The Art of Performance Podcast

Wearables. Ice baths. Red light therapy. Mouth taping. Morning routines that take longer than a full workout. Somewhere along the way, being healthy stopped being simple. In this episode, we dive head first into the growing culture of over-optimisation and ask a simple question: are we actually becoming healthier, or are we just becoming better consumers? We discuss why so many people are chasing...

People think conditioning is about running further, suffering a lot or preparing for endurance events. They're wrong! In this episode of The Art of Performance, Dean, Marco and Acos dive into the science of VO₂ max, aerobic development and conditioning to explore why cardiorespiratory fitness may be one of the most important health and performance metrics we have. The conversation covers: What VO₂...

What if your lifestyle was influencing more than just your own health? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating and controversial world of epigenetics , exploring whether exercise, nutrition, stress, sleep, obesity, and overall lifestyle can leave biological signals that may influence future generations. Before anyone panics, no we're not suggesting your sperm has ears. But emerging research...

Most people think they're tight. Tight hips. Tight hamstrings. "Toxic" fascia. Bad posture. Pelvis out of alignment. A weak glute that apparently "doesn't fire." So they stretch more. Foam roll more. Book another massage. Another adjustment. Another treatment session. But what if the problem isn't actually what they think it is? In this episode, we dive deep into the world of soft tissue therapy,...

In this episode we unpack our own experiences of gym culture, how it has evolved over time, what has genuinely improved, what has become worse and what still matters if a training environment is actually supposed to help people change. We discuss the good, the bad and the absolute nonsense of the modern gym world - from community, standards, coaching and belonging, through to phones on equipment,...

What does it actually take to raise strong, capable and resilient kids in today's world? In this episode, we break down the biggest myths around youth training from the fear that strength training "stunts growth" to the idea that kids should just play sport and avoid the gym altogether. The reality? Kids aren't fragile. They're highly adaptable and when we get training right, they become more robu...

Peptides are everywhere right now. BPC-157… TB-500… Tesamorelin… Everyone's talking about healing faster, getting leaner, recovering like a pro. But here's the truth no one really wants to hear: Most of you don't need them. Not because they don't work - but because you haven't even nailed the basics that actually drive results. In this episode, we strip it right back. We break down what peptides a...

In this episode of The Art of Performance Podcast , we dive into a growing concern in elite sport the modern injury epidemic. Despite the rise of sports science, load monitoring systems, GPS tracking, and advanced performance departments, injury rates across elite competitions continue to climb. From the Premier League to the National Basketball Association , soft-tissue injuries and player unavai...

Most people think decline starts in their 50s. They're wrong. In this episode of The Art of Performance, we break down a 47-year longitudinal study tracking physical capacity from age 16 to 63 and the findings are confronting. Peak aerobic capacity? Mid 30s. Peak muscular endurance? Mid 30s. Peak explosive power? Often before 30. Decline begins before 40 and accelerates after that. But here's the...

Resilience has become a badge of honour. Cold plunges. 4am alarms. No days off. "Stay hard." But what if most of what we call resilience is actually emotional suppression, chronic stress exposure and identity armour masquerading as strength? In this deep psychological dive, Dean & Acos dismantle the modern narrative of resilience and rebuild it properly through the lens of neuroscience, stress phy...

In this episode Dean and Acos rip apart one of the biggest and most damaging myths in modern health and performance... The belief that people are overeating! Most high performers, tactical & hybrid athletes and everyday humans are actually chronically under fuelled because modern life has created the perfect storm of: The Under-Eating Paradox Stress, caffeine intake, dopamine addiction, poor sleep...

In this episode, Dean and Acos unpack one of the most fascinating — and misunderstood - forces in human performance: the placebo effect . From fake supplements that still trigger weight loss to rituals that enhance focus, pain tolerance, and recovery, the science is clear - your beliefs change your biology. We break down the new research on open-label placebos (where people know they're taking som...

Joe Wicks says his new "Killer Protein Bar" proves how dangerous ultra-processed foods really are. The media says it's a wake-up call. We say it's an epic opportunity to discuss the real issue in fear marketing dressed up as health education. In this episode, Dean and Acos cut through the hysteria to expose what's really going on: • The truth about ultra-processed foods and what the science  actua...

