The Athlete's Advantage

In this week's episode, we engage in a candid conversation with Sports Nutritionist, John O’Connor. We discuss in depth the different elements of Sports Nutrition within the GAA. John gives us insights into questions at the elite level, alcohol consumption, the HPX Conference, and his career to date. We also cover the GAA industry as a whole from a Sports Nutrition and S&C standpoint. Tune...

In this week's episode we engage in a deep conversation with Antrim GAA football and Business Owner, Eoghan McCabe. We explore the world of a dedicated athlete in the demanding realm of Inter-County GAA. Eoghan gives us some insights on injury management, business growth, networking, and achieving balance in his work and personal life. We cover a ton of valuable topics ranging from, injuries a...

In this week's episode we engage in a candid conversation with Michael McKillop, whose journey weaves through the dynamic realms of the Paralympics, and the profound wisdom that emerges from living outside one's comfort zone. Delving into the mindset of our guest, we uncover the belief that embracing challenges is the key to realising one's potential, sparking a discussion on conscious...

In today’s solo episode of the podcast, I share my thoughts on coming to the end of the Championship season. Throughout the show, I share my personal thoughts on the emotions that come with being knocked out of the championship in the GAA. This episode is an invitation to reflect on the emotional journey following defeat, offering insights into resilience and growth and what I have found has worke...

In this week's episode of the podcast, we chat with Jessie Barr. Jessie is a former olympic athlete and sports psychologist based in Ireland. Join us as we delve into her groundbreaking PhD research on mental health stigma in elite sports. Find out what surprised her most and the challenges she faced, plus a glimpse into the future of research in this crucial area. It gets personal as we discu...

In this weeks solo podcast, I delve deep into the world of championship GAA and explore the critical "Championship Don'ts" that every athlete, coach, and team should be aware of. Join us as I dissect the strategies and mindsets that can make or break your championship journey. From the importance of preparation, teamwork, and player psychology to the pitfalls of last-minute changes a...

In this week's episode of the podcast, we chat to Ray Connellan. We chat about the rollercoaster ride of the club season – the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Ever wondered how it feels to rekindle that fire for the game? Ray spills the beans on how he fell back in love with GAA and what keeps that passion alive. We're also dive into the nitty-gritty of going pro in the AFL and...

In this weeks episode of the podcast, we chat to Tipperary and Roscrea hurler Alan Tynan. We'll chat about everything from tackling the highs and lows of the Inter-County Gaelic season to finding breakthroughs and swapping rugby boots for GAA cleats. We'll dive into what makes our guest tick, their personal ambitions on the field, and the incredible triumphs and challenges faced in the clu...

In this episode of the podcast, we dive into an insightful conversation with founder of Atlas Performance, Stephen Walsh. We exploring various aspects of his coaching journey, diving into all things S&C, gamespeed and performance. Stephen talks us through how he approaches coaching up and coming athletes, as well as how he gets the best out of athletes from any sporting background. Tune in now...

In today’s solo episode of the podcast, I share my thoughts on working with those who want to work with you. Throughout the show, I delve into a myriad of insightful strategies aimed at enhancing your skillset as a professional.  From honing those skills to seeking wisdom from mentors and colleagues to carving out daily moments for expanding your expertise and abilities. While establishing healthy...

In today’s solo episode of the podcast, I share my thoughts on taking pride in doing good work.  Throughout the episode, I touch on several key strategies to elevate your performance as a practitioner. From upskilling to seeking advice from mentors and fellow professionals, to dedicating time every day to broaden your knowledge and skills.  While setting boundaries is important in order to avoid b...

In this episode of the podcast, we dive into an insightful conversation with David Hawkshaw, exploring various aspects of his journey.  From his experiences in GAA and his transition from Leinster rugby to Connacht, we get an inside look at his remarkable career so far. David shares insights into his leadership role as captain of the Irish 20s and his influence at Belvedere College.  We delve into...

