On today’s episode, I’m joined by Rich Buchanan, a leading voice in performance strategy and one of the most thoughtful minds working at the intersection of elite sport, data, and leadership.

Rich spent nearly two decades in the trenches of professional football, first as a physio, then as Performance Director for Swansea City during their Premier League run. He’s since held roles with the Premier League, DC United, and Zone7, and now advises sports tech companies and delivers leadership masterclasses on how to embed high-performance cultures that actually work.

Today’s episode is a little different. It’s not just a conversation - it’s an announcement. Rich will be hosting a brand new spin-off of this podcast, The Sports Pundit Performance Podcast, a five-episode mini-series exploring the big themes shaping elite performance today. From workload to wellbeing, technology to team culture, the aim is simple: to bridge the gap between the boardroom and the changing room.

In this episode, we introduce the series, unpack Rich’s journey through performance, and talk honestly about where the industry is heading next and what needs to change.

2:00 - Rich Buchanan's Journey in Performance Strategy

4:00 - Innovations and Challenges in Sports Technology

8:00 - The Role of Data in Sports Performance

15:00 - Leadership and Communication in Sports

24:00 - Launching the Sports Pundit Performance Podcast

29:00 - Future of Sports Technology and Data

36:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Additional Links

Connect with Rich on LinkedIn - Here

Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - Here

Rich Buchanan [#55]: Bridging the Gap Between the Boardroom and the Dressing Room