In episode 375 of The Physical Performance Show, Coach Lino Holler and Exercise Physiologist Alex Butchies—founders of The Breath Room—join hosts Hugh Darnell and Brad Beer to unpack the science, the soul, and the surprising simplicity behind breathwork.

Known for blending physiological precision with deep nervous-system awareness, Lino and Alex explain how breath training can radically influence performance, recovery, emotional regulation, and everyday resilience. They share the models they've built for athletes, clinicians and everyday performers—equipping listeners to understand when to activate, when to regulate, when to release, and how to stay composed under pressure.

This episode explores breathwork as a foundational human movement—right alongside gait—and highlights how poor breathing mechanics echo into every body system. From apnea training to flow-state access, from nervous-system overload to psychological clarity, Hugh, Lino, and Alex guide listeners through practical tools and principles that can reshape life, training, and mental wellbeing.

On instagram checkout: Lino @coachhola AB @butschies TBR @thebreatheroomglobal Consulting @ab_physiology To get the TBR Master Your Breath: Personal Development course head to https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/online-courses/master-your-breath/ To get the Level 1 TBR Certified Breathwork Coaching course head to https://cleanhealth.edu.au/product/online-courses/the-breathe-room-level-1/ To get 20% of either course use promo code 'AB20' at checkout Listen in as we delve into the following:

• Lino & Alex's backgrounds and the origin story of The Breath Room

• Why breathwork is both universal and wildly misunderstood

• The "science and soul" model: activate, regulate, release

• How breath patterns influence physiology, psychology, posture, and performance

• Understanding flow state and how breath helps athletes access it

• What inefficient breathing looks and sounds like—and why it matters

• Nasal breathing, LSD breathing, and the dangers of skipping the basics

• Apnea training, CO₂ tolerance & performance crossover

• Assessing breathing in athletes: practical tests and markers

• Nervous system burnout, emotional load & modern stress physiology

• Training resilience: why athletes must learn to perform under pressure

• How to help clients (and yourself) find the "middle zone"

• Why 5 minutes of daily breathwork is the minimum effective dose

• Two practical breathwork protocols listeners can start today

Quotes

"If you can master your breath, you can master your life." — Lino Holler

"Seek balance, not perfection. A well-balanced nervous system can go fast, slow, and always find its way back to centre." — Alex Butchies

"Most people breathe all day, but not efficiently. Awareness is the gateway."

"When your breath is compromised, your body will sacrifice everything else to get it back."

"Breathwork is the universal tool to shift your state—faster than anything else."

Timeline

00:00 – Introduction & sponsor: The Rehab Mechanics 01:15 – Hugh & Brad introduce the Breath Room founders 01:40 – The "science and soul" of breathwork 02:31 – Why breathwork is misunderstood and undervalued 03:26 – Alex's journey: connecting physiology, sport & nervous-system regulation 05:19 – Clinical insights from veterans, trauma, anxiety & PTSD 06:42 – Lino's story: sickness, burnout & finding regulation 09:41 – Breathwork, performance and the nervous system 11:03 – Breathwork for flow state: accessing presence under pressure 12:32 – Jiu-jitsu, endurance sports & composure under stress 14:39 – Everyday breathwork: LSD breathing, nasal breathing & awareness 17:02 – "Don't sit like a croissant or breathe like a French bulldog" 18:30 – Nasal breathing red flags & the mouth-taping debate 19:56 – Using breath to control transitions & race composure 21:15 – The Breath Room model: activate, regulate, release 23:40 – How the system works in training & everyday life 28:33 – Assessing breathing: tests, observations, retention walks 31:27 – CO₂ tolerance, awareness, and common pitfalls 36:31 – Life stress, emotional load & the body keeping score 38:48 – Mental performance: head noise, pressure, and elite sport 42:01 – Self-consciousness, overthinking & performance breakdown 47:12 – Training resilience: don't flee stress—learn to stay in it 48:35 – Robust versus fragile nervous systems 50:20 – Why endurance athletes must train breath 51:15 – Apnea training, head noise & physiological adaptation 53:06 – The psychology of pressure: young athletes & emotional load 56:13 – Balance, HRV & the "pendulum" model 58:05 – Minimum effective dose: 5 minutes/day 59:01 – The "brakes" metaphor: learning to shift state 01:00:29 – Two breathwork protocols listeners can apply today 01:06:11 – Final messages from Lino & Alex 01:09:12 – Listener challenge: 7-7-7 breathing & nasal-only warm-ups 01:11:02 – Breath Room Global: building a system for all people 01:17:17 – Guided 15-breath practice to close the episode 01:21:40 – Episode close & credits

THE TEAM:

Join the The Physical Performance Show LEARNINGS membership through weekly podcasts here: https://www.patreon.com/TPPShow

Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best. Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online.

Your Hosts: 🏃 Brad Beer - Instagram & X @Bradbeer and YouTube on @PogophysioAu 💪 Huw Darnell - Exercise Physiologist & Performance Coach : YouTube: ⁨@huwdarnell⁩ & Instagram @huwdarnell

The Physical Performance Show can be found at: Facebook: facebook.com/thephysicalperformanceshowpodcast X: @tppshow1 Instagram: @physicalperforamceshow

Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.

Running technique coach Paul Mackinnon (The Balanced Runner) unpacks why most runners "force outcomes" (cadence, foot strike, knee drive) instead of changing the inputs that actually reshape movement. Paul explains his top-down approach—starting at the arms and torso to influence what happens below—so athletes can reduce ground contact time, improve rhythm, and shift along the continuum from rehab to performance.

Across an engaging conversation in episode 374 of The Physical Performance Show, with hosts Brad Beer and Huw Darnell, Paul challenges the idea that "technique doesn't matter," arguing that how you move determines how you load. He distinguishes economy from efficiency, shows why arm swing and thoracic control set the timing for the legs, and shares practical cues to build self-awareness, symmetry, and lift—without derailing training volume. Clinicians and athletes alike will gain a clearer roadmap for translating S&C work to the road, coaching more effectively, and making durable technique change.

To Follow Paul Mackinnon (The Balanced Runner): Website: TBrunner.com Instagram: @thebalancedrunner

Show Sponsor: The Rehab Mechanics offers Simple Tools and Real Results. Easy fixes for your feet with a massive impact. For 20% off all The Rehab Mechanics products. Go to www.therehabmechanics.com.au Enter discount code TPPS20 at checkout.

TIMELINE:

00:00 Forcing outcomes: the #1 running mistake

03:19 Inputs over outcomes; changing the whole system without losing training

04:32 Knee drive, ground time, and why top-down coaching works

07:28 Midline crossover: finding the true driver of the pattern

09:35 Physics → biomechanics → the individual: three coaching silos

11:11 Do mechanics matter? Why the debate misses the point

14:11 Lessons from swimming: skill, workload, and injury risk

16:27 Breaking-2 insight: efficiency beating raw physiology

18:09 Economy vs efficiency; cost per step explained

21:07 Two paths to change: full-pattern reset vs detailed top-down

23:05 New-way/old-way contrasts to build self-awareness

26:06 Feel, timing, rhythm: enlarging the athlete's "sweet spot"

32:29 What good running looks like: rhythm, symmetry, flight

36:37 Coaching language, listening, and athlete buy-in

43:22 Mental health: running as a lifeline

44:43 Humerus–femur coupling: why arms and thighs must sync

49:17 Simple buy-in: reduce ground time & ground reaction force

50:18 Paul's top three: Awareness • Symmetry • Lift

52:50 Why S&C often doesn't transfer—and how to fix it

59:35 One piece of advice: self-awareness—know where you are now

1:00:27 Listener Challenge: film your running, build your baseline

LISTEN IN AS WE DELVE INTO THE FOLLOWING:

• The #1 mistake runners make: forcing outcomes vs changing inputs
• Why technique, capacity, and rehab are independent—but interlinked—puzzle pieces
• The injury ↔ performance continuum and coaching before athletes break
• Top-down mechanics: how arms/torso shape leg action and knee drive
• Midline "tight-rope" running: finding the driver (ribcage, arms, rotation)
• Physics → biomechanics → individual: the three silos that govern change
• "You can't outrun physics": mechanics as applied physics, not opinion
• Efficiency vs economy: cost per step, flight time, ground contact time
• Why research lags coaching—and what to change (and not change) first
• Translating S&C and plyos to running: when good gym work fails to show up
• Coaching language, storytelling, and athlete-led awareness (new vs old way)
• Rhythm vs being rhythmic: symmetry, timing, and longer flight
• Mental health, identity, and why running is a lifeline for many athletes
• Three practical cues: Awareness • Symmetry • Get off the ground
• The week's challenge: Film your running and build an honest baseline

QUOTES:

"You can't outrun physics."

"How you move determines how you load."

"Stop forcing outcomes—change the inputs."

"Awareness, symmetry, get off the ground. Every step costs—know what you're paying for."

PEOPLE MENTIONED:

Ellie Salthouse – Triathlete

Enda King – Hip & groin specialist (Aspetar)

Rich Willy – Running biomechanics researcher

Alec McKenzie, Stephen Doohig – Swimming biomechanics researchers

Jenny Alcorn – Triathlon coach (historical reference)

THE TEAM:

Join the The Physical Performance Show LEARNINGS membership through weekly podcasts here: https://www.patreon.com/TPPShow

Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best. Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online.

Your Hosts: 🏃 Brad Beer - Instagram & X @Bradbeer and YouTube on @PogophysioAu 💪 Huw Darnell - Exercise Physiologist & Performance Coach : YouTube: ⁨@huwdarnell⁩ & Instagram @huwdarnell

The Physical Performance Show can be found at: Facebook: facebook.com/thephysicalperformanceshowpodcast X: @tppshow1 Instagram: @physicalperforamceshow

Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.

In episode 373 of The Physical Performance Show, sports medicine expert Dr Jay Hertel shares an in-depth exploration of chronic ankle instability in athletes. Drawing on his extensive clinical and research experience, Dr Hertel discusses the prevalence, consequences, and complex rehabilitation of ankle sprains. The conversation covers the patho-mechanical, sensory-perceptual, and motor-behavioral impacts of repeated ankle injuries, including early onset osteoarthritis, proprioceptive deficits, and the psychological hurdles faced by patients—such as loss of confidence and fear of re-injury.

Dr Hertel explains the evolution of clinical models for assessing and treating chronic ankle instability, emphasising individualised care that considers not just the structural and neuromuscular factors, but also personal and environmental influences on recovery. The episode includes practical wisdom and a holistic approach and leaves athletes, clinicians, and listeners with a greater appreciation for the complexity of ankle injuries and a roadmap for improving outcomes both physically and mentally.

Show Sponsor: The Rehab Mechanics offers Simple Tools and Real Results. Easy fixes for your feet with a massive impact. For 20% off all The Rehab Mechanics products. Go to www.therehabmechanics.com.au Enter discount code TPPS20 at checkout. --

POGO Physio Telehealth Consultations believe that everyone deserves access to complete and remarkable physiotherapy services.

Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best. Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online.

Follow @Brad_Beer Instagram & Twitter

Huw Darnell — Exercise Physiologist & Performance Coach

Helping athletes move from pain and injury to peak performance. Learn more at huwdarnell.com.au and follow on Instagram @huwdarnell.

The Physical Performance Show: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (@tppshow1)

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In episode 372 of the Physical Performance Show, Brad Beer and Huw Darnell host a live event featuring dual Olympic triathlon medallist Hayden Wilde. Hayden shares his athletic journey, from his early days in multi-sport and the influence of family and personal adversity, through his path to Olympic success. He details the highs and lows of elite sport, including the physical and mental challenges of coming back from a significant injury sustained in a cycling accident, with unique insights into his rehabilitation, mindset, and the role of his multi-disciplinary support team. Hayden discusses his training philosophies, coaching changes, and the importance of maintaining humility amid professional success. The episode explores balancing ambition with self-care, adapting to setbacks, and the power of community in sport.

