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Send us Fan Mail Alicia is one of Australia's leading sports dietitians, with nearly two decades of experience working at the highest levels of elite sport. Her career has spanned the Australian sporting landscape, supporting athletes across a wide range of Olympic and Paralympic programs through the Australian Institute of Sport, while also consulting for organisations including the NSW Waratahs, FIFA, and Football Australia. For more than seven years, Alicia has played a key role within Football Australia, most notably as Lead Performance Dietitian for the Matildas during their historic 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup campaign and the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup. In this conversation, we explore the realities of nutrition in elite sport, from fuelling performance and recovery to navigating the challenges of implementing evidence-based nutrition in complex high-performance environments. Alicia shares why behavioural science can often be just as important as nutritional science when it comes to creating meaningful and lasting change in athletes. This is also a conversation about balance, resilience, and leadership. Alicia reflects on building a career at the highest level of international sport while navigating the demands of motherhood, family life, and running her own business. Highlights from the episode… Alicia shares her desire to go into sports nutrition during an era where the space was very new and there were not an abundance of roles in the industry.We discuss the turnover of dieticians in the industry and the challenge for some dieticians to even get full time work after graduating.After two previous attempts to secure a role at the AIS, she was successful on her third attempt and talks about the gaps she had to fill that eventually led to her securing a role.Her time at the AIS and how services were structured, funded and allocated to specific athletes in sports.The chase for lean muscle mass in athletes. Does body composition actually correlate with performance? and what Alicia does with the women’s national team.An athletes “relationship with food” and how this has more of an impact on decisions around nutritional choices than most other factors.The decision of stepping away from sport to start a family and the accompanying doubt of whether she will ever get back into the world high performance sport.When it comes to nutrition and high performance sport. What matters most “nutrition science” or “behavioural science”?Alicia provides an unprecedented insight into what's involved when providing nutritional support for the Matildas before and during major tournaments.“Covert Monitoring”…What monitoring tools Alicia uses to evaluate adequate dietary intake for performance and minimising negative connotations associated with nutritional monitoring.Managing the tension of being away from family all while doing the best job you can do in the role…how do you do that?Compeat performance what it’s all about and how it is changing the way dietician support is delivered affordably and at scale.  People mentioned: Louise Burke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-burke-61923411/Matt Whalan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-whalan-5b59a939/Carmen Colomer: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Mn5jKSrO7mgzfrW9rEURC  Alicia Edge contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-edge/Compeat Performance: https://www.compeatperformance.com/about-us/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicia_j_edge/ Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail Hamish is an Australian Sports Physiotherapist who has worked at the pinnacle of rugby across the globe. Over the course of his career, he has held Head Physiotherapist roles with the ACT Brumbies (Super Rugby), the Australian National Rugby Team (Wallabies) and currently serves as Lead Physiotherapist for the world number three-ranked Ireland Men’s Rugby Team. Beyond rugby, Hamish also spent three years in the AFL as Head Physiotherapist for the Geelong Football Club. In this conversation, we explore the differences and similarities between club and international rugby, including how injuries are managed, the systems used to collaborate with coaches, medical staff, and performance teams, and the logistical demands that come with operating in both environments. From humble beginnings working in a private clinic in country Australia, his first opportunity in professional sport came through a referral from a local farmer in his community, a moment that would ultimately launch a career spanning countries, sports, and working with the elite of world sport.  Highlights from the episode… On the back of the 6 Nations, Hamish provides an insight into the prestige of the competition and Ireland winning the “Tripple Crown”. Why Hamish chose to go down the pathway of sports physio after initially commencing a Bachelor of Education.How Hamish got his introduction in pro sport with the ACT Brumbies (Super Rugby) through the help of a local farmer.We discuss Hamish’s opportunities in sport and the unspoken factors that lead to securing roles beyond just focusing on building your technical competency.The unique structure of Rugby Australia had in place for club physiotherapist  and national team physiotherapist to improve collaboration and continuity of systems, clinical practice and athlete care. The differences in working as a club physiotherapist and a national team physiotherapist regarding schedules, roles, responsibilities, challenges, etc.The challenges of managing players who may have conflicting demands between club and national team.Hamish shares the incredible systems that exist in Irish Rugby that have improved collaboration and collective decision making between club and country.Why he was let go from the Wallabies and how it felt the following 2.5 year not working directly in sport.How Hamish secured a role in a new sport with one of the most successful clubs in AFL history, Geelong Cats.The scale, resources and staff set up in the AFL in comparison to international Rugby.With the long hours, travel, pressure and relentless push to be better day in day out, over many years…Did you ever experience burnout?How Hamish was able to secure a one of the most prestigious roles in international Rugby and his move from Australia to Europe to join Ireland Rugby.  