Drop us a message and let us know what you'd like us to discuss!

Discover the transformative impact of the AFL's three-week break on work-life balance for staff and players in our latest special on Two Coaches and a Coffee. Join us as we promise to unravel the key lessons from our exciting trips across the UK and US, visiting legendary football clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool, as well as the MLS Performance Association. Along the way, we explore the powerful influence of performance staff in sports, showcasing the innovative problem-solving skills and acute thinking that define these professionals. We also delve into the pressing issue of mechanical decay linked to athlete fatigue and discuss how performance experts continuously adapt by integrating new insights into their existing practices.

In the vibrant world of sports science and leadership, there's always something new to learn. Throughout the episode, we emphasize the importance of continuous professional development, networking, and experiential learning, balanced with formal education. From personal anecdotes with colleagues like Les Spellman to the richness of real-world conversations, our discussion reaffirms the value of blending formal education with practical experiences to enrich knowledge in the realm of sports science.

SpeedSig Intro

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

Drop us a message and let us know what you'd like us to discuss!

How do top-tier sports teams navigate the complexities of continuity and youth development amid the ever-changing landscape of management changes? Join us as we promise to uncover the secrets behind this challenge alongside the insights of our special guests, Darren Burgess and Jason Weber. From the bustling PSPA event in Fort Lauderdale to the hallowed grounds of the English Premier League, we journey through the intricate web of staff structures and philosophies that bind first teams and academies together. Inspired by a Russian axiom, we ponder the radical idea of placing top coaches with the youngest players and share our takeaways from the dynamic hiring processes within academies.

Our exploration doesn't stop at football; we venture into the realm of AFL training methods, weighing the merits of a five-day training week against the physical demands of elite athletes. Through this lens, we draw fascinating parallels with basketball and soccer, debating the benefits of skill repetition and tactical periodization. Our recent UK adventures underscore the relentless preparation required for back-to-back matches and the cascading effects of global football calendars, including the looming 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Emphasizing the transformative power of overseas visits, we highlight how face-to-face interactions can elevate professional growth and networking, setting the stage for our upcoming discussions in Sydney. Tune in for a rich tapestry of insights, experiences, and anticipations that promise to enrich your perspective on the world of sports.

SpeedSig Intro

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

Drop us a message and let us know what you'd like us to discuss!

This week we explore the intriguing intersection of performance and medical roles in sports. Through engaging anecdotes and real-world scenarios, we unpack the delicate balance necessary to keep athletes at their peak while avoiding the pitfalls of working in silos. Learn how valuing people over models enhances collaboration and optimizes athlete care, as demonstrated by pioneering individuals like Jack Inman and Mitchell White who are not afraid to innovate.

Discover the journey of collaboration with renowned pain specialist Lorimer Moseley, who challenged conventional approaches to athlete rehabilitation. By embracing fresh perspectives, we explore how innovative strategies can break entrenched cycles and enhance recovery. Personal stories of professional growth, such as Dr. Jeffrey Boyle’s evolution from a focused physio to a broader performance expert, highlight the profound impact of interdisciplinary collaboration for both athlete outcomes and staff development.

Emotional intelligence takes center stage as we discuss its critical role in effective leadership, even under the pressures of high-stakes environments. Drawing on experiences with notable organizations, we challenge assumptions about leadership credentials and emphasize the importance of experience and mentorship. As we wrap up, we express our gratitude to our listeners and tease future thought-provoking discussions and stories from recent encounters with fascinating individuals.

SpeedSig Intro

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

Drop us a message and let us know what you'd like us to discuss!

Ever wondered how leaders in high-performance sports environments manage the intense pressure of balancing demands from both senior coaches and their teams? Discover how tools like DISC personality profiles can be harnessed to decode team dynamics and manage dominant traits effectively. Gain practical strategies for maintaining composure in high-pressure situations, and learn the art of honest communication with senior coaches, even when it means facing potential conflict. Our conversation promises to equip you with the knowledge needed to focus your energy on what you can control to create a harmonious and productive working environment.

We discuss the critical importance of understanding team members' motivations while preserving personal integrity as a leader and the necessity of knowing oneself and having the courage to address unacceptable behavior, ensuring that personal integrity remains intact. Explore strategies to handle undermining behavior and the balance between confidentiality and duty to confront issues when necessary. With an emphasis on concepts like "the leader's eye" and the confidence required for effective middle management, our discussion highlights how leaders can manage both upwards and downwards. Tune in to learn how fostering an environment of trust and integrity can help you navigate the multifaceted challenges of leadership.

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

Drop us a message and let us know what you'd like us to discuss!

Unlock the secrets of effective staff management and leadership with insights from the Exercise and Sports Science Australia Human Performance Management Think Tank. Ever wondered how understanding personality profiles can revitalize team dynamics? Join us as we explore real-world experiences from diverse clubs, revealing how a "leader's eye" can transform your ability to read interpersonal dynamics and harness the unique strengths of each team member. We promise you'll gain practical strategies to enhance team cohesion and productivity by acknowledging and integrating the diverse talents within your group.

Our discussion goes beyond mere management techniques, delving into the continuous development of leadership skills among staff. Discover how personalized growth plans can transform technically skilled individuals into effective communicators and leaders. We share stories like the journey of a sports analyst who mastered public speaking for his PhD presentation, underscoring the importance of tailoring development plans to nurture essential leadership qualities. Learn from the art of communication used by AFL coaches to inspire and motivate teams, ensuring you're equipped to guide your team to success with confidence and skill.

