Professional coaches face immense pressure from above, with owners and board members often questioning decisions without understanding the complex factors involved. We explore strategies for managing these challenging relationships and discuss new approaches to measuring athletic workload across different competitive environments.

• Building a strong career in sports coaching requires significant work and sacrifice
• Owners can create inappropriate pressure, as seen when Nottingham Forest's owner berated their coach publicly
• Presenting to boards is challenging when they lack the technical understanding to grasp complex performance data
• Establishing clear processes and KPIs from day one creates a foundation for communication
• "Drip feeding" education to leadership during non-crisis periods builds understanding
• Not all game minutes are equal - 60 minutes in a top-tier match is physically different than in a lower-stakes game
• Future load management may combine linear measurements with analysis of body positioning and mechanical stress
• Developing metrics for contested efforts helps distinguish between different types of physical demands

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Every sports season has a rhythm—the excitement of early games, the midseason grind, and the intensity of the final stretch. In this candid conversation, two veteran coaches unpack the challenges of navigating that critical middle phase when, as they perfectly describe it, you're "in the back straight, already full of acid" like a 400-meter runner realizing there's still a long way to go.

Drawing from decades of experience working with elite athletes across multiple sports, our coaches share practical wisdom on player management during this demanding period. They explore the critical distinction between reducing training volume while maintaining intensity—a strategy that has kept stars like Patrick Dangerfield performing at their peak despite advancing years. Rather than prescribing universal approaches, they emphasize understanding each athlete's unique physical profile: "The key to managing players through these tough periods is knowing what they're like at a deep level. Are they speed-oriented? Are they distance guys?"

The conversation takes a refreshingly honest turn when the coaches discuss their own strategies for maintaining mental and physical wellbeing during grueling seasons. From Transcendental Meditation to personalized recovery routines, they share what works while cautioning against blindly following trending wellness practices. Most poignantly, they address the challenge of protecting family life amid professional demands: "Don't leave your best at work," one coach urges, acknowledging that balancing elite sport with personal life requires intentionality.

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or professional navigating your own version of the midseason grind, this episode offers valuable perspective on sustaining performance while preserving what matters most. How do you maintain intensity when fatigue sets in? What personal practices keep you centered during demanding periods? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

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Darren Burgess and Jason Weber examine the personal cost of high-paying jobs in sports performance and why professional standards should never waver regardless of who you're coaching.

• AFL running data shows interesting trends in team performance
• High-paying positions in sport come with significant personal costs
• Work-life balance on social media often presents a deceptive snapshot
• Career progression may require sacrifices early on to establish yourself
• Many high-performance managers currently live away from their families
• The attitude toward coaching should remain consistent across all levels
• Working with Paralympic athletes provides valuable learning opportunities
• Good coaches should be adaptable to any athlete who trusts them
• Belief that you can only coach "elite" athletes is a problematic mindset
• Treat all athletes with the same professionalism regardless of their level
• Skills don't magically improve with "better" athletes – true expertise works at any level

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After an unplanned hiatus, Burgo and Jase Weber dive straight into one of the most practical yet rarely discussed topics in sports performance: contract negotiations for strength and conditioning coaches. Drawing from decades of combined experience across multiple elite sporting environments worldwide, they unpack the essential elements that should be considered when putting pen to paper.

The conversation provides a masterclass in understanding exit clauses, intellectual property protections, and creative compensation packages beyond base salary. They share candid stories about their own negotiation experiences, from accepting baseline entry positions to crafting complex arrangements that protected their entrepreneurial interests. The practical advice spans career stages - from desperate first-jobbers willing to work weekends without question to seasoned professionals who can command specific terms. Beyond contracts, the duo explores the delicate science of tendon injury rehabilitation, cautioning against the common trap of returning athletes too quickly when strength measures look promising but elastic components remain compromised. Their insights from working with elite and Paralympic athletes highlight how the human body finds alternative movement strategies that can mask underlying issues. What makes this episode particularly valuable is its blend of tactical career advice and scientific rehabilitation insights, delivered with the casual authenticity of two veterans sharing hard-earned wisdom. Whether you're negotiating your first industry position or looking to better structure your next career move, this conversation provides a framework for thinking beyond base salary to create arrangements that truly serve your professional development.

