Performance Matters Podcast

In Episode 75 of the Performance Matters Podcast , we sit down with Steven Fife , founder and head coach of the Thorold Elite Track Club , to discuss how a simple "yes" to coaching a high school track team evolved into one of Niagara's premier track and field organizations. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Thorold Elite has grown from just four athletes to more than 300 members whil...

In Episode 74 of the Performance Matters Podcast , we're joined by Steve Goar , co-director and coach of Niagara Athletics Volleyball Club, for a conversation that goes far beyond volleyball. Together, we dive into what it truly means to build culture, develop young athletes, and create environments where people can thrive both on and off the court. Steve shares the story behind the creation o...

What if success wasn't just about working harder? This week on the Performance Matters Podcast, Matrixx sits down with Bob Raybould , entrepreneur, author, investor, former Army officer, and lifelong student of human performance. At nearly 90 years old, Bob shares lessons gathered from decades of business success, personal growth, working with elite athletes, and helping people unlock their po...

What does it really take to thrive as a university athlete? This week on the Performance Matters Podcast , Matrixx sits down with Charlotte Ross (Brock Badgers) and Gaby Buffong (Keyano College Huskies) for an honest conversation about the realities of collegiate volleyball that most people never see. From balancing academics and athletics, navigating injuries, and dealing with comparison, to sepa...

What does it actually take to play junior hockey at the highest level? In Episode 71 of the Performance Matters Podcast , Matrixx sits down with Rowan Topp , defenseman for the Guelph Storm (OHL) , to dive into the realities of pursuing elite hockey. From growing up skating on backyard ponds in West Lincoln to being selected in the 3rd Round of the OHL Draft , Rowan opens up about the sacrifices t...

The gloves come off in this episode. After discussing the Niagara River Lions' strong start to the season, Matrixx and Myles dive headfirst into a debate that has become increasingly common in the coaching industry: Should interns be paid? Drawing from their own experiences, the guys discuss the true value of internships, mentorship, continuing education, and what "knowing your worth" actually mea...

In Ep. 69 of Performance Matters , Matrixx sits down with Jessi Nelson , a somatic communication coach from Welland, Ontario, to unpack a topic that sparks curiosity, skepticism, and a lot of questions: somatics, nervous system regulation, and the mind-body connection. What exactly is somatic coaching? How does it differ from traditional talk therapy? Can nervous system regulation influence confid...

What is velocity-based training (VBT)… and is it actually useful, or just more tech in the weight room? In this episode, Matrixx & Myles break down the real-world application of velocity-based training — what bar speed actually tells us, how coaches use it to guide training decisions, and why every rep has a speed whether you measure it or not . The guys unpack topics like: • What VBT actually...

In this episode of the Performance Matters Podcast , we sit down with Elijah Lufile from the Niagara River Lions for one of the most honest and powerful conversations we’ve had on the show. Elijah opens up about his journey from being an undersized late bloomer to becoming a Division I athlete, professional basketball player, and multiple-time champion. But this episode goes far beyond basketball....

Most volleyball players think they need to jump higher, move faster, and get more reps. But that mindset might be exactly what’s holding you back. In this episode, we break down why so many volleyball athletes plateau—and how training is often done in the wrong order. From youth club to post-secondary, we’re seeing the same issue: athletes chasing speed and exposure without ever building the found...

What does it actually take to lead a city? In this episode, we sit down with St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe for a real conversation on leadership, criticism, and making tough decisions when everyone has an opinion. From getting cut in football and choosing a new path, to navigating public pressure, town halls, and city-wide challenges—Mat breaks down what leadership actually looks like behind the...

Most athletes think development is just about reps. It’s not. It’s about standards, confidence, and the environment you build around them. In this episode, we sit down with Coach Dre, founder of Apex Basketball, to break down his journey from self-taught athlete to building one of Niagara’s growing basketball communities. From navigating COVID challenges to creating real impact with young athletes...

