In this episode, David is joined by Robbie Bourke.
Robbie is a highly experienced strength & conditioning coach, physical therapist, nutritionist, and educator with over 10 years within the profession.
He has worked and interned with some top organizations such as Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning, Dublin GAA, Elite Fitness & Performance Academy, and Altis.
Robbie has an unrelenting passion for studying and applying everything to do with human performance and coaching.
In this episode, David & Robbie discuss the current climate of strength and conditioning, the value of interning, and the importance of continual professional development.
Full show-notes: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode80
In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Gary Mendoza.
Gary’s background is in personal training. He graduated with a first class honours degree in Applied Human Nutrition from the University of Wales and then moved into training personal trainers and coaches and developed a successful nutrition and weight management course, including assessment of behavioural readiness.
This course formed the basis of his doctoral research which he was awarded a PhD for in 2006. His research included specialisation in the multi-dimensional treatment of overweight and obese males.
Gary’s other area of expertise is sports nutrition. He was previously programme leader for both sports nutrition and advanced sports nutrition at Massey University in New Zealand and trained with Sports Dietitians Australia (SDA).
He lectures in nutrition for sport and exercise at Bath Spa and Cardiff Metropolitan Universities and is an Academic Associate member of the SENr. Gary is also co-director of ‘The Nutrition Academy Ltd’ and delivers the applied nutrition and supplementation course (AfN certified) well as their behaviour change workshop, which has more recently been enhanced by the addition of motivational interviewing (MI).
As an academic practitioner with a wealth of experience, Gary is passionate about raising the standards of nutrition and behavioural change education in the health and fitness industry. He wants the industry to move to a more evidence-based style of behaviour change and nutrition education.
Full show-notes at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode79
In this episode, David is joined by Steve Thompson. Steve is a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, where he is pursuing a PhD.
Steve is currently an integral member of a working strength and conditioning group within Sheffield Hallam, providing support for a number of different athletes and teams. Steve has recently helped three GB Divers achieve Commonwealth Bronze medals and British championships as well as a Bronze in the Diving Grand Prix in Italy. Steve has coached the semi-professional rugby league team Sheffield Eagles and GB table tennis players.
Steve provided elite strength and conditioning to the Great British Olympic Women's Volleyball team in lead up to the 2012 Olympics. Steve was heavily involved in the planning, testing, monitoring and training of the athletes as well as providing S&C support to a Paralympic wheelchair fencer, providing a completely new and interesting set of challenges.
In this episode, David and Steve discuss in detail current best practices and future research directions of velocity based training.
In this episode, David is joined by Fergus Connolly, PhD.
Dr. Fergus Connolly is one of the world’s foremost human potential thought leaders and influencers.
Author of the bestselling book "Game Changer - The Art of Sports Science"
Fergus has applied performance science with leading sports, military, and business teams.
He is the only coach to have full times roles in every major sport, including soccer (Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers), professional and college football (San Francisco 49s and University of Michigan), rugby (Welsh national team) and elite military units.
David and Fergus discuss some insightful concepts and issues in the world of athletic development and sports science.
Full shownotes: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode77
In this episode, David is once again joined by Dr. Eric Helms.
Eric is a coach, athlete, author, and educator. A trainer since the early 2000’s, he’s worked in the US Air force, commercial gyms, private training studios, medical fitness and strength and conditioning facilities. As a part of 3DMJ he coaches drug-free strength and physique competitors at all levels. Eric has competed since the mid 2000’s in natural bodybuilding, unequipped powerlifting and dabbled in Olympic lifting. He earned pro status as a natural bodybuilder with the PNBA in 2011 and competes with the IPF at international level events as an unequipped powerlifter.
Eric has published multiple peer-reviewed articles in exercise science and nutrition journals and writes for commercial fitness publications. He’s taught undergraduate and graduate level nutrition and exercise science and speaks internationally at academic and commercial conferences for fitness, nutrition and strength and conditioning. He has a BS in fitness and wellness, an MS in exercise science, a second masters in sports nutrition, a PhD in strength and conditioning, and is a research fellow for AUT at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand.
