The Athletic Evolution Podcast

Dr John Radnor is a Lecturer and researcher in Strength and Conditioning at Cardiff Metropolitan University. His research interests surround youth S&C, and he has recently completed his PhD in Paediatric Exercise Science. John has previously worked with Welsh Rowing and the GB Start Programme, as well as previously being an academy S&C coach at Exeter Chiefs and Exeter City. Taking a step...

Amanda Johnson has worked as a physiotherapist in several sports at a high level including Great Britain Aquatic teams particularly swimming, synchro swimming and 10 years with the GB diving team. She has also travelled with the England Athletics Team to international camps and competitions. Mandy served for 5 years as the England Women’s Football team physio and as a senior lecturer for the Footb...

Brett Klika, founder of SPIDERfit Kids is regarded as an international expert in the field of inspiring kids to be active for life, He is also an  IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year award winner, author, and international motivational speaker inspiring men, women, and children around the world to create a culture of wellness in their home and live the best version of their life. In this episod...

Jamie Salter has worked in professional football and rugby league with both youth and adult athletes in a physical preparation role at Barnsley FC, Middlesbrough FC and York Knights RLFC whilst working with various athletes on an ad-hoc basis for many years. Alongside applied experience, he has spent most of my career in education as a lecturer in further and higher education environment...

Helen Collins is a Sport & Exercise Scientist at the Institute of Sport and Exercise, University of Dundee.  She is currently undertaking a PhD through the University of Edinburgh, investigating resistance training as a strategy to encourage less active and/or overweight children to become more active and healthier.  During her 17 years at the University of Dundee she has lectured ex...

Andy Taylor was a professional footballer for nearly 10 years starting at Manchester United and then moving on to Exeter City. He completed a Foundation Degree in Sports Performance at the University of Bath in Sports Performance and a First Class honours degree in Strength and Conditioning at the University of Plymouth St Mark & St John. This combined with his practical work with young athlet...

Andy Kirkland has been working professionally in sport for the last 10 years, initially as a sports scientist at the Scottish Institute of Sport, then British Cycling and now as a Lecturer in Sports Coaching at the University of Stirling. He’s been involved at every level, ranging from teaching young children to swim, working with development and performance athletes, through to providing high-per...

Niall MacSweeney completed his MSc at St Mary’s University. Whilst studying, he secured a position as an S&C coach at White Lodge, which houses The Royal Ballet School students aged 11-16. Niall has previously worked with a variety of sports including the University of Liverpool sports teams, London Broncos, and GB Sitting Volleyball. Niall also has a private coaching business called Energia P...

Wendy Glover is a Health and Physical Education Teacher and Coach. She has dedicated her 22+ year career to approaching teen athletes as future contributors to sport through education, community involvement, and mentorship. She has written Health and Wellness, and Sport Management courses for the Ontario Ministry of Education, and many programs to support the holistic development of the athlete. W...

Stuart Edwards or “Eddo” is the Head of Rugby at Stewarts Melville College recently winning the Scottish Schools Cup in 2019. He is also the Backs coach for the Scotland U18 National Team, as well as a current player for Heriots in the Super 6 league in Scotland. In this episode He discusses: His experiences in the National Age Grade system in Scotland at U18, 19 and 20 National Squads. How some o...

Sam's coaching background includes multiple coaching roles for AFL New Zealand, however, he has primarily been a skills coach in Rugby Union and League, specialising in kicking and high ball catching. He has worked across the youth, community and professional ranks, including the Auckland Rugby Academy and the New Zealand Warriors NRL team. Sam completed a Masters of Sport & Exercise at AUT Un...

Nathan Parnham is an Athletic Development Coach based in Sydney Australia. He has worked in various roles throughout his career in the development and professional space across both genders for close to two decades. He has recently taken up a role as head of athletic development for St Augustine’s College. He has played role in the development of a range of state, national, and professional athlet...

Shayne qualified with a first- class honours degree in Sports and Exercise Sciences from University of Limerick in 2010, completing his MSc in Sport Science in 2012, certifying as a Strength and Conditioning Coach in 2013. Shayne has been working in elite football for over 11 years across first team and academy squads in the Premier League, including Manchester City, Liverpool FC, Blackburn Rovers...

Robin is currently the Men’s Pathways Athletic Performance Manager at England Rugby, having worked with the Under-20s team for 6 seasons now. Having previously held roles in the Academies at both Gloucester Rugby and Leicester Tigers, Robin has good experience working with the developing Rugby Player. In this episode Robin discusses: His involvement with England's Senior squad at the 2015 World Cu...

Amy Spencer is an Accredited Sports Psychologist at Southampton FC. She has worked at the club for the last eight years ranging from 1st team players to U9’s, covering various aspects of performance to well-being. She is also currently completing a PhD in mindfulness in football. Megan Hill is a final year PhD Student at the University of Bath in collaboration with Southampton Football Club, study...

Mark Robertson is a former International Rugby Sevens player and Olympian, amassing 56 tournaments for Scotland Sevens, securing their first ever HSBC World Series win in London, as well as winning a silver medal for Great Britain at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Since retiring he has worked as a Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Scottish Rugby Academy before moving on to ASM Clermont Auvergne. I...

Dr Martina Navarro is a Senior lecturer in the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth. She is an Experimental Psychologist, with a range of interests in the area of skill learning, expertise and performance under pressure. Martina is particularly interested in how practice design and psychophysiological processes mediate motor development and decision-making perform...

Over the last 19 years Owen has worked with youth, senior, international and professional athletes as well as working in the entertainment and corporate health industries, spending time working in London, Australia, and New Zealand. He also has a history, as an athlete, in rugby, CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting. In this episode Owen discusses: Helping people become better versions of themselves...

Kelvin Giles is a legend in Strength and Conditioning. A former UK National and Olympic Track and Field Coach, he spent 30 years in Australia’s High Performance Sport environment across organisations including the Australian Institute of Sport, Queensland Academy of Sport, the Canberra Raiders and the Brisbane Broncos. He also led the Australian Rugby Union Elite Player Development program. He’s c...

I first came across Annika when she was presenting a series of webinars in collaboration with Black Box on: Developing Mental Fitness, Building self awareness and Finding and Enhancing Resilience Annika work with athletes, coaches and personal trainers to help them train and compete with confidence. Her approach focuses on optimizing self-beliefs, mindset and confidence to create success without t...

Jared Deacon is a former international 400m athlete. He has worked for UK Athletics, English Institute of Sport and is currently Lead Academy S&C Coach for Scottish Rugby in Edinburgh. Alongside S&C coaching, Jared has also coached international sprinters and hurdlers as a track coach including European, World and Olympic medallists. In this episode Jared discusses:   Growing up as th...

Dr Craig Harrison loves to show young people how to tap into their inner drive, take control of their learning & pursue their dreams with purpose & passion. An expert in youth athlete development, Craig specialises in the physical and mental sides of sport. He is a coach, a researcher, host of the popular podcast The Athlete Development Show, the husband of former Silver Fern and FIVB inte...

Dave is director of the Coalition Performance training facility in the West Midlands. He has worked for over a decade as an S&C coach, including championship-winning seasons in professional rugby union at the premiership level, and across a dozen sports with youth, amateur, elite level and world champion athletes, as well as the general public. In this podcast Dave discusses: His start at Mose...

Katie is a Coach Education Development Manager at British Gymnastics, as well as a BASES Accredited Sport Scientist and former Senior Sport Psychology & Coaching Science Lecturer at St Mary’s University for many years. Katie has been a leading figure within the UK gymnastics scene for several years, offering sport psychology support to a number of clubs and coaches. In this episodes Katie disc...

Jake has recently completed a five year stint working with Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing in Formula 1. Jake’s role had been to provide performance management through physical conditioning, mentoring and ensuring optimal energy for lifestyle and race performance. Working closely with race engineers, team managers, physiologists and doctors, Jake helped to positively coordinate and implement str...