Welcome to the Evergreen Athlete podcast...

This podcast is designed for people who used to live for sport but are now in a different place. They've recently focused on their careers and families and are unsure how to train athletically as they age. They have different stressors and problems. My name is Finlay MacHugh, and this is something that I have gone through myself to help people overcome every single day. If you're here, you likely have questions about how to train and live optimally. So this is what to expect...

What You’ll Get:

1. Practical Toolkit: I'll share principles and learnings to help you train efficiently, effectively and productively.
2. Expert Insights: In-depth discussions with leading coaches, health experts, and performance specialists.
3. Experiences: Real-life learnings and mistakes from myself and my clients.

In this episode:

In this episode, we explore how understanding injuries and recovery can make us smarter, healthier athletes—especially for those aiming to maintain a high level of performance without burning out. We kick things off with real-world examples from professional sports teams, including how Leicester City minimised injuries en route to a Premier League title. We then unpack the idea of “consistency over intensity,” showing why extending your training efforts over time often beats going all-out in short bursts. Finally, we look at what happens when you push too hard (flying close to the sun), offering tips on balancing training, rest, and when to seek professional help.

Key Talking Points

Sports Team Injury Insights

• Leicester City’s dramatic 2015/16 season with minimal injuries compared to other teams.
• Personal anecdotes about injury setbacks and their emotional toll.

Consistency vs. Intensity

• Why training intensity gets too much credit while sustained effort is often overlooked.
• Recovery windows for different tissues (muscle, tendon, bone), ranging from 24 to 72+ hours.
• Real-world examples of exercise types and the recommended rest periods.

When You’re Flying Close to the Sun

• Recognizing that pain doesn’t always indicate serious harm—mindset and external stress can play a major role.
• Why total rest is rarely the optimal solution, and how to adjust intensity, volume, and frequency for smarter recovery.
• Knowing when it’s time to seek professional guidance, especially if pain persists or escalates.

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