Science for Sport Podcast

Dive into this episode of the Science for Sport podcast with Chris Morgan, whose football journey spans from playing in the Premier League with Barnsley and Sheffield United to coaching and now working as a FIFA football agent. Chris offers unparalleled insights into how the game has transformed over the decades, shedding light on the stark contrasts between the old-school training methods and the...

In this episode, we unveil The Science for Sport Story with none other than its founder, Owen Walker. From his early days chasing football dreams to building the world’s go-to platform for sports science education, Owen shares the highs, lows, and pivotal moments that shaped Science for Sport. Discover how a failed footballer’s passion for sports science turned into a revolutionary resource used b...

In this episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves sits down with Dave Hancock, a sports performance pioneer with a career spanning over three decades in professional sport. From the sidelines of Leeds United to the championship-winning New York Knicks and beyond, Dave shares incredible insights into the evolution of sports science, athlete care, and the role of data and AI in r...

How do elite athletes handle pressure and perform at their peak when it matters most? In this episode, host Richard Graves sits down with renowned sports psychologist Dr. Haley Perlus to uncover the secrets behind mastering the mental game. In This Episode, Discover: The surprising story that inspired Dr. Perlus’ career in sports psychology. How to turn pressure into your greatest advantage. Pract...

In this must-listen episode of the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves sits down with Ajmal Shahzad—World T20 champion, fast-bowling coach, and cricket trailblazer. Ajmal shares his journey from making history as Yorkshire's first Asian-born player to becoming a sought-after coach in the modern game. Discover: The advice legendary all-rounder Imran Khan gave him that changed his game. H...

What does it take to lead in the high-pressure world of professional football? Ross Burbeary, Head of Performance at Huddersfield Town, shares his incredible journey from martial arts and ice hockey to shaping culture and optimising performance in football. In this episode, Ross reveals the secrets behind great leadership, why 'chameleons' thrive, and how to build a winning culture in any organisa...

🎙️ Mastering Confidence: Secrets of Elite Performance What separates elite performers from the rest? How can you cultivate confidence, resilience, and the mindset to excel under pressure? This week, Richard Graves sits down with Dr. Chris Shambrook, former Team GB rowing psychologist and Performance Director at Planet K2, to uncover the secrets behind high-level success. From working with Olympic...

Inside the NFL's Concussion Protocols: Dr. Allen Sills on Player Safety This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Allen Sills, Chief Medical Officer of the NFL, to the Science for Sport Podcast. In a game renowned for its intensity, how does the league ensure player safety on and off the field? Dr. Sills pulls back the curtain on cutting-edge concussion protocols, game-changing safety innovations,...

This week on the Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves dives into the world of Rugby League with two seasoned professionals, Scott Taylor and Ben Jones-Bishop. Between them, they boast over 30 years of experience, 250 tries, and a lifetime of lessons from the pitch. Scott reflects on his transition from a 14-year career—highlighted by Grand Final wins and international caps—to taking the...

Episode 242: In this week’s episode of the Science for Sport podcast, Richard Graves sits down with former professional cricketer Jack Brooks, whose 15-year career is a testament to resilience, hard work, and a love for the game. Jack shares his unconventional journey to becoming a professional at 24, breaking into the county circuit after starting in village cricket. From the pressures of leading...

Episode 241 In this week's Science for Sport podcast, host Richard Graves dives into the world of data analysis in professional football with two brilliant guests—Arian Forouhandeh, Physical Performance Data Lead at Wolves, and Ryan White, Sports Science Analyst at Crystal Palace. Arian and Ryan reveal how data is transforming the game, sharing insights from their own work on injury prevention, pl...

In episode 240, Matt Solomon former host of the Science for Sport Podcat, joins us. Specifically you will learn: Matt's favourite episodes Lessons learned from the podcast Lessons from Paralympic S&C About Matt "Matt Solomon is a Strength and Conditioning Coach and Sport Scientist, having started his career in football working in both the Netherlands and UAE, he transitioned to Olympic and Par...

In episode 239, Andy Hyde, Strength and Conditioning Coach at Aesthetics Athletics, joins us. Specifically you will learn: The importance of training the groin Injuries which can occur at the groin How to train the groin to prevent injuries and optimise performance About Andy "Andrew has a degree in Sport & Exercise Science and a Master’s in Strength and Conditioning from Leeds Beckett Univers...

