Too many S&C coaches, sports scientists, and performance staff feel like leadership is something reserved for the person with the highest title. In this episode, I’m joined by performance coach, Ryan Blake to break down what leadership actually looks like for those working in sport — who's not always at the top. We unpack the traits that earn trust and influence, how to shape your leadership identity, and what support coaches can do today to lead with confidence and clarity — without a formal title. If you're a coach who wants to lead better in your environment, build long-term respect, and step up without stepping on toes, this conversation is for you. ✅ Why leadership starts with self-awareness, not job titles✅ How to earn respect as a performance coach or S&C lead✅ The 3 traits great support coaches share✅ How to influence without overstepping✅ What to do when imposter syndrome shows up✅ Why authenticity > authority in modern coaching✅ How to develop your own leadership identity Find out more from Ryan here: LinkedIn Instagram Website 💬 What’s one way you’ve shown leadership without the title? Drop it in the comments.🔁 Share this with a coach who leads from the middle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Too many coaches still see nutrition as “someone else’s job.”But if you’re working with athletes — at any level — you’re influencing how they fuel, recover, and perform. In this episode, I’m joined by Dan Richardson, performance nutritionist and applied practitioner, to break down how coaches can support better nutrition habits in youth and team sport settings — without needing to be a nutritionist. Whether you're a coach, PE teacher or work with athletes in any way, this conversation offers nsight on how to educate and create nutrition habits in your team, therefore drive performance forward. 💡 What You’ll Learn ✅ How to coach better nutrition habits without meal plans or tracking✅ Common fuelling mistakes in team sport — especially around evening sessions✅ The signs of under-fuelling that coaches often miss✅ How to support athletes through high-demand training blocks✅ The role of environment and habits in nutrition success✅ When supplements matter — and when they’re not the answer✅ What coaches can do to create buy-in and long-term change To speak to Dan and see more of his work - come follow him on Instagram 📤 Share this episode with a coach who’s supporting youth athletes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How to Use AI to Save Time, Plan Smarter, and Transform Your Coaching 🚨 Most coaches are still Googling while the way forward is using AI. In this episode, I am joined by Marnie Wills, an AI educator, strategist, and expert o explore how AI is reshaping sport, coaching, and education—and how coaches can use it to work smarter, not harder. Whether you’ve never opened ChatGPT or you’re already using AI in your workflow, this episode gives you clear, practical steps to integrate AI into your coaching—without losing the human touch. 🔍 Learn why AI isn’t a tech trend—it’s a behavioural shift every coach needs to understand. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why AI is already changing how coaches plan, reflect, and lead How to use tools like Perplexity and NotebookLM to save hours every week Simple ways to build your own "AI coaching assistant" How to use AI to personalise programming and better understand athletes Why reflection and creativity are more important than ever—and how AI helps you do both The big risks of ignoring this shift in sport, education, and leadership Whether you’re a sports coach, PE teacher, or S&C practitioner, this episode is your entry point into AI without the overwhelm. To get in touch with Marnie or find out more on how you can learn about AI for free, click below! Connect with Marnie on LinkedIn See more of Marnie's work here Subscribe to Marnies weekly newsletter here! ✅ Like, share, and comment: What’s one way you could start using AI in your coaching? #CoachingWithAI #SportsCoaching #PETeacherTools #SCCoaches #AIInSport #AIForCoaches #CoachingDevelopment #AthleticSkills #CoachSmarter #AIInEducation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why Growth Spurts Confuse Coaches – And What to Do About It If you’re a coach or PE teacher, this situation is all too familiar. But how we respond to it can make or break an athlete’s confidence, development, and future potential. In this episode, I’m joined by Jamie Salter, a researcher and educator in youth athletic development, to explore how growth and maturation affect performance, movement, and talent identification—and what you as a coach can do about it. Whether you’re in the grassroots, academy, or school setting, this episode will help you support athletes physically, emotionally, and developmentally—especially during their most vulnerable phase. 