Performance Matters Podcast

In this episode of Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx Ferreira sits down with Nipissing Lakers athletes Cassie Robinson and Kiara Vansteekelenburg for an honest conversation about life after recruitment. They break down what the jump from club to university volleyball really looks like — from managing academic pressure and new performance expectations to navigating team culture, role changes, an...

As 2025 comes to a close, the crew takes a step back to reflect on what this year really demanded — and what it delivered. In this jam-packed year-end episode of the Performance Matters Podcast , the hosts open up about the growth that came from teaching, learning, and coaching in real time. They talk about the challenges that tested expectations, the behind-the-scenes work that keeps Iron Perform...

What actually makes training work — for athletes and everyday people? In this episode of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx sits down with Scott Maskell for a wide-ranging conversation on why structured training, consistency, and fundamentals still win — even in a world obsessed with shortcuts and quick results. The conversation kicks off with Scott’s unforgettable Texas A&M Bonfire expe...

This week on the Performance Matters Podcast , Matrixx and Myles get real about coaching quality — because let’s be honest, the performance world is full of Hyundais pretending to be Ferraris . They break down what separates high-level coaching from flashy nonsense, why understanding the why behind your training matters, and how athlete autonomy becomes the real engine of long-term success. You’ll...

Athletes might call it “Christmas break,” but around here? It’s the Christmas Reload — a short window to reset, rebuild, and walk back to campus feeling like a damn upgraded version of yourself. In this episode, Matrixx and Myles break down what the holidays should look like for serious athletes: - How to unwind without turning into pudding - Why recovery is the real gift you should be unwrapping...

This week, Matrixx and Myles roll into the studio sounding like two dudes who’ve been hit by a bus made of cold medicine. But hey — the show must go on. Sick days happen. Colds happen. And athletes still have to train, compete, and make smart decisions when their body is throwing them the “absolutely not” signal. So the guys break down: When you can train sick… and when you should shut it down How...

Matrixx and Aidan let loose — equal parts jokes, personal stories, and the kind of honesty every athlete needs to hear. They kick things off with Rowvember , diving into men’s health, cancer awareness, and why rippin' meters somehow brings people together. From there, the guys break down the magic of theme months like Squatober and Deadcember — how these challenges keep training fun, keep peop...

Some athletes are… well, built different. In this episode, Matrixx and Myles crack open their vault of the weirdest program requests they’ve ever received — the kind of stuff that makes every coach question humanity for a moment. From “Can I lose 60lbs this month?” to “Let’s avoid sweating today,” it’s a parade of pure gym chaos. But then the guys flip the script and dive into the other end of the...

Five-time CIS national champion Ryan Weicker joins the Performance Matters Podcast to share how wrestling shaped him far beyond the mat. From a late start in the sport to reaching the top, Ryan opens up about the mental battles, devastating losses, and resilience required to keep going when no one’s watching. Now leading the next generation through the Junior Badger Wrestling Program , he reflects...

Everyone says they want it — the scholarship, the championship, the next level. But few are actually willing to put in the effort. In this episode, Coach Matrixx and Coach Myles dig into the uncomfortable truth about effort: most athletes overestimate how hard they work and underestimate what real commitment looks like. They unpack the difference between wanting it and wishing for it , the honesty...

Forty episodes deep — and we finally got the mics working (mostly). In this special milestone episode, Coach Trixx, Coach Myles, and Coach Aidan sit down to reflect on what 40 episodes of Performance Matters has taught us — from the best moments and biggest lessons to the behind-the-scenes chaos you never hear about. We talk technical disasters, favorite guests, least favorite edits, and how this...

In this episode, Coach Matrixx and Coach Myles crack open the vault — sharing the untold stories that shaped them as coaches. From the chaotic training days and athlete meltdowns to breakthrough moments and brutal lessons, nothing’s off limits. This is what coaching actually looks like when the cameras aren’t rolling. If you’ve ever wondered what separates good coaches from lifers — this is it. Sh...

