

Science for Sport Podcast
Science for Sport
Discover the Secrets Behind Elite Performance.
Join us on the Science for Sport Podcast, where every episode dives into the cutting-edge world of sports science and the untold stories behind the best athletes and teams on the planet.
Hosted by Richard Graves, we bring you exclusive insights from elite athletes, world-class coaches, and leading sports scientists who are shaping the future of global sport.
This isn’t just another sports podcast—this is your backstage pass to:
- The science powering record-breaking performances.
- The trends, challenges, and breakthroughs redefining the game.
- Mastering the balance of art and science in coaching.
Whether you’re a sports scientist, coach, physio, nutritionist, teacher, or just a passionate sports fan, this is your chance to learn from the pros and stay ahead of the curve.
Tune in every Monday and uncover what it takes to make the best, better.
Join us on the Science for Sport Podcast, where every episode dives into the cutting-edge world of sports science and the untold stories behind the best athletes and teams on the planet.
Hosted by Richard Graves, we bring you exclusive insights from elite athletes, world-class coaches, and leading sports scientists who are shaping the future of global sport.
This isn’t just another sports podcast—this is your backstage pass to:
- The science powering record-breaking performances.
- The trends, challenges, and breakthroughs redefining the game.
- Mastering the balance of art and science in coaching.
Whether you’re a sports scientist, coach, physio, nutritionist, teacher, or just a passionate sports fan, this is your chance to learn from the pros and stay ahead of the curve.
Tune in every Monday and uncover what it takes to make the best, better.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 12, 2022 • 41min
141: Are You Breathing Wrong? How You Can Use Nasal Breathing To Improve Performance
In episode 141, David Jackson, Master Instructor at The Oxygen Advantage, joins us.
Specifically David will be looking at:
What nasal breathing is
Why people should perform nasal breathing
How to incorperate this into your life
About David
"David Jackson is a Master Instructor with the Oxygen Advantage working now as a breath-work coach. A former professional rugby player, accredited UKSCA Strength & Conditioning coach, NASM performance enhancement & corrective exercise specialist on a mission to make breath-work a normal part of our everyday lives."
www.probreathwork.com
Instagram: jacko.david.jackson
FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL
SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode141
Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
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Dec 5, 2022 • 23min
140: High-Performance Secrets At The Rugby League World Cup
In episode 140, Tom Watkins, High Performance Manager at Fiji Rugby League, joins us.
Specifically Tom will be looking at:
Demands of tournament rugby
How to manage players arriving from various clubs
In tournament gym sessions
Week planning
About Tom
"Tom Watkins is the current High Performance Manager for the Fiji Bati National Rugby League Team. He is also the Head of Performance for one of Australia’s leading athletic development facilities Athletes Authority. Through this role Tom has worked with a diverse range of international and national level athletes across a multitude of sports. Prior to this he has gained a wealth of experience working as a strength and conditioning coach within a number of professional sporting organisations such as the Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels."
Instagram: coach_watkins
FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL
SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode140
Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher

Nov 28, 2022 • 23min
139: 3 Essential Sport Psychology Hacks Which Will Improve Your Performance Today
In episode 139, Julia Eyre, Sport Psychologist and Strength Coach, joins us.
Specifically Julia will be looking at:
Importance of sport psychology
3 key sport psychology tips for all athletes
Case study: How to apply these tips
About Julia
"Julia coaches, teaches, researches, and advocates for athlete well-being in the sport system. Although additionally serving as Head of Sport Science at youth academy TSG Wieseck, she founded White Lion in order to offer athletes accessible and accurate information about health and performance. She works as strength coach, sport scientist, and psychologist, and is based in Mittelhessen, Germany."
IG: www.instagram.com/whitelionperformance
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/whitelionperformance
Website: www.whitelionperformance.com
FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL
SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode139
Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher

Nov 21, 2022 • 28min
138: The Past, Present And Future Of High Performance In Rugby
In episode 138, Ashley Jones, Strength & Conditioning Coach, joins us.
Specifically Ashley will be looking at:
How performance training in rugby has changed in the last 30 years
Influence of technology on performance
Training methods which have stood the test of time
The future of rugby performance
About Ashley
Ashley Jones has worked in three professional sports across four continents in a career that last lasted over 30 years. Specifically in rugby where he has worked with teams from club to international across the world, going to two Rugby World cups with both a southern and northern hemisphere team. He is also in his 10 th year as a columnist for https://www.elitefts.com/author/ashley-jones/ He was awarded the 2015 Professional Coach of the Year by the NSCA. He currently resides in Christchurch, New Zealand with his wife Donna and their 13 month old dog Nessie.
Rugby Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/290399828311192."
FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL
SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode138
Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher

Nov 14, 2022 • 21min
137: Pain Science: How You Could Be Tricked Into Pain, And How To Deal With It
In episode 137, Siobhan Milner, Strength & Conditioning Coach, joins us.
Specifically Siobhan will be looking at:
The role of pain
How pain works physiologically
Pain without symptoms
How to deal with pain using science
About Siobhan
"Siobhan Milner is a Strength & Conditioning Coach originally from New Zealand with a background in Exercise Science and Rehabilitation Science. She’s worked as a clinical exercise physiologist, an exercise scientist, and is currently contracted as an S&C coach with TeamNL (Dutch Olympic Team) training Shorttrack Speed Skaters and the National Curling team. She also works with several independent athletes, primarily in (ultra) endurance sports and performing arts, and with clients seeking her knowledge in injury rehabilitation."
Social Media:
Instagram: @siobhan.milner
Twitter: @SiobhanCMilner
FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL
SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode137
Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher

Nov 7, 2022 • 43min
136: How To Use Ground Based Plyometrics For Elite Level Sporting Performance
In episode 136, Matt McInnes-Watson, Performance Coach and Consultant, joins us.
Specifically Matt will be looking at:
How to program plyos for younger and older athletes
How he classifies plyometrics
How to apply plyometrics for elite performance
About Matt
"Matt McInnes Watson is a performance coach and consultant that specialises in plyometrics and speed training. Whilst studying for a PhD in plyometrics, he also runs Plus Plyos an online training and coaching platform that aims to develop and educate athletes and coaches all over the world."
Social Media:
@mcinneswatson
@plusplyos
www.plusplyos.com
FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL
SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode136
Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher

Oct 31, 2022 • 32min
135: Could Poor Breathing Be Destroying Your Performance?
In episode 135, Rachel Vickery, Human Behaviour and High-Performance Consultant, joins us.
Specifically Rachel will be looking at:
What good and bad breathing looks like
How to breathe well
How to breathing transfers to sport performance
About Rachel
"Rachel Vickery is a Human Behaviour and High-Performance Consultant, qualified High Performance Sport Physiotherapist and former International Gymnast, competing on the National team for 6 years. She consults with Professional and Elite athletes, coaches and organisations; and other high-performance arenas including elite military teams, corporates, trauma and emergency medicine personnel to optimise performance in high pressure and high stakes environments. Rachel has worked with breathing from a performance perspective for over 20 years, being a pioneer in the field. She has a unique perspective on how breathing impacts not only arousal state, but physical performance, biomechanics and physiology in the world of elite performance.
Rachel has worked with individuals and teams in the NBA (Golden State Warriors USA), the NRL (Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters) and the AFL (Brisbane Lions and Adelaide Crows) and numerous National, Olympic and World Champion level athletes, coaches and organisations from NZ, Australia and the USA, and is a performance ambassador for the global Leaders in Sport organisation.
In her spare time Rachel has co-founded two digital health start-ups, and been a Director of a State sport organisation "
People can get in touch via rachel@breathingandperformance.com
My website www.breathingandperformance.com or www.rachelvickery.com
Or connect with me on linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelvickery/
Instagram @rachel.vickery
FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL
SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode135
Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher

Oct 24, 2022 • 26min
134: How The Menstrual Cycle Affects Sport Performance: Must-Know Info For Coaches And Athletes
In episode 134, Kirsty Elliott-Sale, Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University, joins us.
Specifically Kirsty will be looking at:
Impact of the menstrual cycle in sport
Key phases and their importance in sport
How/whether to adjust training around the menstrual cylce
About Kirsty
"I completed my undergraduate degree and PhD [Exercise Physiology] at Liverpool John Moores University. My PhD examined the effects of female reproductive hormones on muscle strength and since then my work has primarily focused on female athletes. I worked as a Lecturer at Brunel University and the University of Brighton, before undertaking a four-year Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship at Kings College London. I worked at Nottingham Trent University between 2009 and 2022. I joined the Institute of Sport at Manchester Metropolitan University this year as a Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology. In addition to my research on female athletes, which includes the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptives, the Female Athlete Triad and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, my work in recent years has involved designing and implementing exercise interventions during and following pregnancy in a variety of populations including servicewomen (i.e., military personnel), athletes, and women with obesity. I have co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, expert statements, and editorials on/for sportswomen. In addition, I work with many organisations such as the English Institute of Sport, the Football Association, The Australian Institute of Sport, The European Club Association, and The Wu Tsai Performance Alliance and am on several special interest groups and advisory boards related to female athletes."
Twitter: @ElliottSale
FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL
SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode134
Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher

Oct 17, 2022 • 19min
133: What Is The World's Most Physically Demanding Team Sport?
In episode 133, Mathew Pell, Applied Sport Scientist at Catapult Sports , joins us.
Specifically Mat will be looking at:
Which sports have the biggest aerobic demands
Which sports have the biggest anaerobic demands
Which sports have the biggest strength demands
Which is the most physically demanding team sport overall
About Mat
"I moved to America from Australia about a year and a half ago. I’ve come fresh out of the Australian Football League where I coached in a multitude of roles from Referees to two of the senior organisations: Carton FC, and North Melbourne FC. Now I’ve transitioned to Catapult where my role is Applied Sport Scientist, and my responsibilities include all the MLS and around 20 American Football accounts"
Twitter: @MathewPell
Instagram: @Mathew_Pell
FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL
SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode133
Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher

Oct 10, 2022 • 26min
132: Why Youth Sport Is Broken, and How We Can Fix It
In episode 132, Linda Flanagan, Author, joins us.
Specifically Linda will be looking at:
Key issues affecting youth sports
How coaches can improve these
Role of parents in improving youth sport
About Linda
"Linda is a freelance journalist, researcher, and former cross-country and track coach. A graduate of Lehigh University, Flanagan holds master’s degrees from Oxford University and the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy and was an analyst for the National Security Program at Harvard University. She is a founding board member of the New York City chapter of the Positive Coaching Alliance and a 2020–21 advisory group member for the Aspen Institute’s Reimagining School Sports initiative, and her writing on sports has appeared in The Atlantic, Runner’s World, and on NPR’s education site MindShift, where she is a regular contributor. A mother of three and a lifelong athlete, Flanagan lives in New Jersey."
Twitter: @LindaFlanagan2
Instagram: @Lindaflanagan_author
https://annehelen.substack.com/p/are-kids-sports-reformable
FREE 7d COACH ACADEMY TRIAL
SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/sfsepisode132
Learn Quicker & More Effectively, Freeing Up Time To Spend With Friends And Family
Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery
Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In
Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese
Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More
Improve Your Athletes' Performance
Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes
Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher