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

Drop us a message and let us know what you'd like us to discuss!

Unlock the secrets of exceptional leadership in athletic performance with our latest episode, featuring insights from notable industry figures. We promise you'll learn how to cultivate credibility and influence before they're needed, through engaging hypotheticals and empathy exercises. As we reflect on recent events like the AFL draft, we stress the importance of establishing a solid foundation for leadership roles, enriched by anecdotes and examples that highlight the critical components of effective sports coaching.

With a focus on promoting diversity and skill development, we explore the need for inclusive environments in sports, drawing inspiration from trailblazing coaches like Arsene Wenger and Alastair Clarkson. Our conversation touches on nurturing neurodivergent and gender-diverse individuals, with personal stories that emphasize the importance of empathy and adaptation. By creating spaces that encourage diverse talents and perspectives, we illustrate how leadership can flourish in traditionally judgmental arenas. Join us as we share invaluable strategies for fostering understanding and communication in today's dynamic sports environment.

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

Drop us a message and let us know what you'd like us to discuss!

Unlock the secrets to more effective sports performance as discuss the complex landscape of inference versus fact in sports science and conditioning. Ever wondered how missteps in methodology can lead to repeated injuries? This episode promises to challenge your understanding and urge you to adopt a more critical, fact-based approach. As we navigate the nuances of performance monitoring, from eccentric hamstring tests to leveraging GPS data, you'll gain insights that could revolutionize your practice and make injury prevention more precise and effective.

As we further explore, the spotlight shifts to the synergy between medical and performance teams and the vital role of collaboration. Learn from successful models like the University of South Florida, where cross-disciplinary leadership fosters innovation and understanding. We'll unpack the delicate balance of training load management and medical caution, underscoring the need for empathy and leadership. Concluding with a powerful call for reflection, I urge you to consider the conflicts and challenges that lie within sports performance. This episode is designed to inspire growth and practical solutions, setting the stage for transformative professional development in the field.

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

Drop us a message and let us know what you'd like us to discuss!

Unlock the secrets of strength and conditioning as we recount our experiences from the action-packed ASCA annual international conference in Brisbane. You'll discover how cutting-edge research is transforming the industry, from using the Apple Watch to correlate sleep with athletic performance to innovative sub-max testing in AFLW. Listen in as experts like Christian Bose and David Watts share their unique insights on cycling structures and periodization plans, and enjoy a captivating discussion with Johan Lati from Infinium that delves into the biomechanics of lumbar-pelvic angles during running. These discussions promise to paint a vivid picture of the latest trends and breakthroughs in our field.

Striking the right balance between professional aspirations and personal commitments is an ongoing challenge many of us face. We open up about career decisions that weigh new opportunities against the need for stability and personal time. Sharing from personal experiences, including the tough call of prioritizing family over a high-profile job offer, we highlight the importance of owning one’s career path and stepping out of comfort zones. This episode emphasizes the value of finding fulfillment in your work, investing in personal ventures, and recognizing the significance of work-life balance, even amidst the demanding realities of our industry.

Entrepreneurship and networking form the backbone of professional growth, and we explore the intricacies of these crucial elements. With a focus on the entrepreneurial mindset needed to tackle new challenges, we discuss the importance of staying engaged with your team while managing demanding schedules and international commitments. Highlighting the significance of adaptability and commitment, this episode aims to inspire you to take proactive steps in your career. As we share our podcast goals with optimism, we invite you to join us on this journey, helping us expand our reach and continue bringing real and engaging content to our loyal listeners.

SpeedSig Intro

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

Drop us a message and let us know what you'd like us to discuss!

This episode dives headfirst into the art of blending audience desires with crucial knowledge, ensuring that even those new to the field walk away with actionable insights. You'll learn how sharing personal stories and mistakes isn't just cathartic but a vital teaching tool, especially in an era where social media influences conference dynamics significantly.

But that's not all—prepare to be inspired by Saquon Barkley's jaw-dropping athletic feats, and discover how such agility can be nurtured across various sports disciplines like AFL and soccer. We explore the effectiveness of different training philosophies, from the repetition of key movement patterns to the liberating flow of game-based learning, offering a comprehensive look at how athletes can hone their natural talents. As we wrap up, expect a humorous take on "grenade planning," with an emphasis on facing the unexpected with gusto and the unbreakable camaraderie that fuels our passion for coaching. Don't miss this lively exchange that promises to leave you both informed and entertained.

SpeedSig Intro

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

Drop us a message and let us know what you'd like us to discuss!

Unlock the secrets of transforming a PhD into a decade of career opportunities with doctors Darren Burgess and Jason Weber on Two Coaches in a Coffee. Discover how groundbreaking research and original work can be a launchpad for success, and hear personal stories of turning academic insights into thriving business ventures. We also pull back the curtain on the often-conflicting world of radiological and clinical evaluations in sports medicine, urging a holistic approach to athlete diagnosis and treatment that goes beyond the scan to treat the whole person.

Our conversation takes a vital turn toward athlete wellness, sparked by eye-opening revelations from a recent AFL-PA conference. With alarming statistics pointing to widespread body image issues among athletes, we advocate for more comprehensive and confidential assessment methods like DEXA scans, moving away from outdated practices. We stress the importance of handling athlete data with care and empathy, avoiding common pitfalls in the industry, and invite listeners to reflect on how our field has evolved over the years. Plus, a special nod to Phil Coles in Boston, a loyal listener who inspires us all.

SpeedSig Intro

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com