Pacey Performance Podcast

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Founding Partner at Elite Performance Partners, David Slemen. This episode could possibly be the most important episode I have ever done. David gives us some incredible insights into what employers really want from their performance staff. David has worked alongside hundreds of organisations to help them find the best staff. The FA, Leicester Tigers and the LTA are just some of his clients. If you are wanting to break into the industry or are wanting to take the next step on the career ladder, this episode is an absolute must. In this episode, we discussed... Who is David Sleman (background, education and current roles) Elite Performance Partners Aims and services The rise of specialist-generalists What really matters to employers Same for those organisations that don't come to you? 'Cultural fit' Gauging that when searching for candidates The effects Covid-19 is having/going to have on performance departments Smaller depar

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Head of Performance Research at Kitman Labs, Martin Buchheit and CEO at Kitman Labs, Stephen Smith. I think I say this every week but this episode is slightly different. Kitman Labs recently embarked on a project to survey practitioners in the industry around what they want from research. Their aim is the partner with the industry to help answer the questions which are going to help coaches in their daily practice. It is fascinating where this project can go and I will look forward to catch up with these guys again through 2021. In this episode we discussed... Who are Martin Buchheit and Stephen Smith (education, background and current role) Why Martin moved out of pro sport to join Kitman Labs Where is sports science and where is it going? What are Kitman Labs doing differently? What is performance intelligence? How Kitman thinks the industry can change, advance, innovate with research Results from their recent survey   Martin can

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast I am speaking to Head of Sports Science at Atalanta B.C, Andrea Riboli. I have made it pretty public that I have been wanting to get more practitioners on from Europe as I think its something that has been lacking recently. Atalanta have come out of nowhere to become a staple of Champions League football over the last few years. They have a productive youth development structure and are also pushing the boundaries in sports science in Italy. If you enjoyed this episode with Andrea Riboli you will enjoy these episodes with Matthew Varley and Stu Cormack. In this episode, we discussed... Who is Andrea Riboli (background, education and experience)? Designing conditioning sessions for football players Using area per player to replicate external loads Manipulating SSG variables Physiological affects of these changes Programming conditioning throughout the season Structure Incorporating strength work around on-field physical, technical and tactical work

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach at LSU, Jeremy Jacobs. I have been on the look out for sometime to get a guest on the podcast who is fully immersed in using velocity based training day in, day out. Jeremy is based at LSU who use Perch, a new camera-based system, and in the episode discusses why VBT research seems to be moving quicker than that in practice. If you're using VBT already or are interested in using it, this episode is a must listen. Want to learn more about VBT? These episodes with Bryan Mann, Dan Baker, and Chris Chapman may also be of interest. In this episode we discussed... Who is Jeremy Jacobs (education, background and current role) Benefits of VBT to a program "Favorable adaptation with reduced volume" Of the benefits of VBT, which are implementable? Combination of % based and VBT based methods Does that change through the season, with different athletes etc. Barriers to VBT implementation How have y

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast I am speaking to Director of Performance at the Philadelphia 76ers, Lorena Torres. Lorena is back on the podcast after she appeared alongside Brian Gearity and Sophia Nimphius discussing the barriers for women in S&C which was one of the most downloaded episodes of all time on the Pacey Performance Podcast. This episode goes in a different direction than the previous episode with Sophia, focusing on some of her research, work at the 76ers and some of her thoughts and philosophies on sports technology, conditioning, and strength training in basketball. If you enjoyed this episode with Lorena Torres, you will enjoy these episodes with Xavi Schelling and Kate Weiss. In this episode we discussed... Who is Lorena Torres (background, experience and current role)? Female working in male sport HIIT Philosophy Designing drills to maximise physical AND technical outcomes Sports technology Challenges with data management, data analysis and data delivery

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Consultant, Coach and Author, Paul Gamble. I first asked Paul to come on the podcast back in 2014 after I had read a number of his books and was a regular reader of his blogs; informedinsport.com and preparedathlete.training. Since then he has moved across to New Zealand and then over to Vancouver where he has worked with track and field athletes as well as consulting across various other sports. I love the way Paul thinks and his ability to be skeptical yet pragmatic on issues within our industry. He actually wrote a piece for strengthofscience on the acute chronic ratio which aged very well... In this episode we discussed... Who is Paul Gamble (background, education and current role)? The athlete Responsibility and accountability Self therapy 'Self-screen' The coach The Illogic Of Being Data Driven Mentoring Practitioner health Sustainability Upholding our standards - Accountability to the 'hard questions' CPD The deve

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast I am speaking to Sports Science Coordinator & Assistant Strength & Conditioning at Miami Dolphins, Adam Lachance. Adam has a fascinating story, coming from a military background and ending up at the Dolphins after studying at the University of Miami. For someone who by his own admission is more or an S&C coach than what we may class as a sports scientist, he is doing an incredible job. Bridging the gap between the two roles and the technical coaches is something we dive deep into during this episode as I feel that this is sometimes missed in conversations about sports technology. If you enjoyed this episode with Adam Lachance, you may enjoy these episodes that also discuss force plate analysis with Eric Renaghan, Daniel Cohen, and Phil Graham Smith. In this episode, we discuss - Who is Adam Lachance (background, education and current role) How the military has influenced your career? What pro sport can learn from the military Force plate an