🧠 What You’ll Learn ✅ How growth spurts impact coordination, performance & injury risk ✅ The signs of adolescent awkwardness (and how to coach through it) ✅ Why late developers get missed—and early developers often get overrated ✅ What coaches can do when performance dips during physical changes ✅ How tools like Maturity Monitor can help you coach smarter ✅ Tips for coaches to navigate maturation when identifying talent. ✅ Practical strategies for coaches working with mixed-maturity groups 0:00 – Intro & Jamie’s background 2:00 – What maturation really means for athletes 6:00 – Signs of growth spurts that coaches often miss 9:30 – Communication gaps between coaches, athletes, and parents 12:45 – Growth vs performance: selection bias explained 17:00 – “Adolescent awkwardness”: how it shows up in sport 21:00 – Coaching adjustments during physical development 24:00 – Late bloomers: how to spot and support them 28:00 – Using bio-banding and maturity scores practically 33:00 – Avoiding burnout and early specialization 36:00 – Simple solutions for grassroots coaches with limited resources 40:00 – Why female athletes need tailored support 41:30 – Final takeaways & where to connect with Jamie Follow Jamie on Twitter or on LinkedIn 👍 Like this episode? Hit the thumbs up and subscribe for more content on athlete development. 💬 Comment below: Have you supported an athlete through a growth spurt? What did you learn? 📲 Check out the Maturity Monitor app on your App Store for simple growth tracking. #YouthAthletes #TalentID #GrowthSpurts #AthleteDevelopment #PETeachers #YouthSports #StrengthAndConditioning #CoachEducation #EarlySpecialisation #FemaleAthletes #SportsScience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Build stronger, faster, and more robust cricketers—without changing your entire coaching programme. You’re preparing your players technically... But are they physically ready to perform, compete, and stay injury-free? Too many cricket coaches still treat physical development as a bonus—or don't even see the need. But modern demands more than skill. If you're not actively developing your players physically, you're not preparing them for the game’s demands. In this episode, I sit down with Jack McCann, a Head S&C coach at Leicestershire CCC who explains how cricket coaches can blend physical prep into their training—without the need for a gym or overhauling their program. Whether you coach at a recreation club, pathway, or school, this conversation gives you practical strategies to build better movers, reduce injury risk, and unlock your players’ full potential. 🧠 What You’ll Learn ✅ Why physical literacy is the foundation of cricket performance ✅ How warm-ups can become a tool for long-term player development ✅ The connection between movement quality and skill execution ✅ Simple ways to include physical prep—without extra time or equipment ✅ Why athletic development is the key to more resilient, coachable cricketers 📌 0:00 – Why physical development is overlooked in cricket 📌 3:30 – Separating performance myths from physical truth 📌 8:10 – How movement skills underpin batting, bowling & fielding 📌 14:40 – The warm-up as your coaching cheat code 📌 21:00 – Helping players improve physically without fancy resources 📌 27:15 – Common injury risks coaches can help prevent 📌 33:00 – Building physical development into existing cricket sessions 📌 39:00 – Jack’s advice to coaches: small changes, big gains 👍 Like this episode? Hit the like button and subscribe for more coaching insights. 💬 Drop a comment: What part of physical development are you focusing on with your players this season? 📢 Share this with a coach who’s still treating warm-ups like a routine instead of a resource. #CricketCoaching #AthleteDevelopment #CricketFitness #StrengthAndConditioning #YouthAthletes #PhysicalPreparation #WarmUpMatters #MovementSkills #CricketDevelopment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🚨 Coaches, you’re scouting young athletes all wrong – and it’s costing them AND you. Most coaches think talent ID is about watching the best player on the ball. Wrong. The real indicators of elite potential happen OFF the ball—movement, physicality, and mindset. Miss this, and you’ll overlook future athletes. In this episode, Harry Varley, an expert in Talent ID and youth athletic development, exposes the biggest mistakes coaches make when identifying talent—and how to fix them. If you coach, scout, or train young athletes, this episode is a must-watch. 🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ The #1 mistake coaches make when scouting young athletes. ✅ Why on-ball skills don’t predict long-term success (and what does). ✅ How to spot elite potential in ways most coaches miss with some simple tips! ✅ Why “growth spurts” can influence a coaches judgement on a player. ✅ How poor physical development ruins talent and how mindset can set players apart. 📢 Coaches, don’t get left behind. Find Harry on LinkedIn Check out more of Harry's work here with FIFA 💬 Drop a comment: What’s the biggest mistake you’ve seen in Talent ID? Let’s discuss. 🚀 Subscribe for more insights on coaching, S&C, and athlete development. #TalentID #Coaching #AthleteDevelopment #Scouting #YouthAthletes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🚨 Growth spurts are sidelining young athletes—and most coaches have no idea why. Are you making the same mistakes? 🚨 Young athletes aren’t adults, and they can’t be trained like adults. Yet, many coaches apply the same training methods to growing bodies, leading to injuries, poor movement, and burnout before athletes ever reach their full potential. Coaches focus on technique, fitness, and skill development, but ignoring how the body changes during growth can make long standing problems. Back pain, movement issues, and overuse injuries are skyrocketing in youth sports because coaches are training young athletes like mini-adults instead of adapting to their rapid growth and maturation phases. In this episode, I sit down with Angela Jackson, who is an youth athlete physio and an expert in youth athletic development, to expose why so many young athletes are breaking down—and what coaches MUST do to prevent it. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why growth spurts increase injury risk—and what coaches MUST do about it. ✅ The biggest mistakes coaches make when managing young athletes. ✅ How ignoring maturation leads to long-term movement dysfunction & injury. ✅ How to adjust training without holding athletes back. ✅ The red flags every coach should recognise before it’s too late. 🔥 Ignoring growth & maturation isn’t just a mistake—it’s a career-ending risk. When coaches don’t adapt training, young athletes suffer from chronic pain, long-term movement issues, and even early burnout from sport. This episode will teach you how to stop that. 📩 Connect with Angela Jackson on LinkedIn  📚 Check out Kids Back 2 Sport where Angela shares tonnes of insights and resources designed for any Sports Coach  Want to learn more about injuries and how you can manage them as Sports Coach/PE teacher, check this out! Work in Cricket? Angela has some great resources for coaches to learn about how they can safely manage injuries! 👉 If this episode gave you valuable insights: ✅ Like the episode to help more coaches & practitioners find this content. 💬 "Have you ever coached an athlete struggling with back pain or movement issues after a growth spurt? What did you do? Drop your thoughts in the comments!" 📢 Share this with a sports coach, PE teacher, or S&C professional who needs to hear this. 📩 Subscribe for more expert insights on athlete development, coaching, and sports science. #AthleteDevelopment #YouthAthletes #StrengthAndConditioning #Coaching #InjuryPrevention #GrowthAndMaturation #SportsScience #PhysicalEducation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🚨 Most golfers are training the wrong way—and it’s costing them power, speed, and consistency. Are you one of them? Golfers are obsessed with technique, but what if that’s not enough? The real game-changer for adding distance, accuracy, and longevity isn’t just perfecting your swing—it’s strength & conditioning. In this episode, Chris Hair, a performance coach specialising in golf athletic development, reveals how the right physical training can transform a golfer’s game. Whether you're a golf coach, S&C practitioner, or player, this episode will challenge traditional thinking and show you how to integrate strength training for better performance on the course. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: 🏋️‍♂️ The #1 reason golfers struggle to generate power—and how to fix it. ⛳ Why most golfers are training wrong—and what they should be doing instead. 🔥 The biggest myths about golf performance training—debunked. 📊 The simple way to add effortless power to your swing using strength training. 🤝 How golf coaches and S&C practitioners can work together to maximize player development. If you coach golfers or want to improve your own game, this episode will change the way you think about golf fitness forever. Links & Resources 📩 Connect with Chris Hair on LinkedIn ⛳ Follow Chris on Instagram for golf training insights 👉 If this episode gave you valuable insights: ✅ Like the show to help more coaches and athletes find this content. 💬 What’s one thing you’ve always questioned about golf training? Drop it in the comments! 