People mentioned: Byron Field: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4z8bihACHtSMwpC844wCkQTim McGrath: https://open.spotify.com/episode/73xkOCQlyT1RJ0u9s3ybdEMark Young: https://open.spotify.com/episode/17aAXmr5EdiTtxfqs1D1Zn Hamish McCauley contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamish-macauley-13944365/ Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail David is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Nxt Level Group, a company specialising in identifying and placing top talent across some of the world’s biggest sporting organisations, including the English Premier League, NFL, NBA, NWSL, and La Liga, to name a few. What makes David’s journey particularly unique is that he hasn’t just operated in recruitment he’s lived the world of high performance. With over 15 years’ experience as a sports physiotherapist working with elite teams and athletes, he brings a rare perspective to the industry. His experience extends even further, from working as a rehabilitation specialist with Isokinetic Medical Group, to co-founding multiple businesses, authoring a book, and hosting a podcast where he interviews high performers across sport, business, the arts, and the military. In this conversation, David shares practical insights on securing a role in high-performance sport, while also opening up about his own journey filled with extreme highs, setbacks, and the ongoing challenge of balancing family, purpose, and fulfilment. It’s this combination of lived experience and honest reflection that positions David to offer valuable insight into not just getting a role in sport, but also thriving within it. Highlights from the episode… After an eclectic childhood and an initial interest in journalism, how David eventually fell into physiotherapy and built a career across some of the biggest organisations and teams in the world.Where did David get this courage to feel confident in the various roles and  fields he's succeeded in? How David avoided being “institutionalised” and his ability to pivot away from a 15 year + career in sports physiotherapy and still thrive beyond his skill set as a physio.His initial transition out of “conventional employment” to “entrepreneurship” was met with never-ending challenges and what David did to help him persevere through those tough times.The common tension of building a career filled with personal fulfilment and purpose; and also doing what’s best for your family.What do you want out of your career? A questions that often most don't ask and why it's important.David is directly involved in the recruitment of top talent for some the most well respected sports organisation. He shares what separates the people who go on to secure roles to those who don’t.The specific questions practitioners should ask when applying for roles in sport.Once in the role, what David advises candidates and organisations to focus on in the first 30-90 days to maximise a successful transition.What David advises sporting organisations to do to attract top talent to their teams.Having achieved a lot across various domains what has been the cost of your ambition?  People mentioned: Cameron Steel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-steele-1a719926/James Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-allen-4627503b/Martin Seligman: https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/  David Clancy contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmdclancy/Nxt Level website: https://thenxtlevelgroup.comDavid Clancy website: https://davidclancy.com Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail Michael Davie is a Strength & Conditioning coach who has operated at the highest level of professional basketball, across both the college system and the NBA. He’s one of the few to have reached the pinnacle of the sport, winning an NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks. His experience extends well beyond basketball and has worked across multiple Olympic sports at the Queensland Academy of Sport, including rowing, sailing, diving, triathlon, and soccer, and was part of the Australian Swim Team staff at the 2012 London Olympic Games. This diverse background has shaped his deep understanding of Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD), which he applied in his work with 2x NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. In this conversation, Michael shares insights into athlete development, his unconventional journey into professional sport, and how belief, persistence, and consistency helped him achieve his dream role. Highlights from the episode… Having entered the industry later than most, bouncing around various jobs why Michael eventually chose to do S&C?After several years juggle part time S&C roles, family of 5 kids and working as a youth worker Michael was hit with a decision…take a $20,000/year role with the QAS or lean into a fulltime manager role youth working.The QAS. Michael provides a day to day outline of what his job entailed, the calibre of practitioners he worked alongside, the array of sports and diversity in elite level athletes.The relationship between “LTAD” and “vocabulary” and how the methodology of vocabulary can assist in coaching effective LTAD. We discuss the challenge of balancing “Long Term Athletic Development” and winning and how athlete development can often come at the cost of wining and Vice Versa…So how do we achieve both?How universities attract top talent to their programs and the business of collegiate sport.After close to 8 years at the QAS and no pro basketball experience how Michael received a chance phone call asking him if he wanted to join the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA.Michael talks about what many don’t consider when transitioning into a new role outside of your own country including family considerations, VISAs, contracts, housing, schools, etc.Working in the NBA. Michael shares what his role entailed and the gruelling schedule that many aren’t aware of when working in the NBA.With 82 game season Michael discusses how the team managed load, periodised strength training and maximised recovery between games.When monitoring players Michael has moved away from the traditional wellness questionnaires and what he currently uses at BYU to monitor overall player wellbeing.  People mentioned: Kelvin Giles: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2g1eUNqD0zQXRsKWno93CeSuki Hobson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suki-hobson-588ba276/Troy Flanagan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-troy-flanagan-137a1b3/  Michael Davie contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldavie/BYU Website: https://byucougars.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/season/2025-2026/staff/michael-davieX: https://x.com/MichaelDDavie Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail Wayne is a highly regarded sports physiotherapist who has worked at the pinnacle of multiple sports and organisations across the globe for 40 years. He has worked in Olympic sports, with the South African National Rugby Team the Springboks, in the EPL with Charlton Athletic and Tottenham Hotspurs, in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs to only name a few. Few practitioners can match the breadth and depth of his experience, having led medical departments across multiple sports, countries, and high-performance environments. This is a must-listen conversation for anyone established or is building a career in sport, as Wayne blends practical clinical insights with hard-earned wisdom on what it takes to thrive in elite performance settings. Highlights from the episode… Wayne started physiotherapy during a period where there weren't an abundance of pro sport or high paying roles. So why did Wayne choose this career path?Working with the South African national soccer team (Bafana Bafana) and the national rugby team (Springboks).After a successful career in South Africa, why Wayne decided to sell everything and move the entire family to the UK to take a role with Gloucester Rugby.What he learnt from a “Witch Doctor” while working in South Africa. How player “Belief” can have the biggest impact on the success of an athlete’s rehab.The growing trend of athletes curating their own personal high performance support teams and how Wayne effectively collaborates with them from a clubs perspective. With endless wide spread scrutiny on performance, athlete health, injury rates etc. How do you deal with the added stress of media and opinion.When evaluating risk in RTP decision making who is “Responsible” for the decisions and who is “Accountable” to the decision?How do you work in a high performance sport where you are pushing the envelope but by doing so could be at risk of negative consequence and worse being sued?How Wayne found himself leaving the EPL moving to the USA and working in an unfamiliar sport of NFL with the Miami Dolphins.The unbelievable level of athletic potential he experienced and observed while working in the NFL.NFL is commonly referred to “Not For Long” due to the length of time players stay in the game. When navigating a transient player roster how do you develop trust?Having worked across different sports, organisations and countries. What do you do in the first 90 days to ensure the transition is a success?Working in the NBA with one of the most decorated coaches in NBA history Gregg Popovich.Wayne’s current mission to establish an open source platform for performance data that anyone working in high performance sport can access.  People mentioned: Timothy Noakes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-noakes-294b048/Alan Curbishley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_CurbishleyMichael Davidson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-davison-0568a720/ Wayne Diesel contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-diesel-3012122a/Opensport Website: https://www.opensport.io Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail Nick is one of the leading high-performance managers in Australian sport, having spent close to a decade leading performance programs in the AFL with the GWS Giants and Adelaide Crows. Before his time in the AFL, Nick’s career took him around the globe, from professional rugby in Japan with Toyota Rugby, to a senior S&C role with the Aspire Academy in Qatar, and leading athletic performance for Rugby Australia’s men’s 7s program. But what makes Nick’s story truly compelling is the journey behind the success. After being diagnosed with Leukaemia early in his career, Nick spent more than a decade battling financial and professional uncertainty while trying to break into elite sport and at one point, walking away from it all and becoming a firefighter. Today, he draws from both his professional and personal experiences consulting and assisting leaders build high performing teams from locker rooms and boardrooms alike. Highlights from the episode… Nick decided to move to Sydney to pursue his burning desire to work in pro sport to eventually end up becoming a personal trainer and selling Foxtel cable television.Nick speaks of a tough period of his career where opportunities in pro sport were scarce, had a newly born daughter, was diagnosed with Leukaemia, financial challenges, which all led to him becoming a firefighter.After over a decade of pursuing a full time role in pro sport, Nick finally secure his first full time role sport in…Japan!Nick shares the realities of moving overseas, the challenges and advantages of settling both himself and his family into a new culture, environment and way of living.Challenges of having balancing a personal and pursuing a career in sport. Making the move to the middle east to the world renowned Aspire Academy. We chat about what is Aspire, his role and some of the leaders in sports science and S&C he was surrounded by.How Nick secured a role in a sport he has never worked in before and his transition into the next chapter of his career in the biggest sport in Australia AFL.Having been through a very challenging time with the Adeliade Crows we discuss how does Nick deal with loss, high pressure, stress, never-ending demands on his time and still provide a high level program. We chat about the importance of data and also what data DOESN’T show you and why it's important to “Read the room”.One of the most important roles as a high performance manager is recruiting the right people. Nick shares what he looks for in people he hires, what mistakes he’s made and what he’s learnt.  