Show Sponsor: The Rehab Mechanics offers Simple Tools and Real Results. Easy fixes for your feet with a massive impact. For 20% off all The Rehab Mechanics products. Go to www.therehabmechanics.com.au Enter discount code TPPS20 at checkout. --

POGO Physio Telehealth Consultations believe that everyone deserves access to complete and remarkable physiotherapy services.

Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best. Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online.

Follow @Brad_Beer Instagram & Twitter

Huw Darnell — Exercise Physiologist & Performance Coach

Helping athletes move from pain and injury to peak performance. Learn more at huwdarnell.com.au and follow on Instagram @huwdarnell.

The Physical Performance Show: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (@tppshow1)

Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.

In episode 371 of the Physical Performance Show, Charlie Clements, a first contact physiotherapist and specialist in musculoskeletal care based in the UK shares his expertise on the topic of sciatica, particularly as it affects athletes, discussing the prevalence, causes, and different types of leg pain associated with the condition.

Charlie explains the role of disc injuries, inflammation, and nerve root irritation, and provides practical advice on when imaging and interventions like nerve root blocks may be appropriate. Charlie emphasises the importance of patience, staying active through alternative forms of exercise, and seeking qualified healthcare support when needed.

This episode also offers guidance for clinicians on managing sciatica and highlights the value of reassurance and a holistic approach to care.

Show Sponsor:

POGO Physio Telehealth Consultations believe that everyone deserves access to complete and remarkable physiotherapy services.

Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best. Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online.

Follow @Brad_Beer Instagram & Twitter

Huw Darnell — Exercise Physiologist & Performance Coach

Helping athletes move from pain and injury to peak performance. Learn more at huwdarnell.com.au and follow on Instagram @huwdarnell.

The Physical Performance Show: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (@tppshow1)

Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.

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In episode 370 of The Physical Performance Show, Dr. Jen Hamer—researcher, consultant, and former elite athlete—delivers a powerful exploration of physique considerations, body image, and the risks of low energy availability in sport. Drawing from her own journey as a high-performing endurance runner who battled an eating disorder, Dr. Hamer shares both personal and professional insights into the complex interplay between athletic culture, health, and performance.

This episode delves into Dr. Hamer's PhD research on supporting coaches to manage the risks of relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) among developing athletes. She discusses the challenges of shifting deeply ingrained beliefs and behaviours in sports environments, the impact of coach and practitioner language on athlete well-being, and the importance of systemic education that goes beyond awareness to drive real change. You will hear practical examples from Dr. Hamer's work with national sports organizations, including Swimming Australia and Triathlon Australia, and learn actionable strategies for coaches, parents, and practitioners.

Show Sponsor:

POGO Physio Telehealth Consultations believe that everyone deserves access to complete and remarkable physiotherapy services.

Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best. Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online.

Follow @Brad_Beer Instagram & Twitter

Huw Darnell — Exercise Physiologist & Performance Coach

Helping athletes move from pain and injury to peak performance. Learn more at huwdarnell.com.au and follow on Instagram @huwdarnell.

The Physical Performance Show: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (@tppshow1)

Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.

In episode 369 of The Physical Performance Show, sports physiotherapist Victor Popov shares insights from his four-decade career working with elite athletes across Olympic Games, Tour de France cycling, AFL premiership teams, and international swimming. He recounts his journey from early days in Sydney's top sports medicine clinics to supporting champions like Robbie McEwen, Susie O'Neill, and Shane Watson, emphasising the value of multidisciplinary collaboration and continuous learning.

This episode delves into the critical role of the nervous system in athletic performance, with Victor Popov explaining how heart rate variability, sleep, nutrition, and even ice baths can be used to assess and optimise recovery and resilience. He introduces his Neural Engagement Therapy and Training (NET) program, designed to help clinicians and athletes better understand and improve nervous system function. Victor Popov also offers practical advice for both aspiring professionals and athletes, highlighting the importance of self-belief, teamwork, and the ability to train consistently without injury. Special High Performance Seminar Event with Victor Popov on 30th August - register here.