📢 Share this with a coach or golfer looking to improve their performance. 📩 Subscribe for more expert insights on fitness, S&C, and coaching. #GolfPerformance #StrengthAndConditioning #GolfTraining #AthleteDevelopment #Coaching #SportsScience #SCCoach #GolfFitness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🚨 Are schools unknowingly holding young athletes back? 🚨 For years, schools have relied on traditional PE and outdated training methods, but are they actually setting young athletes up for success—or failure? ⁠In this episode, Guy Sandys-Renton,⁠ a leading expert in youth athletic development, reveals why most schools are missing the mark when it comes to helping young athletes move better, perform stronger, and stay injury-free. Whether you're a PE teacher, sports coach, or S&C practitioner, this conversation will challenge conventional thinking and give you practical, game-changing strategies to transform youth training—without needing elite facilities or specialist staff. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: ❌ The biggest mistakes schools make in youth athletic development. 🔄 Why traditional PE isn’t enough—and what needs to change. 🏃 How to improve movement, coordination, and physical literacy with simple strategies. 🎯 How schools can implement strength & conditioning—without extra budget or equipment. 🤝 How PE teachers and coaches can work together to create better long-term athletes. If you work with young athletes, this episode will completely change the way you think about physical development in schools. ⁠📩 Connect with Guy Sandys-Renton on LinkedIn ⁠ 👉 If this episode gave you valuable insights: ✅ Like the episode to help more coaches and teachers find this content. 💬 Comment – What’s the biggest challenge you see in school-based athletic development? 📢 Share this with a coach, PE teacher, or school leader who needs to hear this. 📩 Subscribe for more expert insights on youth training, coaching, and S&C. #YouthAthletes #AthleteDevelopment #StrengthAndConditioning #PhysicalEducation #SportsPerformance #Coaching #PE #SportsScience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🚨 Most young athletes will never make it to the elite level—but why? 🚨 Every coach wants to develop high-performing athletes, but the truth is, many training methods aren’t preparing them for the demands of elite sport.  In this episode, Brent Dickinson, Head of Academy Performance at Watford FC, reveals what it really takes to develop athletes who can handle pressure, perform under stress, and make it to the top. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: 🏋️‍♂️ Why strength numbers don’t tell the full story—and what really matters. 📊 The key physical qualities that separate good from elite athletes. 🤝 Why collaboration between S&C and technical coaches is the missing piece in athlete development. 🧠 The role of emotional intelligence in creating resilient, high-performing athletes. 🚀 How to balance short-term success with long-term athlete development.If you're a coach, practitioner, or performance expert, this episode will challenge the way you think about preparing athletes for elite sport. 📩 Connect with Brent Dickinson on LinkedIn 🐦 Follow Brent on Twitter – @BrentD82 👉 If this episode gave you valuable insights: ✅ Like the video to help more coaches find this content. 💬 Comment – What’s the biggest challenge in preparing athletes for the elite level?📢 Share this with a coach or practitioner who needs to hear this.📩 Subscribe for more insights from elite coaches and performance experts.#AthleteDevelopment #StrengthAndConditioning #SportsPerformance #Coaching #SportsScience #YouthAthletes #EliteSport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🚨 Golf coaches and players—are you training the wrong way? 🚨 Strength & Conditioning in golf is still misunderstood, with many players avoiding strength training or focusing on "golf-specific" exercises that don’t actually improve performance. In this episode, Luke Robinson, a lecturer for the PGA and an expert in golf Strength & Conditioning, breaks down: ✅ The biggest myths in golf fitness—and why they’re holding players back. ✅ How elite golfers use strength & power training to increase clubhead speed. ✅ Why copying the golf swing in the gym is a mistake—and what to do instead. ✅ How to balance strength training with busy tournament schedules. ✅ The importance of individualised training & how to apply it at all levels. If you’re a golf coach, S&C practitioner, or player, this episode will completely change the way you approach physical preparation for golf. Links & Resources 📩 Connect with Luke Robinson on LinkedIn ⛳ Follow Luke on Twitter/X for golf training insights ⛳ Follow Luke on Instagram for golf training insights 📚 Watch Luke’s Ladies European Tour Testing Video 📄 Read Luke’s published research papers on golf S&C  👉 If this episode gave you valuable insights: ✅ Like the show to help more coaches and players find this content. 💬 Comment – What’s the biggest challenge you see in golf fitness training? 📢 Share this with a golf coach or player looking to improve their game. 📩 Subscribe for more expert insights on golf fitness, S&C, and performance. #GolfPerformance #StrengthAndConditioning #GolfTraining #AthleteDevelopment #Coaching #SportsScience #GolfFitness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

