
Inform Performance
The Inform Perform Podcast is an industry show focussed on Sports Performance and Sports Medicine. The show interviews thought leaders and professionals that support elite athletes and teams. The aim of the show is to deconstruct the strategies and philosophies the guests utilise in their working environment or area of expertise. Featured guests have worked across the NBA, NFL, MLB, F1, World title Boxing, EPL and more.
Latest episodes

May 7, 2023 • 31min
Raphael Brandon - Effective Data Strategy in Elite Sport (Head of Performance Science at BreakAway Data)
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

Apr 27, 2023 • 43min
Dan Howells - Coach Development & Career Periodisation (Founder of Collaborate Sports)
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

Mar 29, 2023 • 57min
Dave Hancock - Art v Science of Using Data to Improve Performance (CEO of Apollo)
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

Mar 22, 2023 • 55min
Scot Morrison - Energy System Development & Tissue Specific Rehab (Consultant Sports Physical Therapist)
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

Feb 20, 2023 • 55min
Mike Guevara - High Performance Coaching in the Private Sector (Strength & Conditioning Coach & Founder of GBG Hoops)
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

Jan 31, 2023 • 53min
Dr. John Kiely - A Modern Perspective on Periodization (Senior Lecturer in Performance and Innovation, University of Limerick)
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

Jan 21, 2023 • 34min
Research Unpacked: Matthew Buckthorpe PhD - Part 2 - On Field Rehabiliation
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

Jan 11, 2023 • 57min
Research Unpacked: 2022 Bern Consensus Statement - Part 1 (Ben Ashworth, Ariane Schwank & Paul Blazey)
Episode 109: In this Research Unpacked episode Ben Ashworth chats to Physiotherapists Ariane Schwank & Paul Blazey who contributed on the 2022 Bern Consensus Statement on Shoulder Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Return to Sport for Athletes at All Participation Levels. This episode covers a lot of content and will therefore have a part-2 to follow this first conversation.
Topics Discussed:
Advise for writing articles
Shoulder Consensus Paper
Screening or monitoring for shoulders?
Shoulder specific RPE?
Should pathoanatomic diagnosis drive rehab?
Does pain equal an injury?
Where does psychology fit into injury management
Papers Discussed in Part-One:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34972489/
Where you can find Ariane:
Twitter
Where you can find Paul:
Instagram
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

Aug 31, 2022 • 50min
Darcy Norman (Performance Coach - US Men’s National Soccer Team & Lead Performance Strategist at Kitman Labs)
Episode 108: Ben Ashworth chats to Darcy Norman a qualified PT, AT and S&C with over 20 years experience in the human performance industry. He is currently a performance coach for the US Mens National Soccer Team and the Lead Performance Strategist at Kitman Labs. Darcy has previously enjoyed roles at the German Mens National Team, A.S. Roma, FC Bayern Munich, EXOS and many other roles as a PT, AT and S&C Coach. This episode between Ben and Darcy was recorded a little ago whilst Ben was still at AC Sparta, with the conversation covering nuances of effectively working in soccer managing workload & recovery in elite environments.
Topics Discussed:
Communication between club and national team
Individualisation within team settings
Collaborating on technical & tactical information with coaches
Optimal on-field volume & Intensity
Maximising Recovery
Where you can find Darcy:
LinkedIn
Twitter
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

Aug 1, 2022 • 49min
Research Unpacked: Matthew Buckthorpe PhD - Part 1 - Rate of Force Development
Episode 107: 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 first of three episodes Matt will begin by discussing his PhD research RFD and its implications for rehab and performance. In parts two and three Matt will discuss his more recent clinical commentary about high-quality on-field rehabilitation which combine with his academic and practical experience through 3 great conversations.
Papers Discussed in Part-One:
Buckthorpe & Roi, (2019) The time has come to incorporate a greater focus on rate of force development training in the sports injury rehabilitation process
Buckthorpe et al., (2014) Central fatigue contributes to the greater reductions in explosive than maximum strength with high intensity fatigue
Folland et al., (2013) Human capacity for explosive force production: Neural and contractile determinants
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
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