Episode 119: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Max Lankheit the Head of Performance and Innovation at Philadelphia Union MLS team. Max is a highly experienced coach and leader and has worked in both coaching and leadership roles at San Jose Earthquakes MLS, Seattle Sounders FC, San Francisco Giants, Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning, FC Nürnberg, FC St. Pauli von 1910 e.V and Exos. In this episode with Max we discuss his journey from coaching to performance management and how an MBA enabled him to bridge the gap between the front-office and the backroom at teams.  ----more----   Topics Discussed ----more---- Why you should work as a private trainer prior before working at a team Aligning professional development with club needs Benefits to completing an MBA for performance practitioners How to align your actions to team values Strategies for change management ----more----   Where you can find Max ----more---- LinkedIn ----more----   Sponsors VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training ----more----   HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.   ----more----     Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:   ----more---- Instagram Twitter Our Website   ----more---- Our Team ----more---- Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie

Episode 118: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Speed Coach Cici Murray. Cici has worked with hundreds of athletes including some of the top NFL, Olympic, and MLB athletes as a speed performance and recovery specialist over the last 3 years. She has recently trained nearly half of the projected NFL Draft 1st-round picks for the combine. Cici currently works at Spellman Performance and also runs a newsletter and resource for female coaches called "More Her Speed".    Topics Discussed   Expectations v reality working as a female coach Assessing technical & physical qualities in sprinters Use of technology in speed training Relationship building with young athletes     Where you can find Cici   Instagram More Her Speed     Sponsors VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training     HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.         Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:     Instagram Twitter Our Website     Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie

Episode 117: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Keir Wenham-Flatt. Keir is a highly experienced Strength & Conditioning Coach based in the USA, but has worked in 5 different countries at the highest level of rugby union and rugby league, including 4th place finish at 2015 Rugby World Cup. During his coaching career Keir has worked with 50+ international level athletes including world cup winners and also been an NCAA Div 1 Coordinator of Football Performance. Keir outside of coaching is the Founder of Strength Coach Network and more recently has turned his attention to supporting and educating coaches to protect their income via business development.    Topics Discussed   Differences in performance internationally The fragility of working in sport Why you should protect your Income as a coach How Keir educates coaches to develop a business   *** STRENGTH COACH MONEY MOVES COURSE ***     Where you can find Keir   Instagram Strength Coach Network      Sponsors VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training     HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.         Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:     Instagram Twitter Our Website     Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie

Episode 116: Dr Andy McDonald and Ben Ashworth chat to Raph Brandon. Raph has enjoyed an extraordinary career with 12 years at the English Institute of Sport as both Director of Performance Solutions and as the Head of Strength & Conditioning during his time there. Raph has also been the Head of Science, Medicine and innovation at the England and Wales Cricket Board. Raph is currently working for Breakaway Data as the Head Of Performance Science in Europe and much of this episode is focussed on his current activity supporting elite teams and athletes with data and technological solutions.    Topics Discussed   What is Breakaway Data Why should we collect data Player centred Approach to Data   Creating meaningful performance questions Identifying Signal v Noise   Where you can find Raph   LinkedIn Twitter BreakAway Data     Sponsors VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training     HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.         Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:     Instagram Twitter Our Website     Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie

Episode 115: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Dan Howells founder of Collaborate Sports. Dan is a high performance coach, with a career spanning over 15 years of work in elite sport, both in the UK and the USA. Dan is a certified Strength & Conditioning coach with the UKSCA aad NSCA, and has worked with Olympic and Paralympic Programmes, The US and GB Ski Teams, The English Institute of Sport, Wasps Rugby Club, England Rugby 7s, Team GB Rugby 7s (2016 and 2020) and the Houston Astros MLB Club. As well as focusing on creating impact and success within performance sport organisations, Dan is passionate about creating real world learning opportunities for developing coaches and practitioners. Coaching coaches is something he is heavily invested in. If you are looking for personal development, the opportunities provided across the Collaborate Sports platform are unique and will be able to provide development for you in varied and exciting ways.   Topics Discussed   Professional pathway to elite sport What is Collaborate Sports Identifying needs and wants in your career Career periodisation   Where you can find Dan   Instagram Group mentorship Collaborate Sports Twitter LinkedIn     Sponsors VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training     HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.         Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:     Instagram Twitter Our Website     Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie

Episode 114: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Dave Hancock a Physiotherapist (PT), Strength and Conditioning Coach, Performance Director, Atherapy Clinics Founder and the CEO of Apollo. Dave's career has taken him to be the Head Physiotherapist of Leeds United Football Club, Chelsea Football Club and the Performance Director of the New York Knicks Basketball Team. He has also attended the 2010 Soccer World Cup and the 2012 European Finals. Working for the English Senior Men’s National soccer team for five years. In more recent years Dave's focus has been as the CEO of Apollo, a sport software company.    Topics Discussed   Blind screening an athlete  Current use of data in teams Does your data impact competitive success Prioritising meaningful tests and data    Where you can find Dave   LinkedIn Apollo    Ben Ashworth's - Athletic Shoulder Course     Sponsors VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training     HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.         Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:     Instagram Twitter Our Website     Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie

Episode 113: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Scot Morrison a board-certified Physical Therapist who specializes in high performance sports medicine. He has experience working and consulting across elite sport and tactical communities and currently works within special operations. Scot serves as the chair of the AASPT Sports Performance enhancement SIG and is pursuing a PhD under Franco Impellizzeri. In this episode Andy and Scot discuss psychometric properties, energy system development and tissue specific rehab considerations.   Topics Discussed:    Psychometric properties Tissue specific rehab Energy system development When can we use evidence   Where you can find Scot   Website Twitter Youtube Instagram       Sponsors VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training     HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.         Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:     Instagram Twitter Our Website     Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie

Episode 112: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Mike Guevara a Performance Coach with over 10 years experience. Coach Mike G has worked privately with some of the world’s top NFL and NBA players, including Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and Mike James. In this episode Andy and Mike discuss how to work effectively with players in the private sector or as an external practitioner at teams. This episode also covers how Mike went private and leveraged social media from a business perspective to shine some light on a side of the industry many professionals consider transitioning into.     Topics Discussed:    Transition form team to Pelicans Working effectively inside a team as an external coach How can teams integrate external coaches. Considerations for starting a private client business Leveraging social media platforms as a coach   Where you can find Mike   LinkedIn Twitter Instagram GBG Hoops App & Programs       Sponsors VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training     HUMAC NORM by CSMI - A solution for measuring and improving human performance in the clinic, athletic training room, and research laboratory. In one machine, you’ll get 22 isolated-joint movement patterns, 4 resistance modes (isokinetic, isotonic, isometric, and passive), and numerous reports to meet the measurement and exercise needs of today’s clinicians and researchers.         Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:     Instagram Twitter Our Website     Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie

Episode 111: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Dr John Kiely a Strength & Conditioning Coach, Performance Consultant and Senior Lecturer. John has a wealth of experience and has enjoyed a career with roles at UK Athletics, Munster Rugby, Irish Rugby, Egypt Football World Cup Squad 2018, various Irish NGB’s and more! Currently John is a Senior Lecturer in Performance and Innovation, PE and Sports Sciences at The University of Limerick, where he is supervising PhD candidates working within professional multi-disciplinary performance environments and pursuing practice-based post-graduate qualifications. Among John's well known academic contributions he has published an article titled "Periodization Theory: Confronting an Inconvenient Truth" - This article combined with Johns present day perspective is the basis for this podcast conversation.      Topics Discussed:    Origins of periodisation  Has planning of training changed? Are there key fundamentals when organising training? Biopsychosocial considerations to physical preparation   Where you can find John   LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Performance and Innovation, PE and Sports Sciences at The University of Limerick       Sponsor Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training       Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:     Instagram Twitter Our Website     Our Team   Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie

Episode 110: In this Research Unpacked episode Alistair McKenzie chats to Matthew Buckthorpe PhD. Matt is a British Sport Scientist, S&C Coach, University lecturer and Researcher specialising in late-stage and on-field rehabilitation. He completed his PhD at Loughbourgh University looking into the neural determinants of Rate of force development. In this second of three episodes Matt will discuss his paper - 4 Pillars of High-Quality On-field Rehabilitation are Restoring Movement Quality, Physical Conditioning, Restoring Sport-Specific Skills, and Progressively Developing Chronic Training Load.       Topics Discussed: The 4 Pillar approach to on-field rehabilitation    Restoring movement quality   Developing physical conditioning   Restoring technical and tactical skills   Building chronic training load        Paper Discussed in Part-Two:     Buckthorpe et al, (2019) 4 Pillars of High-Quality On-field Rehabilitation are Restoring Movement Quality, Physical Conditioning, Restoring Sport-Specific Skills, and Progressively Developing Chronic Training Load.         Where you can find Matt:     Twitter  LinkedIn Research Gate       Sponsor Inform Performance is sponsored by VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training       Keep up to date with everything that is going on with the podcast by following Inform Performance on:     Instagram Twitter Our Website     Our Team     Andy McDonald Ben Ashworth Alistair McKenzie