In this conversation, Ivi shares her experiences and lessons learned in her career as a strength and conditioning coach. She discusses the mistakes she made and the challenges she faced, including perfectionism, lack of confidence, and overanalysing everything. Ivi emphasises the importance of being authentic, listening to players, and finding a balance between meeting their needs and asserting what needs to be done. She also highlights the need for collaboration and communication among different departments in a performance environment. Overall, Ivi's journey showcases the importance of self-reflection, growth, and adaptability in the field of sports performance. A big thank you to FKpro for sponsoring this episode! FKpro is a versatile suspension training kit and is a training tool I have used for over 10 years. The company have forged great partnerships with several professional clubs and has become renowned for being the most versatile suspension training equipment out there, because of their unique attachments that can be used with the equipment. Please do check out their website here (www.fkpro.co.uk) to see the equipment. You can purchase using the collaborate sports discount 'CS20' to receive 20% off your purchase! Please don't forget our mentorship programmes are only on sale till the end of this week - check them out here - www.collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorships  I hope you enjoy the listen! Dan

Listen Time -31mins In this episode, Sponsored by Gemini Sports Analytics, Dr Shaun McLaren joins us to talk about data skills. Shaun is an S&C coach and sports scientist at Newcastle Falcons, and mentors on the Collaborate Sports Data Skills Group Mentorships! Knowing how phenomenal he is with this work, I had to get him on the pod! Shaun emphasises the importance of data in measuring and improving performance, but also highlights the need for coaches to rely on their intuition and experiential knowledge. We discuss the challenges of collecting and analysing data, and the importance of effective communication in conveying insights to coaches and athletes. Shaun also provides an overview of different data analysis tools, from spreadsheets to code-based solutions. A big thanks to Gemini Sports Analytics for sponsoring today's episode. Gemini is a sports-specific AI Cloud and automated machine learning application that is already being used by professional and collegiate sports teams and organisations across the NFL, European football, the NCAA, and more, Gemini allows you to transform data and insights to optimize squad management, tactics and player performance.  If you'd like to see more, visit geminisports.ai If you enjoyed our talk on data, you may be interested in our Data Skills Group Mentorships – check out the pathway content here: www.collabortaesports.com/data We hope you enjoy the listen!

Listen Time: 29mins In this episode, we welcome back Craig Turner to share two key reflections on mistakes made in his career and how they helped him to develop. The first lesson is about the importance of authentic communication, honesty, and punctuality. Craig recalls a time when he was late for practice and didn't communicate properly with his coach....listen to the outcome of that event! The second lesson is about the dangers of collecting too much data without a clear purpose. Craig discusses how his team at Nike Academy had access to various sports performance monitoring technologies but struggled to make sense of the data. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of effective communication and purposeful data collection in the field of sports science. A big thanks to LTAD network for their sponsorship of the episode AND their generous discount code for listeners to use to book tickets to their fantastic conference on June 1st and 2nd. Book here using the discount code 'collabpodcast' for 15% off tickets! Do also visit www.collaboratesports.com to see our free "Data Decoded" webinar next week and what our other personal development opportunities involve! Enjoy the listen! Dan

Listen Time: 30mins - Sponsored by FK Pro (www.fkpro.co.uk) This week's episode features Dr Craig Turner who is the current Head of Basketball Performance at the University of Pennsylvania. Before this, he worked with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers as a Sports Science/Strength & Conditioning Associate. Craig has also held additional roles as the Director of Sport Science and Associate Strength & Conditioning Coach at N.C. State University, Sport Science Researcher in conjunction with the Nike Sports Research Laboratory, a Sport Science Consultant with NK Istra 1961 Football Club in Croatia, and an Applied Sports Scientist/Strength & Conditioning Coach with The Nike Academy.  Craig shares with me, his insights on performance hacks. He discusses enhancing warm-up and session flow using the 1x20 principle, standardising testing processes, and training male and female athletes differently. Craig emphasises the importance of streamlining processes without cutting corners and highlights the use of AMRAP sets for females to optimise training intensity. He also suggests integrating testing into training sessions to get a true performance outcome. Craig can be found via: Instagram @ctsportscience Twitter / X @ctsportsci LinkedIn @ctsportsci Website www.ctsportscience.com Today's episode is sponsored by FK Pro, the most versatile suspension training equipment I have ever used. They enable several exercise set up hacks and the independent strap system means they can be used in unison or isolation, and as a result of their success, they have partnered with World Rugby on several Education Projects. As a product, they fly under the radar in my opinion and should be looked at as one of the simplest, but most effective additions to your traditional equipment and resistance methods. Visit their website at www.fkpro.co.uk and use the exclusive discount code CS20 for 20% off at checkout! Reach out if you'd like to know more about how I have used FK Pro too. Enjoy the episode! Dan

