
Pacey Performance Podcast
There are lots of voices in the coaching world. Few are as trusted as the Pacey Performance Podcast. Rob Pacey and his guests share the philosophies, ideas and insights in conversations that are the signal in the noise of the sport performance space.
Latest episodes

Mar 19, 2025 • 58min
Screening and injury risk reduction in the UFC with Tim Roberts
In this episode of the Pace Performance Podcast, Rob is speaking to Tim Roberts, the sports medicine manager at the UFC Performance Institute in Mexico City, shares his extensive background in sports physiotherapy and the importance of multi-sport experience in developing as a clinician. He discusses the significance of strength profiling in MMA, the tiered diagnostic approach used at the UFCPI, and the technology and tools employed for athlete assessment. Tim emphasizes the need for tailored injury prevention programs that cater to the diverse backgrounds of athletes at the institute. In this conversation, Tim discusses the intricacies of performance analysis, injury prevention, and rehabilitation strategies in MMA. He emphasizes the importance of normalizing data for accurate performance insights, creating a culture of injury prevention among fighters, and the challenges faced in managing their rehabilitation. Tim shares insights on how to effectively communicate with athletes, the significance of maintaining their fighter spirit, and the structured approach to return-to-play progressions. He highlights the need for a balance between athlete safety and performance demands, ultimately fostering a supportive environment for fighters.
Main talking points:
Tiered diagnostics to help immediate programming and prevention
Brain health assessments
Finding a balance between care and toughness for fighter mentality
Maintaining athlete involvement during recovery
Building trust and connection with fighters
Leveraging technology for athlete assessment

Mar 12, 2025 • 48min
Beyond the six-month mark: Rethinking ACL injury risk, rehab, and return to play with Tim McGrath
Tim McGrath, Senior Director of Player Health and Performance at the Washington Commanders and a PhD expert on ACL injuries, dives into the complexities of ACL rehabilitation. He emphasizes the need to combine art and science in recovery and discusses the critical role of biomechanical assessments in identifying risk factors. Tim critiques the traditional six-month return timeline, stressing a personalized approach based on athlete readiness. He also addresses common rehabilitation mistakes and the importance of understanding both physical and cognitive aspects to ensure a successful return to play.

Mar 5, 2025 • 56min
The Beast Factory Framework: Applications for RTP and healthy athletes with Kyle Sammons
Kyle Sammons, Coordinator of Sports Science and Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Arizona Cardinals, explores the innovative Beast Factory Framework he developed for athlete rehabilitation. He discusses the transformative power of single joint training over traditional multi-joint exercises, sharing insights on biomechanics and injury mechanisms. Kyle highlights the need for collaboration between strength coaches and medical professionals, and dives into the significance of understanding tendon injuries, especially in relation to Achilles rehabilitation and performance enhancement.

26 snips
Feb 26, 2025 • 53min
Testing, training and coaching multidirectional speed in basketball with Chris Chase
In this discussion, Chris Chase, the Director of Performance for the Memphis Grizzlies, shares his expertise on multidirectional speed and deceleration training in basketball. He highlights the critical role of deceleration in athletic performance and the integration of advanced technology like force plates for effective measurement. Chase advocates for progressive overload in training and emphasizes the balance of acceleration and deceleration exercises. He also explores the evolution of training methodologies and the role of functional training in athlete development.

Feb 19, 2025 • 47min
Getting more aggressive with hamstring injury rehab with Luke Sewell
Luke Sewell, first team rehab coach at Ipswich Town, shares his innovative strategies for aggressive hamstring injury rehabilitation. He emphasizes early loading and neuromuscular control to enhance recovery while minimizing reinjury risks. Sewell discusses the importance of tailoring rehab intensity using match data and establishing clear rehabilitation goals. His approach focuses on collaboration among medical staff, coaches, and players, ensuring effective communication and psychological support throughout the recovery process.

20 snips
Feb 12, 2025 • 51min
Reflexive eccentrics: Adaptations, programming and cueing with Anthony Donskov
In this engaging discussion, strength and conditioning specialist Anthony Donskov shares insights from his 20 years of experience and PhD in hockey performance. He dives into reflexive eccentric training, emphasizing its benefits for athletic performance and injury prevention. Anthony outlines critical elements like stiffness and speed, as well as the importance of clear external cues for athletes. He also details a structured three-day training cycle, addressing programming strategies that balance heavy lifting and reflexive movements to maximize explosiveness while minimizing soreness.

28 snips
Feb 6, 2025 • 47min
Tendon training for sports performance and injury risk reduction with Jake Tuura
Jake Tuura, an expert in tendon training and former college strength coach, shares his journey from battling jumper's knee to mastering tendon health. He explains how tendons, crucial for athletic performance, benefit from focused training like heavy lifting and isometric exercises. Jake highlights the significance of early physical activity for tendon development and addresses the rising Achilles rupture rates in athletes, advocating for tailored training programs. His insights provide a potent blend of science and practical advice for injury prevention and performance enhancement.

Jan 30, 2025 • 57min
Lessons learnt from transitioning across sports, levels and job roles with Steph Mock Grubbs and Ryan Grubbs
In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Steph Mock Grubbs and Ryan Grubbs discuss their experiences transitioning across different sports, levels, and job roles within elite performance environments. Their journey from college athletics to professional sports highlights the evolution of roles in strength & conditioning, rehab, and sports science.
Steph, now with the Houston Astros, and Ryan, working with the Houston Texans, explain how reconditioning bridges the gap between rehab and performance training, ensuring athletes return to play at optimal levels. They emphasize the importance of adapting training methodologies, particularly in baseball, where athlete workload and season length pose unique challenges.
A key theme of their discussion is the shift from being generalists to specialists, requiring continuous upskilling in rehab, load management, and performance programming. The integration of strength, rehab, and reconditioning teams in professional sports enables collaboration and efficiency in managing injury risk and athlete development.
The episode also covers balancing athlete health with team needs, using objective performance data to inform return-to-play decisions, and navigating career transitions in elite sport. They stress the importance of mentorship, research, and relationship-building in making successful career moves.
Finally, they discuss challenges in balancing professional careers with personal relationships, emphasizing adaptability, teamwork, and continuous learning in both career growth and life. Their insights provide valuable lessons for practitioners looking to evolve within high-performance environments while maintaining long-term career sustainability.
Main talking points:
Reconditioning bridges rehab and performance training.
Transitioning from college to pro sports requires adaptation.
Balancing athlete health with team performance needs.
Eccentric training is key in injury prevention.
Collaboration between strength, rehab, and reconditioning teams.
Athlete workload management is crucial in long seasons.
Individualized return-to-play plans improve performance outcomes.
Generalist to specialist career shifts require upskilling.
Mentorship and networking help career transitions.
Objective performance data informs return-to-play decisions.
Professional careers impact personal relationships significantly.
Continuous learning and adaptability drive career growth.

Jan 23, 2025 • 51min
Diving deep into a National Championship winning programme with Molly Binetti
In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Molly Binetti, Director of Women’s Basketball Performance at the University of South Carolina, discusses the transformation of the women’s basketball program under Coach Dawn Staley. With two national championships and record-breaking attendance, the program exemplifies success through holistic athlete development, individualized training, and strong relationships.
Molly emphasizes the importance of blending skill development with athleticism, focusing on movement quality and creating engaging training environments. By fostering autonomy and incorporating athlete feedback, the program builds trust and enhances player engagement. Individualized training allows athletes to choose exercises that suit their preferences while targeting specific performance outcomes.
Prioritizing athlete health has been crucial to the program’s success, with a player availability rate exceeding 98% over seven years. Flexibility in training and open communication among staff ensures that recovery and performance are balanced without overtraining. Informal assessments, including sprint testing and jump evaluations, are used to tailor programs and address individual needs.
Molly highlights the value of variation in training to prepare athletes for the unpredictability of competition. Machines like the leg press are used to strengthen lower bodies safely while preserving skill development. Distinct positional needs, such as conditioning for guards and strength for post players, are addressed to optimize on-court performance.
By combining holistic athlete development, data-driven insights, and a collaborative approach, South Carolina’s program continues to set a benchmark for excellence in women’s basketball.
Main talking points:
Holistic development for athlete performance and growth
Blending skill development with athleticism
Athlete autonomy through feedback and engagement
Informal assessments to tailor individual training programs
Variation in training for adaptability and resilience
Using adaptation as the driver for exercise selection
Positional needs for guards and post players
Movement quality over just strength and power
Setting benchmarks for excellence in women’s basketball programs

Jan 16, 2025 • 55min
How to reduce hamstring injury risk with Matthew Bourne, Nick Court and Johan Lahti
Join experts Matthew Bourne, a sports science guru on hamstring injury prevention, Nick Court, a strength coach for elite football players, and Johan Lahti, a researcher dissecting injury risk factors. They discuss the importance of individualized training and eccentric conditioning, spotlighting the Nordic hamstring exercise. The trio also emphasizes the critical roles of proper sprint mechanics and strength asymmetries. Innovative training strategies and personalized rehabilitation plans are also vital topics, all aimed at reducing the prevalence of hamstring injuries in sports.