People mentioned: Andy Friend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-friend-rugby/Dean Benton: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vtkbUw2IWpdvKLOzI7wVQDaniel Duvnjak-Zaknich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-duvnjak-zaknich-80a41231/Dan Howells: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7wBAlzYR6InvdBZJ1lEPJB  Nick Poulos contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-poulos-phd/details/experience/Nick Poulos Website: https://www.nickpoulos.com.au/aboutX: https://x.com/PoulosNick Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail Matt’s journey through professional football is anything but conventional. Released by Portsmouth in the UK at 17, he moved to Australia and traded his football boots for a suit, seemingly stepping away from the dream. But at 27, an age when many players are winding down, Matt reignited his career and signed as a professional, playing alongside Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler. He went on to play in three countries, captain and win championships under Ange Postecoglou at Brisbane Roar, and earn call-ups to the Australian national team. What makes his story even more compelling is that the same resilience, belief, and work ethic that defined his playing career now underpin his success in coaching, with experience across the top flights of Australia and Thailand, and currently serving as assistant coach of the Malaysian men’s national team. Highlights from the episode… We start with an in depth discussion around the academy system in Australia and how it compares to the UK system.Matt vulnerably shares the moment he was let go at the final hurdle by Portsmouth after 6 years with the club and how that moment has affected the decisions he makes to this day.Matt shares how he took an unconventional route to professional football by exploring opportunities that allowed him to continue playing and progress gradually through the system. After moving to Australia and being rejected on 3 separate occasions by A-league clubs, Matt shares how eventually he secured a his first professional contract all while working full time as marketing manager for a finance company and staying fit in his lunch breaks. Joining the Brisbane Roar FC and what he learnt as a player and now a coach from his time working closely with Ange Postecoglou. How did Ange maintain conviction in his vision and message when things weren’t going well and what Matt learnt during that period that he uses in his coaching style. How Matt secured the head coach role with Asian powerhouse BG Pathum Utd. in the Thai Premier League and his experience working as a head coach in Asian football. Dealing with the uncertainty, stress and pressure of being a head coach and how Matt personally deals with this. How do you still deliver a compelling message when surrounded by constant uncertainty doubt and when there are no guarantees?Both as a player and a coach what are the fundamentals characteristic you have observed and now look for in great performance support staff? Matt discusses his current role as Assistant Coach with the Malaysian men's national team and what it’s like coaching at a national team level.  People mentioned: Stuart McLaren: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1v6BxDgkpbki2sUgGBVzdEAnge Postecoglou: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ange_PostecoglouMilo Micovic: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1svodLILdSKocJJjtA43Mc Matt Smith contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-smith-50012736/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattsmith_2/?hl=en Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail Darcy is the Director of High Performance with Chicago Fire FC (MLS) and has been operating at the highest level of soccer for nearly three decades. His career spans some of the biggest stages in the game, with roles at European giants Bayern Munich and AS Roma, as well as extensive experience in international soccer. Darcy spent six years with the US Men’s national team and was part of the German national team staff that made history winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Alongside his work in elite soccer, Darcy has also held performance leadership and consultancy roles with Exos and Kitman Labs. His depth of experience, perspective, and knowledge is second to none and in this conversation, Darcy reflects on a career defined by highs, lows, and a lifetime of lessons, both professional and personal, which all began on the rural slopes of Canada far from the packed stadiums and bright lights of the world game.  Highlights from the episode… What it was like being part of the beginnings of “Athlete's Performance” the organisation that went on to be commonly known today as the world renowned performance company, Exos.Working at Exos, the revolutionary ideas, structures, systems, personnel etc. that Darcy still leverages to this day in the high performance programs he’s involved in.How Darcy, admittingly "having no clue about soccer” secured a role with one of the biggest clubs in world soccer, Bayern Munich (Bundesliga).The "Power Formula" that Darcy has refined to facilitate performance in his players across all the environments his worked in.The "Trust Equation". How to get buy in from your athletes…and keep it!How Darcy was able to maintain professionalism and perform at the highest level in amongst the uncertainty and volatility that comes with abrupt coaching changes.When accepting roles abroad what considerations he makes to ensure that the move works both professionally and personally.Conflict resolution. Having difficult conversations in challenging times with staff, players, media etc.How Darcy got a better understanding of human performance by reviewing an unexpected source in the "Supply Change Council of America’s" website.