The PAADS Athlete Development Podcast

This podcast transcript features an interview with Stephanie Thorburn, the current Executive Director of PADS, as she discusses her extensive career in athlete development. Her journey began at Florida State University, where a personal injury shifted her focus from competing as an athlete to pursuing sports psychology. Thorburn details her professional progression through elite organizations, inc...

This podcast episode features an interview with Felipe Martins, a former professional soccer player who reflects on the intense discipline and personal sacrifices required to sustain a high-level athletic career. Having left home at age ten to pursue his dream, Martins explores the psychological toll of elite sports, specifically the emotional disconnect and loss of a normal childhood. He highligh...

This podcast transcript features Jen Cross, Carmen Teepen, and Tommy Vera from the Gold Coast Titans discussing their roles in athlete development and well-being within professional rugby. The staff outlines the unique challenges of managing young athletes, such as balancing high salaries with the need for career education and long-term identity outside of sport. They highlight the differences bet...

This podcast episode features an interview with Riley Poduje, a former intern at Professional Association ofAthlete Development Specialists (PAADS) who now works professionally in the sports industry. The discussion highlights Poduje’s career trajectory, from managing a collegiate basketball team to handling player engagement and operations for a Major League Soccer club. She emphasizes that succe...

In this episode, hosts Duncan Fletcher and Stephanie Thorburn sit down with Tom Livengood from the WTA Player Development team to explore his remarkable career journey—from international exchange work to shaping athlete development in professional tennis. Livengood shares how his global perspective has influenced his approach within the internationally driven WTA. The conversation dives into the W...

The source is an excerpt from a podcast featuring an interview with two doctors from the University of Florida, Dr. Molly Harry and Dr. Emily Plunkett, who discuss their research on athlete development and the rapidly changing landscape of collegiate sports. The conversation focuses heavily on NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) policies, the potential for athletes to be reclassified as employees, and the...

In an episode of the PAADS Podcast, hosts Duncan Fletcher and Stephanie Thorburn interview JP van Wyke, the Player Services Manager for the South African Cricketers Association. The discussion centers on Funve's 20-year career in athlete development and player well-being, particularly within the evolving global cricket landscape. Van Wyke details the Player Plus program, which offers mental health...

This discussion centers on the NBA's Coaching Development Program (CDP), featuring insights from Duncan Fletcher of PADS, along with Erjaam Hayes, Director of Player Development at the NBA, and Anisha Curry, Head Coach of the NBA Coaching Development Program. They highlight the program's evolution from event-based training to a comprehensive eight-month curriculum that focuses on technology, core...

This text features an interview with Guy Taylor, the national director for the Talented Athlete Scholarship (TASS) in the UK. He explains the origins of TASS, which was formed after the 1996 Olympics to improve Great Britain's performance by creating a pipeline for elite athletes. TASS is a charity that supports talented athletes through partnerships with universities that provide access to facili...

This podcast episode previews the upcoming PAADS Athlete Development Summit and Symposium events in New York City, hosted at MLB. The discussion outlines a week of activities in May, including an international guest experience with visits to the NBA, WNBA, and MLS, followed by a research symposium on May 14th featuring presentations on topics like gambling culture in female sports and fan reaction...

This podcast features an interview with Laney Hodges of Improv Alchemy, who discusses using improvisational theater techniques to improve athlete development. Hodges explains how improv builds crucial skills like communication and teamwork, fostering a more cohesive and resilient team on and off the field. She details her experience working with NFL teams, highlighting the positive impact on playe...

This podcast features a conversation with Erjaam Hayes, NBA Director of Player Development, about his career and the NBA's player development programs. Hayes discusses his journey from community relations to player development, highlighting the role of NBA Cares in fostering player interests and passions. He details the structure and challenges of G-League player development, including program cre...

Steve is a Registered Psychologist with 15+ years of experience working with adults, adolescents, and children. Steve has a Bachelor of Psychology (Arts), a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, and is a Board Approved Supervisor with AHPRA.  He has spent the last 12 years working with Juvenile Justice, mostly in correctional settings, but he has also worked in educational, mental health, and disability...

From a National Hockey League athlete to leading a multi-million-dollar strategic initiative with the National Hockey League Players Association. Experience and perspectives have propelled strategies for a successful outcome.  A conversation with Stephanie and Duncan of PAADS to discuss the development of the NHLPA UNLMT athlete development initiative and how it helps serve the needs of athletes a...

In a conversation with Athlete Development Specialists, focusing innovative strategies to support athletes' growth both on and off the field. This includes addressing the different locker room conversations and guiding athletes through the emotional and psychological challenges of transitioning from active competition to retirement. This also covers the struggles athletes face in retirement, such...

Welcome to the PAADS Podcast! We hope you enjoy our conversation with Antoine McClain.  Antoine has a unique role in college athletics, working to build bridges between active collegiate athletes and former Clemson Tigers, while helping shape career development objectives. We learn more about Antoine's fascinating gig, how it relates to athlete development and why his role is crucial.  We hope you...

NASCAR runs over 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in the US, Europe, Brazil, Mexico and Canada.  It has three primary national-level series in the United States including, Cup, Xfinity and Truck.  Our discussion with Meghan Miley, the Managing Director of Racing Operations, explores how NASCAR is exploring athlete development initiatives for its competitors that make sense for its culture and unique...

A conversation with Danielle Burrell of Brown University and her experiences in breaking into Athlete Development.  This a great dialogue for aspiring athlete development specialists to listen to, particularly if you are interested in learning how to build relationships, ask questions and be in a position to create opportunities in elite sports.  For those who have been in the industry, it provide...

A conversation with Francesca Del Monte of Major League Soccer.  Newer to the world of athlete development and with a unique multicultural perspective on working with professional athletes.  We discuss her experiences breaking into sport and helping professional athletes from a range of international backgrounds.

A conversation with the founders of the Wellbeing Science Institute (WSI), Steve and Alison Johnson.  The WSI developed the world’s first holistic elite athlete wellbeing management qualification which currently runs in both the UK and Australia.  They have extensive experience advising some of the world’s premier sporting leagues on implementing effective wellbeing strategies for athletes, coache...

A conversation with Premier League athlete development specialist Kristian Thomas.  Kristian is a former Olympic medallist in gymnastics.  We talk about Kristian's experiences as an athlete and the transition out of elite sport.  We also discussed working in professional athletics, the challenges associated with professional soccer players (football) and where he thinks the field may be going.  We...

A conversation with Shelley Lyle of the University of Florida about athlete development education for athlete development specialists. Learn more about educational options, including a master's or certificate programs: https://sm.hhp.ufl.edu/specializations/athlete-development/.

Welcome back! Today we talk with Brian Phelan and Peter Robinson who with the Melbourne Storm. Based in Melbourne, Australia the Melbourne Storm participates in the National Rugby League (NRL). The club play their home games at AAMI Park. The Storm have won four premierships since their inception, in 1999, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017 and 2020, and have contested several more grand finals. In short, the...

Dr. Janice Hilliard is the founder of Hilliard Solutions and long-time leader in the field of athlete development.  Dr. Hilliard previously worked for the National Basketball Association.  She is a published author and an adjunct professor as well as a nationally recognized workshop presenter and the founder of the annual Women in Athlete Development Symposium & Networking Event. She holds a D...

What role should agents play in supporting athlete development initiatives? Is there a role within an agency environment?  A conversation with Yves Btoba who currently works with an agency and previously worked in athlete development at the NFL club level and the NCAA.  Enjoy a unique perspective on the industry.