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Sports Scientist at the Brazilian National Team, Guilherme Passos. It was an absolute pleasure to get the sports scientist on from one of, if not the biggest footballing nations in the world. Guilherme was recommended to me by Alan McCall at Arsenal who has been a huge help with getting some great guests on the podcast over the last few years. Gui has published a number of research articles looking at movement patterns and activity profiles of elite football players in Brazil which can be found here. If you're interested in understanding how the best, most recognisable nations in the world implement sports science, this episode is for you. In this episode we discussed... Who is Guilherme Passos (background, education and current role)? Real-world monitoring with a national team What matters before and during tournaments Tracking players all over the world in between tournaments Subjectives Working in a culture where technical aspects

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast I am speaking to Owner of Spellman Performance, Les Spellman. With the NFL back up and running I thought it would be a perfect time to get a guest on the podcast who prepares these athletes for the coming months. Les is an absolute gun but I threw something a little bit different at him for this episode. We went through three hypothetical athletes, all of which most coaches will have come across in their careers, with Les giving his take on how he would improve their sprint performance. For me, this gives a really nice insight into the thought processes of a top class coach who is preparing top class athletes. If you enjoyed this episode with Les Spellman you may enjoy these episodes with Stu McMillan, Ken Clark and Jason Hettler. In this episode, we discuss - Who is Les Spellman (background, education, and experience)? Dealing with different athletes Team sport athlete who has never done dedicated sprint work before Athlete who has persistent hamstring i

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Head of Performance Science & Medicine at the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), Dan Lewindon. Dan has been on my hit list since the release of High Performance Training for Sports (HPTFS) but it has taken me 5 years to take action and get him on the podcast. HPTFS had an incredible impact on my development as a coach but the book also had a huge impact on the podcast. Aaron Coutts, Stu Cormack, Dan Baker, Derek Hansen among others really came to my attention from that book and led me to get them on the podcast. I hope you enjoy this episode with Dan Lewindon. In this episode we discussed... Who is Dan Lewindon (background, education and current role)? Building a multi-disciplinary team Structure Making quick changes Character Skills and competencies Dealing with silos Continued education Minimal support staff with small budgets Delivering holistic performance support What does this mean? Understanding the demands of the spor

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast I am speaking to Head of Sports Science & 1st Team fitness Coach at Southampton FC, Alek Gross. It was an absolutely pleasure to get Alek on again and speak to a fellow Yorkshireman. Alek featured in episode 96 so after 5 years it was well worth an update. It is so refreshing to have someone of Alek's position in Premier League football speak so openly about what he does and doesn't do in his environment. If you are interested in the realities of working in professional football at the first team level, give this a listen.  If you enjoyed this episode with Alek Gross you may enjoy this Championship Football Roundtable episode. In this episode, we discuss - Who is Alek Gross (background, education and current role) Dealing with Covid Forcing players to be independent Programming and planning for an uncertain return Reflections Speed in football Individualising repeat sprint ability Influencing pitch based training "We don't have time, just get th

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Program Director at ALTIS, Nick Ward. When Stu McMillan recommends someone to come on the podcast, I jump at the chance to get them on. Nick has had an incredible career as a coach, business owner, lecturer and now Program Director at ALTIS. As well as his role at ALTIS, we discuss the skills he has developed in these various different roles which have enabled him to have such a long and successful career in strength and conditioning.  In this episode we discussed... Who is Nick Ward (background, education and current role)? History lesson Newcastle academy Industry trends that have come and gone SAQ Other examples? Surviving the industry Being adaptable How speed training education is applicable to the 'everyman coach'? Content vs context How perfect is perfect technique Nick can be found on Twitter @NickWardUK This episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast is sponsored by Perch. Engineered at MIT, Perch uses small and m

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast I am speaking to Coach, Podcaster and Author, Joel Smith. I had so much fun on this podcast with Joel. Not only is Joel a great coach but he is a great character and thinker. I wanted to focus this episode around plyometrics and jump training and we used the episode with Boo Schexnayder as a base from which to build. With Joel having so much going on with his business, Just Fly Sports, as well as the discussion points below, we were able to have a good chat around entrepreneurship in strength and conditioning and content creation. If you enjoyed this episode with Joel Smith, you will enjoy these episodes with Boo Schexnayder, Eamonn Flanagan and Dave Hamilton. In this episode we discussed... Who is Joel Smith (background, experience, current role) Philosophy Importance of experimentation “Two paths of training” Programming and planning jump training Horizontal and vertical jumps Structuring strength training in and around jump training Importance of