Listen Time: 30mins Andrew Lockwood rejoins me this week for his stumbles episode and how his mistakes have helped him in his work. Check back to last weeks episode to hear more about Andy's background in the military. In this episode, one of his major mistakes was believing that leaders needed to maintain a certain distance from their team, which he later realised was not authentic to him. Another mistake he made was not showing empathy towards a team member who was going through a personal issue, which affected their performance. Andrew emphasises the importance of authenticity and empathy in leadership and suggests that everyone has the potential to be a leader with the right training and development. He also discusses the significance of shared experiences and the need for leaders to create a space for open communication and understanding within their teams. We hope you enjoy the episode. Andrew can be reached on via social media (@greywolfteams or @sandcvacancies) or email (andy@greywolfteams.com) if you'd like to ask him some questions. Please do check out the group mentorships that start in July too with Collaborate Sports via this link: www.collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorships - the early bird prices go up at the end of today!

Listen Time: 30mins This week I welcome Andrew Lockwood to the Podcast. With 20 years of experience in the British Army, Andy has Leadership development experience within the military and with civilian organisations (Sacramento Kings, Inter Miami, professional coaches). Andrew also runs a rugby/S&C-related charity delivering to teams around the world from international to grassroots. He is also the man behind S&C Vacancies and Grey Wolf Teams. In this episode, Andrew discusses the three pillars of effective leadership in elite environments: shared experience, mutual understanding, and empathy. He explains that high levels of these three elements lead to effective leadership and culture. Andrew emphasises the importance of developing these pillars organically and continuously throughout the year. Takeaways Effective leadership in elite environments is built on three pillars: shared experience, mutual understanding, and empathy.Shared experience involves the micro and macro events that people in a team share, fostering trust and cohesion.Mutual understanding includes understanding individual roles, expectations, and standards within the team.Empathy is the ability to connect with others, understand their perspectives, and create a supportive environment.Developing these pillars organically and continuously throughout the year is crucial for effective leadership and culture. You can reach Andrew via social media (@greywolfteams or @sandcvacancies) or email (andy@greywolfteams.com) Enjoy the Listen! Collaborate Sports is also providing a number of unique personal development opportunities currently. Visit www.collaboratesports.com to see more!

Listen Time: 29mins Ben joins us this week for part 2 of his Strategies and Stumbles appearance on the podcast! In this conversation, Ben shares some of the stumbles, mistakes, and lessons he has learned in his career. He discusses his willingness to make mistakes and take risks, as well as the importance of taking ownership and learning from negative impacts on others. Ben reflects on his experience as the Head of Sport Science at Birmingham City Football Club, where he made mistakes in understanding the physical training needs of the players. He also shares a significant stumble with the hockey team, where he realised the importance of motivation, connection to goals, and mastery in the training program. Ben emphasises the need for building support, galvanizing allies, and adapting to different contexts.   Key aspects you'll take from this listen are: Takeaways Don't be afraid to make mistakes and take risks in your career.Take ownership and learn from negative impacts on others.Understand the context and environment you are stepping into.Build support and galvanize allies to achieve shared objectives.Consider motivation, connection to goals, and mastery in training programs.Adapt and flex your approach based on individual needs and contexts. Thanks again to Ben, and if you haven't do check out his website www.292performance.com - if you liked this episode, please share to your networks! Lastly - don't forget all the opportunities Collaborate Sports provides in addition to this podcast. We have a great webinar with Paul Laursen coming up on High-Intensity Interval Training. Check out the options at www.collaboratesports.com See you next week Dan

Listen Time 30mins - Sponsored by Remaker (www.remaker.co.uk) This week we welcome Dr Ben Rosenblatt to the podcast. Bens career spans time spent in the English Institute of Sport, Birmingham City FC, the Intensive Rehab Unit, a Gold Medal with GB Womens Hockey and multiple European and World Cups with the England Football Team!!   Ben now focuses his time on elite support services to professional athletes through the company he founded and is now director of, called 292 Performance (www.292performance.com)   In this episode, we delve into the concept of performance planning. Ben shares his experience of working with high-performing athletes and the importance of understanding their goals, limitations, and enabling factors. Ben emphasises the need for clarity in the desired outcome and the importance of open communication and collaboration within the team.   He also refers to the critical need of being a master craftsman, having self-awareness, and practising empathy. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the performance planning process and the skills required to optimise it.   Thanks again to Remaker for sponsoring this episode. Remaker is a versatile and highly portable technology that can provide strength diagnostics in several unique ways  Please check out their website - www.remaker.co.uk and instagram: @remaker.uk Lastly - enrolment is now OPEN for the next group mentorships with Collaborate Sports, in LTAD, Rehab, S&C Principles or Data Skills, starting in July. Check out www.collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorships for more info!

Listen time 27mins In this episode, we welcome back Rob for part 2 of his series, where he delves into his various mistakes in his career path and how they have brought the best out of him. Rob shares his interesting career path which has exposed him to a wide array of different populations, from personal training to youth coaching, to gen pop and teaching in schools, before specialising in elite sport. He refers to how this has been the catalyst for his growth. Overall, we discuss: Finding his voice and speaking upLeaving his coaching on the table by not saying what he thoughtObserving and learning from others at every opportunityRespecting his personality and knowing when he needed to adapt his styleThe notion of not wasting any opportunity and recognising there is an experience to be gained in more places than we think! As mentioned in the show, our group mentorships go live next week. You can see all that Collaborate Sports has to offer here: http://www.collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorships Dont forget to express interest if you want to have the information as its released over the weekend. Fill out the form on the site! We hope you enjoy the episode! Dan   -

Listen Time 29mins - Sponsored by Remaker (www.remaker.co.uk) In this conversation, Rob Fowkes, the lead strength and conditioning coach at the Western Force Super Rugby team, discusses his strategy for developing physical performance in rugby players. He shares a unique approach of linking 2 key metrics in a quadrant manner, to make athletes understand their strengths and weaknesses in a simple and meaningful manner. He emphasises the importance of creating a shared journey with the players and providing context for their physical development. Rob explains his model of physical performance, which focuses on impact, repeatability, and robustness. He also discusses the process of intervention, player involvement, and program design.  Robs previous experience is impressive. As a coach who has worked in rugby union at all levels from grassroots junior teams to professional and international levels as well as completing extensive work within schools, academies and other establishments within the long term athlete development space, Rob flies relatively under the radar, so I was pleased to have him join me for this discssion. You can reach Rob at rob.fowkes@westernforce.rugby if you have any questions! Thanks again to Remaker for sponsoring this episode.  The Remaker tech unlocks S&C performance insights through the portable and versatile Remaker Link, a smart carabiner, connected via Bluetooth to the Remaker App on any smart phone or tablet.The live, user-friendly display of metrics, which can be analysed in session or monitored over time via the App & remotely via the Remaker Portal, enables coaches, physios and athletes alike to test, train, track and transform performance.  With Remaker, give exercise meaning by evidencing the impact of every rep and motivating athlete buy-in to every session.Find more details here: www.remaker.co.uk@remaker.uk on instagramLinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/remakerltd

In this episode, Simon reflects on his early career mistakes, rehab mistakes, program design and testing mistakes, and soft skills and communication mistakes. He emphasises the importance of clear principles, understanding the end goal, and being rigorous in assessments. Simon also highlights the need for effective communication owning up to mistakes and how considering the specific ways you communicate to deal with adversity in a performance team. If you haven't listened to Simons's excellent strategy episode from last week, track back and listen, and check out the information in the show notes for more about Simon and where to follow him! If you are enjoying the series so far, consider a few other personal development opportunities Collaborate Sports can provide you. In July we launch the next cohorts for a range of group mentorships, which you can register your interest for here. All information on these pathways is released in the first week of April. Alternatively, you can join us for some interactive discussions on advancing your career in these free webinars with me and several elite coaches. Register your FREE spot here.  Please share the pod across your socials and I welcome any feedback on the content so far, so reach out if you've got any ideas on upgrading the content so far! All the best Dan