Show Sponsor:

POGO Physio Telehealth Consultations believe that everyone deserves access to complete and remarkable physiotherapy services.

Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best. Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online.

Follow @Brad_Beer Instagram & Twitter

Huw Darnell — Exercise Physiologist & Performance Coach

Helping athletes move from pain and injury to peak performance. Learn more at huwdarnell.com.au and follow on Instagram @huwdarnell.

The Physical Performance Show: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (@tppshow1)

Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.

In episode 368 of The Physical Performance Show, the podcast enters a new era as accredited exercise physiologist Huw Darnell joins as co-host alongside Brad Beer. With over a decade of experience in the endurance sports industry, Huw brings a fresh perspective to the show, sharing his journey from a sport-obsessed youth through injury setbacks to becoming a leading strength and conditioning coach for runners and triathletes.

This episode explores Huw's personal and professional evolution, including the pivotal injuries that shaped his approach to athlete rehabilitation and performance. Huw and Brad discuss the importance of psychological support for injured athletes, the barriers endurance athletes face in adopting strength and conditioning, and practical strategies for integrating effective training into busy schedules.

Listeners are introduced to a new show format, Uncovering Injuries, which will feature deep dives into common endurance sports injuries from both physiotherapy and exercise physiology perspectives. The episode is rich with actionable advice, including Huw's "four pillars of performance"—movement, recovery, mindset, and nutrition—and a weekly physical challenge encouraging barefoot training to build foot strength.

Learn more at huwdarnell.com.au

Follow Huw on Instagram: @huwdarnell

Show Sponsor:

POGO Physio Telehealth Consultations believe that everyone deserves access to complete and remarkable physiotherapy services.

Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best. Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online.

Follow @Brad_Beer Instagram & Twitter

Huw Darnell — Exercise Physiologist & Performance Coach

Helping athletes move from pain and injury to peak performance. Learn more at huwdarnell.com.au and follow on Instagram @huwdarnell.

The Physical Performance Show: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (@tppshow1)

Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.

In episode 367 of The Physical Performance Show, sports physiotherapist Sue Mayes shares her expertise in foot and ankle injury management. With over 30 years of experience leading physiotherapy at the Australian Ballet and now a senior lecturer at La Trobe University, Sue provides groundbreaking insights into injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Sue discusses her innovative research on ballet dancers and athletes, highlighting the importance of calf strength, strategic exercise implementation, and challenging traditional approaches to stretching. She reveals how implementing targeted calf raises reduced injury rates in professional dancers, and explains why prolonged stretching can be counterproductive.

This episode offers a masterclass in foot and ankle assessment. Her practical advice spans from managing bone stress injuries to developing comprehensive rehabilitation strategies that support athletes' long-term performance and recovery.

Show Sponsor:

POGO Physio Telehealth Consultations believe that everyone deserves access to complete and remarkable physiotherapy services.

Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best. Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online.

Follow @Brad_Beer Instagram & Twitter

The Physical Performance Show: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (@tppshow1)

Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.

In this episode, Olympic triathlete Hayden Wilde shares a powerful 2025 update. Just days after running a blistering 27:38 10K in Tokyo — one of the fastest ever by a triathlete — Hayden was involved in a high-speed cycling crash that left him with a fractured scapula, five broken ribs, and a punctured lung. Hayden shares the emotional and physical rollercoaster of his injury, including emergency support from his sponsors, a medical evacuation, and career-saving surgery in Belgium. Now deep in rehab, he opens up about the mindset, team effort, and small wins guiding his return to racing. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in elite performance, resilience, and the real journey behind recovery at the highest level. Show Sponsor: POGO Physio Telehealth Consultations believe that everyone deserves access to complete and remarkable physiotherapy services. Our goal is to get you back to your Physical Best. Find out more about Telehealth Consultations and book online. Follow @Brad_Beer Instagram & Twitter The Physical Performance Show: Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (@tppshow1) Please direct any questions, comments, and feedback to the above social media handles.