“Linking your thinking”. Structuring his thoughts and tools he uses to develop the frameworks and models that he implements around RTS, performance enhancement, injury prevention, management etc.Being a part of the 2014 World Cup with the German national team, what it was like to win it and a humbling story post winning the World Cup.We discuss the ever-expanding use of technology and whether we are obligated to use it when the data exists. What are we not considering when being a slave to technology. With a World Cup being held in the US and all the work he is doing with the Chicago Fire FC, what is Darcy is excited about? People mentioned: Shad Forsythe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shad-forsythe-b94757237/?originalSubdomain=ukCraig Friedman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigfriedman/Mark Verstegen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Verstegen Darcy Norman contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darcy-norman-1705496/X: https://x.com/DarcyNormanWebsite: https://www.darcynormanconsulting.com/contact Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail From international rugby to Major League Baseball and back again, Alex’s journey in elite sport is truly unique. He has made significant contributions to the game of rugby across four countries: in New Zealand as Sport Science Manager with the The Blues (Super Rugby); in Argentina as Physical Performance Manager across all levels of their national rugby program; in the United States as Head of Performance for USA Rugby; and currently overseeing multiple levels of the national program with Scottish Rugby. Beyond rugby, Alex has also held senior leadership roles in Major League Baseball with the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins. This conversation explores the story of someone who grew up immersed in a sport that held relative obscurity in his own country, yet went on to make a global impact shaped by the experiences his gained from multiple high performance environments, research, and a deep commitment to the game he loves. Highlights from the episode… Alex describes the early days of being involved in Rugby in the US where the sport was relatively unknown and considered more recreational than professional.Alex spoke about his move to New Zealand and the challenges of eventually breaking into pro Rugby as an American in a Rugby obsessed nation.What Alex learnt about the high performance landscape during his time in NZ and chats about the similarities/differences he experienced in high performance settings in the US and the world.With no experience in running an international Rugby program, living in a non-English speaking country and not being able to speak the local language, how Alex courageously secured a role with Argentina as Physical Performance Manager across all levels.Now stepping into a role with Argentina and admittingly having limited experience, what did Alex pulled from as a guide for implementing systems, setting up structures, decision making etc?What's it like trying to transition into new country and new way of living?After rapid success in Rugby, why Alex chose to move into a new sport in Baseball joining the world renowned New York Mets (MLB).Alex provides an insight of what it’s like to work in a 162 game MLB season. The resources, staffing, training schedule, daily/weekly plan, load management, periodising strength training etc.“Individual development plans”...what are they? And what Alex has gained from Baseball that could assist with rugby athletes. With an increase in data collection and ability to monitor more in sport, how do you choose what to measure?When dealing with multimillion dollar contracted athletes, how do you get players to do things, that they may not want to do, because you feel strongly that it will benefit them?Are you more data informed or intuition informed when it comes to decision making? You'll be surprised by the answer...You have experienced an exceptional career that has also come with its challenges…Has it been worth it?  People mentioned: John (Mitch) Mitchell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mitchell-48041722a/Peter Bendix: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_BendixScott Lawrence: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-lawrence-rugby/  Alex Ross contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsross15/ Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail Justin is an Australian sports physiotherapist who has worked at the pinnacle of football in Australia in both the round ball game and Aussie rules football. He has been the Head Physio for 3 separate A-League clubs including the Newcastle Jets FC, Melbourne Victory FC and Macarthur Bulls FC, as well as spending 5 years as Rehabilitation Physio for the Syndey Swans (AFL). What’s most fascinating about Justin is not only has he been able to transition successfully across different sports, but he has also uniquely been able to transition between being a “generalist physio” to a “specialist physio”. In this conversation we chat all things rehab, including who should be involved, general milestones and the specifics of developing, implementing and evaluating a comprehensive and successful rehab plan, in amongst his own personal journey from starting in Hunter region of Newcastle, moving interstate, working in the AFL and returning full circle to where it all began.  Highlights from the episode… What a Match day +1 entails and discusses the recovery protocols, top up drills for players and triaging of injured players that currently occur at the club.He talks about the steps that opened the door to his first opportunity in professional sport, including helping out and observing for over a year unpaid before ever being presented with a role at the club.How Justin deals with complex cases and the process he uses to manage injuries where he may not have extensive experience and knowledge around.After being on a rollercoaster of results with the Jets, Justin shares the lead up to the historic 2018 home grand final in Newcastle. How Justin received a job offer from one of the power houses of Australian football (Melbourne Victory FC) and the things he had to consider moving away from Newcastle to Melbourne.Justin shares his time at the Melbourne Victory and meeting world renowned sport scientist Ryan Timmins.Why Justin chose to leave one of the biggest and established A-league clubs to join one of the smallest and less developed clubs in the A-League.After only a few months at Macarthur Bulls FC, how Justin was offered a role in a different sport, in a different role with a different club with the Sydney Swans.What is involved in a specialised rehab physio role and how the medical/performance team was structured at the Swans."With increase personnel comes with the risk of decrease integration”. With larger medical/performance teams in the AFL, can there be too many people in department? If things don’t go according to plan, what’s the evaluation process you use when assessing the outcome of a return to play scenario.When developing and implementing a comprehensive rehab plan, how do you know what exercises, tests, milestones matter most?Justin shares why he left the Sydney Swans to go back and join the Newcastle Jets as Head Physio.  People mentioned: Anthony Crea: https://open.spotify.com/episode/61NEsihgoSiiw5qDRl812xDamian Raper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-raper-5b212b23/Ryan Timmins: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Bt1GdDjwWiXNcCmjU2jBq  Justin Dougherty contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-dougherty-185a0739/Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail James in one of the most lateral and deep thinkers I know in the industry and has the expertise and experience to match. He has worked across a diverse range of sports and athletes at the highest level including, Olympic sports where he was deputy Chef de Mission for the 2016 Rio Olympic games, professional tennis where he was responsible for the health and wellbeing of former world number 1 Andy Murray and Basketball as Head of Performance Therapies with Brooklyn Nets (NBA), to only name a few. Currently he is back in the sport of Rugby where he once worked for England Rugby and Saracens and is now Head of Physio & Rehab for Scottish Rugby. This is an all encompassing conversation where we dive into the technical aspects of injury management, decision making and learning strategies for practitioners at the highest level of sport all while James shares an unguarded personal journey of the highs and lows of working with the elite of high performance sport.   Highlights from the episode… Being in the midst of his new role with Scottish Rugby, James shares his current approach to transitioning into a new sport and a new team.What often separates the good practitioners from the great practitioners is the non-technical skills and James shares how one can best identify and acquire these skills.What is your learning strategy? And what 3 questions you should ask yourself when reading and evaluating research and information.In an industry filled with an abundance of information, approaches and opinions, at its core Physio is quite simply “all you have to do is keep people moving and get them stronger”…or is it that simple?After being on a path for medicine James decided to pursue physio and move to Indianapolis USA, before moving again to Brisbane Australia to do his Masters and finally returning to the UK for his first role in sport. With a chance encounter through a presentation he did, how he was able to secure a role with England Rugby with no prior experience working in Rugby.James talks about his transition to the Brooklyn Nets and what it’s like to work with NBA superstars James Harden, Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons.Moving for roles. What James had to consider when moving his entire family to the other side of the world, the tough decisions that were made and the benefits that can come with embracing change.Working with some of the biggest names in Rugby, Tennis, NBA and Olympic sports what has been the cost of the career you’ve chosen? What other practitioners may need to consider when pursuing a role in sport.With all his experience, accomplished and the reputation he’s earnt…What is James solving for in the long term?  People mentioned: Mark Young: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-young-b2aaa520/Dave Collins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/performanceuk/Mark England: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_EnglandChris Spice: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_SpiceBill Vicenzino: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_VicenzinoFionn MacPartlin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionnmacpartlin/  James Moore contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-moore-4a412814/HDPN Website: https://www.hd-pn.comMarylebone Health Group Website: https://marylebonehealthgroup.com/team-member/james-moore/Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail Mick has founded, grown and sold several successful health care businesses all while having an impact in the world of high performance sport. He’s worked for over a decade in women’s Rugby League as a physio for the NSW Origin team and as Director of Medical & Performance for the St George Illawarra Dragons (NRLW). What he is probably most well known for is his work in the sport of MMA where for close to a decade has worked with some of the world’s best fighters in the UFCs most notably with future hall of famer Alexander Volkanovski. In addition, through his clinics Mick has helped drive the careers of many practitioners who have gone on to work in the NBA, A-League, NRL, Summer and Winter Olympic games. This is a fascinating story of someone who has uniquely been able to find the balance of building several profitable businesses all while traveling the world and working with some of the world’s most ferocious and elite athletes. Highlights from the episode… On the back of poor experiences in private practice, Mick went out on a limb and started his own practice with an emphasis on providing an environment that staff can thrive in.Building relationships and the importance of putting yourself out of your comfort zones to reach out to people, share ideas and most importantly add value to others.Mick shares the realities of running a private clinic in the sporting landscape and what he is doing to try curate an environment for his staff to learn, get exposure and still be able to pay the bills that come with running a small business.Mick has contributed to the success of many practitioners who have gone on to hold prestige roles in sport and shares the number one characteristic in those who gone on to work at the highest level. With no background in MMA how Mick caught the eye of the UFC Champion Alexander Volkanovski. How Mick got famous after being mentioned on the Joe Rogan Podcast by chucking a pen at Volkanovski in the attempt to teach him what many don’t understand about "Pain".How Mick was invited to spend a week with 2023 NBA Champions the Denver Nuggets and provide workshops to their world class medical/performance team.Where does manual therapy sit in current practice? What is the difference between placebo effect and being misleading?Mick gets candid about his own journey in sport and the tension that exists with certain dogmas, decisions and whether it’s worth the ongoing pursuit to work in sport.How Mick is changing the game for so many practitioners to scratch their itch in sport without needing to deal with the volatility, long hours, poor remuneration etc. that can often be associated with sport.What is entailed in a UFC fight week. Mick gives us an unprecedent insight into the week leading in Championship fight in the UFC. People mentioned: Dan Lawson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-lawson-00946661/?originalSubdomain=auAlex Volkanovski: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_VolkanovskiTim Brennan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-brennan-bb916497/details/experience/Chris Jaffrey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR4P27SNi3k Mick Baines contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-baines-36170b153/Website: https://mickbaines.com.auSouth Coast Health Hub: https://healthhubsc.com.auHost: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail David has spent several decades immersed in English football, working at the highest level of performance across both the Championship and the English Premier League. He’s played a key role in the success of some of the game’s most iconic managers David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, and spent over a decade with one of the biggest clubs in world football, Manchester United. What makes David’s story truly remarkable is how it began. Entering professional football in his mid-30s, an age when most would consider it too late, he defied the odds to carve out a career built on persistence, loyalty, and a relentless work ethic. In this episode, David opens up about the highs and lows of life in elite football and shares powerful lessons on what it really takes to reach and stay at the top. Highlights from the episode… How David started his career volunteering as a coach for over 5 years and soon found passion for Sport Science in football.In the early days David had to travel over 90 miles every day to attend university all while holding a part time role at a Championship club academy program.How at the age of 35 David obtained his first full time role as a Head of Sport Science in professional football and the unconventional circumstances that surrounded the appointment.“I was not ready!” How David was able to successfully navigate being swiftly thrusted into a leadership role with no prior experience and ability to prepare for what was ahead of him.Is it better to become a coach first and then refine your skills in physiology, human movement, strength & conditioning or do it the other way around?Is the landscape of high performance sport less tolerant of mistakes than it once was?David shares what it felt to be sacked from his job at age 40, with a family, mortgage and no other job prospects, in the one of the most competitive environments in world sport.David shares how he received a cold call to come into Carrington that led to him securing a role with Sir Alex Furguson and Manchester United.David’s first encounter with Sir Alex Ferguson and what it was like to work with him, his personality, leadership and the culture he created at the club.David shares the events from inside the club of that infamous day their cross town rivals won the 2011/12 Premier League title and Sir Alex Ferguson’s remarkable response as he addressed everyone in the club.Post Sir Alex Ferguson and the transition of new management with David Moyes, Ryan Giggs and Louis Van Gaal. What it was like to work across different methodologies when it came to sport science.After spending several years with the first team, David moved to the academy system implementing strategies across a wider range of players throughout the club.David shares the foundational elements to consider when it comes to Return-to-Play decision making.  People mentioned: Simon Davey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-davey-6403b517/Tony Strudwick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-strudwick-61641031/?originalSubdomain=ukSir Alex Ferguson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_FergusonAnthony Crea: https://open.spotify.com/episode/61NEsihgoSiiw5qDRl812x David Kelly contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-david-m-kelly-2b7a0328/ Host: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail Leigh's resume in sport is one of Australia’s most impressive having held leadership roles in some of Australia’s largest sports. This has included General Manager positions with the AFL players association, GC Suns and Essendon Bombers (AFL), CEO of Netball Victoria and Melbourne Vixens (Super Netball) and CEO of Australia’s most successful Olympic sport, Swimming Australia. What’s unique is in amongst a successful career she has also had to navigate an era where barriers around the perceptions of women in sport existed, as well as maintaining a thriving 25 year+ strong family network while working in the top echelon of sport. If you have ever