In this episode I am joined by Simon Harries, Head of Strength & Conditioning at NSWIS, and Founding Director of Performance Compass, a business focused on mentorship and consultancy for rehab-related matters. We discuss the concept of a rehab running framework and its importance in safely and effectively returning athletes to play. Simon explains the evolution of rehab approaches and the need for flexibility and creativity in building a framework. Simon emphasises the importance of specificity in different sports and the consideration of injury profiles. We discuss common key performance indicators and criteria in rehab and categorising running drills. Simon also shares insights on structuring rehab phases, progressing intensity, using data in rehab, and determining return to play. He concludes by highlighting the importance of communication with coaching staff.   Some specific areas we delve into are: Definition of a FrameworkEvolution of Rehab ApproachesBuilding a Rehab Running FrameworkConsidering Injury ProfilesCommon KPIs and Criteria in RehabCategorising Running DrillsProgressing Intensity in RehabCreating an Exercise LibraryStructuring Weekly SessionsLayering Volume and Intensity....and so much more! You can find out more about Simon via his LinkedIn profile here and he has permitted any listener wanting to reach out to do so via email:  simon@performancecompass.com.au If you are interested in the Rehab Simplified Group Mentorship, you can access the programme details here and register your interest via this form to express interest in joining the next cohort in July! If you'd like to read the article written by Simon for Sportsmith, you can access that here also!

Listen Time: 27mins In part 2 we discuss stumbles in his career, where Jack reflects on his take on planning sessions down to a T to try and cover all potential bases, hindering long-term development. Jack also talks about the lack of clarity in program design and how he now anchors principles to guide his session design.  He emphasises the importance of utilising the interdisciplinary team and collaborating with tactical coaches. Jack shares his experience of over-communicating with athletes and how he has learned to say more with less, overcoming “word vomit” that we all experience! He also reflects on the mistake of changing programs too frequently and the importance of consistency.  Lastly, Jack discusses dealing uncertainty, the narrow focus on making it in elite sport, and making good decisions with confidence based on his needs and wants.       Takeaways: Avoid microwaving the learning process by allowing athletes to explore and learn from failure.Anchor program design to principles and prioritise clarity in objectives and outcomes.Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team and align goals for optimal athlete development.Focus on effective communication by saying more with less and using external cues.Emphasise consistency in training programs and avoid changing them too frequently.Manage panic and uncertainty by having a clear list of needs and wants.Consider opportunities outside of elite sports and prioritise personal and professional fulfilment. I hope you enjoy the listen! If you want to be part of the group mentorships this year, as mentioned in the podcast, follow this link to register your email to receive all the information as it is released! https://collaboratesports.com/2024mentorship Tune in next week to hear Simon Harries discuss his approach to rehab running. Dan

Listen Time: 30mins. In this episode, Jack Oaten discusses his role as a strength and conditioning coach working with the NFL Academy Programme. He explains the importance of preparing athletes for the combine, which is a series of tests used to assess their physical abilities. Jack shares his programming approach, including the use of accumulation, intensification, and realisation phases. He also discusses the focus on movement competency and the importance of clarifying and closing the loop with athletes. Overall, Jack emphasises the need for individualised programming and the importance of technical development alongside combine preparation. Jack is a UKSCA and NSCA-accredited strength and conditioning coach who holds a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science. He is currently studying for a MSc in strength and conditioning and has over 4 years of experience in the field. Jack has contributed his expertise at esteemed institutions such as Millfield School, Bath Rugby, Leicester Tigers and the University of Bath supporting the physical preparation and performance of elite national/international athletes. Jack joined the NFL Academy in August 2022 where he continues to provide holistic strength and conditioning support to talented youth American football players aspiring to reach the NFL. Main discussions centre on: Jacks Current Role and PurposePreparing for the CombineBalancing Technical and Combine PreparationProgramming for Intensification and RealisationProgramming for Movement CompetencyIntensification and Realisation in the GymFrequency and Focus of Training I hope you enjoy the episode, I certainly did. Jack can be contacted using the below details: Instagram - @joaten_coach Twitter/X - @jack_oatenn Work email - j.oaten@lboro.ac.uk   Let me know what you think of the pod by sharing across Instagram and tagging in @collaborate_sports - also, don't forget the competition to win over £600 worth of mentorship by entering using this link: https://collaboratesports.com/giveaway Enjoy! Dan

