In this episode of VALDCAST, our host Ryan sits down with biomechanist and Griffith University researcher, Tyler Collings, to break down one of the most common and most misunderstood topics in sports technology: validity and reliability.

Tyler explains what these terms actually mean in practice, why they’re often confused and how human variability, testing protocols and “gold standards” influence the data practitioners rely on every day. The conversation unpacks common misconceptions in validation research, how to interpret reliability and validity papers and what practitioners should really be looking for when assessing performance and rehab technology.

They also dive into Tyler’s work validating field-based tools like force plates and strength testing devices, the importance of transparency in research and how laboratory findings translate into real-world performance and rehab settings.

In this episode of VALDCAST, Dylan sits down with physical therapist and Impact Sports Physical Therapy founder Bobby Esbrandt to unpack what it really means to assess, treat and develop athletes beyond a single metric.

 Bobby shares why relying solely on the countermovement jump can leave critical gaps in decision-making, and how building a complete athlete profile — spanning strength, power, rate of force development and reactive qualities — leads to better outcomes, particularly in post-op and ACL rehabilitation. The conversation also explores integrating technology into clinical practice, maintaining continuity of care across multiple clinics and balancing business growth with hands-on clinical excellence.

If you’re a physio, S&C coach or clinician looking to move past surface-level testing, improve athlete buy-in and deliver higher-quality, data-informed rehab, this episode is for you.

In this episode of VALDCAST, Ryan sits down with Taylor Evernden, coach and Co-Founder of ORKA Performance, to explore what truly effective return-to-performance looks like when rehab, performance and people are fully aligned.

Taylor shares how ORKA has built a collaborative model that moves athletes seamlessly from acute rehab into performance — balancing objective data, subjective feedback and the human side of coaching. The conversation spans RTP evolution, criteria-based transitions, communication breakdowns and how technology like force plates and strength testing fits across the entire athlete journey.

They also dive into scaling a performance business, building culture across multiple locations, onboarding staff and why relationships, trust and critical thinking still matter more than any tool.

If you’re a physio, S&C coach or clinic owner interested in RTP pathways, integrated care models, performance testing, or scaling without losing culture, this episode is for you.

In this episode of VALDCAST, Dylan sits down with physical therapist at New York City Football Club, Hannah Marchant, to unpack one of the most challenging cases in knee rehabilitation: medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, recurrent patellar instability and complex cartilage lesions in a Division I-bound football athlete.

Hannah walks us through the full journey — from baseline testing and load management to force plate assessments, athlete decision-making, asymmetry debates and what happens when setbacks hit. She shares how she blended evidence, technology, surgical constraints and clinical reasoning to guide her ultimate return-to-sport decision.

If you’re a physio, S&C coach or clinician navigating post-op knees, complex cases or high-performance environments, this conversation on practical problem-solving and data-informed rehab is for you. 

In this episode of the VALDCAST, our host Ryan sits down with the co-founder of ForceDecks Dr. Daniel Cohen — sports scientist, researcher and long-time leader in force plate methodology. Together they unpack one of the most important (and misunderstood) areas in athlete assessment: what force plate data actually means.

Dan breaks down the insights behind VALD's 2024-25 Premier League Report, including which CMJ metrics truly discriminate elite from sub-elite, why “fatigue monitoring” misses the point and how practitioners can think more clearly about profiling vs monitoring — all through the lens of real-world data.

He also dives into asymmetry (and why the 10% rule doesn’t cut it), the rise of single-leg jumps and the one thing every practitioner must master before worrying about metrics: data hygiene.

In this episode of VALDCAST, our host Dylan sits down with Physiotherapist and ORKA Performance Co-Founder Travis Gaudet to unpack what meaningful technology integration looks like at a company level. 

Travis breaks down the growth of ORKA’s clinical and educational arms and explains how technology became a central driver in that evolution. 

We cover: 

✅ How to create cohesion in testing processes across multiple clinics

✅ How data can open conversations with patients during rehabilitation

✅ What defines a ‘mid-stage’ ACL athlete

✅ The need for criteria to inform transitions between stages during rehabilitation

With extensive experience using VALD systems, Travis blends advanced assessment and intervention tools with a sharp coaching eye, allowing him to capture better information and guide athletes more effectively through ACL rehabilitation. 

Whether you're a coach, physio, sports scientist or an athlete obsessed with improvement, this conversation gives you practical examples that dive deeper than a single metric or test, and inform what data can do to transform your practice.

In this episode, Ryan sits down with Karl Goodman, co-founder of Athletes Authority, for a deep dive into how one of Australia’s leading performance facilities was built (and rebuilt) through smart use of technology, clear business principles and hard-earned lessons. 

Karl explains how Athletes Authority used testing and objective data to differentiate their brand from day one, elevating athlete outcomes while creating real commercial pathways through outreach testing, front-end offers and longer-term athlete retention. He breaks down how testing isn’t just about performance — it’s a tool for acquisition, value creation and business predictability.

Our host Dylan sat down with co-inventor of the NordBord, Dr. Tony Shield, to unpack the origins of the world’s leading hamstring testing system.

In this episode, Tony discusses the evolution of hamstring research, the rise of eccentric training and how a pair of load cells became a global standard for injury prevention and performance.

Tony also shares insights into why dosing, data and simplicity still matter most in hamstring performance and injury prevention. 

In this episode of VALDCast, our host Ryan sits down with Jo Clubb — founder of Global Performance Insights and one of the most respected figures in applied sport science — to unpack her journey from elite team environments to life as a private consultant.

Jo reflects on formative experiences across the Premier League, NHL and NFL, including her time with Chelsea FC, the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bills. She shares how working across different cultures and codes shaped her approach to performance, communication and building trust.

The conversation explores the evolution of technology and objective measurement, how to provide meaningful support in high-pressure environments and the mindset shift required when transitioning out of professional sport into independent consulting — where Jo now acts as an “external teammate” to organizations around the world.

Expect a grounded, practical discussion on doing simple things well, thinking critically and carving a career path guided by curiosity, humility and genuine athlete-centred support.

In this episode of the VALDCast, we sit down with Associate Professor at La Trobe University Dr. Lachlan James — sports scientist, consultant, and founder of ForceLab — to decode one of the most misunderstood areas in performance: strength domains.

With modern technology offering hundreds of data points from a single jump or lift, practitioners might find themselves monitoring too many metrics. Lachlan explains how to cut through the noise by identifying five domains of strength — from reactive ability to heavy dynamic force — and how each maps to real performance outcomes.

We explore:

✅ Why many metrics inside a single test are telling you the same story

✅ How to decide which data matters most for your sport or athlete

✅ The art of “zooming in” and “zooming out” when tracking progress

✅ A framework for linking gym-based testing to key performance indicators

✅ The future of strength science — and why smarter simplicity wins

Whether you're a coach, physio, sports scientist or an athlete obsessed with improvement, this conversation gives you a practical blueprint for turning strength testing into meaningful action.

Tune in to learn how to build a performance model that works with athletes and practitioners alike, optimizing time, attention and resources.