📢 Why Coaches MUST Get Nutrition Right – Or Risk Their Players Failing!Every coach focuses on strength, tactics, and fitness—but nutrition is the missing piece in unlocking peak performance. 🚀 If your players are gassing out in the last 20 minutes or struggling with recovery, their fueling strategy could be the problem.In this episode of the Athletic Skills Podcast, we sit down with Ted Munson, Lead Performance Nutritionist at Brentford FC, to reveal how elite football teams fuel their players for success. Ted has worked across Premier League football, rugby, and other sports, and he shares the biggest nutrition mistakes coaches make—and how to fix them.✅ The #1 fuelling mistake that causes players to fade late in games—and how to prevent it✅ How to customise nutrition for every player (instead of a one-size-fits-all approach)✅ The science of carb-loading and why it matters for high-intensity football✅ How to fuel for different kickoff times (early vs. late games)✅ The key to faster recovery in congested fixture periods✅ Simple nutrition strategies grassroots coaches can apply right nowWhy one-size-fits-all plans don’t work💬 Coaches, What’s Your Biggest Nutrition Challenge?Are your players struggling with energy, recovery, or fueling correctly? Drop a comment below, and let’s discuss solutions!📲 Connect with Ted Munson:* LinkedIn: Ted Munson* Instagram: @tedmunson.nutritionSubscribe for more expert insights into coaching, performance, and elite sports science.#FootballNutrition #SportsScience #MatchDayFuel #PremierLeague #StrengthAndConditioning #AthleteRecovery #SportsCoaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🚨What if everything you’ve been told about mental toughness is wrong? 🚨 Athletes are constantly told to"control their emotions" to perform at their best. But what if that approach is actuallyholding you back? In this episode,Lauren Garner, a sports psychologist in training working with Sunderland AFC, breaks down whyacceptance, not control, is the key to unlocking athlete performance. We dive deep into: 🧠Why suppressing emotions leads to worse performance under pressure 🌬️How breathwork can help athletes manage stress & stay focused 🔄What an acceptance-based approach looks like in real life scenarios. 🎯Practical tools for coaches to help athletes manage emotions effectively 🚀How to develop a resilient mindset without forcing "mental toughness" Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or practitioner, this episode will change how you think about emotions and performance. Key Takeaways & Timestamps 📌0:00 – Why traditional mental toughness advice is flawed📌3:30 – The science behind emotions & athletic performance📌7:15 – How acceptance-based coaching improves resilience📌12:45 – Using breathwork to stay calm under pressure📌18:20 – Helping athletes embrace emotions instead of fighting them📌24:00 – Common mistakes coaches make when addressing emotions📌30:15 – Real-world examples of acceptance-based coaching in sport📌37:00 – Practical takeaways for coaches & athletes to implement today 📩Connect with Lauren Garner on LinkedIn📩Subscribe for more expert insights on high performance & coaching.📢Share this episode with a coach, athlete, or teammate who needs to hear this! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to my free newsletter: Be and Elite Coach, Build Elite Athletes for twice a week content designed to help you reach your version of "Elite". Click here to join!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is brought to you by Brendan Chaplin Business Coaching.  Brendan guides coaches and service based entrepreneurs to deliver their best work, build a 7 figure lifestyle and performance business and create a life of freedom.  