In this episode, David & Eric discuss the lessons Eric has learned in the past 14 years, how his motivations have changed over this time, how in an alternate reality Eric would be a hip-hop superstar, or an FBI agent and then round off with a discussion around the topic of auditing our thinking as evidence-based practitioners.
In this episode, David is joined by Lee Bell.
Lee is an MSc qualified consultant lecturer, speaker and content writer, published in some of the most respected online platforms in the world. He’s currently pursuing a PhD looking at the link between overreaching/overtraining and strength sports.
He is a published academic and professional writer and has delivered talks at a number of conferences including the COPA Growth medical conference in London. Lee is also involved in primary sport science research with other sport scientists across a number of institutions.
Lee has lectured to hundreds of sport science students, personal trainers and coaches in his career so far.
He has been master trainer at two global equipment suppliers and involved on a number of steering groups aimed at improving the way that fitness education is delivered in the UK.
David & Lee discuss the research of overtraining and how to monitor & prevent overtraining in our athletes. Lee also gives us an insight into the realities of being a professional fitness writer.
Show notes at: www.synapseperformance.ie/episode75
In this episode, David is joined by Alex Kolliari-Turner.
Alex holds an undergraduate degree in biological science from the University of Oxford, and is currently undertaking PhD. research at the University of Brighton. Alex's research focuses on implications of RNA-sequence in the detection of anabolic steroid use and the harnessing of the molecular mechanisms of muscle memory.
David & Alex have a balanced discussion about anabolic steroid use, its pros & cons and the future of doping testing in sport.
Full show notes: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode74
In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Paul Rimmer.
Throughout the course of his academic studies, Paul has covered many areas related to sport science, including nutritional biochemistry, physiology, psychology, elements of physiotherapy and nutrition and exercise programming. His area of academic expertise is in biomechanics – in particular functional and clinical measures of strength and performance, which is what his PhD. was involved in. Paul has also developed and delivered courses and seminars covering many aspects of health and fitness. He has developed a deep understanding of nutrition and human metabolism, which is the research area he is now considered to be most knowledgeable in.
Paul has also developed and delivered courses and seminars covering many aspects of health and fitness. He has developed a deep understanding of nutrition and human metabolism, which is the research area he is now considered to be most knowledgeable in. In his current professional
In his current professional capacity, Paul provides science-based health and fitness content and education for various businesses and individuals within the fitness industry. He is passionate about the need to educate people on evidence-based nutritional practices, working as a consultant to many trainers and coaches around the world to help them develop their knowledge and provide better service to their clients.
Paul & David discuss:
- How to perform an effective needs analysis
- The differences in coaching individuals versus coaching teams
- Nutritional monitoring strategies
Full show notes available at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode73
In this episode, David is joined by Jacob Schepis.
Jacob Schepis is the owner & director of JPS Health & Fitness, where he has helped thousands of individuals improve their strength, body composition and well being through evidence-based resistance training and nutrition.
Taking a scientific based approach to training and diet has enabled Jacob to excel in a variety of sports, including playing VFL, bodybuilding, where he has won multiple state and international titles, along with competing in the International Powerlifting Federation, where he has competed at a national level and achieved a top 8 Ranking in Australia.
Having worked in the industry for over 8 years, Jacob’s wealth of knowledge coupled with his experience in the trenches has led him to become one of Melbourne’s most sought out trainers. His role has extended fate beyond working with his beloved clients, to now mentoring aspiring personal trainers, holding workshops and seminars, and writing for the nations personal training governing body, Physical Activity Australia.
For full show notes see: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode72
In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Cody Haun.
Dr. Cody Haun graduated Cum Laude in sport and exercise science from the University of East Tennessee, where he also went on to receive a masters degree in human physiology and performance.
Dr. Haun then progressed to a PhD program in Auburn University and has recently defended his thesis:
Skeletal Muscle Growth Responses to Voluminous Resistance Training in Young Men with or without Graded Dosage of Protein Supplementation.
In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Austin Baraki.
Dr. Baraki is a medical doctor of internal medicine at UT health centre in San Antoni, Texas.
Austin is also a powerlifting coach and educator at Barbell Medicine along with Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum.