had the thought of pursuing something outside of your reach, Leigh is an example of with someone who grew up as a young girl in a working class suburbs of Melbourne who through a lot of hard work, resilience and immense courage to step outside of her proverbial lane, went on to exercise her unselfish passion to help get the best out of others! Highlights from the episode… How we can we curate environments to maximise passion in young athletes to continue to pursue a lifelong career in sport?Leigh shares how her career being one of the first female leaders in the world of AFL started at her kitchen table.Having been a pioneer in her time, how Leigh has been able to break down barriers and position herself so that she can make a meaningful impact all while constantly needing to prove herself."Sport is described as being a merit-based system that rewards those who do the work. However, this only works if in the beginning everything was equal". What are we not considering when choosing the right candidates for roles?We discuss how Leigh continues to summon the courage to pursue roles, what would be perceived, is being outside her circle of competence.CEO recruitment process, what's involved and how she successfully navigated this process to become CEO of Swimming Australia.What a CEO does, what are the KPIs, who sets the KPIs, the day-to-day workings, personal goals etc.During one of the darkest and unforeseen periods in Australian Swimming, Leigh candidly shares how she personally navigated the Shayna Jack scandal.Who do you turn too in a crisis? We discuss how leadership can often be lonely and why it’s important to have people around who you can depend on and trust.In an industry that is not conducive to a family network, how Leigh and her husband have been able to build a beautiful family together for over 25 years while both working in elite sport.How Leigh has been able to recreate and redefine her career pathway time and time again.What Leigh looks for when recruiting top talent, maintaining a strong sense of purpose throughout an organisation and how to dismiss those who choose not to be part of the culture.  People mentioned: Kate Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-palmer-5874b110/?originalSubdomain=auLaura Johnston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurajohnstonpl/ Andrew Russell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elitehumans/Shayna Jack: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shayna_Jack Leigh Russell contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighrussell/Website Russell Performance Co: https://www.russellperformance.coHost: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.

Send us Fan Mail Dan is a high performance coach and mentor who’s coaching career has spanned across the likes of US Ski & Snowboard team, English Institute of Sport, England Rugby, Wasps Rugby and as Head Strength & Conditioning Coordinator in Baseball for the Houston Astros. Dan has now swapped coaching athletes to coaching coaches and works with sports performance practitioners, including S&C coaches, physiotherapists and sports scientists not just to get into the world of elite sport but excel in their roles. If you have ever wanted to work in elite sport or are currently embedded within a high performance team, then this conversation is one not to miss as Dan shares what you need to know about navigating one of the most competitive, volatile and high demanding industry and still have a meaningful impact and most importantly be fulfilled with what you chose to do.  Highlights from the episode… Being disillusioned by not having a specific role after finishing his undergrad degree this led to Dan asking some deep questions about his future that he now asks practitioners to this day.How Dan joined the US national Ski and Snowboarding team having no prior experience in winter sports and how this became a pivotal component to his career development.When moving from one role into the next with a lack of direction this is the one advice Dan wished he received when he was navigating his own journey in elite sport.Is there a risk of being too pragmatic around your needs and wants at the result that you position yourself out of a role in an already competitive market?The “one-way and "two-way" doors and how this concept can streamline decision making when deliberating over the pros and cons of situation.When the opportunities aren’t coming, you’re struggling financially and you are still working at a level you feel you have out grown, when do you give up on the dream of working in sport?How he secured a role with the Houston Astros and some practical steps for any practitioners going through an interview process should know.The “Rapport Entry” technique and how this can assist when you’re unsure of an answer to a question you’ve been asked.The importance of developing soft skills (communication, teamwork, problem solving etc) in parallel with hard skills (professional expertise) can seperate you from the competition. “Career Periodisation” and how it can help practitioners when navigating through the stages of their career of “Thriving”, “Surviving” or “Redefining”.Dan shares his personal transition from the “surviving” stage (coaching athletes) into a “redefining” stage (coaching coaches) and the challenges and fulfilment that came with this transition. People mentioned: Per Lundstam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/per-lundstam-29016322/Zach Weatherford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-weatherford-b67a009/George Petrakos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgepetrakos/Josh Fletcher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-fletcher-36151623/ Dan Howells contact details:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howellsdan/?originalSubdomain=ukTwitter: https://x.com/howellsdan?lang=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborate_sports/ Collaborate Sports: www.collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorshipsHost: Luis Resa Contact me on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/Email: [email protected] for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.