In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Rob delves into the evolving world of athlete support with Founder and CEO of 292 Performance Ben Rosenblatt and Managing Director, INTRA Performance Group James Collins. This discussion pivots around the growing trend of athletes assembling personalized support teams to elevate their performance and extend their careers.

Ben and James, with their extensive backgrounds in sports nutrition, strength conditioning, and sports biomechanics, share their insights into how athletes are increasingly seeking specialized, interdisciplinary support. They emphasize the craft of performance support and the vital role of trade skills in enhancing athlete capabilities.

Key discussion points include the importance of contextualizing support for each athlete, managing communication efficiently, and aligning team expectations. The conversation also covers the adaptation of scientific approaches to fit individual athlete needs, the benefits of cross-disciplinary knowledge sharing, and the significance of trust and clear communication in athlete-support team relationships.

Furthermore, the episode explores the challenges of integrating external services with club-managed support, the impact of athlete-centered interdisciplinary teams on stress and recovery perceptions, and the increasing role of data science and technology in making informed decisions for athlete development.

If you're in a club working with external coaches or you're an external coach yourself, or you just want to get to know more about this area, this one is for you.

Main talking points:

• Athletes are actively forming their own performance teams for career stages.
• Enhanced communication and interdisciplinary support are key to make this work
• Dedicated support teams positively impact athletes' stress and recovery perceptions.
• Support teams across sports share knowledge to adapt science to individual needs.
• Athlete support teams are becoming broader networks for clubs and organizations.
• Efficient communication and data sharing are vital for support team effectiveness.
• Athletes receive continuous support throughout their careers for better performance.
• Support teams are extending individualized services to cater to loan players' needs.