In this episode, David & Austin discuss:
Full show notes can be found at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode70
In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Israel Halperin.
Israel has just completed post-doctoral research at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Israel completed his PhD at Edith-Cowan University, Australia in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). His research focusing on the effect of coaching feedback on performance of resistance trainees and combat sport athletes.
Israel worked with the four Olympic Combat sports in the AIS Combat Centre.
Israel is also a former international competitor in Muay Thai, and now coaches elite level kickboxers.
In this episode, we discuss metascience in the sports and exercise sciences. Essentially we discuss some limitations and considerations which we need to be aware of when both conducting and interpreting research.
In this episode, David is joined once again by Andy Morgan, owner of the hugely successful rippedbody.com.
Andy is a full-time online coach, based from Tokyo, Japan.
Andy & David discuss coaching philosophies, imposter syndrome, the importance of a strong network, and the value of continued self-development.
For full show notes see: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode68
In this episode, David is joined by Patrick Umphrey.
Patrick is a full-time online coach and the man behind the monster Facebook community that is "Eat, Train, Progress."
Patrick has built a very successful business and works with a variety of people ranging from fat loss to novice/intermediate powerlifters.
In this episode, David & Patrick Discuss the importance of empathy in coaching, how to gauge progress and set realistic goals and how Patrick has built a community of 16,000 people where no-one is a "dick."
Full show notes at www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode67
In this episode, David is joined by Dr. Catherine Norton.
Catherine is a performance nutritionist and registered dietitian and currently works full-time at the University of Limerick, Human Research Institute. She teaches on the BSc & MSc courses there, as well as researching in both, food for health, and performance nutrition.
Catherine is a graduate of DIT / TCD (Human Nutrition & Dietetics) and UL (PhD Nutrition), and an accredited Sport & Exercise Nutritionist (SENr High Performance).
Catherine spent three seasons as full-time lead performance nutritionist to Munster Rugby and has also consulted with a wide range of sports disciplines at national, international and Olympic levels. She previously held the Lead Performance Nutritionist role with the swimmers at the High-Performance Centre in UL and with Rowing Ireland. Dr. Norton has also provided nutrition support to both junior and senior athletes with Athletics Ireland, Triathlon Ireland, Inter-County GAA and AIL rugby clubs.
Dr Norton's research interests investigate optimising nutrition for athletic training and competition, with a particular emphasis on peri-training nutrition (PTN). She is also involved in research considering appropriate protein intakes (quantity, quality and timing) for the prevention of age related losses in both muscle (sarcopaenia) and bone (osteopaenia).
Full show-notes: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode66
In this episode, David is joined by Jim Elli.
Jim is a coach with Reactive Training Systems which works with powerlifters from a variety of abilities, including world champions.
Jim also teaches the practical nutrition course for RTS and manages social media for the company.
In this episode David & Jim discuss:
- The role of carbohydrates for the powerlifter
- Rates of fat loss for powerlifters
- Acute weight cutting for competition
- Supplementation for powerlifters
- Pragmatism in coaching
Show notes can be found at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode65
If you enjoy this episode please consider sharing it on your social media and leaving us a rating & review on iTunes.
In this episode, David is joined by Pascal Flor. Pascal is a full-time coach with the online coaching service Revive Stronger with fellow coaches Steve Hall & Migeul Blacutt.
Pascal is former competitive powerlifter but now solely focuses on natural bodybuilding.
Pascal works with a range of powerlifters & physique athletes and in this episode he shares his insights into the world of female physique sports.
Show notes: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode64
Make sure to leave a rating & review on iTunes.
In this episode, David is joined by Alan Flanagan.
Alan is currently completing his MSc. in nutritional medicine at the University of Surrey, where his dissertation is examining the eating patterns of NHS nurses. Alan’s research interests lie primarily in the areas of circadian rhythms and their influence on health and performance. Alan is a regular contributing author to biolayne.com and strives to increase awareness and application of the role of nutrition in conjunction with modern medical science.
In this episode, David is joined by three leading experts in the area of physical therapy and injury.