Not all Lifts are created equal and neither are you. In this episode we break down why your lever lengths, hip structure, and joint mechanics decide how you move under the bar. Forget copy and paste form cues and Instagram 'perfect' squats this is about biomechanics, not bad form. We'll cover: Why bone length and torso ratios change mechanics Anthropometry How hip morphology and tendon moment arms...

Creatine works...it's the most researched supplement in sport, proven to boost strength, power, recovery and even brain health. But somewhere along the way, people started asking:  if 5 grams a day works… what about 20? 30? 50? That's where mega-dosing was born. In this episode, I break down: The truth about muscle saturation and why more isn't better Where the "mega-dose" idea came from (and how...

You've heard of Atomic Habits . You've probably tried to build a morning routine, stack habits or optimise your environment. But if those strategies haven't stuck - this episode explains why. In this episode we break down the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change - a proven, six-stage framework that goes beyond surface-level habit advice. Whether you're a coach helping others change or someon...

You've seen the glowing panels. Heard the claims: faster recovery, better skin, boosted testosterone. But does red light therapy actually do anything for athletes? In this episode, we strip away the biohacking hype and get to the evidence. We'll break down how red light works, what it actually helps with, and how to use it from beginner to elite levels - without wasting your money or falling for I...

In this episode of The Art of Performance Podcast we're diving into the latest science behind extended fasting protocols... Specifically an 8-day water-only fast and its impact on hormones, metabolism and performance. We break down: The new data: cortisol, testosterone, insulin, growth hormone What happens to your muscle mass, endurance and strength during multi-day fasts Why some athletes are exp...

Can you train like an athlete in the weight room and build an engine that is unrivalled in any setting? In this episode we're tackling Concurrent Periodisation! Training strength, power and endurance simultaneously without compromising progress. We unpack: The truth behind the Interference Effect (and why it's outdated) High/Low stimulus training days: Charlie Francis' model meets modern hybrid co...

In this episode of The Art of Performance Podcast , we go deep on Conjugate Periodisation! One of the most bastardised systems in the fitness industry. Born in Soviet sport science and weaponised by Westside Barbell, the conjugate method trains multiple performance qualities simultaneously... Strength, Speed, Hypertrophy and Power. We break down: What conjugate really is (beyond bands and box squa...

In Episode 64, we're throwgoing to town with Daily Undulating Periodisation (DUP) - a programming model that thrives on frequency, variety and calculated progression. We break down how DUP works Why it outperforms linear training for many lifters And how to use it inside hybrid, strength or gen pop programs. Whether you're training to peak or just want more from your week-to-week lifting, this epi...

In Episode 63, we're diving into the programming model built for peak performance — Block Periodisation . Born out of Soviet sport science, block periodisation uses highly focused training blocks to prepare athletes for major events and phases of the year. We break down the three pillars: Accumulation Transmutation Realisation A nd show you how to program them with purpose. Whether you're building...

In Episode 62, we're dissecting the OG of structured training - Linear Periodisation . You'll learn where it came from, who it's actually good for, and why most people either misuse it or give up on it too early. We'll break down why linear periodisation works for beginners, return-to-training clients, and base-phase strength development - but also where it completely falls apart for athletes chas...

In this first episode of our Programming & Periodisation Mini-Series, we're going all in on the truth behind what separates elite training from random workouts. You'll learn exactly what periodisation is, where it came from, and how to apply it to your own training - without the fluff or textbook jargon. We'll break down the full lifecycle of an effective training plan: GPP, Foundation, Specific P...

🎙️ "No Bullsh*t Strength & Conditioning Q&A – 20 Science-Backed Answers" Tired of fitness myths, misinformation, and people making training way harder than it needs to be? In this  rapid-fire Q&A , we answer 20 of the most common (and dumbest) fitness questions we get asked, using real science - no fluff, no fads, no influencer BS. 💥 Want to know if cardio kills your gains? 💥 Confused about prot...