To get in touch with Brendan, DM him the word COACH and he will start the conversation on any of the platforms below: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #SportsPsychology #Mindset #MentalPerformance #Coaching #AthleteDevelopment #EmotionalResilience #Breathwork #PeakPerformance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🚀 Speed and agility can be the difference in winning and losing—but are you training them effectively?In this episode, we sit down withJames Nolan, First-Team Strength & Conditioning Coach at Cardiff Rugby, to break down how to develop speed and agility that actually transfers to game performance.With a background spanning rugby, football, and elite athlete development, James shares insights into:🏃 Why many S&C coaches struggle with speed & agility training.🏉 How to develop speed and agility that transfers to game based improvements to team sports.📊 The key physical qualities behind acceleration, deceleration & change of direction.🔄 The role of gym training vs. on-field drills in developing faster athletes.⚡ How return-to-play protocols can rebuild speed & confidence post-injury.If you're a coach, or practitioner looking to learn more about making your athletes faster, bridge the gap between the gym and on-pitch performance, this episode is packed with practical insights!Key Takeaways & Timestamps📌 0:00 – How James Nolan built his career in elite S&C📌 3:00 – Why coaches struggle with speed & agility training📌 7:30 – How gym-based training impacts sprinting & agility📌 12:00 – Developing acceleration, deceleration, and change of direction📌 18:00 – Open vs. closed agility drills: When and how to use them📌 24:00 – Why warm-ups are a hidden weapon for speed & movement skill📌 30:00 – Return-to-play protocols: How to safely rebuild speed after injury📌 37:00 – How to make agility drills more game-relevant📌 45:00 – James’ advice for grassroots coaches developing young athletesLinks & Resources📩 Connect with James Nolan on LinkedIn🔔 Subscribe for More! Found this episode helpful? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more interviews with elite coaches and sports practitioners.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: athleticskillseducationEmail: info@athleticskills.co.uk#SpeedTraining #Agility #StrengthAndConditioning #AthleteDevelopment #Rugby #SportsScience #Coaching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How to Break into Pro Sport: Lessons Every Young Practitioner Needs to Hear 🎙️ In This Episode: Do you feel stuck trying to break into professional sport? This episode is packed with actionable advice, real-world insights, and career-changing strategies to help young practitioners take their first steps in the competitive world of pro sport. We’ll cover how to turn small opportunities into big breakthroughs, the power of networking, and the mindset shifts you need to stand out. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or just starting out, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss. 🔑 Key Topics Discussed: Proactive Careers: Why taking initiative through volunteering and internships is the key to unlocking doors. The Networking Blueprint: How to build genuine relationships that lead to opportunities. From Theory to Practice: Why experience beats qualifications and how to get hands-on in the field. Common Mistakes: What NOT to do when starting out in the industry. Patience and Persistence: Why the journey to pro sport is a marathon, not a sprint. 💡 What You’ll Learn: How to leverage small, unpaid roles to gain valuable experience. Networking strategies that build trust and leave a lasting impression. The importance of balancing confidence with humility when starting your career. Why a tailored CV and a willingness to ask questions can set you apart. 📲 Connect with Jack Pullan: * LinkedIn ⁠Jack Pullan 🔔 Subscribe for More! Found this episode helpful? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more interviews with elite coaches and sports practitioners. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to my free newsletter: Be and Elite Coach, Build Elite Athletes for twice a week content designed to help you reach your version of "Elite". Click here to join!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is brought to you by Brendan Chaplin Business Coaching.  Brendan guides coaches and service based entrepreneurs to deliver their best work, build a 7 figure lifestyle and performance business and create a life of freedom.  To get in touch with Brendan, DM him the word COACH and he will start the conversation on any of the platforms below: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #ProSport #YoungPractitioners #SportsScience #BreakingIntoSport #SportsCareers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How sending one email opened a door and set up my career For Isaac Hopkins, an experienced Strength and Conditioning coach, it started with one bold move—a single email that opened doors to shadowing elite coaches and kickstarted his journey. Today, Isaac is shaping the future of England Touch, preparing athletes for the intense demands of this fast-paced, high-intensity game. From agility to deceleration, he’s redefining performance strategies for a sport that’s growing exponentially. Isaac also works in numerous other areas including schools as well doing is own pHd research. In this episode, you’ll learn: * 🤝 How to network effectively and find mentorship opportunities. * 🏉 Why coaching across sports makes you a better practitioner. * 📊 The essentials of athlete monitoring—what works and what doesn’t. * 🚀 The rise of Touch Rugby and its unique physical demands. * 🧠 How to reflect on mistakes and grow as a coach. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your approach, this episode offers a goldmine of insights for students, coaches, and athletes alike. Key Takeaways 📌 0:00 – The Email That Changed Isaac’s Career Path Forever 📌 3:00 – Why Asking the Right Questions Builds Stronger Connections 📌 7:30 – Adapting Your Coaching Style Across Different Sports 📌 15:00 – What Makes S&C Coaching in Schools So Unique 📌 21:00 – Athlete Monitoring: Simplify, Don’t Overcomplicate 📌 28:00 – Touch Rugby: Preparing Athletes for a Demanding Game 📌 36:00 – Balancing Research and Coaching: Isaac’s PhD Journey 📌 42:00 – What’s Next? Isaac’s Plans to Elevate Touch Rugby Worldwide Links & Resources * Follow Isaac Hopkins on LinkedIn * Check Out Train Touch on Instagram * Upcoming Events: England Touch High-Performance Conference *Subscribe for more inspiring stories and actionable advice. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to my free newsletter: Be and Elite Coach, Build Elite Athletes for twice a week content designed to help you reach your version of "Elite". Click here to join!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is brought to you by Brendan Chaplin Business Coaching.  Brendan guides coaches and service based entrepreneurs to deliver their best work, build a 7 figure lifestyle and performance business and create a life of freedom.  To get in touch with Brendan, DM him the word COACH and he will start the conversation on any of the platforms below: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Breaking into professional sports as a coach or practitioner can feel like an uphill battle. 🏆 In this episode of the Athletic Skills Podcast, Jonty Norris, S&C coach at British Triathlon and Head S&C at Sunderland FC, shares his secrets to landing roles in elite sport and thriving across football, cricket, rugby, and triathlon. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your career in pro sport, this conversation is packed with advice, real-world strategies, and actionable tips. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * How to transition from grassroots coaching to professional sports * The power of volunteering, internships, and shadowing in building experience * How to stand out when applying for competitive S&C roles * Jonty’s advice on balancing subjective and objective athlete monitoring * Why coaching in multi-sport environments is key to development * Simple tips for grassroots coaches to monitor athletes with limited resources * Lessons on resilience, career growth, and navigating fear and doubt 💬 Join the Conversation: What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced getting into pro sport? Share your experience or ask your questions in the comments—we’d love to feature them in future episodes! 📲 Connect with Jonty Norris: * Twitter: @JontyNorris * LinkedIn Jonty Norris 🔔 Subscribe for More! Found this episode helpful? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more interviews with elite coaches and sports practitioners. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to my free newsletter: Be and Elite Coach, Build Elite Athletes for twice a week content designed to help you reach your version of "Elite". Click here to join!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is brought to you by Brendan Chaplin Business Coaching.  Brendan guides coaches and service based entrepreneurs to deliver their best work, build a 7 figure lifestyle and performance business and create a life of freedom.  