Today’s episode of the podcast is a conversation with Performance Nutritionist, Amy McGuire. Amy primarily works with the Tipperary senior football team alongside working in a managerial position in TUS.  This in-depth conversation went down many routes and covered a variety of topics including communicating with athletes, staying in your lane, knowing when to refer out, and being vulnerable as a...

On episode #113 of the podcast we had an engaging conversation with Tadhg Leader, the founder of Leader Kicking. Tadhg brings a wealth of experience as a former professional rugby player, Canadian football player, and American football player. He has now embarked on a mission to facilitate the transition of GAA players, rugby players, and Irish athletes into American football. During our discussio...

Today’s Solo Podcast addresses the thought-provoking question: “Can we take credit for our athletes’ success?” This topic arose following a recent discussion I had with another coach, as we deliberated over who deserves recognition for the accomplishments of athletes.  Improving an athlete’s performance involves a number of factors and the involvement of various individuals, making it challenging...

In today's episode of the podcast, we sit down for an engaging conversation with performance coach Stephen Rice. Stephen’s expertise is in coaching professional golfers, while also working with different athletes across various sports. Drawing from his own experience as a former competitor in javelin throwing and long drive, Stephen brings a unique perspective to the discussion. The conversati...

Today’s solo podcast addresses the ongoing conversation in the media and amongst GAA fans on Hurling Vs Gaelic Football.  The hurling side claims that Gaelic football is in the dark ages, that it’s boring, too tactical and not attracting audiences.  From the football side, it’s argued that hurling is only played in a number of counties and that there are too many scores in hurling as it’s too skil...

Today we have compiled some of our previous guest episodes, centred around the topic of mindset in high performing athletes.  The episode delves into a wide range of topics, unveiling the thought processes of these exceptional athletes. Today we explore the profound impact of self belief and self awareness on achieving greatness, as well as overcoming adversity particularly when faced with an inju...

Today's solo episode of the podcast explores the topic of “Return to Play Vs Return to Performance”. In this episode, I delve into the crucial distinction between these two concepts, sharing my own perspective.  Just because an athlete is back on the field does not necessarily mean they are back to their previous level of performance Returning to play too quickly often leads to prolonging or e...

In today’s episode, we have a conversation with Chloe Mustaki of Bristol City’s football team and the Irish Women’s National Team.  Our discussion touched on a range of topics including a conversation about the Irish Women’s National Team and their preparations for the upcoming World Cup, including the process of squad selection.  Chloe shared her experience with Bristol City, in particular their...

In today's conversation, we sit down with Georgie Kelly, Rotherham United's striker, to explore his remarkable experiences and insights. Georgie takes us back to his famous goal that propelled the Millers into the Championship last season, sharing the intense emotions surrounding that unforgettable moment. We also delve into his background in the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and how i...

Today’s Solo Podcast focuses on the importance of communication.  Communication is essential within teams, in coaching, and in leadership. The language we use as coaches has a huge impact on how our athletes perceive our messages and retain the information we share with them.  Sometimes, as coaches, we unknowingly miscommunicate, so it’s important for our athletes to relay the information back to...

Todays episode of the podcast is with Zak Moradi, the Kurdish, Leitrim hurler.  Zak is a prominent member of Thomas Davis GAA club, the club which I am also involved in coaching. We spoke a lot about the club including what it offers to the community of Tallaght and what it means on a personal level to Zak.  We discussed Zak’s book release, how it has been received over the past year and how it’s...

Today’s podcast is a conversation with Fermanagh's, Darragh McGurn. Having suffered a recent defeat to Derry in the Ulster Championship, Darragh spoke candidly about how he’s been dealing with the defeat and how the team is refocussing on moving forward with this year's Tailteann Cup. We had a great chat about the differences between teams that are challenging for All-Ireland and Provincia...

Today’s Solo Podcast was a result of me leading by example for my own clients by showing up and staying consistent. While I was ready to skip this weeks podcast, I remembered that often what I see in my clients is that: consistency = more long term success. Consistency is often made easier to achieve by setting achievable minimum goals rather than setting unsustainable goals where you or your clie...