This week's podcast episode is historical as, for the first time, Coach Aidan and Coach Myles are on the podcast together! This episode dives into the advanced principles that separate good programs from great ones. We explore how to go beyond sets and reps — mastering periodization, load management, and true individualization for every athlete. You’ll learn how to connect strength, power, and...

Internships can make or break the next wave of strength coaches—but not all internships are created equal. In this episode of Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx and Myles break down what really makes a good intern, where academia often misses the mark, and the responsibilities both interns and mentors carry. From red flags to success stories, we dig into the realities of the internship experienc...

n this episode, I sit down with longtime friend and pro hockey player Johnny Curran to talk about his journey through the game. From growing up in Niagara and developing his game through junior hockey, to earning his spot in Division 1 and making the jump to the professional level, Johnny shares the lessons and experiences that have shaped him along the way. We get into the role of strength and co...

Evan MacDonald’s wrestling career took him to the highest stage — the 2004 Olympic Games — but his story is about much more than medals and matches. It’s about the sacrifices nobody sees, the politics behind the sport, and the brutal reality of chasing a dream that doesn’t always love you back. In this raw conversation, Evan opens up about walking into the Olympic arena, the crushing neck injury t...

In this episode of the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx and Aidan pull back the curtain on one of the most talked-about tools in sport science: the force plate. We dive into what the data actually means, which numbers we care about (and which ones are just noise), and how we connect those metrics to real-world sport performance. From different jumps to sport transfers, we break down how force...

In-season is chaotic—games, practices, travel, fatigue—and somehow training has to fit in the middle of it all. In this episode, we’re going rapid-fire style, tackling the most common (and most misunderstood) questions about in-season training. What gets prioritized when the schedule is jam-packed? How do you keep performance sharp without adding unnecessary fatigue? We’ll cover recovery strategie...

In this episode of Performance Matters, Matrixx and Myles tackle one of the biggest pitfalls in youth sports — when well-meaning parents make the wrong calls about training. From tossing kids into the weight room with no guidance, to undervaluing the role of professional coaching, the guys break down how these decisions can stall progress, increase risk, and hold athletes back from their true pote...

From a young junior hockey player with big dreams to wearing the “C” as an NCAA Division 1 captain, “Iron” Mike Craig has built his career on consistency, discipline, and an unshakable work ethic. Over the past seven years, he’s faced the grind head-on — the early mornings, the setbacks, the pressure — and turned those challenges into fuel for growth. In this episode, Mike opens up about the highs...

In this episode of the Performance Matters podcast, Matrixx and Aidan pull back the curtain on the realities of strength and conditioning. They break down the key differences between in-season and off-season training, why intent matters more than volume, and how adaptability can make or break a coach—especially when working with youth athletes. The guys share lessons learned from early career miss...

In this episode of Performance Matters Podcast , Chris Rao — head coach of the Lakehead women’s basketball team — breaks down what it really takes to lead at the collegiate level. From cutting his teeth as a young coach to managing pro athletes and now university players, Chris shares how he builds trust, culture, and accountability in every locker room he steps into. He dives into the recruiting...

This episode cuts through the noise. We sit down with David Kitchen of Edge Leadership Academy to talk real leadership— not the feel-good fluff , but the kind that builds teams, cultures, and winners. We dive deep into the pillars of leadership , the difference between message and tone , and why clarity beats comfort when it comes to building high-performance environments. Kitchen breaks down why...

In this episode, we sit down with pro basketball player Eddie Ekiyor to talk about the mindset it takes to come back from injury and keep moving forward. Eddie opens up about his own comeback journey, shedding light on the physical and mental grind behind the scenes. We also dive into the shifting landscape of athlete recruitment, exploring how the game has changed from Eddie’s college days to now...

This episode of the PMP is a no-holds-barred dive into the realities of high-level performance. We’re talking athlete accountability—what it really means to show up, stay consistent, and take ownership of your development. We get into the mindset and habits that separate those who say they want it from those who actually do the work to earn it. But it’s not all fire and brimstone—we also take a mo...