Listen time - 28mins (and a chance to win £600 worth of mentorship) In part two of the series with Steve, we dig into his reflections on his mistakes and what he learned from them. He discusses the importance of considering the athlete in the overall programming and training solutions decision, rather than relying solely on research and needs analysis.   Steve also shares his experience of being too rigid in program design and lacking flexibility and the importance of experiential learning. He emphasises the need for coaches to create an authentic coaching identity and adapt their coaching style to different environments.   Steve also discusses the benefits of reflective meetings and the challenges of managing relationships and leadership.   Takeaways from the episode: Consider the athlete in the overall programming and training solutions decision, rather than relying solely on research and needs analyses.Be flexible in program design and willing to adapt in the moment based on the athlete's needs and circumstances.Learning experientially and getting reps under the bar is crucial for coaches to develop their skills and understanding.Create an authentic coaching identity that aligns with your values and allows you to build strong relationships with athletes.Reflective meetings and discussions with other practitioners can provide valuable insights and help improve coaching practices.Managing relationships and adapting coaching styles are important challenges for coaches to navigate.Technology should assist coaches, but coaches should not rely on it entirely and should remain present in the coaching environment. I hope you enjoy this episode. If you want to win over £600 worth of mentorship courtesy of Collaborate Sports and TeamBuildr, simply head to this link to enter! Good luck!

Listen Time: 29minutes This week Dr Steven Thompson joins me where we discuss velocity-based training (VBT) and its applications in strength and conditioning. VBT is a flexible programming strategy that allows coaches to auto-regulate and adapt their training based on the individual needs of athletes. Three key strategies within VBT are highlighted: monitoring and adjusting based on velocity, using feedback and communication to enhance performance, and understanding and implementing velocity loss. These strategies provide coaches with valuable tools for optimising training and improving athlete performance. The main areas we cover in the episode are: The Importance of Velocity-Based Training (VBT)Using VBT Without Profiling an AthleteMonitoring and Adjusting Based on VelocityFeedback and Communication with VBTUnderstanding Velocity LossPractical Application of Velocity LossUsing Velocity Loss for Power Training To help you learn more about Steve, he is an accredited S&C coach with the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA), course leader of the MSc in Strength and Conditioning Coaching at Sheffield Hallam University, and recently completed his PhD investigating “the efficacy of the load-velocity profile to predict one repetition maximum”. Steve specialises in velocity-based training (VBT), researching and presenting his concepts and applied practices to top organisations such as the UKSCA, English Institute of Sport, and British Swimming. Steve is an active researcher, with multiple publications in high-impact journals such as Sports Medicine, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, and International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. Additionally, Steve holds multiple S&C coaching roles, including Physical Performance Coach for The Football Association of Wales, regional S&C coach for British Diving, and was recently lead foundation and youth development phase S&C coach at Barnsley Football Club. Steve has worked in elite sport for many years, supporting high-level athletes such as GB Commonwealth medallists and Olympic competitors in Diving and Women's Volleyball, and other professional athletes in Para-Fencing, Table Tennis, Golf, Rugby League, and Football. With permission, you can contact Steve via Twitter @steve381 and I would recommend visiting his Researchgate page by clicking here Enjoy the episode!

