The Game Changer

The Game Changer

By Kitman LabsSports
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The Game Changer episodes

  • S2 Ep1: The Evolution of Performance and Technology in Professional Ice Hockey

    This episode features legendary performance coach Michael Boyle talking to CEO and Founder of Kitman Labs, Stephen Smith.

    Key takeaways from this episode include: 

    • The state of performance in the NHL, where it’s come from and where teams need to evolve to next to support their athletes.
    • The unique challenges that coaches and performance practitioners face in the NHL, and what could be done about them.
    • The place of technology in the wider industry - Is it a fad or is it really here to stay? Has it really made us undervalue the experience of our coaches and put the decision making power in the wrong hands?

      • You can now join Kitman Labs Game Changer Group, to post any questions, comments or podcast requests: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13707767/

      34 min
    • S1 Ep12: Amplify your success with lessons from Systems Thinking

      “Vision without systems thinking ends up painting lovely pictures of the future,” reflected MIT Sloan Lecturer, Peter M Senge. “It leaves no deep understanding of the forces that must be mastered to move from here to there.”

      Never has this quote been more applicable in the world of business than in the business of sport. In the highly-emotive world of sport creating a vision is the easy bit. However, executing on this vision is where a lot of organisations both sporting and otherwise tend to fall short, oftentimes because they lack a logical, systematic approach that aligns the entire organisation.

      In this podcast CEO and Founder of Kitman Labs, Stephen Smith interview US Head of Performance Darcy Norman about the process of systems thinking and how data can support it's successful framework. From this interview you will take away:

      • An awareness of what is systems thinking and how it can support a sporting organisation

      • A sense of where to begin on your own journey using systems thinking

      • The important role that data plays in building this framework 

      • The importance of using objective data to justify new rationales and remove previous barriers created by heuristics and biases that are ever present in sport

      • An understanding of what is the end goal and what does that look like

        • For more information, please visit www.kitmanlabs.com or follow us on social @kitmanlabs

        42 min
      • S1 Ep11: How Communication Can Unlock True Performance Potential

        It is no secret that mindful communication, good relationships and a healthy mindset are powerful tools in any type of business. Yet in the high-pressured, fast-paced team environment of sport they can be hard to master and maintain.

        In this podcast Performance Scientist John Dams interviews communication expert John Hedley, who works with global business and sports leaders, teaching them to master their neurolinguistic skills and ultimately unlock their true potential.

        This podcast will challenge you to think differently about communication, conflict and how to get the most from the people you work with.

        38 min
      • S1 Ep10: A spotlight on developing elite performance in Japanese Rugby

        In this episode Kitman Labs' performance scientist John Dams talks with Hitoshi Ipponsugi, Head of Performance for Toyota Verblitz about the state of rugby in Japan.

        Key topics covered in this podcast include:

        • The unique relationship between elite sport and the corporate businesses who manage the Japanese Rugby Top Teams.
        • How to develop athletes into elite athletes when they were not fostered in an academy system. 
        • Why it's important to look outside of your own country to continue you personal development.
        • How Japanese Rugby is rising to the challenge of the upcoming 2019 World Cup.
        • And lastly how Kitman Labs has helped Toyota Verblitz to enhance on-field performance.
          • 19 min
        • S1 Ep9: Using data to enhance player recruitment strategies at the NHL combines

          In part 2 of this episode, Founder and CEO of Kitman Labs, Stephen Smith continues to talk with Mike Potenza on how data is being used at the San Jose Sharks. Key takeaways from this talk include:

          • How rule changes in the NHL have consequently changed the physiological demands for players, and therefore talent recruitment.
          • How the San Jose Sharks use Kitman Labs to view longitudinal data of key players and plan for future success.
          • How understanding key performance indicators can help you to improve recruitment strategies that will ensure a best fit for your team.
          • How to change the process of communicating with coaches and front office management to support your own performance goals.
            • 26 min
          • S1 Ep8: Home Continent Advantage - Is it fact or fiction?

            In this podcast Darcy Norman, Director of AS Roma and current Performance Advisor to the German National team joins Stephen Smith to challenge the view of a home-continent advantage.

            After their historic World Cup win in 2014 in Brazil, Darcy shares how the German team's wise investments off the field helped them to succeed on the field. Will these same tactics pay off in their 2018 pursuit? Listen now and let us know what you think!

            33 min
          • S1 Ep7: World Cup Special: The impacts of travel and sleep on performance at the World Cup

            Pierre Barrieu, Sleep Expert and Director of Performance at MLS team the LA Galaxy, speaks with Kitman Labs' Performance Scientist Andy Shelton.

            Pierre, who was also part of Team USA's previous FIFA World Cup Campaigns, shares stories on how he managed athlete wellbeing during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

            Listen now to get game changing insights and tips on how to manage your athletes during transition periods.

            15 min
          • S1 Ep6: High Performance Training Methodologies in the NHL

            For over a decade Mike Potenza has been an integral part of the National Hockey Team, the San Jose Sharks.

            In this newest episode, Mike shares his own personal journey towards the NHL and some of the key performance methodologies he has developed along the way.

            Part one of his talk with Kitman Labs’ CEO, Stephen Smith, will cover:

            • How Mike’s experience with multiple, collegiate sports has helped to influence training methodologies with professional ice hockey players

            • Avoiding the trap of maintenance and monotony in-season, and striving for training with stimulus and intensity

            • Developing new, young talent as the season begins.

              • Stay tuned for part two where Mike will share some insights from the NHL combines and how to identify a future champion.

              25 min
            • S1 Ep5: Player Monitoring and Individualisation in Major League Soccer

              Jarryd Phillips who is the Head of Sports Science for MNUFC, is passionate about player individualisation for treatment and training strategies. In this episode he shares tactics for collecting, monitoring and applying data to optimise the individual athlete in the lead up to match day.

              In this podcast Jarryd talks with Performance Scientist Andy about a typical day of training and game preparation for Minnesota United FC.

              18 min
            • S1 Ep4: Optimising Player Training and Treatment Strategies in Professional Baseball

              In this podcast Performance Scientist Andy Shelton catches up with the New York Yankees Player Development Coordinator, Mike Wickland. 

              Mike shares with Andy his experience on collecting meaningful data, and in particular how to understand this data to better suit the needs of the individual. 

              From this method, Mike has been able to apply the data, optimising the training and treatment plans of the individual athlete.

              22 min

            About The Game Changer

            From the publisher's feed

            Kitman Labs is the world's leading sports science and performance intelligence company. Our mission is to unlock the limits of human performance. In this podcast series, the Kitman Labs Team of…