Dr. Quinn Henoch has a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis and is head of sports rehabilitation for JuggernautHQ in Orange County, CA. He is also the founder of ClinicalAthlete, which is a network of health care professionals who understand the performance-based needs of athletes.
Dr. Greg Lehman is physiotherapist, chiropractor and strength and conditioning specialist treating musculoskeletal disorders within a biopsychosocial model.
Greg was a recipient of a highly competitive MSc graduate scholarship that permitted him to be one of only two students to train with Professor Stuart McGill in his Occupational Biomechanics Laboratory, and subsequently published more than 20 peer-reviewed papers in the manual therapy and exercise biomechanics field.
Dr. Paul McCarroll qualified as a physiotherapist from the University of Ulster, before pursuing graduate entry medicine from the University of Limerick. While Paul pursued his medical qualifications in Limerick, he worked with high-level athletes across numerous sports including rugby, cricket & athletics.
Now a fully qualified medical doctor, Paul has gone one step further and is currently a core surgical trainee and aspires to become an orthopedic surgeon.
Topics covered in this discussion include:
- Spinal Flexion
- The Role of Manual Therapy
- Mechanisms of Injury
- Injury Rehabilitation Frameworks
- The Role of Patient Belief in Rehabilitation
- Pain Science
Website: www.synapseperformance.ie
In this episode, David conducts a solo podcast to discuss some considerations around speed & agility development for the GAA athlete.
The purpose of this episode is not to dive deep into the research but rather to get you asking questions about your own training or the training you do with your players. After this episode, we would hope that you come away with a different perspective on speed & agility training and pick up some concepts that you can apply instantly to start seeing progress.
See show notes: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode61
In this episode, David is joined by Ciaran O'Regan.
Ciaran O’Regan has a First Class Honours BSc. in Sports & Exercise Sciences from the University of Limerick.
Ciaran currently works as a full-time strength & conditioning coach and sports scientist, and has worked in professional rugby, elite GAA & with dozens of combat sports athletes.
Ciaran is also a published researcher and is a regular contributor to online platforms such as Sigma Nutrition.
All show notes can be found at www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode60
Ciaran O’Regan has a First Class Honours BSc. in Sports & Exercise Sciences from the University of Limerick.
Ciaran currently works as a full-time strength & conditioning coach and sports scientist, and has worked in professional rugby, elite GAA & with dozens of combat sports athletes.
Ciaran is also a published researcher and is a regular contributor to online platforms such as Sigma Nutrition.
All show notes can be found at www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode59
In this episode, Dominic Munnelly is back on the podcast to discuss some of the concepts put forth in his latest book co-authored with his wife;
"Move, Train, Nourish: The Sustainable Way to a Healthier You"
Dominic Munnelly is one of Ireland’s leading personal trainers having worked in the business for over 20 years. He has supported many clients on their health and fitness journey advising them on training, nutrition, mobility and wellness and in the process helped people lose weight, get fit and lead a happier and healthier life. His background is Sports Science and as well as training clients, he co-owns a gym in Kildare with his brother. He is considered a leading authority on fitness and has appeared on television and spoken on radio many times.
Show notes can be found at: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts/episode58
In this episode, David is joined by John Kiely.
John is a Senior lecturer in Elite Performance at the Institute of Coaching and Performance, within the University of Central Lancashire (although the role doesn’t require any lecturing). Instead he works on a one-to-one basis tutoring professional doctoral candidates —primarily experienced mid-career professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds (sporting, rehabilitation, academic, military services and so on) focused on driving innovation within their specific domain of expertise.
As an event coach, he has worked with many combat athletes and coached a Paralympic medallist, World indoor champion and European record holder in track & field. He was the Head of Strength & Conditioning for UK Athletics for a number of years, and subsequently their Athletic conditioning manager; in these roles he was intimately involved in the performance preparation of a large number of Olympic, World, and European medallists.
In 2013, he worked extensively with squash player Laura Massaro as she won both World and British Open titles. From 2014 to 2016 he was contracted to work with the Irish rugby squad prior to and during competitive championships, including the 2014 and 2015 6 Nations winning campaigns and the 2015 Rugby World cup.
All show notes can be found on the website: www.synapseperformance.ie/podcasts