Listen Time 26mins In this part 2 episode, Phil Scott returns to share his performance stumbles and the lessons he has learned throughout his career as a coach. He emphasises the importance of variety and stimulation in warm-ups, acknowledging that it doesn't always go to plan!   Phil shares his experiences of dealing with these situations, highlighting the need to be open, honest, and willing to learn from mistakes. He also discusses the importance of proactive reflection and collaboration in team meetings. Phil concludes by emphasising the value of owning mistakes, reflecting on them, and finding a mentor for support and guidance being critical to taking positive steps forward from any stumble!   A summary of what we discuss is below: The Importance of Variety and Stimulation in Warm-upsDealing with Warm-ups and Games That Don't WorkLearning from Warm-up MistakesConsidering External Factors in Warm-upsCoping with Mistakes in the MomentGaining Respect from AdversityMoving Away from MediocrityLessons from Working in a Team SportTransitioning from Reflective to ProactiveImproving Collaboration and Contribution in MeetingsShifting from Delayed to Proactive ReflectionUnderstanding Individual Responses to Training VolumeLearning from Mistakes in Training VolumeOwning Mistakes in Injury ManagementKey Takeaways: Name It, Own It, Reflect, Find a Mentor   If you want to receive more real-world advice to help you optimise your effectiveness, consider signing up for the Collaborate Sports Newsletter here for weekly updates and tips. https://collaboratesports.ac-page.com/newsletter-subscriber

(listen time - 28mins)   Phil Scott joins me for this episode! Many listeners should know of Phil, but his experiences include 8 years working with the England National Cricket Team as their Strength and Conditioning Coach and is currently the Pathways Lead for Physical Preparation at the ECB.   I first met Phil whilst collaborating with him on using a specific recovery tool. I was taken aback by his thoughtful approach to physical preparation, so I had to ask him to join the podcast to share his insights.   In this episode, Phil discusses program design for cricket players, specifically focusing on batters and hitters. He places a premium on understanding the athlete's perspective and working closely with coaches. He explains that program design in the gym should include a combination of strength, power, and coordination exercises. Phil shares his approach to managing gym sessions, including the need to consider pre-game and post-game workouts.   In full, we delve into these topics: Starting Point of Program DesignUnderstanding the Athlete and Coach PerspectiveFundamentals of Cricket Program DesignImportance of Strength and Power in CricketManaging Gym Sessions with AthletesWhere the opportunities are for Gym Work in a test seriesProgram Structure and Sets/RepsIncorporating Contrast SetsRelevance of Grip Strength Work There is a lot packed into this one so do enjoy it - and come back next week as Phil takes it up a level with his stumbles episode!

John Noonan joins me for this part 2 of his episode where he shares some stumbles across his career. He reflects on how he focused too much on the overemphasis on program details as he thought this would be a defining factor of success and career progression, which led to a lack of adaptability in his programming. John also shares his struggles with leadership, particularly in trying to lead by example without considering the needs and context of the athletes and staff he worked with. He emphasises the importance of collaboration, communication, and flexibility in planning, as well as the value of reflecting on mistakes and seeking mentorship. We also discuss throughout the episode:  Being Blinded to Real-World SolutionsLack of Adaptability in ProgrammingLack of Collaboration and CommunicationImportance of Flexibility in PlanningReflecting on Mistakes and Seeking Mentorship I hope you enjoy the episode. John's a practitioner who has had a fantastic career and his ability to reflect, iterate on what he does, and improve himself shines through in this episode! If you havent checked out the previous Episode you should, its absolute gold! Listen Time: 21mins

In this episode, I interview John Noonan, a performance coach, about his role in supporting motorsport athletes and performance strategies for race day. Johns's background is extensive, with him working in pro rugby, football, winter sports and now motorsport to highlight just a few career steps!   In this episode, we discuss the importance of a holistic approach to performance, including physical, mental, and logistical aspects. John explains the process of preparing athletes for race day, including warm-up and cooling strategies. He also highlights the significance of vestibular work and mental preparation.    We focus on discussions towards: The Role of a Performance Coach   Performance Strategies for Race Day   Importance of Warm-up and Cooling Strategies   Vestibular Work and Mental Preparation   Race Day Timeline and Strategies   Observing and Supporting During the Race   Reflective Practice and Learning from Performance Principles for Practitioners wanting to work in Motorsport I hope you enjoy this one, and don't forget to tune in to part 2 with John next week, discussing his stumbles and what he's learned from them!   Listen Time: 28mins   Dan