Performance Strategies & Stumbles Dan Howells, Collaborate Sports

Listen Time: 29mins
In this episode, we welcome back Craig Turner to share two key reflections on mistakes made in his career and how they helped him to develop.
The first lesson is about the importance of authentic communication, honesty, and punctuality. Craig recalls a time when he was late for practice and didn't communicate properly with his coach....listen to the outcome of that event! The second lesson is about the dangers of collecting too much data without a clear purpose. Craig discusses how his team at Nike Academy had access to various sports performance monitoring technologies but struggled to make sense of the data. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of effective communication and purposeful data collection in the field of sports science.
A big thanks to LTAD network for their sponsorship of the episode AND their generous discount code for listeners to use to book tickets to their fantastic conference on June 1st and 2nd. Book here using the discount code 'collabpodcast' for 15% off tickets!
Do also visit www.collaboratesports.com to see our free "Data Decoded" webinar next week and what our other personal development opportunities involve!
Enjoy the listen!
Dan

Listen Time: 30mins - Sponsored by FK Pro (www.fkpro.co.uk)
This week's episode features Dr Craig Turner who is the current Head of Basketball Performance at the University of Pennsylvania.
Before this, he worked with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers as a Sports Science/Strength & Conditioning Associate. Craig has also held additional roles as the Director of Sport Science and Associate Strength & Conditioning Coach at N.C. State University, Sport Science Researcher in conjunction with the Nike Sports Research Laboratory, a Sport Science Consultant with NK Istra 1961 Football Club in Croatia, and an Applied Sports Scientist/Strength & Conditioning Coach with The Nike Academy. 
Craig shares with me, his insights on performance hacks. He discusses enhancing warm-up and session flow using the 1x20 principle, standardising testing processes, and training male and female athletes differently. Craig emphasises the importance of streamlining processes without cutting corners and highlights the use of AMRAP sets for females to optimise training intensity. He also suggests integrating testing into training sessions to get a true performance outcome.
Craig can be found via:
Instagram @ctsportscience
Twitter / X @ctsportsci
LinkedIn @ctsportsci
Website www.ctsportscience.com
Today's episode is sponsored by FK Pro, the most versatile suspension training equipment I have ever used. They enable several exercise set up hacks and the independent strap system means they can be used in unison or isolation, and as a result of their success, they have partnered with World Rugby on several Education Projects.
As a product, they fly under the radar in my opinion and should be looked at as one of the simplest, but most effective additions to your traditional equipment and resistance methods. Visit their website at www.fkpro.co.uk and use the exclusive discount code CS20 for 20% off at checkout! Reach out if you'd like to know more about how I have used FK Pro too.
Enjoy the episode!
Dan

Listen Time: 30mins
Andrew Lockwood rejoins me this week for his stumbles episode and how his mistakes have helped him in his work. Check back to last weeks episode to hear more about Andy's background in the military.
In this episode, one of his major mistakes was believing that leaders needed to maintain a certain distance from their team, which he later realised was not authentic to him.
Another mistake he made was not showing empathy towards a team member who was going through a personal issue, which affected their performance. Andrew emphasises the importance of authenticity and empathy in leadership and suggests that everyone has the potential to be a leader with the right training and development.
He also discusses the significance of shared experiences and the need for leaders to create a space for open communication and understanding within their teams.
We hope you enjoy the episode. Andrew can be reached on via social media (@greywolfteams or @sandcvacancies) or email (andy@greywolfteams.com) if you'd like to ask him some questions.
Please do check out the group mentorships that start in July too with Collaborate Sports via this link: www.collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorships - the early bird prices go up at the end of today!
 

Listen Time: 30mins
This week I welcome Andrew Lockwood to the Podcast. With 20 years of experience in the British Army, Andy has Leadership development experience within the military and with civilian organisations (Sacramento Kings, Inter Miami, professional coaches). Andrew also runs a rugby/S&C-related charity delivering to teams around the world from international to grassroots. He is also the man behind S&C Vacancies and Grey Wolf Teams.
In this episode, Andrew discusses the three pillars of effective leadership in elite environments: shared experience, mutual understanding, and empathy. He explains that high levels of these three elements lead to effective leadership and culture. Andrew emphasises the importance of developing these pillars organically and continuously throughout the year.
Takeaways
Effective leadership in elite environments is built on three pillars: shared experience, mutual understanding, and empathy.
Shared experience involves the micro and macro events that people in a team share, fostering trust and cohesion.
Mutual understanding includes understanding individual roles, expectations, and standards within the team.
Empathy is the ability to connect with others, understand their perspectives, and create a supportive environment.
Developing these pillars organically and continuously throughout the year is crucial for effective leadership and culture.
You can reach Andrew via social media (@greywolfteams or @sandcvacancies) or email (andy@greywolfteams.com)
Enjoy the Listen!
Collaborate Sports is also providing a number of unique personal development opportunities currently. Visit www.collaboratesports.com to see more!

Listen Time: 29mins
Ben joins us this week for part 2 of his Strategies and Stumbles appearance on the podcast!
In this conversation, Ben shares some of the stumbles, mistakes, and lessons he has learned in his career. He discusses his willingness to make mistakes and take risks, as well as the importance of taking ownership and learning from negative impacts on others. Ben reflects on his experience as the Head of Sport Science at Birmingham City Football Club, where he made mistakes in understanding the physical training needs of the players. He also shares a significant stumble with the hockey team, where he realised the importance of motivation, connection to goals, and mastery in the training program. Ben emphasises the need for building support, galvanizing allies, and adapting to different contexts.
 
Key aspects you'll take from this listen are:
Takeaways
Don't be afraid to make mistakes and take risks in your career.
Take ownership and learn from negative impacts on others.
Understand the context and environment you are stepping into.
Build support and galvanize allies to achieve shared objectives.
Consider motivation, connection to goals, and mastery in training programs.
Adapt and flex your approach based on individual needs and contexts.
Thanks again to Ben, and if you haven't do check out his website www.292performance.com - if you liked this episode, please share to your networks!
Lastly - don't forget all the opportunities Collaborate Sports provides in addition to this podcast. We have a great webinar with Paul Laursen coming up on High-Intensity Interval Training. Check out the options at www.collaboratesports.com
See you next week
Dan
 
 
 

Listen Time 30mins - Sponsored by Remaker (www.remaker.co.uk)
This week we welcome Dr Ben Rosenblatt to the podcast. Bens career spans time spent in the English Institute of Sport, Birmingham City FC, the Intensive Rehab Unit, a Gold Medal with GB Womens Hockey and multiple European and World Cups with the England Football Team!!
 
Ben now focuses his time on elite support services to professional athletes through the company he founded and is now director of, called 292 Performance (www.292performance.com)
 
In this episode, we delve into the concept of performance planning. Ben shares his experience of working with high-performing athletes and the importance of understanding their goals, limitations, and enabling factors. Ben emphasises the need for clarity in the desired outcome and the importance of open communication and collaboration within the team.
 
He also refers to the critical need of being a master craftsman, having self-awareness, and practising empathy. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the performance planning process and the skills required to optimise it.
 
Thanks again to Remaker for sponsoring this episode. Remaker is a versatile and highly portable technology that can provide strength diagnostics in several unique ways  Please check out their website - www.remaker.co.uk and instagram: @remaker.uk
Lastly - enrolment is now OPEN for the next group mentorships with Collaborate Sports, in LTAD, Rehab, S&C Principles or Data Skills, starting in July. Check out www.collaboratesports.com/thegroupmentorships for more info!