In this weeks episode of the podcast, we chat to Tipperary and Roscrea hurler Alan Tynan.

We'll chat about everything from tackling the highs and lows of the Inter-County Gaelic season to finding breakthroughs and swapping rugby boots for GAA cleats.

We'll dive into what makes our guest tick, their personal ambitions on the field, and the incredible triumphs and challenges faced in the club scene.

And don't miss our quick fire round where we get real about proudest achievements, favourite athletes, and the wisdom Alan would share with their 18-year-old self.

Tune in now to hear more about Alan’s journey

Time-Stamps

02:20 - Reflections on the season ‘23

07:18 - Tipp v Waterford

12:31 - Alan’s impact on the game

18:50 - Mindset around facing Limerick

27:58 - Difference between club and inter-county player

33:41 - Mindset

39:07 - Inter-county season

43:20 - Split season

46:21 - Comparisons between Rugby and gaelic games

49:20 - Playing with Munster

56:40 - Confidence 

01:00:24 - Why Alan has done so well athletically

01:07:19 - Quickfire questions

In this episode of the podcast, we dive into an insightful conversation with founder of Atlas Performance, Stephen Walsh.

We exploring various aspects of his coaching journey, diving into all things S&C, gamespeed and performance.

Stephen talks us through how he approaches coaching up and coming athletes, as well as how he gets the best out of athletes from any sporting background. Tune in now to hear more about Stephens journey!

Time-Stamps

In today’s solo episode of the podcast, I share my thoughts on working with those who want to work with you.

Throughout the show, I delve into a myriad of insightful strategies aimed at enhancing your skillset as a professional. 

From honing those skills to seeking wisdom from mentors and colleagues to carving out daily moments for expanding your expertise and abilities.

While establishing healthy boundaries remains crucial to prevent exhaustion, embracing that extra step can wield remarkable results in garnering client engagement.

Small gestures can yield substantial dividends, setting you apart from the crowd and garnering the admiration of your clients, ultimately cultivating a sterling reputation within your field.

Our ultimate aspiration centres on elevating the calibre of strength and conditioning within the GAA realm. A collective effort necessitates personal improvement, a stepping stone to fostering a positive industry-wide transformation.

Tune in now for an insightful exploration into how you can amplify your professional skill, accompanied by the remarkable rewards that follow suit!

In today’s solo episode of the podcast, I share my thoughts on taking pride in doing good work. 

Throughout the episode, I touch on several key strategies to elevate your performance as a practitioner. From upskilling to seeking advice from mentors and fellow professionals, to dedicating time every day to broaden your knowledge and skills. 

While setting boundaries is important in order to avoid burnout, going the extra mile can make a huge difference to your client buy-in. A little goes a long way and putting in extra effort sets you apart from those who don’t, earning the appreciation from your clients and helping you to establish a good reputation in the field.  

With the end goal being to improve the overall quality of S&C in GAA, we each need to improve our own quality of work to have a positive impact on the industry. 

Tune in now to learn more about how you can elevate your performance as a practitioner, and the benefits of doing so!  

Time-stamps:

00:45 - The benefits of doing good work

02:40 - Mentors

04:55 - Putting in the work

09:25 - Establishing a good reputation 

19:25 - Referring out to other practitioners

21:10 - Improving the standard of S&C in GAA

In this episode of the podcast, we dive into an insightful conversation with David Hawkshaw, exploring various aspects of his journey. 

From his experiences in GAA and his transition from Leinster rugby to Connacht, we get an inside look at his remarkable career so far.

David shares insights into his leadership role as captain of the Irish 20s and his influence at Belvedere College. 

We delve into the significance of mindset, discovering how David maintains his focus on the pitch to perform at his best.

Additionally, we explore the impact of family in shaping David's character from a young age.

Tune in now to hear more about David’s journey! 

Time-stamps:

01:25 - David’s off-season

08:45 - His involvement with the GAA

16:30 - The importance of mindset

25:30 - Coming back from an injury 

30:45 - Team dynamics  

39:25 - His role models 

45:10 - Starting a new season with Connacht 

55:45 - David’s role as a leader 

58:45 - His family’s impact on him

Today’s episode of the podcast is a conversation with Performance Nutritionist, Amy McGuire. Amy primarily works with the Tipperary senior football team alongside working in a managerial position in TUS. 

This in-depth conversation went down many routes and covered a variety of topics including communicating with athletes, staying in your lane, knowing when to refer out, and being vulnerable as a practitioner. 

We spoke about GAA athletes’ energy availability, eating disorders, and Amy provided some valuable information with regards to pre-game and post-training nutrition. 

Whether you’re a coach, an athlete, or a practitioner within the industry, there’s something for you to take from this informative conversation! 

Time-stamps:

01:25 - Amy’s current endeavours 

07:10 - Energy availability Vs Overtraining 

12:00 - Staying in your lane 

24:20 - Extreme dieting

33:20 - The psychology of fuelling 

46:40 - Creating buy in from athletes 

56:00 - Dealing with different athletes 

58:45 - Up-skilling as an athlete 

1:01:55 - Pre-game and post-training nutrition 

On episode #113 of the podcast we had an engaging conversation with Tadhg Leader, the founder of Leader Kicking.

Tadhg brings a wealth of experience as a former professional rugby player, Canadian football player, and American football player. He has now embarked on a mission to facilitate the transition of GAA players, rugby players, and Irish athletes into American football.

During our discussion, Tadhg shared valuable insights on identifying athletes who have the potential to secure college scholarships in the United States. He emphasised the significance of this opportunity, which allows athletes to further their athletic careers while obtaining a college degree.

A major focus of our conversation revolved around coaching, specifically highlighting the art of kicking. Tadhg delved into the characteristics that make a skilled kicker and explored various aspects of coaching techniques in this domain.

Tune in now to hear this incredibly interesting and informative conversation!

Time-stamps:

02:00 - Tadhg's current work and endeavours

08:10 - Exploring the intricacies of kicking

20:25 - The recruitment process for Leader Kicking

29:20 - The purpose behind Leader Kicking

34:15 - Coaching kicking techniques

42:10 - The importance of confidence and positive self-talk

54:20 - Future goals and aspirations for Leader Kicking

Today’s Solo Podcast addresses the thought-provoking question: “Can we take credit for our athletes’ success?”

This topic arose following a recent discussion I had with another coach, as we deliberated over who deserves recognition for the accomplishments of athletes. 

Improving an athlete’s performance involves a number of factors and the involvement of various individuals, making it challenging to ascertain who truly deserves credit. 

Nonetheless, as S&C coaches, we play a significant role in improving the standards of athletic performance. While evaluating our impact may be difficult, it remains crucial to acknowledge and appreciate our contributions. 

Tune in now to gain insight into my perspective on this matter, and I eagerly await hearing your opinion on the subject!

Time-stamps:

01:55 - Who deserves the credit? 

06:35 - Importance in taking credit where it’s due 

12:00 - Role as an S&C coach

20:40 - Improving as an S&C coach 

25:55 - Improving the standard of the GAA 

29:30 - S&C Mentorship for GAA

In today's episode of the podcast, we sit down for an engaging conversation with performance coach Stephen Rice. Stephen’s expertise is in coaching professional golfers, while also working with different athletes across various sports.

Drawing from his own experience as a former competitor in javelin throwing and long drive, Stephen brings a unique perspective to the discussion. The conversation explores a wide range of topics, delving into the technical aspects of golf, the significance of speed in the game, and the challenges of athlete burnout.

Despite some minor audio recording issues, this episode delivers a truly valuable and high-quality conversation that appeals to a diverse audience. Whether you're a golf enthusiast or simply interested in performance coaching, there's something here for everyone to take away.

Tune in now and gain insights from Stephen Rice’s wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of sports coaching.

Time stamps:

04:25 - The individualisation of golf

12:55 - His golf training philosophy 

25:00 - Priming for golf 

30:45 - How he got into S&C coaching for golf 

41:40 - Experiencing burnout 

47:20 - Stephen’s training 

49:50 - Speed Vs Strategy 

01:04:40 - Hip or knee dominance

01:10:00 - His current goals 

Today’s solo podcast addresses the ongoing conversation in the media and amongst GAA fans on Hurling Vs Gaelic Football. 

The hurling side claims that Gaelic football is in the dark ages, that it’s boring, too tactical and not attracting audiences. 

From the football side, it’s argued that hurling is only played in a number of counties and that there are too many scores in hurling as it’s too skilful. 

In this episode, I offer my personal insights on the matter and unveil the reasons why I consider both Gaelic Football and Hurling highly captivating as a spectator. 

Get ready to witness the true beauty and excitement of these games by learning how to observe them more closely and pay attention to the nuances that make them truly exceptional!

03:30 - Are there too many scores in hurling?

11:50 - Is Gaelic football in the dark ages? 

17:40 - Positive pundits 

22:30 - Enjoying the sport