Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast

In this guest episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex sits down with Pelly for an honest and insightful conversation around performance, mindset, and the realities of working within football environments.  The discussion explores the day-to-day demands of high-performance settings, from managing physical preparation and recovery to navigating pressure, expectations, and consistency over time...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex sits down with Brett Singer , one of the most respected sports dietitians in the United States and a long-time leader in applied performance nutrition. Brett has spent 15 years working across hospitals, high-performance centers, and multiple MLS clubs — including the Houston Dynamo, Austin FC, Atlanta United (consulting), and now the Seattle So...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex is joined by António Pedro Mendes , Head of Nutrition at Sporting Clube de Portugal . António shares his unique journey through European and Middle Eastern football, from FC Paços de Ferreira and FC Porto to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, before leading one of the world’s largest and most structured nutrition departments at Sporting CP. The discussi...

In this special guest episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex sits down with U.S. soccer legend DaMarcus Beasley. The only American to play in four consecutive World Cups, Beasley reflects on a career that spanned MLS, the Eredivisie, Premier League, Scottish Premiership, Bundesliga, and Liga MX. He shares candid insights into how performance practices evolved across different cultures, his...

In this recap of Chapter 7: Wearable Technology , Alex and Adam reflect on the key insights from Josh Rice (Tottenham Hotspur) and Joel Carter (Crystal Palace FC) — two practitioners redefining how data is applied inside elite football environments. They explore how wearable technology has evolved beyond tracking numbers — becoming a vital communication and decision-making tool. From GPS and heart...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex is joined by Joel Carter, Head of PDP Development at Crystal Palace FC. Joel shares his journey from Australia to the Premier League, with stops across India’s national team setup and Millwall FC along the way. The conversation explores how wearable technology, monitoring systems, and data-driven insights can elevate player development and trai...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex sits down with Josh Rice, Head of Academy Sports Science and Nutrition at Tottenham Hotspur. Josh shares his journey across Everton, Liverpool, and Spurs, reflecting on his evolution from intern to department leader. The discussion dives into wearable technology — from GPS and heart rate integration to the three pillars of periodisation, injury...

In this recap episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex and Adam reflect on Chapter 6: Player Monitoring & Practical Application, featuring insights from Lewis MacMillan (Fulham FC) and Lorcán Mason (PhD researcher). Together, they break down how to balance internal and external load, integrate subjective and objective data, and make fast, informed decisions in real-world environments. The...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex is joined by Lorcán Mason, a PhD researcher and performance practitioner from Ireland. Lorcán shares his journey across Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk, and Finn Harps, reflecting on the challenges of being a “one-man department” in smaller clubs. The conversation explores practical monitoring tools like wellness questionnaires and session RPE, how to...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex is joined by Lewis MacMillan, Head of Player Insights at Fulham FC. Lewis shares his journey from internships at West Ham to leading performance data and monitoring at a Premier League club. The discussion explores how Fulham integrates internal and external load metrics, manages injury risk with their “Eyes On” period, and balances subjective...

In this recap episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex and Adam wrap up the Conditioning chapter with insights from Mark Piros-Read (Wolves) and Dr. Darren Burgess (Adelaide Crows, ex-Liverpool & Arsenal). They break down three key approaches to conditioning—isolated, hybrid, and integrated—and explore how to adapt training to a coach’s tactical philosophy. The discussion covers managing...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex is joined by Dr. Darren Burgess, one of the most experienced performance leaders in world sport. With over 27 years across football and AFL, Darren reflects on his journey from Parramatta Power to the Socceroos, Liverpool, Arsenal, and now Adelaide Crows. He shares conditioning lessons from before the GPS era, how to design warm-ups with purpos...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex is joined by Mark Piros-Read, Head of Physical Performance at Wolverhampton Wolves and multiple-time Swedish champion with Malmö FF. Mark shares his journey from England to Sweden and back to the Premier League, offering practical insights from the Conditioning chapter of the book. He breaks down preseason starting points, balancing large- and...

Alex and Adam reflect on the Strength, Power and Injury Prevention  chapter of Peak Performance for Soccer , highlighting key lessons from Dr. Mike Beere (Cardiff City), Cody Williamson (Seattle Sounders), and Christian Clarup (VfL Wolfsburg). The discussion emphasizes building strength culture, balancing strength and power, and embedding injury prevention strategies in elite environments. They al...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex sits down with Christian Clarup, Head of Performance at VfL Wolfsburg. Christian reflects on nearly a decade at FC Midtjylland, his success with Sparta Prague, and now leading in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues. He challenges the idea that “stronger is always better,” sharing how he integrates strength, power, and fatigue management into...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex chats with Cody Williamson, Head of Fitness at Seattle Sounders. Cody shares his unique path from physio to performance, blending hands-on coaching, injury prevention, and data-led decision-making. He unpacks how chronic issue tracking, integrated MDT systems, and athlete communication are critical to maintaining availability in elite football....

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex Calder sits down with Dr. Mike Beere, Senior S&C Coach at Cardiff City, to unpack over a decade of insights in one of football’s most volatile environments. Mike shares how he built a lasting strength culture through manager turnover, presents compelling injury data from his PhD, and offers practical programming strategies that have stood t...

In this recap, Alex Calder and Adam Centofanti explore the evolution of performance testing through the lenses of Jordan Stewart-Mackie and Martin Buchheit. The conversation unpacks the challenge of balancing test sensitivity and specificity, and warns against the pitfalls of “overwatered” sports science—testing everything without understanding anything. The hosts outline clear frameworks for why...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex speaks with world-renowned performance expert Martin Buchheit. From PSG to Aspetar, Martin shares insights into elite rehab environments, readiness testing, and how AI is reshaping the role of sports scientists. He also reflects on simplifying performance models, avoiding testing overload, and supporting practitioners through the challenges of...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer Podcast , Alex sits down with Jordan Stewart-Mackie to explore a truly global career in sport performance—from UK football to Asia’s academy systems and the NBA’s African talent pipeline. Jordan shares his unique quadrant model for testing, reflects on high- and low-tech approaches to performance, and unpacks insights from his ongoing PhD on wearable...

In this recap of Chapter 2 of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex and Adam break down key themes from Episodes 4–6. They explore the complex transition from academy to first team, the foundations of physical development, and how communication and long-term planning shape player success. With insights from Berger, Carpels, and Plaskett, this episode highlights what it really takes—physically and men...

In this episode of Peak Performance for Soccer , Alex chats with Nathan Plaskett about his unconventional journey through elite sport—from canoeing and rugby league to English football and tactical performance roles. Nathan unpacks lessons from his time at Derby County, the importance of movement competency in youth development, and how diverse experience shaped his performance philosophy. Plus, h...

Alex sits down with Thomas Carpels, Head of Performance at Royal Antwerp. Thomas shares his journey from Rangers FC to leading physical development at one of Belgium’s top clubs. He unpacks the complexities of managing young players' workloads, balancing strength training with match congestion, and the psychological toll of high-performance environments. Plus, Thomas reflects on his PhD resea...

Alex Berger discusses his career trajectory, starting with six years in the UK working for various football academies, including Millwall, Leicester City, West Brom, and Charlton. He then returned to Australia, working with the Olyroos and Manly United. Berger emphasizes the importance of physical development phases in football, citing England's EPPP guidelines. He highlights the challenges o...

Alex and Adam discussed the structure and content of Chapter one - the role of the practitioner. Alex and Adam highlighted the structures within soccer environments, focusing on organizational values, multidisciplinary team leadership models, and the transition from generalist to specialist roles. Alex and Adam also discussed the role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in the practice of sports, empha...