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Kristian Thorborg. I know I say this every week but Kristian has been on my hit list for a long time and it was great to finally line it up and get him on the podcast. Kristian is a world-renowned researcher, most well known for his work in hamstring injuries and it is this area that we chat about in this episode. Kristian had recently edited a book, Prevention and Rehabilitation of Hamstring Injuries alongside some giants of the industry, David Opar and Anthony Shield, both of who have been on the podcast. If you're trying to keep your athletes fit, healthy and on the field or court, you will enjoy this one! In this episode we discussed... Who is Kristian Thorborg (background, education and current role)? Hamstring injury risk The structure of the hamstrings Intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors Neuromuscular factors related to hamstring injury and performance Asymmetries Assessments of risk

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast I am speaking to Major League Sports Science Coordinator at the LA Dodgers, Kate Weiss. When Patrick Ward at the Seattle Seahawks says that I should speak to someone, I listen. After every episode of the podcast I ask for recommendations for future guests and when I asked Patrick, Kate was the first name he mentioned. Kate works for one of the biggest franchises in US sport, the LA Dodgers and in this episode we focus on the condensed season which has been forced upon many in pro sport because of Covid-19. Baseball has a grueling schedule during a normal year but this situation has made it chaotic to say the least. If you enjoyed this episode with Kate Weiss, you will enjoy these episodes with Sophia Nimphius, Lorena Torres and Brian Gearity, Patrick Ward and Xavi Schelling. In this episode we discussed... Who is Kate Weiss (background, education and current role)? Being a female in sports science/S&C Training load monitoring Managing load to mitigate

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Associate Professor at West Chester University, Ken Clark. I am absolutely delighted to get Ken on the podcast and its a long time coming. Ken is putting some incredible research out there but is also an established coach. Recent episodes with Jonas Dodoo and Stu McMillan discussing speed training have been very well received and this episode with Ken gives some real scientific rigor to those conversations. In this episode, Ken wears both hats and gives an incredibly balanced approach to the discussion points below. In this episode we discussed... Who is Ken Clark (background, education and current role)? Judging & assessing non-sprinters against a sprinters model Differences What separates them Separating elite sprinters from non-elite sprinters Velocity profile vs total time Max velocity and the acceleration profile Resisted sprints Hitting different qualities Ken can be found on Twitter @KenClarkSpeed This episode of

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast I am speaking to Head of Sports Medicine & Athletic Development at Arsenal Academy, Des Ryan. Des was one of the first people I reached out to when I first started the podcast, however, because Des was new in his role at Arsenal, it wasn't quite the right time. However, 6 years later Des has now been in the role for nearly 8 years. Although we chatted about Des' role at Arsenal, Des is very passionate about improving the industry, especially for the next generation of coaches. The need for a union to help protect practitioners is really gaining some momentum so this formed a large part of this episode which is absolutely fascinating and very exciting. If you enjoyed this episode with Des Ryan, you will enjoy these with Paudie Roche and Darren Burgess. In this episode we discussed... Who is Des Ryan (background, education and current role)? Arsenal academy Philosophy Staff What you look for? Strength and conditioning union What would that achiev

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Director of Research & Development at Seattle Seahawks, Patrick Ward. Patrick first appeared on the podcast in episode #33 in 2015 so it was absolutely fantastic to get him on again. He's still at the Seahawks but in a different role so it was great to hear about the transition. Since our last chat, Patrick has completed his PhD but we focus this chat about an area very familiar to him, training load monitoring and data. In this episode we discussed... Who is Patrick Ward (background, education and current role)? Sports science      • What it is and what it isn’t       • Impact across the wider organisation      • Simple statistics that all sports scientists should be familiar with to make informed decisions and why      • Data visualisation principles Sports technology       • Training load monitoring tools           • Where are we at?           • What could companies do better?       • Inclusion/exclusion criteria at the Seahawks

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast I am speaking to Athletic Performance Consultant, Lee Taft. Its been a long time coming! I wanted to get someone on the podcast who could chat about change of direction and I ended up asking Loren Landow for a recommendation. Within 2 minutes, Loren had replied with "Lee Taft, he's your man". Lee's knowledge, enthusiasm, and experience made this episode of the podcast and absolute belter. If you want to learn about deceleration, the role of the foot and change of direction, you will love this episode. I hope you enjoy this episode with Lee Taft, you will enjoy these with Sophia Nimphius, and Loren Landow. In this episode we discussed... Who is Lee Taft (background, education and current role)? Agility Definitions and complexity Change of direction Assessments 'Training assessments' with younger athletes Identifying what's important Importance of the foot Programming Closed vs open drills Coaching out unwanted movements 'Embracing the chaos'

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, I am speaking to Performance Coordinator and Analyst at University of California, San Diego, Lauren Green. I wanted to interview a practitioner who was using force plates really effectively in a collegiate setting and after speaking to Eric Reneghan, he said that Lauren was my guy! After spending some time in the NBA, Lauren is now at the University of California, San Diego and speaks about his philosopher around the use of force plates. Lauren goes into some depth of how he uses this technology but more importantly, he discusses the why. If you enjoyed this chat, you will enjoy these episodes discussing force plates with Jason Lake, Daniel Cohen and Phil Graham-Smith. In this episode we discussed... Who is Lauren Green (background, experience and current role) Force plates     • Fundamentals          • Asking the right questions          • What questions do you want to answer?          • Increasing or reducing metrics being analysed - process     • RTP