To get in touch with Brendan, DM him the word COACH and he will start the conversation on any of the platforms below: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Athletic Skills Podcast, we speak with Andrew Langford, Director of the iUSCA. Andrew shares his perspective on the journey from student to strength and conditioning (S&C) coach, discussing how universities can support aspiring coaches through both education and practical experience. He highlights what defines a high-quality degree program, the importance of hands-on experience, and the key qualities that help students and young coaches stand out in the competitive sports industry. For any young practitioner aspiring to enter high-performance sport, this episode is a must-listen, packed with valuable advice from someone with insider knowledge who has walked the same path. Feel free to get in touch with Andrew and see more about the iUSCA for lots more resources www.iusca.org To continue the discussion and chat about any of the points mentioned on the podcast, come and join the Athletic Skills Free Community to be part of a group with fellow sports coaches and PE teachers and ask questions, share ideas and challenges and learn together on impacting movement and physical development in your youth athletes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to join!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to my free newsletter: Be and Elite Coach, Build Elite Athletes for twice a week content designed to help you reach your version of "Elite". Click here to join!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is brought to you by Brendan Chaplin Business Coaching.  Brendan guides coaches and service based entrepreneurs to deliver their best work, build a 7 figure lifestyle and performance business and create a life of freedom.  To get in touch with Brendan, DM him the word COACH and he will start the conversation on any of the platforms below: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Athletic Skills Podcast, we speak with Blaine Clancy, Physical Performance Coach. Blaine Clancy brings extensive experience coaching various sports and working with diverse populations. He delves into Youth Athletic Development, exploring how his philosophy has evolved over time. We discuss an intriguing question: when coaching fundamental movements, is there such a thing as being "sport-specific"? It’s a fascinating topic, as coaches often emphasize making their sessions sport-specific. But what about the foundational skills all athletes need? Additionally, we explore the role of a coach as a salesperson—how to secure buy-in from others—and the ways parents can be leveraged to further support athletes. Blaine also shares his thoughts on whether young practitioners should volunteer for free at the start of their journey or focus on finding paid roles. What’s your perspective? Should every opportunity have monetary value, or can coaches gain other meaningful benefits from unpaid experiences? Feel free to get in touch with Blaine and see more about the his work: Instagram: bc_performance ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to my free newsletter: Be and Elite Coach, Build Elite Athletes with weekly content designed to help you reach your version of "Elite". Click here to join!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is brought to you by Brendan Chaplin Business Coaching.  Brendan guides coaches and service based entrepreneurs to deliver their best work, build a 7 figure lifestyle and performance business and create a life of freedom.  To get in touch with Brendan, DM him the word COACH and he will start the conversation on any of the platforms below: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Athletic Skills Podcast, we speak with BAM, Finland Women's Sevens coach and is also owner of the Clubhouse Gym. This is a must listen to learn how to coach fundamental movements in a fun, practical way in any environment, especially acceleration, deceleration and change of direction ability! We cover ➡️ Delivering a Warm Up with Fun and Engagement ➡️ The use of games in developing movement ➡️ Why coaches should step back and allow athletes to make mistakes. ➡️ Coaching deceleration and change of direction in isolation and within chaos and how you can still coach within these scenarios. For any sports coach or young practitioner aspiring to make a bigger impact on movement and physical development, this episode is a must-listen, packed with valuable advice and practical in formation to take straight in to your training! Feel free to get in touch with BAM: Instagram: bamrugby Email us for more support on advancing your coaching: info@athleticskills.co.uk Instagram: athleticskillseducation ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to my free newsletter: Be and Elite Coach, Build Elite Athletes for twice a week content designed to help you reach your version of "Elite". Click here to join!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is brought to you by Brendan Chaplin Business Coaching.  Brendan guides coaches and service based entrepreneurs to deliver their best work, build a 7 figure lifestyle and performance business and create a life of freedom.  To get in touch with Brendan, DM him the word COACH and he will start the conversation on any of the platforms below: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices