The Athletic Evolution Podcast

By Rob AndersonSports

The Athletic Evolution Podcast episodes

June 08, 2020Jared Deacon (Scottish Rugby): From last place to the Olympic Games
Jared Deacon is a former international 400m athlete. He has worked for UK Athletics, English Institute of Sport and is currently Lead Academy S&C Coach for Scottish Rugby in Edinburgh. Alongside S&C coaching, Jared has also coached international sprinters and hurdlers as a track coach including European, World and Olympic medallists.

In this episode Jared discusses:
Growing up as the youngest of 8 kids in South Shields.
Being coached by his brother.
Being a late developer in Athletics.
Qualifying for and competing at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Watching Jonathan Edwards, Michael Johnson and Cathy Freeman competing.
His transition from athlete to coach.
His "Shotgun to Rifle" approach.
Common mistakes and non-negotiables in coaching speed to young athletes.
The importance of teaching movement skill to developing athletes.
Why it's so important to keep the bigger picture in mind coaching youth athletes.

You can keep up to date with Jared via Twitter: @jaredmdeacon .

Keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our Website, Twitter and Instagram.. You can leave us feedback or submit a question for future episodes here.
54 min
June 05, 2020Dr Craig Harrison (Athlete Development Project): Get some variability!
Dr Craig Harrison loves to show young people how to tap into their inner drive, take control of their learning & pursue their dreams with purpose & passion. An expert in youth athlete development, Craig specialises in the physical and mental sides of sport. He is a coach, a researcher, host of the popular podcast The Athlete Development Show, the husband of former Silver Fern and FIVB international beach volleyball player Anna Harrison & father of 3. With a unique ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple way that inspires action, Craig supports youth athletes and their parents to unlock personal performance & fulfil sporting potential.

In this episode Craig discusses:
The importance of starting with a foundation of relationships.
The transferability of what we do into the context that drives the athlete.
What his motivation was to move from "High Performance" to the developmental level.
His new initiatives: The Athlete Development Project and the Athlete Environment.
Operating on the edge of Chaos. The importance of creating adaptability and variability in our athlete.
Creating a bigger movement library to help build the ability to solve new problems. Who's asking the athlete what they want?

You can follow Craig work via his Instagram: @drcraigharrison , Twitter: @drcraigharrison and Facebook: Dr Craig Harrison . I would also strongly recommend checking out The Athlete Development Show podcast.

Keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our Website, Twitter and Instagram.. You can leave us feedback or submit a question for future episodes here.
1 hr 15 min
June 01, 2020Dave Cripps (Coalition Performance): Building something for yourself
Dave is director of the Coalition Performance training facility in the West Midlands. He has worked for over a decade as an S&C coach, including championship-winning seasons in professional rugby union at the premiership level, and across a dozen sports with youth, amateur, elite level and world champion athletes, as well as the general public.

In this podcast Dave discusses:
His start at Moseley RFC with nothing but balls, cones and space.
His 6 seasons at spent Leicester Tigers working with Senior and Junior athletes.
The inspiration for moving from pro sport to private practice.
Balancing autonomy and structure when coaching kids.
Why it's easy to train kids without a solid rationale.
The business skills he had to seek out opportunities to develop.
Why running your own business isn't for everyone.

You can follow Coalition Performance on Instagram via: @coalitionperformance or visit the website: www.coalitionperformance.co.uk , you can also follow Dave on Instagram via: @dave_coperformance or Twitter via @CrippsDave .

Keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our Website, Twitter and Instagram.. You can leave us feedback or submit a question for future episodes here.
59 min
May 29, 2020Katie Richards (British Gymnastics): Working with humans.
Katie is a Coach Education Development Manager at British Gymnastics, as well as a BASES Accredited Sport Scientist and former Senior Sport Psychology & Coaching Science Lecturer at St Mary’s University for many years. Katie has been a leading figure within the UK gymnastics scene for several years, offering sport psychology support to a number of clubs and coaches.

In this episodes Katie discusses:
Her journey from failed ballerina to World level Gymnast.
Her concept of "The Dash".
Having a combination of a Humanistic and Cognitive behaviourist approach.
The unrealistic expectations of going "clean" at competition.
Challenging belief systems and cultures.
The importance of Self-awareness, Acceptance, Realistic Evaluation and Focus.
How all coaching is just working with humans with varying degrees of perception, ability and emotional intelligence.
Prehab vs Rehab in Psychology.

You can find out more about Katie via her Instagram account: @katie_richards_csci and via her website www.katierichardspcs.co.uk .

Keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our Website, Twitter and Instagram.. You can leave us feedback or submit a question for future episodes here.
1 hr
May 25, 2020Jake Aliker (Formula 1 Performance Coach): Asking better questions
Jake has recently completed a five year stint working with Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing in Formula 1. Jake’s role had been to provide performance management through physical conditioning, mentoring and ensuring optimal energy for lifestyle and race performance. Working closely with race engineers, team managers, physiologists and doctors, Jake helped to positively coordinate and implement strategies that allowed Max to perform in the car and thrive as a professional. The success of this team enabled Max to challenge competitors in faster cars relentlessly, evident throughout the 2019 season, he was rewarded with the recognition as "Driver of the Year". More recently, Jake has been devoted to growing his performance coaching company, Force and Grace Ltd.

In this podcast, Jake discusses:
His time with Max Verstappen.
The balance of striving for high standards vs being present and enjoying the moment.
His growing interest in development coaching and psychology.
The importance of "Creating an environment where athletes come to feel different and express themselves".
Why "The element in any system with the most flexibility will exercise the most influence."
Asking "How" is more important than "Why".
Cultivating the mental ability to switch off/on at will.
Letting the performer lead the way.

You can find out more about Jake via his Instagram account: @jake_forceandgrace and via his website www.forceandgrace.com .

Keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our Website, Twitter and Instagram.. You can leave us feedback or submit a question for future episodes here.
1 hr 46 min
May 22, 2020Dr Rhodri Lloyd (Cardiff Metropolitan University): Bringing Science and Practice together.
Rhodri is a Reader in Paediatric Strength and Conditioning and Chair of the Youth Physical Development Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University. He also holds a research associate position with Auckland University of Technology and is a research fellow for Waikato Institute of Technology. His research interests surround the impact of growth and maturation on long-term athletic development and the neuromuscular mechanisms underpinning training adaptations in youth. He is a senior associate editor for the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and as associate editor for the Strength and Conditioning Journal.

In 2016, he received the Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year award for Research and Education from the UKSCA and in 2017 was awarded the Terry J. Housh Outstanding Young Investigator of the Year award from the NSCA. He is the current Chair of the NSCA Long-term Athletic Development Special Interest Group, and between 2011-2015 served as a Board Director for the UKSCA.

In this episode, Rhodri discusses:
How his original aim of being a medical doctor specialising in paediatrics has evolved into his research in paediatric exercise science.
The inspiration to write "Strength & Conditioning for Young Athletes".
The additions to the updated second version of the book.
The limitations of the widely used LTAD model and the 10,000 hour rule.
Dispelling the myth of resistance training stunting growth.
His role in the Youth Physical Development Centre and it's aims and objectives.
Balancing Energy, Fun and Inspirations with Control in coaching young athletes.
The value of being able to "judge the room" in coaching.

You can find out more about Rhodri's work via his Twitter account @DrRSLloyd, as well as the YPD account: @YPC_CardiffMet . You can also find his books "Strength and Conditioning for Young Athletes" here, as well as "The Essentials of Youth Fitness" here.

Keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our Website, Twitter and Instagram.. You can leave us feedback or submit a question for future episodes here.
47 min
May 18, 2020Dr Richard Blagrove (Loughborough University): Training distance runners
Richard is the Course Leader for the MSc in Strength and Conditioning at Loughborough University, previously working at St Mary’s University for 8 years as Programme Director for the BSc Strength and Conditioning Science, and was Lead S&C Coach for Sport and Health Services. Richard is an Accredited S&C Coach and previous Director of the UKSCA. He has provided coaching to numerous athletes including several Olympic/Paralympic athletes. In 2015 he wrote "Strength and Conditioning for Endurance Running".

Richards extensive work with endurance runners provided the inspiration for his doctoral research investigating the use of strength training in post-pubertal adolescent middle- and long-distance runners.

In this podcast he discusses:
His unusual transition from running to rowing and GB Talent Development Squad.
His early self-education in Strength & Conditioning.
Why you should use an adaptation-led approach to training the KPI's in your chosen sport.
The importance of time efficiency and micro-dosing training when needed.
Getting comfortable asking other practitioners for help.
The inspiration for writing "Strength and Conditioning for Endurance Running".
The common misconceptions around strength training for running.
His research into strength training for young runners.
The surprising benefits of micro-dosing plyometrics in a warm up for runners.

You can find out more about Richard and his work via Twitter: @rich_blagrove . You can pick up a copy of his book here: "Strength and Conditioning for Endurance Running".

Keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our Website, Twitter and Instagram. You can leave us feedback or submit a question for future episodes here.
41 min
May 15, 2020Marina Carrier (Australian Olympic Team): Olympian in waiting...
Marina Carrier is as 24 Year Pentathlete, who qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with the Australian Olympic Team. She has been involved in Pentathlon since the age of 12. At the senior level, her highest world ranking was #39, whilst her she finished her U18 Youth career at #7 in the World. She has had several international podium finishes, including beating the World #2. She has also previously been the Australian National Champion in 2017 & 2018.

In this podcast Marina discusses:
How she was introduced to Modern Pentathlon.
The 5 disciplines involved in the sport.
What her 7 day training schedule looks like.
Managing relationships with 5 different coaches.
Injury issues and Learning to listen to your body as an athlete.
Going from crutches to Olympic Qualification in just 4 weeks.
Her personal reaction to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics being postponed due to the Corona Virus.
How "something always goes wrong" in modern pentathlon and how this has trained her to adapt to unforeseen events.
Why longevity, dropout and fostering a love of sport should be the major concerns for coaches of young athletes.

You can watch the Youtube video Marina mentions here and read more about her on the Australian Olympic Team Website .

Keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our Website, Twitter and Instagram. You can leave us feedback or submit a question for future episodes here.
29 min
May 11, 2020 Neil Parsley (The Underground Training Station): Mixing coaching business with pleasure.
Neil Parsley is a co-founder and director of the unique and highly successful UTS gym in Wirral. He is one the most sought after and experienced S&C coaches in the UK consulting for the English National FA as well as the English Rugby Football Union. He has coached Olympic Champions (Beijing & London Olympics), multiple World and European medalists and National champions across several sports including Taekwondo, Athletics, Rugby, Swimming, Cycling, Wrestling and Disability swimming. He regularly presents on his work at national and international conferences.
In this podcast Neil discusses:
His unique and non-conventional road to a professional playing career in Rugby league for Warrington.
How advice from his dad shaped his choice of career.
His experiences coaching athletes at the the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.
Being part of the England Rugby Coaching team for the 2015 World Cup.
His motivation to establish the Underground Training Station. The array of tiers and classes the UTS provides for kids.
The importance of trust and empathy in the coach-athlete relationship.
You can follow Neil's work with the Underground Training Station at www.theuts.co.uk and on Instagram at @utsgym . You can also follow his new family project Family Fitness TV on Instagram: @familyfitnesstv and their Youtube Channel: FamilyfitnessTV .
Keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our Website, Twitter and Instagram. You can leave us feedback or submit a question for future episodes here.
1 hr 4 min
May 08, 2020Harry Weatherstone (Youth Athletic Development Academy): Nail the basics and earn the right.
Harry Weatherstone is the owner of the Youth Athletic Development Academy, on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. In this podcast,

Harry discusses:
His background as a tennis athlete and coach.
How he transitioned into athletic development.
The value of working independently in your own coaching business.
The importance of keeping it simple in both communication and programming.
Earning the right to progress in the program.
A day in the life of Harry, including his mid day trip to the beach!
How school children are often doing a crazy amount of sport training. The importance of teaching kids basic recovery methods like sleep, nutrition and hydration.

You can follow Harry's work via the YAD website: www.yadacademy.com and via Instagram at @yadacademy as well as his personal account @coach_harryw .

Keep up to date with Athletic Evolution via our Website, Twitter and Instagram.. You can leave us feedback or submit a question for future episodes here.
31 min

About The Athletic Evolution Podcast

From the publisher's feed

A podcast for Parents, Sports Coaches, PE Teachers, Support staff and anyone else interested in Youth Athletic Development! Our mission is to support grassroots coaches in the development of youth athletes.

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The Athletic Evolution Podcast

The Athletic Evolution Podcast episodes

About The Athletic Evolution Podcast

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