehab or want to elevate your performance, there's a pathway for you. Book your free, no-obligation athlete's assessment today.

CONNECT WITH PETER WRIGHT:

Follow Peter on Instagram @peteyperformance and the podcast @theathletesadvantagepod. For more resources, visit the official website: https://peteyperformance.com/

Podcast produced in partnership with Dreamers Media.

Get your sports injury & performance questions answered! 💪 This Q&A episode is packed with info for athletes & coaches on ACL rehab, injury prevention, and more.

We dive into:

• ACL Rehab: Effective recovery strategies & pain/swelling management
• Quad Strength: How to build back quad strength post-ACL surgery
• Groin Injuries: Why they happen & how to prevent/rehab them
• Hamstring Health: Understanding injuries & best rehab practices
• Speed Training: Drills to improve your acceleration
• Coaching Tips: Pricing your services for maximum value
• Athlete Development: The key to mastering essential skills

Timestamps to find what you need:

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:12 ACL pain and swelling during rehab
• 12:20 Pushing to the point of pain
• 20:06 Managing swelling
• 32:32 Building back quads after ACL
• 37:07 Testing quad strength
• 54:11 Restoring range of motion
• 11:48 Groin injuries: Contributing factors
• 17:20 Skill development for athletes
• 30:12 Pricing your coaching services
• 36:20 Managing swelling to progress rehabWant more performance insights?

👍 Like, share, & subscribe!

- Subscribe to The Petey Performance Podcast (https://www.youtube.com/@PeteyPerformance)

🎙️ Connect:

- Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/peteyperformance/)

- Twitter: (https://twitter.com/peteyperform9)

- Website: (https://peteyperformance.com/)

- LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/petey-performance)

Peter Wright is a strength and conditioning coach and performance consultant dedicated to helping athletes unlock their full potential. Through the Petey Performance Podcast, he shares valuable insights on athletic training, performance enhancement, and sports science, making complex topics accessible and actionable for athletes at all levels.

🎬 Produced by: 

Dreamers Media Pty Ltd (https://www.dreamersmedia.co/)

#sportsperformance #injuryprevention #rehab #strengthandconditioning #speedtraining #coaching #gaa

After major ACL surgery, I'm sprinting back towards elite performance levels by blending expert coaching, relentless rehab, and a few surprising mindset shifts along the way. Fourteen weeks post-op, I just hit 6.48 meters per second on the field, something I wasn’t even sure would be possible when I first started.

This update isn’t some polished blueprint or "one-size-fits-all" plan. It’s the real story: the stubborn mentality, the tough setbacks, the moments that nearly broke me and the coaching support that kept me pushing forward.

If you're somewhere in the middle of your own rehab, feeling stuck or wondering if you’ll ever feel like yourself again, maybe this helps. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s the journey I’m still on.

Unlike generic rehab advice, this episode gives you an inside look at what it really takes to come back faster, stronger, and smarter than the timeline says you should.

⏱️ Key Moments:

00:56 - Challenges in the Sports Podcasting Space

03:17 - Decision to Focus on Petey Performance Podcast

03:51 - ACL Rehab Journey

05:21 - Post-Surgery Experience and Initial Recovery

06:32 - Rehab Mentality and Key Principles

11:23 - Recovery Protocol

31:24 - Exercise Selection and Progression

34:58 - Challenges and Adjustments in Training

36:15 - Recovery and Adaptation Strategies

39:16 - Dealing with Setbacks and Adjusting the Plan

41:50 - Improving Speed and Dealing with Rehab Challenges

43:06 - The Importance of a Coach and Deloading

43:51 - Reflections on the Rehab Process

📢 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE:

- Subscribe to The Petey Performance Podcast (https://www.youtube.com/@PeteyPerformance)

- Leave a comment below with your thoughts and experiences

- Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it

🎙️ CONNECT WITH PETEY PERFORMANCE:

- Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/peteyperformance/)

- Twitter: (https://twitter.com/peteyperform9)

- Website: (https://peteyperformance.com/)

- LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/petey-performance)

📝  ABOUT OUR HOST:

Peter Wright is a strength and conditioning coach and performance consultant dedicated to helping athletes unlock their full potential. Through the Petey Performance Podcast, he shares valuable insights on athletic training, performance enhancement, and sports science, making complex topics accessible and actionable for athletes at all levels.

🎬 PRODUCED BY: 

Dreamers Media Pty Ltd (https://www.dreamersagency.co/)

Struggling to make your team’s goals stick? 

Taking you through real coaching questions & sharing honest answers about building teams, developing athletes, and navigating the coaching journey. From practical goal-setting frameworks to breaking into elite sport - this episode dives deep into what coaches really want to know.

🔑 KEY MOMENTS:

- Complete framework for team goal setting & values

- Young coach's journey into elite inter-county 

- Why athletes should never consider retirement

- Top resources that actually improve coaching

- Building high performance environments

💪 PERFECT FOR:

- New coaches breaking into elite sport

- Experienced coaches refining their approach

- Anyone interested in team culture & development

- Athletes looking to understand coaching perspective

- Club & County level practitioners

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction & YouTube Growth

04:09 - Team Goal Setting Framework

15:28 - Dealing with Loss in Sport

17:25 - The Truth About Athletic Retirement 

19:14 - Young Coach Breaking Into Elite Sport

23:58 - Top Resources for Coaches

Special thanks to all the coaches who submitted questions! More Q&As coming soon...

📢 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE:

- Subscribe to The Petey Performance Podcast (https://www.youtube.com/@PeteyPerformance)

- Leave a comment below with your thoughts and experiences

- Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it

🎙️ CONNECT WITH PETEY PERFORMANCE:

- Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/peteyperformance/)

- Twitter: (https://twitter.com/peteyperform9)

- Website: (https://peteyperformance.com/)

- LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/petey-performance)

📝  ABOUT OUR HOST:

Peter Wright is a strength and conditioning coach and performance consultant dedicated to helping athletes unlock their full potential. Through the Petey Performance Podcast, he shares valuable insights on athletic training, performance enhancement, and sports science, making complex topics accessible and actionable for athletes at all levels.

🎬 PRODUCED BY: 

Dreamers Media Pty Ltd (https://www.dreamersagency.co/)

#CoachDevelopment #GAA #StrengthAndConditioning #EliteSport #TeamCulture

The moment I heard the pop, I knew what happened... but this time was different. Taking you through my complete ACL recovery journey and the mental shift that changed everything.