VALDCAST

In this insightful discussion, Hannah Marchant, a physical therapist at New York City Football Club, shares her expertise in data-informed rehabilitation. A former collegiate soccer player and Cleveland Clinic alum, Hannah navigates the complexities of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction. She delves into baseline testing, load management, and the importance of isometric testing. Hannah also discusses managing setbacks and interpreting asymmetries in athlete recovery, emphasizing the value of consistent testing and athlete engagement in informed decision-making.

Dr. Daniel Cohen, a sports scientist and co-founder of ForceDecks, dives into the complex world of force plate data. He explains how elite performance metrics like concentric impulse and eccentric deceleration are misunderstood. Cohen critiques traditional ‘fatigue monitoring’ and urges a shift toward load response analysis, stressing the importance of context in athlete assessment. He tackles the flawed 10% asymmetry rule, advocates for sport-specific approaches, and highlights data hygiene as vital for accurate insights.

In this episode of VALDCAST, our host Dylan sits down with Physiotherapist and ORKA Performance Co-Founder Travis Gaudet to unpack what meaningful technology integration looks like at a company level. Travis breaks down the growth of ORKA’s clinical and educational arms and explains how technology became a central driver in that evolution. We cover: ✅ How to create cohesion in testing processes across multiple clinics✅ How data can open conversations with patients during rehabilitation✅ What defines a ‘mid-stage’ ACL athlete✅ The need for criteria to inform transitions between stages during rehabilitationWith extensive experience using VALD systems, Travis blends advanced assessment and intervention tools with a sharp coaching eye, allowing him to capture better information and guide athletes more effectively through ACL rehabilitation. Whether you're a coach, physio, sports scientist or an athlete obsessed with improvement, this conversation gives you practical examples that dive deeper than a single metric or test, and inform what data can do to transform your practice.

In this episode, Ryan sits down with Karl Goodman, co-founder of Athletes Authority, for a deep dive into how one of Australia’s leading performance facilities was built (and rebuilt) through smart use of technology, clear business principles and hard-earned lessons. Karl explains how Athletes Authority used testing and objective data to differentiate their brand from day one, elevating athlete outcomes while creating real commercial pathways through outreach testing, front-end offers and longer-term athlete retention. He breaks down how testing isn’t just about performance — it’s a tool for acquisition, value creation and business predictability.

Our host Dylan sat down with co-inventor of the NordBord, Dr. Tony Shield, to unpack the origins of the world’s leading hamstring testing system.In this episode, Tony discusses the evolution of hamstring research, the rise of eccentric training and how a pair of load cells became a global standard for injury prevention and performance.Tony also shares insights into why dosing, data and simplicity still matter most in hamstring performance and injury prevention. 

In this episode of VALDCast, our host Ryan sits down with Jo Clubb — founder of Global Performance Insights and one of the most respected figures in applied sport science — to unpack her journey from elite team environments to life as a private consultant.Jo reflects on formative experiences across the Premier League, NHL and NFL, including her time with Chelsea FC, the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bills. She shares how working across different cultures and codes shaped her approach to performance, communication and building trust.The conversation explores the evolution of technology and objective measurement, how to provide meaningful support in high-pressure environments and the mindset shift required when transitioning out of professional sport into independent consulting — where Jo now acts as an “external teammate” to organizations around the world.Expect a grounded, practical discussion on doing simple things well, thinking critically and carving a career path guided by curiosity, humility and genuine athlete-centred support.

In this episode of the VALDCast, we sit down with Associate Professor at La Trobe University Dr. Lachlan James — sports scientist, consultant, and founder of ForceLab — to decode one of the most misunderstood areas in performance: strength domains.With modern technology offering hundreds of data points from a single jump or lift, practitioners might find themselves monitoring too many metrics. Lachlan explains how to cut through the noise by identifying five domains of strength — from reactive ability to heavy dynamic force — and how each maps to real performance outcomes.We explore:✅ Why many metrics inside a single test are telling you the same story✅ How to decide which data matters most for your sport or athlete✅ The art of “zooming in” and “zooming out” when tracking progress✅ A framework for linking gym-based testing to key performance indicators✅ The future of strength science — and why smarter simplicity winsWhether you're a coach, physio, sports scientist or an athlete obsessed with improvement, this conversation gives you a practical blueprint for turning strength testing into meaningful action.Tune in to learn how to build a performance model that works with athletes and practitioners alike, optimizing time, attention and resources.

Our guest today is Dr. Phil Graham-Smith, Reader in Biomechanics and Innovation at Manchester Metropolitan University and co-founder of ForceDecks.Ryan and Phil discuss the origins of ForceDecks, how far it's come since Phil and Dan Cohen first joined up to create the product, the concepts of validity and reliability in force plate testing, and the importance of applying scientific principles in real-world settings. Phil also shares insights from decades in elite sport and biomechanics, highlighting what truly matters in test selection and how practitioners can avoid overcomplicating force plate data.The conversation explores the evolution of ForceDecks from early prototypes to more than ten thousand systems worldwide, the pitfalls of overhyped metrics, and the philosophy behind measuring what actually matters for athlete performance.

In this engaging conversation, orthopedic surgeons Dr. Catherine Logan and Dr. Ivan Wong explore how objective measurement is revolutionizing surgical rehabilitation. Catherine, a former physical therapist, emphasizes the importance of data in patient recovery and how it redefines surgical readiness. Ivan highlights collaboration between surgeons and therapists, showcasing the role of technology in enhancing patient outcomes. They discuss the vital impact of measurable goals on patient engagement and the future of personalized rehabilitation through innovative data-driven techniques.

"We shouldn't treat the MRI, we want to treat our athletes."In this episode, Roula Kotsifaki discusses her recent research on ACL recovery, emphasizing the evolving perspectives in rehabilitation. She highlights the importance of balancing tissue healing with performance metrics, the significance of objective criteria for return to sport, and the need to focus on performance rather than solely on injury prevention. Roula also addresses the complexities of defining re-injury and the role of objective data in guiding rehabilitation practices.Episode SummaryRoula Kotsifaki is head of the assessment unit at Aspetar, a world-leading specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospitalThe pendulum of ACL recovery perspectives has shifted over the years, emphasizing the need for ongoing research.Tissue healing timelines do not always correlate with performance readiness for athletes.Objective criteria for return to sport should focus on individual athlete metrics rather than strict timelines.Vertical jump testing may provide better insights into readiness than traditional horizontal hop tests.Progress in rehabilitation directly correlates with the chances of returning to pivoting sports.Defining re-injury is complex and should consider the context of the injury.Objective data is crucial for guiding rehabilitation but should not be the sole focus.Athletes need to understand that passing tests does not guarantee they won't get injured again.🔗 Connect with Roula on social media in the links below:InstagramXLinkedIn🎙️ Hosted by Dylan Carmody🌐 Discover VALD's range of solutions on the VALD HEALTH websiteIf you'd like to get in touch with VALD HEALTH Click HerePlease leave us a review wherever you get your podcast fix.