Two Coaches & a Coffee

Summary

In this podcast, Jason Weber discusses the intricacies of athletic performance and the importance of individualized training programs. He emphasizes the need for coaches to understand the unique characteristics of each athlete and how technology, like SpeedSig, can aid in this understanding. Insights from renowned coach Stu McMillan are highlighted, showcasing a coaching philosophy that prioritizes athlete individuality over a one-size-fits-all approach. The discussion also touches on the balance of variability in training and the ultimate goal of improving athlete performance while preventing injuries.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Individual Movement Patterns

12:27 The Role of Coaches in Movement Optimization

12:38 Understanding the Athlete's Needs

15:16 Philosophical Approaches to Coaching

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For more on leadership and technical development check out OLDBULL PERFORMANCE.

Summary

In this conversation, Jason Weber discusses the complexities of asymmetry in athletic recovery, emphasizing the importance of understanding an athlete's unique signature and the role of technology in measuring performance. He critiques traditional methods of assessing recovery and advocates for a data-driven approach to rehabilitation, particularly through his company, SpeedSig. The discussion highlights the need for accurate measurements to inform recovery strategies and improve athletic performance.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Asymmetry in Return to Play

09:59 The Role of Pre-Injury Symmetry

10:13 Understanding Asymmetry in Athletes

15:36 Rehabilitation Insights and Speed Measurement

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For more on leadership and technical development check out OLDBULL PERFORMANCE.

Summary

In this episode of 'Two Coaches and a Coffee', Jason Weber and Darren Burgess discuss various aspects of sports coaching, focusing on themes of humility, team dynamics, mental resilience, and the importance of training volume versus intensity. They share insights from their experiences in the AFL and with the Socceroos, emphasizing the challenges athletes face, including travel and performance pressure. The conversation highlights the significance of mental toughness and resilience in achieving success in professional sports.

Takeaways

• Humility is essential in coaching and personal growth.

• Team dynamics can be affected by significant losses.

• Physical training alone may not address mental challenges.

• Mental resilience is crucial for athletes after defeats.

• Training volume should not be overlooked in favour of intensity.

• Professional athletes often face immense travel challenges.

• The Socceroos displayed professionalism in their training.

• Building resilience can come from enduring hardship.

• Athletes need to be aware of their mental state during training.

• Coaching requires a balance of physical and mental preparation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Humility Discussion

05:58 Mental Resilience in Sports

11:53 Socceroos Preparation and Professionalism

18:00 Conclusion and Reflections on Resilience

Check Out

For more on leadership and technical development check out OLDBULL PERFORMANCE.

Summary

In this episode, Jason Weber discusses the critical role of humility in leadership within high-performance sports. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration, communication, and mentorship among professionals in the field. Jason shares insights on how to effectively work with others, the significance of sharing knowledge, and the need for humility in leadership roles. He encourages listeners to bring their intellect and experience while also being open to learning from others, ultimately fostering a more cohesive and effective working environment.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Humility in Leadership

09:11 Bridging the Gap Between Professions

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For more on leadership and technical development check out OLDBULL PERFORMANCE.

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

Check Out

For more on leadership and technical development check out OLDBULL PERFORMANCE.

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

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!

SpeedSig Intro

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

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

SpeedSig Intro

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

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

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

SpeedSig Intro

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

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

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!

SpeedSig Intro

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com

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

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.

SpeedSig Intro

Sponsored by SPEEDSIG.com