In episode 238 Jake Colley-Davies Owner of Caradoc Conditioning, joins us. Specifically Jake will be looking at: Physical charachteristics of rugby How to put on enough mass to compete at the top level How a player development pathway might look Case study: What a session with Jake looks like About Jake "My name is Jake Colley-Davies, I am a Strength and Conditioning Coach that helps Rugby Players...

In episode 237 Matt Cook owner of Transferable Training, joins us. Specifically Matt will be looking at: Importance of training transfer Working back from game actions How to maximise training transfer About Matt "I run my own little business called Transferable Training where most of my work is focused around speed and reconditioning with individual athletes. Alongside this I also do some work in...

In episode 236 Aimee O'Keeffe and James Morehen, join us. Specifically Aimee & James will be looking at: Physiological difference between men and women How these differences affect nutrition What the research says Recommendations for female footballers About Aimee "My name is Aimee Ellen O'Keeffe and I have worked in elite sport as a Performance Nutritionist for 5 years and during that time I...

In episode 235 Louise Wood, S&C Coach at QPR Women, joins us. Specifically Louise will be looking at: Types of bone iinjuries How bones heal How to accelerate the healing process About Louise "Ten years ago I decided to go back to university and study sports rehab, followed by a masters in Strength & Conditioning. I jumped straight in the deep end getting internships with London Bronco’s,...

In episode 234 Jake Reeve S&C Coach at Loughborough University, joins us. Specifically Jake will be looking at: Testing & Profiling How to individualise training programs What these programs look like in real life About Jake "Jake is the Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach for Athletics and Triathlon at Loughborough University. Alongside his work at Loughborough University, Jake also of...

In episode 233 Michel Verkade, S&C Coach at TeamNL, joins us. Specifically Michel will be looking at: Importance of strength in swimming Importance of core training What S&C can add when athletes are strong enough About Michel "Michel Verkade is an S&C coach for the Dutch Women’s Waterpolo and Para-Swimming teams. A former teacher in physical education with a small career in Waterpolo,...

In episode 232 Tom Stringwell, Founder of Your Gym Sport Performance, joins us. Specifically Tom will be looking at: Types of eccentric training Physiology underpinnig eccentric training How and when to use eccentric training About Tom "Founder of Your Gym Sport Performance and consultant to teams and athletes throughout the world." https://ygsp.co.uk/ Instagram: yourgymsportsperformance Nominate...

In episode 231 Andrew Usher, Researcher and Boxing Coach, joins us. Specifically Andrew will be looking at: Importance of energy systems Energy system misconceptions How to implement sprint interval training About Andrew "Andrew Usher, exercise physiologist and teaching fellow fellow at Abertay University. PhD was titled An Exploration of Muscle Oxygen Kinetics in Professional Boxing and based on...

In episode 230 Daniel Booth, Head of performance for Watford FC Women, joins us. Specifically Daniel will be looking at: Why jobs ask for PhDs in sport Alternatives to university education Skills necessary for coaching How to develop these skills About Daniel "Daniel Booth is currently head of performance for Watford FC Women and Founder and CEO of The LAB Performance which is a high performance m...

In episode 229 Emma Reid, TeamGB Judo Athlete, joins us. Specifically Emma will be looking at: What life in the Olympic Village is like How she prepared to Paris The use of S&C and Sport Science Lessons she learned from the Experience About Emma "My name is Emma Reid and I have recently become an Olympian competing in Judo -78kg category. I studied event management at Coventry University and d...

In episode 228 Jon Bell, Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, joins us. Specifically Jon will be looking at: What flexibility & mobility are Physiology underpinning flexibility & mobility Misconceptions on muscle & mobility How to optimise flexibility & mobility About Jon "Jon Bell is a lecturer in the therapeutic and rehabilitation sciences department at Leeds Beckett University....

In episode 227 Mark Helme, Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, joins us. Specifically Mark will be looking at: How strength training varies during adolescence How to apply strength training at different ages What a session with him looks like About Mark "Mark is a senior lecturer and researcher in Sports Coaching at Leeds Beckett University, specializing in the areas of youth physical dev...