Most athletes hit a ceiling — not because they lack talent, but because they don’t truly understand the process. That usually doesn’t change until they experience a moment that forces them to level up. In this episode, former CFL standout and elite strength coach Robbie Smith breaks down how his journey from overlooked athlete to pro was built on precision, resilience, and a no-guesswork approach...

Most Canadian athletes think they understand U.S. college recruiting… they don’t. And that gap is costing them opportunities. In this episode, we sit down with Dale Melnick — veteran recruiter and founder of Six Pack Recruiting Sports — to break down what’s actually happening behind the scenes in college volleyball recruiting right now. From the transfer portal chaos to NIL money changing incentiv...

In this episode, we sit down with Austin Whetton, co-owner of BE ELITE Skills Development Training, to talk about his journey through football and beyond. After playing at York University, Austin’s career was cut short due to concussions—forcing him to step away from the game earlier than expected. But instead of walking away from football, he found a new purpose: developing the next generation of...

Most people think fitness success comes from finding the perfect program, the perfect diet, or the latest hack. It doesn’t. In this episode, we break down why the things people try hardest to avoid — simple habits, calorie awareness, and showing up consistently — are actually the things that produce the best results. We talk about: Why calorie management is simpler than most people think The diffe...

In this episode of Performance Matters Podcast, we put two athlete programs under the microscope — one high school, one post-secondary — and evaluate them through the lens of real programming principles. No ego. No fluff. Just honest feedback. We discuss: Exercise selection and redundancy Frequency and distribution of stress Injury prevention blind spots Why complexity often hides poor design The...

It’s spring. The snow’s gone. The excuses should be too. In this Rapid Fire: Spring Edition episode, we’re firing off quick-hit questions on sport performance, general fitness, and real-world health — no long lectures, no safe answers. Just instinct, experience, and a few opinions that might ruffle feathers. From early specialization and in-season lifting…to fat loss myths, soreness obsession, ste...

In this episode of Performance Matters Podcast , the fellas tackle one of the biggest mistakes in sport today: treating youth athletes like miniature professionals. Bigger. Faster. Stronger. Cool… but not at 10. They break down why youth training should prioritize movement literacy over max lifts, skill development over specialization, and enjoyment over ego. Because if a kid can’t squat, skip, la...

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about flowers and chocolates—it’s about who shows up when things get hard . In this episode of Performance Matters , we talk about the relationships that actually move the needle in training and sport. Not hype. Not yelling from the stands. Real support . We break down why athletes thrive (or stall) based on the people around them—parents who stay invested without suffoc...

Most young athletes will spend hours training… and then ruin it with whatever fits in a microwave. In this episode, we break down why learning to cook is a performance skill , not a lifestyle hobby — and how simple, repeatable meals beat fancy nutrition plans every time. We cover: How to cook real food without overthinking it Why protein + carbs don’t need to be complicated Simple meal prep that s...

Winter has a way of exposing everything. In this episode, the hosts unpack why cold, dark, inconvenient seasons crush motivation—and why that’s exactly when real training starts to matter. They break down the difference between working out and training, why excuses multiply when conditions get uncomfortable, and how accountability—not hype—keeps progress alive. You’ll hear why strength training is...

In this episode of the Performance Matters Podcast , Coach Tanner Care breaks down what actually drives performance — and why chasing outputs has quietly become a problem in modern coaching. We talk about how the definition of performance has expanded beyond numbers on a force plate, why jump height alone tells a painfully incomplete story, and how input-based training creates more durable, adapta...

In Episode 52 of Performance Matters , the three of us stop talking in theories and start talking in decisions. No reflections. No victory laps. Just the real changes we’d make if the goal was simple: build a system that actually works . We walk through three focused segments: The 90-Day Rule — the first lever we’d pull and why most programs miss it The Sacred Cows — beliefs coaches, parents, and...

In this episode of Performance Matters Podcast , Matrixx sits down with Charles Kissi , Head Coach of Serious Basketball, for a real conversation about what true player development actually looks like — and why so many athletes are missing the mark. They dive into Charles’ coaching journey, the current state of basketball development in Niagara, and the growing gap between skill training and actua...