Have you negotiated creative elements into your coaching contracts? We'd love to hear your experiences and what you wish you'd known earlier in your career path!

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Ever wondered what really happens when professional athletes face extreme heat during competition? Or how a simple change in playing surface can derail weeks of careful preparation? This candid conversation between two high-performance coaches pulls back the curtain on the realities of managing elite athletes during the demanding first round of the AFL season.

From thermoregulation strategies in 35°C+ temperatures to the surprising science behind effective cooling methods, our coaches share practical insights rarely discussed publicly. They break down why Marvel Stadium's artificial surface consistently leads to increased injury rates and how the physical transition between venues presents unique challenges for players and performance staff alike.

The discussion takes a fascinating turn when examining a rare public admission from a player claiming their team had "a clear athletic advantage" over their opponents. This leads to a deeper exploration of preparation methods, questioning whether teams focusing heavily on running metrics might be neglecting the crucial metabolic conditioning that comes from repeated contest work. The coaches advocate for measuring and deliberately overloading contact exposure in training—sharing innovative approaches to quantifying these elements using GPS and accelerometer data.

Professional development emerges as a passionate topic for both coaches, who challenge conventional wisdom about career advancement. Their message is refreshingly straightforward: coach anyone who will listen, regardless of level, and learn through direct application rather than waiting for formal education opportunities. "Go and take a team and make your mistakes there" stands as perhaps the most valuable advice for aspiring sports practitioners.

Whether you're a professional in the field or simply fascinated by what happens behind the scenes in elite sport, this episode offers rare insights into the practical challenges faced by those tasked with preparing athletes for competition at the highest level. Subscribe now to join our growing community of like-minded professionals and enthusiasts exploring the art and science of performance.

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The coaches discuss managing ambitious staff in high-performance environments and the challenge of balancing career progression with proper skill development. They explore approaches for developing both expertise and the ability to effectively manage multidisciplinary teams.

• Young coaches often want to advance quickly without developing adequate depth of knowledge
• Understanding mechanical principles behind training methods is essential before advancing
• Expand knowledge beyond your specialty by spending time with practitioners from other disciplines
• The most valuable professional development comes from extended time with experienced practitioners, not just courses
• Success requires making yourself uncomfortable – studying when others are relaxing
• Present your ideas and methodologies to receive feedback and refine your approach
• Embrace honest review and criticism as essential components of improvement
• Build empathy by learning the language and perspectives of other disciplines
• Social media can be a platform for sharing knowledge and connecting with other professionals

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We delve into the complexities of hamstring injuries and explore an alternative narrative behind recurrence in athletes. Through an analysis of an AFL re-injury hypothetical, we examine current training philosophies and propose a re-evaluation of how athletes prepare for return to play.

• Examining AFL hamstring injury and recovery 
• Investigating traditional sports rehabilitation methods 
• Exploring the role of data and technology in injury prevention 

Join us in challenging the status quo in athlete rehabilitation!

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A thought-provoking discussion unfolds around the critical relationship between sports science and coaching, addressing the fine line between data interpretation and practical application in conditioning athletes. We explore the disconnect between coaches and performance scientists, their communication hurdles, and the importance of collaboration in optimizing player readiness.

• Critique of sports science by prominent football figures 
• Conditioning's role in preparing athletes for competitive play 
• Importance of trust between coaches and sports scientists 
• Need for a shared language to facilitate better communication 
• Real-life examples of managing player workloads and performance metrics 
• Discussion on injury risks among categorically fit and healthy players 
• Emphasis on the importance of collaboration in sports performance

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The episode delves into the intertwining themes of culture, performance, and leadership within the context of the Indigenous All-Stars game. It explores the challenges athletes face regarding performance metrics, cultural significance, and job interview processes, emphasizing the importance of preparation, connection, and personal growth in these contexts.

• Discussion of the Indigenous All-Stars game and its significance 
• The cultural immersion of Indigenous players in sports 
• Challenges of balancing physical demands with cultural respect 
• Insights on player resilience and genetic durability 
• Importance of GPS metrics in monitoring performance 
• Reflections on personal growth through job interviews 
• Strategies for effective preparation and connection 
• The role of scenario planning in professional development 
• Closing thoughts on the value of cultural significance in athletics

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